Hey guys,

I have some 93 Civic Hatch tail lights that I got from a friend for my car. They have some scuffs and paint overspray on them. I am wondering if anyone has any DIY's on how to refinish these old girls and get them back to looking good.

 

I would go with a clay bar and some lube first. If you need something over the counter, places like Pep Boys carry clay bars. Meguiar's Quick Detailer is an alright lube for what you need (can also be found at Pep Boys). That should remove the over-spray. After you machine compound them out if they aren't too deep. Otherwise I'd wet sand them before machine compounding. As far as wet sand paper, I'd go with something in the 600-1000 grit followed up with 2000.

 

What does the machine compound do?

I have a new clay bar, and instant detailer here.

 

Well it's just a much quick quicker way to "buff" out scratches. It CAN be done by hand but I wouldn't fancy it. This is mainly because the abrasives need to be broken down in order to achieve the best results and doing it by machine is just much easier and quicker.

 

I have a orbital buffer, would that work with the compound?

 

Yessir. That'll do what you need it to.

 

Is that just the name of the compound?

Machine Compound?

 

^ polishing compound?

 

when I had my integra, I used 800 and then 1000 grit sandpaper and wet sanded the taillights. Then I used meguiars plastx and a microfiber cloth to polish it.

 

How did they turn out using that method man?

 

1000 can be used but 2000 is easy to buff out, especially if you're doing it by hand. And PlastX might be your best bet for OTC supplies. It's not a compound persay but it was designed for use with plastics, like headlights. I haven't ever used it, but Meguiar's sells this kit that can be used with a drill.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...B6HMV6RX0623VZ

 

Yeah 2000 grit wouldn't be as course. I have an orbital buffer if that would help the situation any. Would it be better to use the buffer, or by hand?

 

I would use the buffer. It's quicker. Plus I think the results always look better under halogen lighting. Like I said before, I have never used the plastX thing. I mean you may want to try the kit that comes with the thing for the drill. I can try to find some reviews for you.

 

for swirls, overspray, scuffs on plastic lens, i clay bar them then use the lightest cut compound if needed and finish with a polishing compound. usually a polishing compound will suffice.

 

Okay thanks guys, going to pick up some supplies and give it a try this weekend haha. I am going to try on an old pair of coupe tail lights that have some scuffs on them first for practice.

 

it came out pretty good. It took a while to buff by hand, but it did the job. As others have said, if you have a buffer that would help a lot. Those kits work too. Helped my cousin use a mothers headlight restoration kit on his g35 and worked out great.

 

Awesome, im going to try it this weekend.

Saves me trying to track down good condition tail lights!