Best Tail Light Clean Restore Method

[toearley]

Set of tail lights rallye style. Good color not a lot of fade, no cracks or major scratches, very dirty. What's your best method / product for cleaning polishing. I've heard of finishing with a urethane coating to add shine and long term protection.

 

[idrivemopar]

Are you talking about the lenses? If so, and not scratched or cracked, you can use some heavy duty rubbing compound, followed by light buffing compound followed by a good buff with some wax and used a low speed wheel on a drill or by hand works well. The inside was just cleaned real well with dawn dish soap.

Here is a test one I did before doing my other sets that went on the car, ignore the crack, but you can see the difference.

 

[Dennis H]

Agreed. Handle with care. I used to take mine out every year until a tab broke off. Can you soak them good overnight first in warm soapy water.

 

[eagleone1983]

I used a canton flannel wheel with red compound to polish out my plastic lenses. They all came out great.

 

[mrsnicks]

I saw on Graveyard Cars where he used Muratic Acid to clean them.

 

[idrivemopar]

I wouldn't recommend using acid. for starters Muratic acid is hydrochloric acid and is some nasty stuff, caustic, and if it comes in contact with metal or alkali will produce a cloud of hydrogen chloride gas that you certainly don't want to breath! You will also have to dilute it for cleaning purposes. I think you will get the same or better results with soap and water and a soft cleaning brush.

 

[demonram]

I could be wrong, but it think they used the acid on the chrome emblems to take the old paint and tarnish off. Like Idrivemopar said please be careful when using this stuff! We don't want to lose any b body family members. Take care