Aggravated4life

I know I can already use some polish/compounds and etc to help make them shine,but I rem. reading somewhere one can wet sand the lens to remove the cloudy haze off them before polishing and if so, what grit of paper does one use that wont severely scratch the plastics?

The reverse lamps have darkened quite a bit and also I have some red overspray from a lousy older repaint on some of the lamp edges.
Whats the best way to remove this as well?
Lacquer thinner? or wet sand everything off,smooth, and then polish to a shine?

TIA!
:)

Admiral Fairway

I read different threads where people say they have used toothpaste to polish plastic lenses.

Springer's LT4

Yup... toothpaste works well. MAD has plastic cleaner.. I think the brand is Fritz?

Aggravated4life

Toothpaste eh? Worth a shot..btw, I dont recommend using lacquer thinner on these plastics, it will eat away at it.I tried a very little on a rag to see what would happen on a very small spot of the lens thats not visible mounted to the car and it made it turn white and ate at the plastic a bit.

I still would like to know if theres a way to wet sand and THEN polish the plastics.
Either way ill give the paste a try.
Thanks.
:)

JonM

1000 then 1500 then 2000 grit sandpaper then some good plastic compound made for removing small scratches.

Aggravated4life

Thanks Jon,
I will prob. try that in steps.

Btw people,I DID try the toothpaste a few ago and its alot brighter now.But its not much different then when I used a polishing compound and buffed lenses before.
But I have to say its a great tip.It got alot of the haze off.Mine need a bit of work and Ill see how sanding THEN polishing works.I want to get them like new...the prices for these small lenses New really take a hit outta the wallet.

johndezman

i 'd be happy if mine would work....

Admiral Fairway

Anyone have a good idea for cleaning the area inside the front parking lights(between the lense and the bulb), mine is full of dirt and dust and just looks bad.

Juliet

I've never tried sand paper, but I have had great success with the line of plastic cleaners / polishers from 3M - you can find it in boating accessory stores. Make sure you don't get windex or ammonia based cleaners near the plastic - it'll dull and haze it in a second. I made that mistake near my backup lights - haven't had time to polish it back out yet. :smash: