polishing plastic - tail light lenses
#66049
05/30/08 09:53 AM
05/30/08 09:53 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 697 Central IL
70Sbird
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 697
Central IL
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Happy Friday everyone, This has probably been covered a million times, but here goes anyway... I'm going to be taking the tail light assembblies out of the 'Bird this weekend to replace the leaky housing to body gaskets. while I have them out I want to take them apart and polish the plastic tail light lenses. They are just slightly hazy and scuffed, but not very badly. I have some Meguires plastic polish for convertible top plastic windows I'm thinking of using, but I've also heard of people using things like Brasso metal polish, toothpaste etc.... any recommendations?
Last edited by 70Sbird; 05/30/08 09:54 AM.
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Re: polishing plastic - tail light lenses
[Re: 70Sbird]
#66050
05/30/08 10:01 AM
05/30/08 10:01 AM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,195 Snowing in the north!
Dart 340
moparts member
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moparts member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,195
Snowing in the north!
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Quote:
Happy Friday everyone, This has probably been covered a million times, but here goes anyway... I'm going to be taking the tail light assembblies out of the 'Bird this weekend to replace the leaky housing to body gaskets. while I have them out I want to take them apart and polish the plastic tail light lenses. They are just slightly hazy and scuffed, but not very badly. I have some Meguires plastic polish for convertible top plastic windows I'm thinking of using, but I've also heard of people using things like Brasso metal polish, toothpaste etc.... any recommendations?
Depends on how bad they are. I used to make prototype lenses for Auto Meter gauges for years. If the scratches are deep you will need to use something to "remove" a little plastic. If they are not deep a little elbow grease and a good gentle polishing compound will work well. There are several "scratch" hiding products available for plastic but be careful and try in a very small area first. On older resins you never know what you are going to get. You can PM me if you want details on removing deeper scratches etc.
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Re: polishing plastic - tail light lenses
[Re: mopars4ever]
#66052
05/30/08 10:32 AM
05/30/08 10:32 AM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I use a basic rubbing compound like 3M.
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Re: polishing plastic - tail light lenses
#66053
05/30/08 10:35 AM
05/30/08 10:35 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,845 Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,845
Kirkland, Washington
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Quote:
I use a basic rubbing compound like 3M.
As do I. I have also had great success with 600/1000/2000 grit paper then a buffing wheel, but you have to be VERY gentle when putting plastic on a wheel.
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Re: polishing plastic - tail light lenses
[Re: Pacnorthcuda]
#66054
05/30/08 10:50 AM
05/30/08 10:50 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,861 Riverside, Ca
R70RUNNER
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,861
Riverside, Ca
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plain old tooth paste... '70 lenses are super easy to clean basically flat once you have them apart. Rub the paste with your fingers to clean, rinse well, then finish with your choice of liquid wax. Did mine this way and had excellent results. Plus, if you use the right type they'll be minty fresh too
Current cars: 2000 Dak Quad Cab, 2012 Challenger,1970 Road Runner, 1994 Firehawk
1966 Coronet post sedan, 1988 Corvette, 2005 Magnum RT all SOLD
R70RUNNER<---VP Inland Empire Chapter of the MPM
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Re: polishing plastic - tail light lenses
[Re: Publicbottle]
#66057
05/30/08 12:33 PM
05/30/08 12:33 PM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Done both the Mothers Alumium Polish and Toothpaste. Take your pick!
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Re: polishing plastic - tail light lenses
#66058
05/30/08 01:23 PM
05/30/08 01:23 PM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Been using paint polishes on them for years.
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Re: polishing plastic - tail light lenses
[Re: 79machocharger]
#66060
05/30/08 04:52 PM
05/30/08 04:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066 Eugene, Oregon
minivan
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
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Quote:
I use a special string wheel on a low rpm buffer with blue compound. Works awesome just make sure your buffers going at a low rpm. I think eastwood may sell wheels that are simular to the string wheel I have.
I have the eastwood string buffer and their plastic polish.. Mine came out looking brand new....
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Re: polishing plastic - tail light lenses
[Re: 70Sbird]
#66063
06/04/08 03:06 AM
06/04/08 03:06 AM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Toothpaste works. it'a made with diatoms....those little microscopic shelly creatures that live in the ocean, and have a mild abrasive quality..... Can make your gold tooth shine...hehe
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Re: polishing plastic - tail light lenses
[Re: DusterKrazy]
#66064
06/04/08 12:51 PM
06/04/08 12:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,768 Windsor, ON, Canada
Diplomat360
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,768
Windsor, ON, Canada
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Quote:
I used this stuff called meguiars plast x on my '69 charger lenses and they turned out amazing!
I also used this product, came out very nice looking in no time at all...
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