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Reconditoning tail lights

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Old 06-21-05, 06:05 PM
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Reconditoning tail lights

The black on my tail lights and center section is really faded, only a dull gray now. Is there a way to restore them? Or am I stuck with buying another set? I haven't looked too closely at the lights yet... is the plastic itself black? Or is there black paint on there?

Thanks for any input,
Matt
Old 06-21-05, 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by afterburn27
The black on my tail lights and center section is really faded, only a dull gray now. Is there a way to restore them? Or am I stuck with buying another set? I haven't looked too closely at the lights yet... is the plastic itself black? Or is there black paint on there?

Thanks for any input,
Matt
I am sure you can take the cover off, mask them and paint them similar to doing the 99 spec mod.
Old 06-21-05, 06:35 PM
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I think the plastic is black, so I don't think paint would work.
Old 06-21-05, 07:29 PM
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A guy that owns a quality body shop told me that you can recondition plastic lenses on cars buy using paint polish and an orbital buffer.

I used Meguiars Car Polish on my parking/turn signal light lenses and it worked perfectly.

Try it.
Old 12-15-07, 05:28 PM
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looks good
Old 12-15-07, 06:17 PM
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Give Seven Lust a PM. He modified my tailights to '99 spec and they look great. Since he's taken apart so many lights, he can probably tell you whether it's the plastic that's black, or if it's something on the inside that's black.

- Andy
Old 12-15-07, 06:41 PM
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there is also special plastic polish you can buy as well. Don't hold me too this, but I think the numbers are Meguiar #10 and 17.
Old 12-15-07, 07:03 PM
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lol, this is an old thread...

I did end up polishing my tail lights with some nice plastic polish. It worked wonders on all the small scratches, but the lights are still a dull grayish color instead of black. Oh well...
Old 12-16-07, 05:43 PM
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yea that dull color is the actual plastic if i remember correctly. Sense would say paint the insides of the lense but the outside plastic is the part thats faded from the years of sunlight. Mine have a blueish color to them.....perfect on the clear part but the outside of the light is all faded.

not sure of a fix yet besides masking and painting the OUTSIDE of the plastic and hoping it holds up. I get jealous when i see other FD taillights that actually still look black
Old 12-16-07, 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by TpCpLaYa
yea that dull color is the actual plastic if i remember correctly. Sense would say paint the insides of the lense but the outside plastic is the part thats faded from the years of sunlight. Mine have a blueish color to them.....perfect on the clear part but the outside of the light is all faded.

not sure of a fix yet besides masking and painting the OUTSIDE of the plastic and hoping it holds up. I get jealous when i see other FD taillights that actually still look black
Painting them is a horrible idea. The cheap paint in a spray can won't last long and the masking will be difficult.

I've done the reconditioning on several FD taillights. Simply sand them down with wet/dry sandpaper. I think I used 800 grit or so. Then polish them with a buffer and regular paint polish. They will look like new.
Old 12-16-07, 08:28 PM
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If there is a finish on them then paint polish other wise mother back to black works amazing on black plastics.




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