3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

taillight resurfacing?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-17-05, 01:17 PM
  #1  
Ee / Cpe

Thread Starter
 
XSTransAm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Gaithersburg, MD / WVU
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
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
Old 08-17-05, 01:39 PM
  #2  
Lets Go Hokies!

iTrader: (5)
 
afterburn27's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
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.
Old 08-17-05, 01:41 PM
  #3  
-

iTrader: (3)
 
rockshox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Old 08-17-05, 01:53 PM
  #4  
Lives on the Forum

 
DamonB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Dallas
Posts: 9,617
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
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.
Old 08-17-05, 02:01 PM
  #5  
Lets Go Hokies!

iTrader: (5)
 
afterburn27's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
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.
Old 08-17-05, 05:58 PM
  #6  
Ee / Cpe

Thread Starter
 
XSTransAm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Gaithersburg, MD / WVU
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
thanks guys, im glad i dont have to spend my lunch money this week :P
Old 08-17-05, 06:15 PM
  #7  
Does not drive a WRX!!!

iTrader: (6)
 
wReX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I've heard the 3M Plastic Polish works great as well.
Old 08-18-05, 12:57 AM
  #8  
Do it right, do it once

iTrader: (30)
 
turbojeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Eugene, OR, usa
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
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...
Old 08-18-05, 04:45 AM
  #9  
Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
dgeesaman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Fort Kickass
Posts: 12,302
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
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
Old 08-18-05, 08:34 AM
  #10  
Rotary Enthusiast

 
quicksilver_rx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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?
Old 08-18-05, 08:43 AM
  #11  
Lives on the Forum

 
DamonB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Dallas
Posts: 9,617
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
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.
Old 08-18-05, 09:11 AM
  #12  
What's your point ?

 
CantGoStraight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Gainesville, Fla.
Posts: 3,573
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Old 08-18-05, 10:14 AM
  #13  
Urban Combat Vet

iTrader: (16)
 
Sgtblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mid-west
Posts: 12,030
Received 879 Likes on 619 Posts
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.
Old 12-13-05, 08:47 PM
  #14  
Ee / Cpe

Thread Starter
 
XSTransAm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Gaithersburg, MD / WVU
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
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







Old 12-13-05, 09:59 PM
  #15  
Do it right, do it once

iTrader: (30)
 
turbojeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Eugene, OR, usa
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
Nice slippers!
Old 12-13-05, 10:18 PM
  #16  
Derek

iTrader: (2)
 
DMoneyRX-7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Posts: 2,011
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
What could i do to resurface my headlights?
Old 12-13-05, 10:44 PM
  #17  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (1)
 
yuichiror's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Hampton, Va
Posts: 2,506
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hmmmm, cat food..... Looks nice dude, think I'll do mine soon.
Old 12-14-05, 06:10 PM
  #18  
Ee / Cpe

Thread Starter
 
XSTransAm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Gaithersburg, MD / WVU
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
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)




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:05 PM.