Lens restoration kit?
09-26-07, 08:00 AM
#1
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Lens restoration kit?
Has anyone used a plastic lens restore kit? I've seen something like it used on tail light lenses before, and my S5 tails could use some resotration.
I found a product by BriteLites, for about $80, that uses a 3 step process. Á friend of mine used this on his Camaro tails and it was like brand new!
Anyone know where I can pick up something like this?
I found a product by BriteLites, for about $80, that uses a 3 step process. Á friend of mine used this on his Camaro tails and it was like brand new!
Anyone know where I can pick up something like this?
09-26-07, 08:23 AM
#2
Jpk3200
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Take a look at this first. I haven't done it myself, but the results look amazing.
http://www.rotorwiki.com/index.php/Lense_Restoration
http://www.rotorwiki.com/index.php/Lense_Restoration
09-26-07, 11:42 AM
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For the clear plastic lenses, I used the turtle wax rubbing compound first. Go back and forth in one direction. You will feel the resistance of the surface go down rub back and forth. Rub till all smooth.
Then I used the turtle wax polishing compound. Go back and forth in the other direction until you can't see any of the scratches from the rubbing compound.
Then I used Meguiars Paint Cleaner. Go back and forth in the original direction untill you can't see any of the marks from the polishing compound.
Then I put on a coat of wax to help protect them.
Advance auto parts has the polishing and rubbing compound on sail for $1 each and I think I bought the Paint cleaner for $6 at Autozone. These products are handy for lots of different things so you won't really lose money like you did if you bought a lens cleaning kit. It took me about 20-30 minutes a lens to pull them out and clean them.
Then I used the turtle wax polishing compound. Go back and forth in the other direction until you can't see any of the scratches from the rubbing compound.
Then I used Meguiars Paint Cleaner. Go back and forth in the original direction untill you can't see any of the marks from the polishing compound.
Then I put on a coat of wax to help protect them.
Advance auto parts has the polishing and rubbing compound on sail for $1 each and I think I bought the Paint cleaner for $6 at Autozone. These products are handy for lots of different things so you won't really lose money like you did if you bought a lens cleaning kit. It took me about 20-30 minutes a lens to pull them out and clean them.
09-26-07, 11:51 AM
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^^ My write-up used to ONLY specify turtle wax compounds.... but I found the clear plastic cleaner/polish to work the best in conjunction with a rubbing compound/sandpaper. Obviously for the tails and perhaps the marker lenses (assuming you wanted to keep the DOT lettering), I wouldn't use sandpaper... but turtle wax rubbing compound (the red stuff) would probably work great as a substitute. But, honestly, one of those magic/mini ball things and any polish will probably work.
Mazda > Ford
Know what the weakest link of the Mazda 626 is? The FORD built automatic transmission.
Mazda > Ford
Know what the weakest link of the Mazda 626 is? The FORD built automatic transmission.
09-26-07, 12:04 PM
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My RX-7 needs more Ford Type F transmission fluid because the power steering is spraying it out through a tiny hole under the hood!
My friend said American cars are awful because they break almost as much as my RX-7.
09-26-07, 01:14 PM
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Seriously man.. what are you doing on this forum? Its like going to a honda forum and shouting "Go mazda!"
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09-26-07, 02:26 PM
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wow! all i did was buy this kit from autozone, as a matter of fact i used it today i think it costs like 10 bucks and it comes with 6 foam pads with some kind of white powder on the pads and a attachment so you can stick it in a drill. you put the pads on the attachment and use the drill and spray a little water on it and it makes plastic look brand new! so easy a any tard can do it! takes like 10 min to do
09-26-07, 06:00 PM
#11
wow! all i did was buy this kit from autozone, as a matter of fact i used it today i think it costs like 10 bucks and it comes with 6 foam pads with some kind of white powder on the pads and a attachment so you can stick it in a drill. you put the pads on the attachment and use the drill and spray a little water on it and it makes plastic look brand new! so easy a any tard can do it! takes like 10 min to do
Here is a before and after picture for the non-believers - and the one that is cleaned was worse than the other one to start with!
09-27-07, 11:59 AM
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09-28-07, 04:13 AM
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You don't need a "kit" or special plastic polish. I just used three grades of sandpaper (400 then 800 then 1200 from memory), Autosol metal polish and then Brasso. Came out like new.
09-28-07, 07:30 AM
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http://autopia.org/forum/click-brag/...storation.html
http://autopia.org/forum/click-brag/...spired-me.html
400 first, they must of been absolutely wrecked. 
http://autopia.org/forum/click-brag/...spired-me.html
09-28-07, 11:24 AM
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Other than the polishing wheel, (which I'm assuming you used one of), they all cost about the same.... Brasso is dirt cheap, but that autosol stuff is 10-12 bucks... Its cheaper, but hardly a poor-mans method.
Good info though... I just prefer using products specifically designed for clear plastics so I don't get hazing or fogging of the material over time. My dads boat windshield ended up like that... not sure what he used though, I just remember it was expensive to replace.
09-29-07, 12:53 AM
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No, they just had the same cloudy layer of oxidised plastic most 20yo lenses have, and the 400 took that off quickly and easily.
A wheel? No, just a rag and my arm...
I've had the same tube of Autosol in the garage for over 10 years, and have used it many times for many jobs. To me that makes it extraordinarily cheap.
I have no reason to expect that would happen, since my method has worked for me many times before. Do you know what makes plastic polish work any better? Are you sure it's not just marketing...?
Brasso is dirt cheap, but that autosol stuff is 10-12 bucks... Its cheaper, but hardly a poor-mans method.
I just prefer using products specifically designed for clear plastics so I don't get hazing or fogging of the material over time.
Last edited by NZConvertible; 09-29-07 at 01:02 AM.
11-23-07, 01:01 PM
#25
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I've been without internet, so it took me a while to post this up. Here are my FTP lenses, one polished, the other untouched.
I just used the noted assorted of sandpaper, then a terryclotch rag with Mother's Plastic Polish.
I just used the noted assorted of sandpaper, then a terryclotch rag with Mother's Plastic Polish.