Awhile back I painted my tailights (i wanted the 98+ look without shelling out like $120). Basically, i did a crap-azz job. I sprayed too close so it looks uneven, and I put wayy too much clearcoat in my panicked efforts to make the best of the situation.

So basically, I'm wondering if I can use sandpaper to just sand down the layer of clearcoat/paint that I put on there last time, and repaint it? I saw a thread about using sandpaper on your sideskirts, and someone said that sandpaper will make plastic too smooth and paint won't stick to it?

Anyway, sandpaper on taillights, ok or not, and if it is, what kind of sandpaper would work best or be most appropriate?

TIA

 

I'm thinking it's not going to work and you probably would end up scratching the lenses.

 

if you use 1000+ grit wet sand paper and do a wetsand you should be able to get away without scuffing the lense.. but you'll want to re-clear with a light coat ..

 

Use a 50 grit paper on a powersander,

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BlazeONE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Use a 50 grit paper on a powersander,</TD></TR></TABLE>

Helpful bugger aren't you? .

Yes, if you wetsand (emphasis on wet) with 1200-2200 grit sandpaper you can cut the paint and clear off of them and polish up the lens without worrying about lasting scratches. Using a Meguire's Plastic Polish type deal afterwards will help immensely as well.

 

use rubbing compound and wax after no sandpaper makes them look like ****

 

how about a gallon of lacquer thinner and a wire brush? jp, goo gone might work. Read the label to make sure it wont melt the plastic though.

 

if you wet sand with 1000 to get the paint off and finish with 1500 and 2000 then high speed buff them with compound they will look better than oem.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1.6i-16zc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">use rubbing compound and wax after no sandpaper makes them look like ****</TD></TR></TABLE>