How do I get the scuffs and scratches off my honeycomb tail lights?
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I picked up a set of friebird ls1 tails for $90 shipped, but they have scuff marks and minor scratches...What do I need to get these out? I tried to search, but had no luck. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
#3
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Could do a full wetsand, buff, and polish on them. Yields great results, but it's going to take some good effort to get that way. But if they're just minor imperfections, then the above should do well.
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Wax when finished and will shine like new. When waxing my car I always wax the tailights too. Use the same process for headlights (Camaro's).
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scratched, swirled, covered in overspray.....etc
![](http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Trans%20Am%20Project/Taillight001.jpg)
Wetsanded lightly with 1500, 2000, and 2500 (Meguiars Unigrit)
![](http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Trans%20Am%20Project/Taillight003.jpg)
After buffing with a Makita 9227C Rotary.
2 passes with Menzerna SIP on Lake Country 4" orange pad
1 pass with Menzerna 106FA on Lake Country 4" white pad
1 pass with Menzerna PO85RD on Lake Country 4" black pad.....
![](http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Trans%20Am%20Project/Taillight006.jpg)
![](http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Trans%20Am%20Project/Taillight001.jpg)
Wetsanded lightly with 1500, 2000, and 2500 (Meguiars Unigrit)
![](http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Trans%20Am%20Project/Taillight003.jpg)
After buffing with a Makita 9227C Rotary.
2 passes with Menzerna SIP on Lake Country 4" orange pad
1 pass with Menzerna 106FA on Lake Country 4" white pad
1 pass with Menzerna PO85RD on Lake Country 4" black pad.....
![](http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Trans%20Am%20Project/Taillight006.jpg)
![](http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Trans%20Am%20Project/Taillight007.jpg)
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wow! thanks guys. I believe this was my first post in the appearance section and I am glad I asked as you all were all very helpful. This may be a dumb ? but I rather seem like a fool than do a foolish thing; should I leave the tails on the car when doing this or take them off? Not sure if <--- really matters...just thought I'd ask. Thanks.
#9
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You should DEFINITELY take them off the car first. You don't want to accidentally sand the body (if you go the wetsanding route). Plus it's going to be far easier to restore them with them off the car anyway.
And don't be afraid to ask the dumb questions. We've all started from somewhere whether it's appearance, mechanical, anything.
And don't be afraid to ask the dumb questions. We've all started from somewhere whether it's appearance, mechanical, anything.
#12
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Personnaly I would remove them if you machine buff. You want to stay away from the paint on your car when using the buffing pad. A DA can go through clear in a second.
You can probably get by by just getting a small 3 inch foam buffing pad, the buffing polish -your choice - and your own drill or a friends loaner. You will amaze yourself how easy it is.
Tip: Don't let the plastic get hot when buffing. Buff -rinse with water- buff - rinse with water and so on and you will see the haze disappear. Final wax and you are good to go.
You can probably get by by just getting a small 3 inch foam buffing pad, the buffing polish -your choice - and your own drill or a friends loaner. You will amaze yourself how easy it is.
Tip: Don't let the plastic get hot when buffing. Buff -rinse with water- buff - rinse with water and so on and you will see the haze disappear. Final wax and you are good to go.
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You should DEFINITELY take them off the car first. You don't want to accidentally sand the body (if you go the wetsanding route). Plus it's going to be far easier to restore them with them off the car anyway.
And don't be afraid to ask the dumb questions. We've all started from somewhere whether it's appearance, mechanical, anything.
And don't be afraid to ask the dumb questions. We've all started from somewhere whether it's appearance, mechanical, anything.
#15
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wow! thanks guys. I believe this was my first post in the appearance section and I am glad I asked as you all were all very helpful. This may be a dumb ? but I rather seem like a fool than do a foolish thing; should I leave the tails on the car when doing this or take them off? Not sure if <--- really matters...just thought I'd ask. Thanks.
I respectfully disagree. All you need is some 3M blue painters tape along the edges of anything you don't want to accidentally sand. Double it up too if you fell like it.
As far as buffing them off the car, it can be tricky as there is nothing supporting them. While mounted to the car they are held perfectly still. Again, tape off if necessary.
Personnaly I would remove them if you machine buff. You want to stay away from the paint on your car when using the buffing pad. A DA can go through clear in a second.
You can probably get by by just getting a small 3 inch foam buffing pad, the buffing polish -your choice - and your own drill or a friends loaner. You will amaze yourself how easy it is.
Tip: Don't let the plastic get hot when buffing. Buff -rinse with water- buff - rinse with water and so on and you will see the haze disappear. Final wax and you are good to go.
You can probably get by by just getting a small 3 inch foam buffing pad, the buffing polish -your choice - and your own drill or a friends loaner. You will amaze yourself how easy it is.
Tip: Don't let the plastic get hot when buffing. Buff -rinse with water- buff - rinse with water and so on and you will see the haze disappear. Final wax and you are good to go.
Not true. A rotary can burn through quickly, but not a DA (unless you have a sanding disk on it). DA builds almost no heat whatsoever on paint, and very little on plastic. You should be aware of the heat, yes, but not afraid of it.
Also, its better to wipe off the polishing haze than rinse it with water. Just grab a MF towel and wipe it off and go to the next step. If desired, follow each stage of buffing with an ISO wipedown (50/50 mix of water and 91% isoprophyll alcohol).
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While I am asking(instead of starting a new thread), the tails had a small chip on the drivers side tail on the upper right corner. People told me black silicone could fix it, but would it look good? here are pics https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-l...ed-advice.html
Any tips? THanks again.
Any tips? THanks again.
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^^^That is true. Didn't even think about the taillights moving around on your when they're out. So yes, you can follow Gofast's advice with leaving them in the car.
And here's the link to his thread (if you don't mind Gofast)
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...t-sanding.html
But yes, I HIGHLY recommend people take a glance at it if they ever plan on wetsanding any project. The results will certainly amaze you.
And here's the link to his thread (if you don't mind Gofast)
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...t-sanding.html
But yes, I HIGHLY recommend people take a glance at it if they ever plan on wetsanding any project. The results will certainly amaze you.
#19
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Its no wetsanding writeup or anything, but just kinda shows you what is possible. Its a teaser thread for now until I finish the entire project:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...easer-pic.html
This one is from a while ago...my first attempt at wetsanding. I've gotten MUCH better at it since then.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...sanding-4.html
#20
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^^^That is true. Didn't even think about the taillights moving around on your when they're out. So yes, you can follow Gofast's advice with leaving them in the car.
And here's the link to his thread (if you don't mind Gofast)
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...t-sanding.html
But yes, I HIGHLY recommend people take a glance at it if they ever plan on wetsanding any project. The results will certainly amaze you.
And here's the link to his thread (if you don't mind Gofast)
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...t-sanding.html
But yes, I HIGHLY recommend people take a glance at it if they ever plan on wetsanding any project. The results will certainly amaze you.
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