Tail light swirl/scratch removal/polishing

SVR

SVR

Dream Machines
Hi gang



Somebody took wet sand to a showcar which I have in my shop at the moment and while doing his work, left 1200 grit sanding scratches on the clear lights on the back of this little pocket rocket



So I thought ok I'll give them a going over with rotary and menzerna

I decided it not a good idea to use anything stronger than an LC 4 inch white pad.

The usual work, stop, work stop method was used and I got up to 1100 rpm on these lights



All the swirls and sanding scratches were removed and so I followed with 106FF with LC black 4 inch and finished by hand with toughseal step 1 cleaner (works magic by machine on plastic bumpers)



The final result was total swirl free.

They now look like glass (can't see the plastic at all)



So from now on I am going to use the machine and normal polishes on any lights and probably finish by hand with a dedicated plastic polish and seal with fireglaze or other really good sealant.



I'm thrilled with the results.

However I'd like to know how strong (pad/polish) has anyone gone on such lights whether they be red/orange/clear or just clear?
 
I've used 3M rubbing compound with a 4" LC orange pad, followed up by PlastX on a 4" LC white pad. These were on clear headlight lenses. Seemed to turn out okay.
 
doc-rice said:
I've used 3M rubbing compound with a 4" LC orange pad..on clear headlight lenses..
Click to expand...



And I've done the same on plastic taillight lenses (3M PI-III RC 05933). Also done it with H-T EC and 1Z Ultra (both individually and in combination). I do try to keep the speed resonable with the rotary so I don't melt the plastic.



I've never gotten around to trying a plastic polish for the final step, I just use a mild regular product and it seems to work fine.
 
1200 grit sandpaper, heavy-cut compound and a wool pad is definalty a good combo for some faded lights! I like using wool because it cuts fast/better and stays cool so there's less chance of melting the lens.
 
I've gone as heavy as HTEC on a wool cut pad - the lights had some deep scratches and it took 1200 grit to level them down. I followed with OP/orange/1200 and PlastX/white LC/1200.
 
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