Alexei Volkov
Tail lights are usually made of acrylic plastic, which offers benefits like clarity and strength, but they are still prone to hazing and discolouration from the sun. Fortunately, there are ways to restore tail lights at home. The easiest way is to use a lens restoration kit, which can correct light scratches, sun damage, and oxidation. Other methods include using sandpaper and polishing, or a combination of the two.
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What You'll Learn
Clean tail lights with soap and water
To clean tail lights with soap and water, you will need a lens restoration kit, soap, water, and some microfiber cloths. This process will help bring back the showroom look of your lenses in 15 minutes or less.
Firstly, use warm, soapy water and a microfiber cloth to remove any loose dirt and soils from your tail lights. Always clean your lenses before restoring them to avoid rubbing dirt and other abrasive contaminants into your finish.
Once you have removed all the dirt, rinse the tail lights thoroughly with a hose and pat them dry with a fresh microfiber towel.
Next, apply a quarter-sized drop of the lens-clarifying compound from your kit to a clean microfiber cloth and buff it into the surface of your tail lights, focusing on one lens at a time.
After you have finished buffing the tail light, wipe down the lens with a clean cloth to remove any excess polish and give your tail lights a nice shine.
You can also wet sand your tail lights with sandpaper and water to get them clean. However, this method may not be suitable for deeper scratches.
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Use a lens restoration kit
Using a lens restoration kit is a straightforward and effective way to restore your tail lights. These kits are readily available at auto parts stores and typically include easy-to-follow instructions, various grits of polishing pads, polishing compounds, and protectant wax. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a lens restoration kit:
Prepare the Tail Lights for Restoration
Before using the lens restoration kit, it's important to clean the tail lights and prepare the surface. Start by washing the tail lights with warm, soapy water and a microfiber cloth to remove any loose dirt and grime. Rinse them thoroughly with water and pat them dry with a clean microfiber towel. This step ensures that you're not rubbing dirt into the lenses during the restoration process.
Tape the Area
To protect the surrounding areas of the tail lights, apply painter's tape to the areas around the lens, starting at the rubber weatherstripping. Use a razor to carefully trim the tape to the edge where the plastic lens meets the rubber weatherstripping. This taping process will help create a clean and protected work area.
Apply the Lens Restoration Compound
Now, you can begin the restoration process. Take the lens restoration compound provided in your kit and apply a small amount, about the size of a quarter, to a clean microfiber cloth. Buff this compound into the surface of the tail lights, focusing on one lens at a time. Follow the instructions provided with your kit for specific application techniques and drying times.
Use Sanding Pads for Severe Damage
If your tail lights have severe scratches, oxidation, or discoloration that the compound alone cannot remove, you'll need to use the sanding pads included in your kit. Start with the sanding pad labelled "number one," which is designed to remove heavier scratches and oxidation. Apply the pad to one taillight at a time, using water as a lubricant. Work in back-and-forth motions, concentrating on the damaged areas until the oxidation and discoloration are removed. Then, turn over the sanding pad to the side labelled "number two" to smooth out any remaining scratches or imperfections.
Finish with a Protective Wax
Once you've completed the restoration process and removed all oxidation and scratches, it's time to protect your work. Apply a generous amount of automotive paint polish to an applicator pad and work it into the lenses using circular motions with low pressure. Allow the polish to haze over the lenses, and then buff it off with a microfiber cloth. Finally, remove the tape and thoroughly wash the area with soap and water. You can also apply a protectant wax designed for plastic light lenses to bring out a brilliant shine and protect your tail lights from future UV oxidation.
Using a lens restoration kit is a cost-effective and relatively easy way to restore your tail lights to their former glory. With some time and effort, you can achieve clear and shiny tail lights, enhancing the appearance and safety of your vehicle.
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Wet sand with fine-grit sandpaper
Wet sanding is a common method used to restore tail lights. This process involves using fine-grit sandpaper to remove scratches, oxidation, and discolouration from the plastic surface of the tail lights. It is important to note that the sandpaper should be sufficiently fine-grit to avoid imparting deeper scratches that are difficult to remove.
