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best method to restore tail lights??

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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 10:39 PM
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Default best method to restore tail lights??

how can I make these look like new without the cloudiness?
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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 10:48 PM
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Buy new ones.

I know that is not what you wanted to here...if you are doing a resto. I ran into the same thing and opted for new ones...though the old ones weren't too bad.

bump
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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 10:56 PM
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You may be able to wet sand the lens, but I have only done this to headlights of newer cars. I have not done it to c3 tails, but it may work as well as using a plastic polish

Last edited by EyeLuvCorvettes; Jan 18, 2008 at 12:55 AM.
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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 11:38 PM
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I roughed mine up with some 3M red Scotchbrite. Cleaned them off and sprayed on a coat of clearcoat.
Marty.
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 12:04 AM
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It really depends on how "new looking" you want them to be. Wet-sanding in finer grades then polishing will get yours as good as possible, but they will look like refurbished 30 year-old lenses. That would be fine for me, but if you want "new", buy new ones.
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
It really depends on how "new looking" you want them to be. Wet-sanding in finer grades then polishing will get yours as good as possible, but they will look like refurbished 30 year-old lenses. That would be fine for me, but if you want "new", buy new ones.
I polished up my originals pretty well, but the new ones I recently installed look much better. And new ones aren't yellow.
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 01:03 PM
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3m Finesse It 2 rubbing compound or Meguairs Plastic polish will make a huge diffrence. It will be lot easier to polish the lenses if you remove them, versus trying to do on the car.
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Smokin Joe
Buy new ones.

I know that is not what you wanted to here...if you are doing a resto. I ran into the same thing and opted for new ones...though the old ones weren't too bad.

bump

How much can a set cost. Buy new.
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by kenba

How much can a set cost. Buy new.
over $200.
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 01:27 PM
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 01:31 PM
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From: PHOENIX AZ. WHAT A MAN WON"T SPEND TO GIVE HIS ASS A RIDE
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Originally Posted by Vette Crazzy
over $200.
What year are they?
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 01:48 PM
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not sure what years it runs through, but those are the same as my 69s lights. 60.00 each for the 2 back up lenses, and 55.00 each for the other 2 lenses.

ill be polishing mine up this winter also.
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by another-user
not sure what years it runs through, but those are the same as my 69s lights. 60.00 each for the 2 back up lenses, and 55.00 each for the other 2 lenses.

ill be polishing mine up this winter also.
I assumed he only needed the backup's
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by kenba
I assumed he only needed the backup's
$200 for new-
Then list your old ones after you ploish them for as much as you can get in the parts section or ebay!

WIN WIN!
You get new and someone gets discounted!
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 05:06 PM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
It really depends on how "new looking" you want them to be. Wet-sanding in finer grades then polishing will get yours as good as possible, but they will look like refurbished 30 year-old lenses. That would be fine for me, but if you want "new", buy new ones.


I you take your time and are progressive with the wet sanding to a fine grit, then progresive with hand rubbing compound and plastic polish they will come out looking great a t a fraction of the cost.

If you are not satisfied with the result then as others said you can place them on ebay and purchase repops.
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 05:28 PM
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Yep. If you refurb yours to good condition [and they look good in a close-up pic on eBAy] AND they have the date code on them that someone wants, you can get some good money for the old ones. Then you can buy the brand-new "looking" knock-offs (with today's date code) for only $100 for the set! {to each his own}
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 05:59 PM
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Softscrub..
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 06:22 PM
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Use Mother's Aluminum Wheel polish followed by tooth paste and they will look like new.
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 10:31 PM
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wow, I love the forum. These are 1979 tail lights. Thanks for all the help and advice. I like the idea of working the old ones, see if you can get a fair price on ebay or from the forum parts sale, and use the money for new. I will post before and after pics.
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 11:14 PM
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Metal Polish...
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