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Restoring lenses?

D

delfinomuro

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Anybody know the best way to restore the tail light lenses on my 66 satellite? I was thinking of sanding then spraying them with a clear coat 2x.....any inputs? Ideas?
 
Are they just hazy, or are there chips and cracks? If you sand with finer and finer paper, up to 1500 grit or so, then use plastic polish, they'll sparkle like new. But caution must be used when sanding near raised lettering, ridges or any other details that shouldn't be obscured. Doing this will look better and more authentic than spraying with clear coat, plus there's no risk of flaking later on.

Tiny chips, cracks or missing bits can be filled with coloured acrylic resin, but the effort involved is usually reserved for hard to get parts.

http://www.meguiars.com/en/marine/products/m1008-clear-plastic-polish/
http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g12310-plastx-clear-plastic-cleaner-polish/
 
PlastX all the way. Used it on my Super Bee lenses and they turned out great.

led.jpg
 
Take your time! I completely removed, disassembled then washed and dried my lenses before polishing them. Twice.
Took about two or three hours to do both but I also re-sprayed the argent and used Autosol and wire wool on the chrome.
 
You can also buff them, but you must be very CAREFULL and use a loose cotton buff wheel with green or whit rouge.
 
Damn I love this place. You boys just saved me a pile of money, I was simply going to buy some repros.
I never would have guessed they could buff out.
 
lol 2x!!! I ddnt see this on the board so I decided to start one and thank god I did now we all can start saving some money and restore what we have! Gonna try these ideas out and see which works better

Thanks guy!!

Runner 68 said:
Damn I love this place. You boys just saved me a pile of money, I was simply going to by some repros.
I never would have guessed they could buff out.
Click to expand...
 
Didnt we just cover this and someone suggest toothpaste?

Great info...thanks to ALL!
 
I know spraying Off bug repellant on will take the hazy off of clear headlights lenses. I saw it on Youtube, tried it and it worked. just spray and polish it with a clean towel or microfiber cloth.
 
And with that, the chevy's and ford's will be repelled, lol!!!!
 
Yes, toothpaste works well on plastic, too. I wouldn't hesitate to go with Lionized's suggestion, though - great results!
 
Anyone have any good tips for cleaning the inside of side marker lenses?

I have about 6 sets of 71 marker lenses, and doing the outside is straight forward, but I'm trying to get the inside of them good and clean too. I've soaked them in buckets of hot soapy water, but since the inside is textured, it's tough to get them clean.
 
Try hot water with clorax and leave it in there for w while. Then shake it then leave it again. It worked on some lenses I had before. Hope it helps

SureGrip said:
Anyone have any good tips for cleaning the inside of side marker lenses?

I have about 6 sets of 71 marker lenses, and doing the outside is straight forward, but I'm trying to get the inside of them good and clean too. I've soaked them in buckets of hot soapy water, but since the inside is textured, it's tough to get them clean.
Click to expand...
 
I had good luck polishing with Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish after sanding.
 
aslbow said:
What is PlastX and where can it be found, pray tell?
Click to expand...


PlastX is a polish designed especially for plastic. It works great on tail lights, side marker lights, motorcycle helmet face shields, anything made of plastic. You can find it most places that sell car wax. http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g12310-plastx-clear-plastic-cleaner-polish/

- - - Updated - - -

SureGrip said:
Anyone have any good tips for cleaning the inside of side marker lenses?

I have about 6 sets of 71 marker lenses, and doing the outside is straight forward, but I'm trying to get the inside of them good and clean too. I've soaked them in buckets of hot soapy water, but since the inside is textured, it's tough to get them clean.
Click to expand...


Drop them into a bucket of water and add three or four tablets designed for cleaning dentures. Let the bubbles scrub away the grime...
 
delfinomuro said:
Try hot water with clorax and leave it in there for w while. Then shake it then leave it again. It worked on some lenses I had before. Hope it helps
Click to expand...

I'd be worried about what the bleach does to the plastic....even diluted. Have you done this before? Thanks.

Photon440 said:
- - - Updated - - -




Drop them into a bucket of water and add three or four tablets designed for cleaning dentures. Let the bubbles scrub away the grime...
Click to expand...
Very interesting...that's a pretty good idea. :yes:
 
Super grip poly grip, lol!!!
 
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