Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

restoring tail light condition

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 24, 2022 | 11:08 PM
  #1  
My Vette Life's Avatar
My Vette Life
Thread Starter
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,638
Likes: 245
Default restoring tail light condition

Anyone know a good way to restore tail lights? I left my original ones outside and are pretty dusty and the back of them looks slightly faded but not from sun damage.

-non of them are cracked and was in pretty good shape until now.

gracias
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2022 | 11:16 PM
  #2  
vette4fl's Avatar
vette4fl
Le Mans Master
Community Influencer
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 4,279
From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner- Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by My Vette Life
Anyone know a good way to restore tail lights? I left my original ones outside and are pretty dusty and the back of them looks slightly faded but not from sun damage.

-non of them are cracked and was in pretty good shape until now.

gracias
plastic polish is gentle and will make them sparkle
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2022 | 11:17 PM
  #3  
jdmvette's Avatar
jdmvette
Night Owl for life
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Shutterbug
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,707
Likes: 4,549
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
Default

Go with some halos

Reply
Old Jan 24, 2022 | 11:57 PM
  #4  
MrMcE's Avatar
MrMcE
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 8,342
Likes: 489
From: WI
Default

Treat them like headlights- wet sand 1500, compound, buff, uv spray seal
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2022 | 12:03 AM
  #5  
My Vette Life's Avatar
My Vette Life
Thread Starter
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,638
Likes: 245
Default

Originally Posted by MrMcE
Treat them like headlights- wet sand 1500, compound, buff, uv spray seal
Originally Posted by vette4fl
plastic polish is gentle and will make them sparkle
Any idea for the black back? it says material ABS.

I never buffed these lights before but they always looked somewhat good.

Would it be a bad idea to submerge one of them in soapy water? one light is darker on the inside due to dust.,
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2022 | 12:03 AM
  #6  
My Vette Life's Avatar
My Vette Life
Thread Starter
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,638
Likes: 245
Default

Originally Posted by jdmvette
Go with some halos
alre4ady got em but I want to keep the original and in good condition if possible. I forgot that I had left them outside .
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2022 | 12:24 AM
  #7  
MrMcE's Avatar
MrMcE
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 8,342
Likes: 489
From: WI
Default

They're just plastic, getting water in there to clean out dust is fine. Tons of people have takeoffs laying around if you don't think they're worth the effort.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2022 | 07:31 AM
  #8  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,781
Likes: 24,683
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Might be easier and perhaps even more cost effective to find a used set in like new condition.

Putting the stock housings in water won’t hurt them - they are just plastic.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 25, 2022 | 04:57 PM
  #9  
MWWarlord's Avatar
MWWarlord
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Community Builder
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 3,302
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
Default

Use Maguire's Ultimate compound. It is meant for paint correction, but works GREAT on the tail lights.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2022 | 04:59 PM
  #10  
BobR24's Avatar
BobR24
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 44
Likes: 77
From: Silver Springs, FL
Default

I have cleaned many plastic tailights by putting them in the dishwasher. I take them out before it goes into the "drying" setting just to make sure the don't get exposed to too much heat. Polish them with Meguires PlastX and they will look like new inside and out.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2022 | 09:24 PM
  #11  
My Vette Life's Avatar
My Vette Life
Thread Starter
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,638
Likes: 245
Default

Picking up PLastic X tomorrow. Thanks!
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2022 | 12:34 AM
  #12  
My Vette Life's Avatar
My Vette Life
Thread Starter
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,638
Likes: 245
Default

How about to take off any sticky residue?
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2022 | 02:18 AM
  #13  
~Josh's Avatar
~Josh
Banned Scam/Spammer
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Default

Originally Posted by my vette life
how about to take off any sticky residue?
wd40
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2022 | 05:05 AM
  #14  
BobR24's Avatar
BobR24
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 44
Likes: 77
From: Silver Springs, FL
Default

Originally Posted by My Vette Life
How about to take off any sticky residue?
WD40 or Goof Off will remove most any residue. You have to be careful what you use on plastic or you can damage the plastic and it will turn brittle and/or white.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2022 | 12:38 PM
  #15  
Alley Oop's Avatar
Alley Oop
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 627
Likes: 181
From: west coast of Canada
Default

Solvent will remove the sticky. Experiment first to make sure it doesn't react with the plastic. I've used solvent on all sorts of materials, doesn't seem to affect most plastics.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2022 | 09:13 PM
  #16  
My Vette Life's Avatar
My Vette Life
Thread Starter
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,638
Likes: 245
Default

Originally Posted by BobR24
WD40 or Goof Off will remove most any residue. You have to be careful what you use on plastic or you can damage the plastic and it will turn brittle and/or white.
WD-40 worked great! now Its greasy so will try some alcohol .
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2022 | 09:37 PM
  #17  
BobR24's Avatar
BobR24
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 44
Likes: 77
From: Silver Springs, FL
Default

Originally Posted by My Vette Life
WD-40 worked great! now Its greasy so will try some alcohol .
DO NOT use alcohol on plastic. It can turn it white and also make it very brittle. After you get it clean then put it in the dishwasher and remove before the heat from the drying cycle comes on and let air dry.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To restoring tail light condition

Old Jan 26, 2022 | 10:16 PM
  #18  
My Vette Life's Avatar
My Vette Life
Thread Starter
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,638
Likes: 245
Default

Originally Posted by BobR24
DO NOT use alcohol on plastic. It can turn it white and also make it very brittle. After you get it clean then put it in the dishwasher and remove before the heat from the drying cycle comes on and let air dry.
interesting
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2022 | 10:19 PM
  #19  
My Vette Life's Avatar
My Vette Life
Thread Starter
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,638
Likes: 245
Default

Originally Posted by BobR24
DO NOT use alcohol on plastic. It can turn it white and also make it very brittle. After you get it clean then put it in the dishwasher and remove before the heat from the drying cycle comes on and let air dry.
soapy water will do.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2022 | 11:06 PM
  #20  
MrMcE's Avatar
MrMcE
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 8,342
Likes: 489
From: WI
Default

Originally Posted by BobR24
DO NOT use alcohol on plastic. It can turn it white and also make it very brittle. After you get it clean then put it in the dishwasher and remove before the heat from the drying cycle comes on and let air dry.
But my budget gin comes in a clear plastic bottle and it does fine
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:09 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE