Restoring plastic lights
03-17-11, 10:57 AM
#1
Restoring plastic lights
While detailing the FD, I noticed the turn signals needed some attention. Over all the collected miles from freeway driving the turn signals now look like a teenagers face and it's time to address it.
Here's the before image, as you can see all the little chips/dings; also wanted to remove the lettering on the housings.
Starting off, what I've done is simply by hand wet sanded with soap/hot water using 2 different grit of papers. Started with a more coarse grit at 500 to remove all of the lettering and the pits which estimate about hours work; then moved onto a 2000 grit and proceeded to wet sand for a good hour.
The lights will be vary hazing at this point but don't stress it, it'll all be better soon. This image was about 2/3 done with sanding.
Once all of the pits are removed and you're content then it's time to move on to the rubbing compound. If you prefer a buffer here then more power to you, I decided to do this by hand. I spent a good 45min per light on this stage; you'll notice very quickly the shine will peak through.
Last step is making this really shine and coating it so she wont haze on you. Finishing this up using a buffer and Meguiars carnauba wax, I applied this about three times before I was well satisfied.
And mounted
Here's the before image, as you can see all the little chips/dings; also wanted to remove the lettering on the housings.
Starting off, what I've done is simply by hand wet sanded with soap/hot water using 2 different grit of papers. Started with a more coarse grit at 500 to remove all of the lettering and the pits which estimate about hours work; then moved onto a 2000 grit and proceeded to wet sand for a good hour.
The lights will be vary hazing at this point but don't stress it, it'll all be better soon. This image was about 2/3 done with sanding.
Once all of the pits are removed and you're content then it's time to move on to the rubbing compound. If you prefer a buffer here then more power to you, I decided to do this by hand. I spent a good 45min per light on this stage; you'll notice very quickly the shine will peak through.
Last step is making this really shine and coating it so she wont haze on you. Finishing this up using a buffer and Meguiars carnauba wax, I applied this about three times before I was well satisfied.
And mounted
03-17-11, 11:33 AM
#2
While detailing the FD, I noticed the turn signals needed some attention. Over all the collected miles from freeway driving the turn signals now look like a teenagers face and it's time to address it.
Here's the before image, as you can see all the little chips/dings; also wanted to remove the lettering on the housings.
Starting off, what I've done is simply by hand wet sanded with soap/hot water using 2 different grit of papers. Started with a more coarse grit at 500 to remove all of the lettering and the pits which estimate about hours work; then moved onto a 2000 grit and proceeded to wet sand for a good hour.
The lights will be vary hazing at this point but don't stress it, it'll all be better soon. This image was about 2/3 done with sanding.
Once all of the pits are removed and you're content then it's time to move on to the rubbing compound. If you prefer a buffer here then more power to you, I decided to do this by hand. I spent a good 45min per light on this stage; you'll notice very quickly the shine will peak through.
Last step is making this really shine and coating it so she wont haze on you. Finishing this up using a buffer and Meguiars carnauba wax, I applied this about three times before I was well satisfied.
And mounted
Here's the before image, as you can see all the little chips/dings; also wanted to remove the lettering on the housings.
Starting off, what I've done is simply by hand wet sanded with soap/hot water using 2 different grit of papers. Started with a more coarse grit at 500 to remove all of the lettering and the pits which estimate about hours work; then moved onto a 2000 grit and proceeded to wet sand for a good hour.
The lights will be vary hazing at this point but don't stress it, it'll all be better soon. This image was about 2/3 done with sanding.
Once all of the pits are removed and you're content then it's time to move on to the rubbing compound. If you prefer a buffer here then more power to you, I decided to do this by hand. I spent a good 45min per light on this stage; you'll notice very quickly the shine will peak through.
Last step is making this really shine and coating it so she wont haze on you. Finishing this up using a buffer and Meguiars carnauba wax, I applied this about three times before I was well satisfied.
And mounted
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