When wet sanding, it is recommended to start with a lower grit sandpaper and gradually increase the grit size as you work. This helps to remove the heavier scratches and oxidation first, before refining the surface with a finer grit. For example, one source recommends starting with 120-grit sandpaper, then progressing to 320, 800, 1500, and finally 2000-grit. Another source suggests starting with 2000-grit and working upwards to 3000 and 5000-grit.
During the wet sanding process, it is important to keep the lens wet. This can be done by regularly dipping the sandpaper in cool water. It is also important to work the sandpaper in a back-and-forth motion, rather than a circular motion, to avoid visible swirl marks. Apply medium pressure for about 20 seconds on each part of the tail light lens.
After sanding, the lens should be thoroughly cleaned with a soapy solution and dried with a microfiber cloth. This ensures that any residue or sanding marks are removed before proceeding to the next steps of polishing and waxing.
Overall, wet sanding with fine-grit sandpaper is an effective method for restoring plastic tail lights. By starting with a lower grit and gradually increasing the grit size, you can effectively remove scratches, oxidation, and discolouration while minimising the risk of creating deeper scratches.
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Apply wax for shine and protection
After sanding, cleaning, and drying your tail lights, it's important to apply a coat of wax to enhance the shine and protect the lenses from future damage. This step will not only improve the appearance of your tail lights but also ensure their longevity.
Firstly, choose a wax designed for plastic light lenses, as this will provide the best shine and protection for your tail lights. You can find these products at auto parts stores or online.
Next, apply the wax to the tail lights using a microfiber applicator pad. Work the wax into the surface of the lenses, ensuring even coverage. This step will help to fill in any micro-scratches and create a smooth surface.
Once the wax is applied, use a clean microfiber cloth to buff the lenses. This process will remove any excess wax and create a smooth, shiny finish.
Finally, admire your work! The wax will not only enhance the shine of your tail lights but also protect them from UV oxidation and light scratches.
By following these steps, you can effectively restore your plastic tail lights and keep them looking like new. This process will also help to protect your tail lights from future damage, ensuring that they remain clear and functional.
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Prevent future damage with vehicle wax
After restoring your tail lights, you can apply vehicle wax to prevent future damage and keep them looking shiny and new. This process can be done with any wax of your choice. Firstly, wash your vehicle to remove any dirt that could contaminate the waxing process. Next, tape off the paint around the light using painter's tape to avoid damaging the surface. Then, apply the wax to the light using a microfiber applicator pad, working it into the surface. This will help to maximise the shine while providing a protective layer. Finally, remove any excess wax with a microfiber cloth and buff the surface to a shine.
The wax will create a protective layer that shields the tail lights from exterior elements, such as road debris, bugs, and UV oxidation. This layer will also keep the lights shiny and prevent them from fading. It is recommended to apply coats of wax with every application to maintain this protective barrier.
When choosing a wax, opt for a product specifically designed for plastic light lenses, as these will provide the best protection and shine. You can find these products at auto parts stores or online.
In addition to waxing, regularly cleaning your tail lights will also help to prevent future damage. Use a mild soap and water solution, and a microfiber cloth to gently wipe down the lights, removing any dirt, dust, or grime that has built up. Ensure the cloth is soft and non-abrasive to avoid scratching the surface. By incorporating regular cleaning and waxing into your vehicle maintenance routine, you can effectively prevent future damage to your tail lights and keep them looking like new.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest way to restore your tail lights is with a lens restoration kit. You can use a kit to correct light scratches, sun damage, and oxidation.
Before using a restoration kit, clean your tail lights with warm, soapy water and a microfiber cloth to remove any loose dirt and residue.
If your tail lights still look oxidized, try using a sanding pad to correct more severe damage. Start with a lower grit and work your way up to a higher grit to remove scratches and oxidation.
Another method is to use the wet sanding and polishing method. Start by washing your vehicle to remove any dirt, then tape off the area around the tail light to avoid damaging the paint. Use sandpaper with a grit of at least 2000 to avoid imparting deeper scratches.
To protect your tail lights, apply a coat of wax designed for plastic lenses. This will add shine and protect the lenses from UV oxidation.
