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-   -   taillight resurfacing? (https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/taillight-resurfacing-454379/)

XSTransAm 08-17-05 01:17 PM

taillight resurfacing?
 
Mine are pretty scratched up and have some overspray on them from the paint job (before i got the car). Is their anything other then getting a new set i can do to make them nice again? Ie: sanding, buffing?

Thanks, Mike

afterburn27 08-17-05 01:39 PM

I need to do this also, mine have a nice dull gray tone to them. :(

I saw this in a local paint shop:

http://www.handsontools.com/store-pr...E_3605505.html

The guy behind the counter said it works well on headlights, but he doesn't know about the FD tailights. I am going to try using a compound first, and if that doesn't work, then maybe try that kit.

rockshox 08-17-05 01:41 PM

I clay them first to get the overspray off then use meguiars plastic cleaner and plastic polish on a cotton buffing wheel. works great. The the Novus plastic polishing compounds also work well.

DamonB 08-17-05 01:53 PM

Novus plastic polish. It comes in various "grits" and does a great job. I've used it on Lexan, acrylic, face sheilds etc. Get a buffing wheel for your drill to apply it.

afterburn27 08-17-05 02:01 PM


Originally Posted by DamonB
Novus plastic polish. It comes in various "grits" and does a great job. I've used it on Lexan, acrylic, face sheilds etc. Get a buffing wheel for your drill to apply it.

Cool, never heard of the stuff. I'm ordering some now. :bigthumb:

XSTransAm 08-17-05 05:58 PM

thanks guys, im glad i dont have to spend my lunch money this week :P

wReX 08-17-05 06:15 PM

I've heard the 3M Plastic Polish works great as well.

turbojeff 08-18-05 12:57 AM

I sanded mine down with 1500 grit wet/dry paper and polished them out with a buffer. They look like new.

To get the best results use polishing compound in stages, progressively finer...

dgeesaman 08-18-05 04:45 AM

And if you already have plain old rubbing compound or fine cut polish, that works also. Keep enough polish on the cloth that you don't have to press hard or build up heat under the rag.

Dave

quicksilver_rx7 08-18-05 08:34 AM

On a similar note of a friend's RX-7; some idiot painted the car before he bought it and basically they painted the outer rim of the tail-lights the same color as the car (the part that is supposed to be black was painted Montego Blue). Can these methods be used to take that much paint off? Or can the lights be painted back to black with a semi-gloss or something?

DamonB 08-18-05 08:43 AM


Originally Posted by quicksilver_rx7
Can these methods be used to take that much paint off?

They could be but I think your time in that case would be worth enough money to just buy a used set and clean them up.

CantGoStraight 08-18-05 09:11 AM


Originally Posted by quicksilver_rx7
On a similar note of a friend's RX-7; some idiot painted the car before he bought it and basically they painted the outer rim of the tail-lights the same color as the car (the part that is supposed to be black was painted Montego Blue). Can these methods be used to take that much paint off? Or can the lights be painted back to black with a semi-gloss or something?

I saw a car done that way. I thought it looked pretty sweet. If your friend wants to swap his for mine let me know.

Sgtblue 08-18-05 10:14 AM


Originally Posted by dgeesaman
And if you already have plain old rubbing compound or fine cut polish, that works also. Keep enough polish on the cloth that you don't have to press hard or build up heat under the rag.

Dave

Personally I would stick to those compounds made for clear plastic. But definitely agree with the caution on heat. Be patient, go slow, use plenty of compound and low pressure on the buffer. In the past I've found it easier to control things by clamping the buffer on the work bench and holding the piece I'm buffing...instead of the other way around. :)

XSTransAm 12-13-05 08:47 PM

got around to it today, I ended up using 2000 grit sand paper and wet sanding them, then using a drill with a buffing wheel and some plastic polishing compound (meguairs) from autozone.

They look about like new :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ightsfloor.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ightsfloor.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...htcounter2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ghtcounter.jpg

turbojeff 12-13-05 09:59 PM

Nice slippers!

DMoneyRX-7 12-13-05 10:18 PM

What could i do to resurface my headlights?

yuichiror 12-13-05 10:44 PM

Hmmmm, cat food..... Looks nice dude, think I'll do mine soon.

XSTransAm 12-14-05 06:10 PM


Originally Posted by DMoneyRX-7
What could i do to resurface my headlights?

what headlights do you have?

the slippers are damn comfy.

and thats dog food :) (girlfriends yorkie)


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