Tail light Restoration - Feeler

[BrianDupuis]

circles really give you the clean feeling!!

[scottohno]

hey, mr OP, would you mind smoking tail lights and THEN shining them?

i want a slightly smoked shiny clean look on my mk1

[GENESIS]

Originally Posted by MSAGRO

Way to resurrect a thread scottohno!

Anyhow, the best way I know how to restore tail lights is with this product:

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/a.../bluemagic.jpg


Mine were dishwater dull from California desert and here's how they look now:

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/P1020971.jpg

I have tried that Headlight restorer stuff for my 94 tails I'm not sure if its the same brand but it just scratches my taillights.I'm gonna check if the brand is the same.

[328FTW]

Easy way is to just use wet and dry then properly clean and dry them then a coat of clear coat. My tails are really shiny just doing that. That costs about $5 and a couple hours, it's really no big deal if you want shined tails.

[Archidamus-R]

Hm. Nice. Should be really easy with '91 tails, lol.

[comple2]

I've seen some of that "headlight restoration" stuff at the auto store the other day.. never thought to use it on my tail lights though.. might be worth a shot..

What kind/brand of clear coat to use though? For durability that is.. I've used some clear coat from the auto store before on my previous car a several years ago, and it simply wears off after a year or so.

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by comple2

I've seen some of that "headlight restoration" stuff at the auto store the other day.. never thought to use it on my tail lights though.. might be worth a shot..

What kind/brand of clear coat to use though? For durability that is.. I've used some clear coat from the auto store before on my previous car a several years ago, and it simply wears off after a year or so.

I'm guessing you don't have access to a compressor and paint gun? You want to use a good catalyzed clear, but without a paint gun and compressor you have only 1 option for decent clear. Go to a Auto Paint Store and buy a can of catalyzed clear. It has a little tube you break, and it releases the catalyst. You have like 8 hours to use it, then you throw it away. It's like $20-something for a can.

Blue Magic also introduced a product this year at the 2010 AAPEX/SEMA shows this part November called Headlight Lens Sealer. It's brand new for 2011, so it's hard to point you to any info on it online. It helps protect from UV Rays, prevent yellowing and hazing, etc. You can apply it as much as you need to or feel like doing. Basically, when you "restore" lights you need to reseal them. This is what this product does. You can "reseal them" as much as you want, so if you feel like applying it every month you can. It's not permanent, but a lot of sealers last for a year or two at least.

[zx10r203]

Don't mean to step on anyones toes but I own an 87 and an 93 MR2. The 87's tail lights look almost brand new still but the 93 is all dull. Go figure. A 6 years older vehicle tail light looks better. The headlights on my 2002 Dodge Ram look like crap due to hazing, dullness, and even peeling of the clear coat on the plastic. I tried the Lens Restorer, Plastic Polish, and a few other products with no difference on the headlights. Met a guy who owns a body shop and he was able to fix them to almost brand new condition using the OP's method. It did cost me $200 to get them done.

What a few of us are failing to realize is that the OP is trying to provide a service to those of us that:
#1 - don't have the know-how (knowledge to deal with polishing plastic...)
#2 - don't have the tools (compressor, spray booth (if needed),...)
#3 - don't have the time (some of us don't even get 5 hours of sleep, let alone have 4-5 hrs to sit there and polish tail lights)
#4 - don't have the materials (proper paint, sand paper, and supplies)

I know that $125 may seem expensive for restoration of tail lights but I know people that pay a lot money for lesser things. And having a tail light that actually allows light through so others can see that you are stopping so they don't plow and total a vehicle that is already hard to see due to its size and in diminishing numbers on the road , well for me that priceless!!!

So I guess what I am saying is that I would pay $125 to have my tail lights done when the time comes!!

[scottohno]

some lights haze on the inside. my 87 has perfect tails too. they just dont make stuff how they used to.

[comple2]

Originally Posted by zx10r203

So I guess what I am saying is that I would pay $125 to have my tail lights done when the time comes!!

o yea i would gladly pay that too!.. i might attempt it if i had the tools for it.. doesn't look like the OP has been on this board in 3 years so probably no point in asking him anymore..

if someone is still offering this restoration service for $125, let me know.

[scottohno]

well, i can figure out what the best products are for this, and i have a buffer, i will invest in a few tools, and figure out how to do it well, IF someone can donate some crappy, hazy tails for me to mess with. if you have hazy, nasty tails i can start experimenting. i get discounts on the products, and i could probably figure it out in a week or so. i will also spray them with a good clear for plastic, make them look smooth and clean.

ive been looking for something to do before work on the weekdays. i cant work on my car and then go to work, because i will be covered in gunk. this would be an excellent little hobby

if you donate your tails, i will do them for free, just pay shipping. you can sell them or whatever when theyre done. i dont care if theyre usdm or jdm, i will need to do both to know how i have to polish the insides.

[Bak@EMSPowered]

This was and still is offered by EMSPowered. The OP, black94t, was doing this service on behalf of EMSPowered back when this thread was started. Since black94t is no longer in the MR2 community we have been providing this service in house for all of our customers both local and mail-in.

Information here: Tail Light / Head Light Restoration Taillight Restoration Service - EMSPowered

[scottohno]

didnt mean to steal your thunder, sorry.

what is the typical price?

[Bak@EMSPowered]

Originally Posted by scottohno

didnt mean to steal your thunder, sorry.

what is the typical price?

For MR2 taillights it's still $125. For other vehicles or headlights it may vary.

[scottohno]

gotcha. well you guys seem to go pretty in-depth.

you do mk1 tails too? mine just need a good spit shine

[comple2]

Originally Posted by baktasht

This was and still is offered by EMSPowered. The OP, black94t, was doing this service on behalf of EMSPowered back when this thread was started. Since black94t is no longer in the MR2 community we have been providing this service in house for all of our customers both local and mail-in.

Information here: Tail Light / Head Light Restoration Taillight Restoration Service - EMSPowered

That's awesome!! Thanks for the link baktasht.. I'm thinking of getting this done in the next month or so.. so glad to see this service still being offered.

[Bak@EMSPowered]

Scott, yes, we do any type of lights including MK1.

comple2, no problem, let us know if you have any questions.

[Arsenal]

As a temporary fix, nail varnish remover will remove all the oxidation, and then a quick polish to bring them back up. Been doing this for years. However, it is a temporary fix, ie. needs to be re-done every few months depending on climate.

[STLMR2na]

thats a very reasonable price. i just got a set of 94 lights, had the center panel painted black and the lens cleaned up and cleared.
For $150
there so shiny i can see my reflection and i cant wait to put them on.