Detailing Tail Lights

[Simon777]

My tail lights consist of a hard plastic and they are only slightly hazy. Is a stripping compound like swirlx or ultimate compound safe to use on plastic or should I go straight to using polish to make it look better?

I want to make sure it is safe for both my DA and the taillights. I don't want to make the lights look worse or ruin my foam pad in the process. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Murr1525]

Re: Detailing Tail Lights

Hazy like scratched, or dirty?

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Detailing Tail Lights

You should start with the least abrasive method that will likely still get the job done. So start with a softer polish like PlastX, and then graduate to more aggressive products only if necessary.

Make sure to tape off the paint in the surrounding areas, and your DA, pads, and paint should be fine.

[Simon777]

Re: Detailing Tail Lights

Hazy like scratched, or dirty?

Nothing major or too noticable at all, just a little oxidated.

[THE BIG BUFFER]

Re: Detailing Tail Lights

Nothing major or too noticable at all, just a little oxidated.

Then Plastx should be fine. I have done many taillights using Plastx. But i use a wool pad and an orbital polisher. I'll see if I can find a couple of pics for you.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Detailing Tail Lights

Definitely start with the plast-x. This will probably all you need to take care of them.

[Simon777]

Re: Detailing Tail Lights

Then Plastx should be fine. I have done many taillights using Plastx. But i use a wool pad and an orbital polisher. I'll see if I can find a couple of pics for you.

Thanks, that would really help me out.

[William_F]

Re: Detailing Tail Lights

I second the PlastX with a DA. I used it on hazy headlights a while back to see how it would work. I did it with a polishing pad on speed 4. I think the wool cutting pad on speed 5 would have been better, but the polishing on 4 did an ok job.

[THE BIG BUFFER]

Re: Detailing Tail Lights

Thanks, that would really help me out.

I'm still looking for my pics. I lost a hard drive and a heck of alot of pics with it. I saved many to disc but did'nt label them to well I guess.

If you've never done this before I would suggest that you go to your local wrecking yard and pick up a set of rear lens to practice on. Should be fairly cheap. Be careful not to stay on one area too long or you risk burning the plastic. It will turn white in color if you do. Hard to repair. I used my polisher on a lower speed for plastics just for that reason. Might take a bit longer but lessens the chance of hurting the plastic. The other thing is to make sure the plastic is clean. You don't want any dirt laying on the lens when you polish it. Take your time and check and clean the are your working on often. Might take a couple of passes to get the clearness you want but well worh it in the long run. Good luck.

[JoeDirt]

Re: Detailing Tail Lights

PlastX is good, or I've used clear plastic polish that you use on boat windows. It works really good for that, as does 3M Finish Restore. But I like PlastX. PlastX 2.0 might be a bit much...