Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

I was looking at some of my spare taillight lenses and decided to experiment on one that I was going to throw away anyways.

So I decided to see if 0000 steel wool would remove the fine scratches that our lenses are prone to and what the results would be. After cleaning the lense and then wetting the outside of the lense. I proceeded to use the steel wool going in a sweeping motion back and forth (not up and down or in a circular motion) with light to medium pressure.

Afterwards I recleaned it and then applied regular white polishing compound. the results are favorable. I recommend if you are going to try this to first experiment with lenses that you would not normally keep.

Pics attached.

Yellow '79

wow thos look great!

2wankel

iTrader: (1)

Hey great job, I just recently did one of my lenses, its off the car. I used 1500 wet sandpaper kept it well lubricated and polished it with plastic polish. It came out really nice, I even removed the dot lettering. Probably not a good idea, but I like the slick clean look.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Looking good. I've also seen that toothpaste will work, if it's mostly sunfade. For minor scratching, metal polish works quite well, deeper ones need wet/dry sanding, (1000 grit, working up to 2000, then polish), with plenty of water for lube.

NoPis10

iTrader: (29)

"I was looking at some of my spare taillight lenses and decided to experiment on one that I was going to throw away anyways."

hey Doc,
I guess you won't be throwing them away anymore....
LOL LOL
L8R

85rx12a

hey you want to sell those lenses

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

Toothpaste is some amazing stuff. It is even good for cleaning silver. Kind of tells you how hard our teeth are.

For continued maintenance of our lenses I highly recommend products that are manufactured by Novus (not 100% sure of the spelling). Alot of motorcycle shops use this.
There are 3 phases of the product.
1). Heavy duty scratch remover
2). polish
3). cleaner

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

For additional preservation, wax the lenses when waxing the car. This will reduce the UV damage to the plastic and keep the lenses looking fresher longer.

GavinJuice

Buy a bottle of this http://www.303products.com/tech/inde...Product_ID=428 and go to town on your whole car. It does an AMAZING job on vinyl rubber and plastic. Spray on, wipe off and give it a buff. It would do wonders for those taillights.

Seriously, my dash-doors-plastic trim pieces, all look like factory parts. The whole concept is UV protection and it does so without attracting dust since it dries. Unlike armorall crap.

Rogue_Wulff

Dang it, Doc. Now you have inspired me to polish my taillights......

7aull

iTrader: (2)

Thanks Doc,
Gavin - will check out the 303 - looks promising!! thanks for the Link-
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

Nate83SA22

Nice Doc!!! nice nice nice.....but, heres a noobie question how do the lens covers comes off without breaking them? are glued on to the tailght with an adhesive or are screw in, etc.? help me out!

P.S. amazing idea!

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

Nate, How you doing?

They are glued on.
The best thing to do is use a heat gun or a blow dryer.
I would use it about 10 to 12 inches away from it focusing on the outer edges(black area) of the lense. Be careful not to get it too hot as to cause damage to the plastic.
Then gently pull from the outer edges to loosen the seal on it. I don't recommend prying on it with anything because the lense will crack.
Firebirdslayer666 does some mods to the lenses so he may have some better tips on doing this.

dj55b

iTrader: (2)

I think another method that can be used is also sanding with a bit courser paper like 400(wet) and then do a few shots of clearcoat, and wet sand that. Should give you a bit more projection of the actual lens

81WideMariah

iTrader: (8)

dammit!!. beat me to it...i usually do this with all of my plastic/lexan headlights or taillights..also you can put acouple drops of color and tint your lights if you like..I.E: black for smoked-out, blue for headlights looks cool at night, i've even done red, orange, and lot's of others... it's kinda popular to color match your headlights here in florida..dunno if it'll catch on elsewhere..

dj55b

iTrader: (2)

Thats because your guys have alot of ricers there lol ... Thats a pretty neat idea but i just hope that people don't go crazy on that stuff as in putting too much solor to the point that you can't see lights anymore.

VPTUNING

well after seeing docs nice tail lights, i decided to clean mine too. i attached pics of what i used to clean the lenses and let me tell you it worked great. WOW!!!! and since the guy i bought my 7 from gave me 2 extra sets of tail lights i said hey why not make some clear ones to. check them out let me know what u think. after a couple of beers creativity runs wild!!!!!