Advice on product to clean/polish tail light lenses?

[ToddK]

Yea, I was talking about old lenses, like the ones you would find on older BMWs, Triumphs, Porsches, etc. A buddy of mine cleans up old 356, and VW lenses and sells them on ebay for huge bucks. I mostly use this technique on MG and Triumph lenses undergoing restorations.

[ingraham]

I've had good luck cleaning clear plastic instrument cluster faces with Meguiar's #17 Clear Plastic Cleaner and #10 Clear Plastic Polish. You're welcome to borrow them if you want to give it a go on taillight lenses.

[beemer28]

i just used a synthetic cutter buffing compound worked really well. if your feeling ambitious you could always go for 3000g sand paper, wet sand and clear coat, or a wax. did that on a 07 vette last week but its not fun

[Half Moon tii]

Starting the restoration of my rear tai lights any new thoughts regarding polishing the plastic? Also what type of caulk is good to re-seal the rear plastic piece?

[adawil2002]

I was able to find Star Brite Plastic Polish/Restorer at my local Ace Hardware store, works great.

 

To reseal the inner pieces use two small dabs of clear silicone caulk or Lexel. Use very little.

 

Also buy some chrome or light aluminum paint to restore the reflectors.

[Vicleonardo1]

I've had good luck with the NOVUS brand line of products on all sorts of different plastics.

Ditto. Good 3 step process. works well. 

[Vicleonardo1]

I was able to find Star Brite Plastic Polish/Restorer at my local Ace Hardware store, works great.

 

To reseal the inner pieces use two small dabs of clear silicone caulk or Lexel. Use very little.

 

Also buy some chrome or light aluminum paint to restore the reflectors.

 

Some have had mixed results using chrome or aluminum paint on the reflectors. A lot of Hot-Rodders and restorers have gone to painting the reflectors with gloss white. They have even done lumen testing and found it to be better than chrome/AL paint. 

[MoBrighta]

Some have had mixed results using chrome or aluminum paint on the reflectors. A lot of Hot-Rodders and restorers have gone to painting the reflectors with gloss white. They have even done lumen testing and found it to be better than chrome/AL paint. 

^^^  What he said.  I have been using two versions of a 'metallic silver' to restore reflectors, add more 'shiny' to help reflect the light out through the lens.  After 40 years that old coating is typically gone.  Frankly, their idea of 'chrome silver' and my idea are not the same, and I am open to trying something else.  If white works better than silver, I will offer it in my restorations as an option. Until I can find something with a truly mirror-finish silver. 

 

 Based on more than one individual asking about this 'scientific study' that claims a better result with gloss white paint, notable in E24 six and E10 '02 lights, I am going to try using the white.  I have a reflector from a 1974, already restored with the silver, and a pretty sad one that is totally black, which I am going to spray white for a realistic side by side comparison.

 

Stay tuned for the results of this comparison.  I will be posting a new topic with art, hopefully I can find two decent square lenses to use.  If I cannot, I may make a plea for a broken- with- all- pieces- present lens I can assemble with adhesive, in case anyone has one or two of these and could donate it to the cause...

 

(2/25 UPDATE) - LENSES - found three lenses in my stash, two left lenses and one right.  The right and one of the left are trashed, so the one I really need is a right - if anyone has one they aren't using.

 

I am willing to provide high output lighting stuff in trade if that will help. Maybe a set of 8 HO lamps for your brakes, four turns, and tails?  (END UPDATE)

 

Thanks for the suggestion, Vicleonardo1.

 

Andy

Edited February 25, 2016 by MoBrighta

[Vicleonardo1]

You are welcome. 

 

White Paint with a lot of titanium dioxide seems to be the best. 

 

Can't wait to see your results. 

 

Here is a cut and paste from the Jalopy Journal Forum awhile ago. A gentleman named Digger Dave ran the test. 

 

Did an experiment with the same tail light socket painted various colors inside.

I set the repo tail light assembly on a temporary bracket with a very sensitive light meter set about three feet away from the tail light. (assembled with lens in place) With all of the shop lights OFF, I took measurements after changing the inside bucket colors.
First measurement was with the original BLACK that the new assembly came with.
Then repainted it SILVER. Then spray can CHROME. And finally BRIGHT WHITE.

BLACK was the base line.
SILVER resulted in a 20 % improvement
CHROME resulted in a 20 % improvement.
WHITE resulted in a 60 % improvement.

WHITE from my experience is THE BEST!
 

 

Thank you for working to make our 02's safer. 

 

Vic

[Thevilla]

I've had good luck cleaning clear plastic instrument cluster faces with Meguiar's #17 Clear Plastic Cleaner and #10 Clear Plastic Polish. You're welcome to borrow them if you want to give it a go on taillight lenses.

Yup...been using these products on all things smooth plastic for years. Great results!

[Half Moon tii]

Does the little window on the back of the enclosure face up for the backup light?

[eurotrash]

That is to light the trunk..  I doubt you would be in reverse while needing light in the trunk.  That would end badly.  Makes sense that it would be the running light.

Edited February 11, 2016 by eurotrash

[MoBrighta]

Ditto- The window faces down and towards the quarter panel, with the wire clip (about 1:00 in your picture) at the bottom.

 

The tabs for reverse and turn signal wires point down when installed, with the brake inboard, the tail outboard, and the reverse at the top.

 

Looks like an LED insert in the turn signal, no?

White or amber?

Pics of it compared to a bulb?

[tone1633]

This may sound stupid, but toothpaste works really well.....not the gel but the white paste

[Half Moon tii]

Thank you for the feedback regarding polishing and alignment. Polishing with Novus worked great. I am about to glue the LED with your input. Will upload the result once I get the rest the car assembled!