Removing Scratches From Tail Lights
 

so i recently purchased some tail light from some one on the forums so that i can convert them to 99 spec tail lights. they said the tail lights were in MINT/GREAT condition. unfortunately when i recieved them there was a big ass scratch on the left tail light. SOo i've been searching around for a way to remove this BIG ASS scratch(look at pics below). i've found on ebay a plasic polishing kit:

http://cgi.ebay.com/POLISHING-KIT-FO...QQcmdZViewItem

so my question is has anyone tried this on the forums or does anyone know of any other way to remove this scratch on my tail light OR am i just screwed with the scratch on my left tail light?? Any help will be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance

- jon jon

ive used 3m plastic polishing compund w/ a buffer on my tails and came out great but i didn have any scratches that big...

I had a big scratch about 1inch long, I used 800 grit sand paper, that 1500 grit, after that I just buffed/polished it with a regular car polish compound, I don't remember the brand, but I can find it if you need it. It came out great, no scratches now.

where can you purchase 3m plastic polishing compund?? and what kind of buffer did u use??

my buddy used a buffer to get rid of oxidation on headlights...used compound , then polish/pink glaze filler ...came out pretty good....

thanks for the input guys, keep em' coming...im gonna try to sand them w/ 800 grit then 1500 grit sand paper just like ghost-rider... once i do it i'll post some pics

after you wet sand them ...you really should run a buffer on them to get the fine scratches out...
good luck

thanks everyone for the great info!

Make sure to rat the guy out if he sold you some bunk stuff. Make sure to post about it in the "good guy bad guy" forum. We don't need anymore idiot sellers. Good luck with your lights :)

Meguiar's makes a really good plastic cleaner which removes scratches from clear plastic.I used it on mine, by hand, and it worked great.They make the polish also.Here is a link to it......http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars1017.html

meguiars is good. there are 2 versions, a retail type that is less abrasive and a professional type that requires a separate cleaner to finish it off.

i wouldn't recommend the sandpaper unless you have experience. even then i wouldn't use anything rougher than a 1000 grit and definitely finish with some 2000 and some plastic polish/cleaner.

Use this....it works

http://www.noscratch.com/novus/

i agree w/ this cause thats what i did and i ended up having to buff it for awhile till it came out good but then i could still see ome of the fine scratches.

You can make 'em like new, the bad news is that it takes some effort.

1st, don't buy that ebay kit... There is nothing in there special. You can get the same stuff at the same price at Home Depot. There are a number of common polishing compounds that you can purchase. The black is most course and not really needed unless there is some aggressive polishing to be done.

The red is next in fineness. The white is super fine and for final buffing. All this will be stated on the packaging.

Also at the hardware store or the autoparts store, you can buy wet sand paper. I have wet sanded my taillights to get the factory smoothness back. On the tops there will be scratches from taking things in and out of the trunk. This is a good place to start on the tailights. Use 1500 grit to start and then 2000 grit to finish. You get the paper wet and then carefully sand the plastic all over without being too aggressive at first.

After the scratches are sanded out, then polish with the white compound. It will removed any sanding marks and then you can clean with Windex to get the residue off. They will look 100% if you spend the time and go slowly.

+2 on both points. Meguiars is a little pricey, but good stuff.
FWIW, I use a adjustable clamp to secure a variable-speed buffer upside down to my work bench. I found that I can control pressure easier by holding the part in my hand. I think the big enemy is heat with a plastic part. Obviously the higher the speed, use less pressure and vice versa. Use a clean pad, take your time and check it often.

thanks again guys for the great input

This product should work as well.

The Mother's Powerball (comes in two versions - one small, one big)
http://www.autogeek.net/mo5140.html

meguiars polish, powerball, and sandpaper it is -=)

I can vouch for novus products also.

hmm...now im not sure which one to go for hahahah

they're probably both good products.

Deep scratches/gouges will take effort to remove, whatever product you decide on using.

Has anyone used the Eastwood scratch remover product?