What can I use to polish the tail lights in my 86' nothchback? Should I just sand it with 2000-3000 grit sand paper and use something like Mother plastic cleaner, or is there a better way to polish them?

I used Mequiars PlastX and it worked wonderfully.

Will that work to take out some of the more major scratches?

Do you wet sand or just do a regular sand with the 2000-3000

Wet sand, start with 1000 or 1500 finish with 2000.
Then use the Meguiars stuff listed above to final polish.
Works!

Should I use an electric sander or will using just my hands leave an uneven pattern?

Wet sand it with a block by hand, no electric sander.

quote Originally posted by sparx22: Wet sand it with a block by hand, no electric sander.

Same for the larger GT lenses that aren't flat?

I've used 3M Liquid Polishing Compound and an orbital buffer with excellent results.

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World of Wheels Winners
My 3.4L S/C 87 GT
& My SD4 Indy

Noted. And should I take the lenses off for a thorough job? If so... how?

quote Originally posted by sparx22: Wet sand, start with 1000 or 1500 finish with 2000. Then use the Meguiars stuff listed above to final polish. Works!

Would that process also work on plastic headlights (on other cars) where the plastic lens has oxidized and yellowed?

This may be a dumb question, but is the “yellow” (in the situation mentioned above) always on the outside of the plastic?

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Would that process also work on plastic headlights (on other cars) where the plastic lens has oxidized and yellowed? This may be a dumb question, but is the “yellow” (in the situation mentioned above) always on the outside of the plastic?

Good question Patrick. Wallie World charges $30.99 to polish out the front headlight lenses I need to do my wifes Elantra bad
Joe

quote Originally posted by josef644: I need to do my wifes Elantra bad

Heh heh, what a coincidence Joe. It's also an Elantra (a '94) that I need to do!

I think it would work on headlight lens as long as the finish has dulled on the exterior.
Yes I would remove the tailights from the car, I have an 85 so I don't know how to remove later model tail light panels, sorry.

sparx22

quote Originally posted by sparx22: I think it would work on headlight lens as long as the finish has dulled on the exterior.

Thanks.

quote Originally posted by sparx22: Yes I would remove the tailights from the car, I have an 85 so I don't know how to remove later model tail light panels, sorry.

As far as I know, tail lights on all Fieros are held onto the body the same way... Three long vertical screws holding each one in place.

When I removes some from 85 parts car, after I had removed the long screws, I had to wiggle it a bit to get them to come out of the rear area

quote Originally posted by sparx22: Wet sand, start with 1000 or 1500 finish with 2000. Then use the Meguiars stuff listed above to final polish. Works!

Using sand paper on the lenses scares me to death. I see it works though!

quote Originally posted by sjmaye: Using sand paper on the lenses scares me to death. I see it works though!

1500 and 2000 is mighty fine grit, won't hurt anything. If you have scratches this is the only way to remove them.
Fresh paint jobs (clearcoat) is sanded 1000 and 1500 before buffing to remove orange peel and dust bumps- scary (?) but necessary.
sparx22

quote Originally posted by sparx22: 1500 and 2000 is mighty fine grit, won't hurt anything. If you have scratches this is the only way to remove them. Fresh paint jobs (clearcoat) is sanded 1000 and 1500 before buffing to remove orange peel and dust bumps- scary (?) but necessary. sparx22

x 2.

1500 and 2000 grit is very fine...

I just finished a set. 1200 grit, then buffed it out with electric buufer , turtlewax "colorback, then turtlewax car polish. like NEW. sanding 1/2 hr, buffing/waxing... 4 minutes !

I have always used rubbing compound with excellent results, also used a small, I mean small amout of thinner to get some off first then follow up with compound

quote Originally posted by Lou6t4gto: I just finished a set. 1200 grit, then buffed it out with electric buufer , turtlewax "colorback, then turtlewax car polish. like NEW. sanding 1/2 hr, buffing/waxing... 4 minutes !

Lou did you do tail lights or headlight lenses? Post us a picture of the buffer you used.
Joe

quote Originally posted by Samohtneas: Noted. And should I take the lenses off for a thorough job? If so... how?

Just checking if you where asking about removing the light assembly or taking the lens off.

Just pull the complete light and polish.

Tail lights. a $29 buffer drom harbor freight. sorry, never been able to post pics

Ok
I just finished these this morning. Took about 1/2 an hour. Wet sand: 1000, 1500 and finally 2000. Polish with Plastic X and my trusty old buffer using the foam finishing pad.

The buffer is old, 2 speed 1900 and 2100 (or so) you don't need a pricey buffer just be careful not to burn the lens or overheat them and crack the plastic.

My black and decker buffer is 36 years old, I would NOT recommend Black&Decker tools made these days.
Not sure what buffer I would get as a replacment but DeWalt comes to mind.

These turned out super nice
sparx22

[This message has been edited by sparx22 (edited 04-25-2009).]

quote Originally posted by sparx22: These turned out super nice

Yes, they do look great.

I'll be sending you my Elantra headlights to do.

Send them, be happy to help Patrick.
Jim

[EDIT] Double post.

Hmmm... don't know how that happened.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 04-25-2009).]

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Heh heh, if you were just a little bit closer Jim, I'd drop by with them! Heck, there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to do it. I've just got to prioritize some of my projects.

I know exactly what you mean Patrick.