Tail light Restoration - Feeler

[black94t]

This is just a feeler thread searching for interest in regards to fully restoring old tail lights on any MR2 model (from mk1 through mk3, where applicable). I spent quite a bit of time researching and devising a plan of action for restoring tail lights from old and dull to showroom finish as if the tails were brand new.

Briefly, take a look directly in your tail lights. Can you see yourself? If you cant or the reflection is not crisp, then restoring your tail lights can work wonders on cosmetic appearance of your MR2.

What I'm offering is a full process religiously followed as outlined in my write up HERE. No different steps or different materials used. What you see in the thread is what you get.

FINAL PRODUCT (FOR EXAMPLE):


What I'm wondering at this time is if this is a service of interest to the MR2 community. I plan on building this into a hobby spread further than tail light restoration and more into powdercoating, polishing, etc for other parts as well.

I will engage in this service if I could get no less than 5 people interested. Cost for this service including shipping one way (back to customer) is $125. Lead time for this is approximately 10 business days from the moment I receive the lights in hand.

For cost analysis, the $125 would include:
4-5 hours labor
$20 for clear coating
$15 for paint
$25 for shipping (which I think would be a medium range)
$5 miscellaneous (tape, sandpaper, supplies)

Please answer the poll and any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[Davis]

As much as I want you to make my tail lights shiny agian man, I just don't have the money. I would if i could though.

[black94t]

Thanks Davis, I appreciate that.

[TreyMR2]

no because I only have 91 tails but if I had some 94+ that needed it definetly. Its a little cheaper than buying a whole nother set and you know this will make them look showroom new. Unlike when you buy some used ones that are faded for $50-60 more.

[Sang]

Originally Posted by TreyMR2

no because I only have 91 tails but if I had some 94+ that needed it definetly. Its a little cheaper than buying a whole nother set and you know this will make them look showroom new. Unlike when you buy some used ones that are faded for $50-60 more.

I polished my 91-92 tails a couple years ago, I took it from 14 yr old dull nastiness to a good, polished finish. Clean lights (fogs, tails, side markers, whatever) make a world of difference in the overall look of a car, whether it be 91-92 tails, 94+ or one-off installs.

[black94t]

Definitely. You dont realize your lights are dull until you compare them to something else that isnt dull. I'd like to have the opportunity take a stab at the mk1 lights. every mk1 I've seen had some pretty dull lights (in person). I've only seen a few of them on the board (that looked cleaned up).

I will say, there's always negotiations on the table. The figure I originally threw out there was (in my opinion) a tad too high after re-considering the value of the time spent. This isn't rocket science by any means. I want to remain as level as possible. I just want this group buy to establish quality of product on my end. But if your light doesnt require paint or whatever you decide, deducts can be made.

[TreyMR2]

Originally Posted by Sang

I polished my 91-92 tails a couple years ago, I took it from 14 yr old dull nastiness to a good, polished finish. Clean lights (fogs, tails, side markers, whatever) make a world of difference in the overall look of a car, whether it be 91-92 tails, 94+ or one-off installs.

Its just my car really needs a paint job to and I just want some 94+ tails when I do it so the center panel matchs. I don't really wanna waste time with my 91's when I'm just gonna get rid of them. If mine are faded any though I would definitly either do this myself or send it to you depending on how long it takes.

[mr2willwin]

I wish I could swing the money right now, i got my one year anniversary coming up soon, so I'm broke, but maybe in the future? I just put my 94+ tails in last week, and they need it, but my entire car needs paint!

Yours look great by the way!
pic of mine.... this was taken the moment I finished, so I did buff them up a bit after ths pic.

[black94t]

I appreciate the input guys. So far, I've got 18 who viewed and only 7 voted (me included, I voted YES. LOL )

It seems most people would prefer to do it themselves, but procrastination sets in, I'll bet! lol, I procrastinated a few months because of the amount of work behind them (I, for one, will not polish tail lights, the long drawn out process only).

Anyway, thanks for the input. Maybe I'll be a bit more influential with polishing manifolds or other aluminum parts.

[Bak@EMSPowered]

The price is not bad at all considering everything being done. I'm definitely sending you mind once my car is back here in my garage. You gonna do this for sure?

[black94t]

ya I think I am. I would like to have 5 people interested, however. But if it's just a few here and there, I guess that is ok. We will see.

[shaidarharan]

that looks really nice. I'll be down at some point, after mechanical parts and my wheels get redone (month or two, they're already all sent away)

[scottohno]

i will be looking into this after i do body work on my mk1

[MSAGRO]

Originally Posted by scottohno

i will be looking into this after i do body work on my mk1

Way to resurrect a thread scottohno!

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




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

[scottohno]

whats so bad about bringing up a good thread that died.

those look great. mine looked good when i spilled gearlube all over the place. they got dirty quick though. im going to have to get some of that stuff.

[RePete]

Yeah, what it is with Toyota tails that dull over a few short years? My old beater '85 Civic had shiny as hell tail lights all the way until its untimely death, and they were original.

How long do you have to scrub with that stuff anyway?

[MSAGRO]

Originally Posted by RePete

How long do you have to scrub with that stuff anyway?

Some buffing required of course, but what I do is apply, let 'soak' for about 2 minutes, then polish to a great shine.

I initially use a terry towel to polish, then a clean Microfiber cloth to finish. I have had the best luck with this product.

[scottohno]

perhaps when i rebuild the body i will do this on my mk1. its a rust bucket right now.

[BrianDupuis]

I was watching powerblock tv on spike a few weeks ago, and they said to clean your head lights(not sure if it works on tails) for a cheap price, use toothpaste. I did this too my dads F150, and it works great. Put tooth paste on your headlights, buff them, clean them with water, then spray some windex on them, then they are like new

[scottohno]

Originally Posted by BrianDupuis

I was watching powerblock tv on spike a few weeks ago, and they said to clean your head lights(not sure if it works on tails) for a cheap price, use toothpaste. I did this too my dads F150, and it works great. Put tooth paste on your headlights, buff them, clean them with water, then spray some windex on them, then they are like new

makes sense, toothepaste is a mild abrasive.

so tell me, when brushing your headlights, do you use an up and down motion or a circular motion to get them nice and white?