Reconditioned Tails
Reconditioned Tails ...and the sun-faded filler panel.
Materials Required:
- Cleaner/Degreaser (ie. rubbing alcohol, simple green, etc)
- Water to wet sand
- 600 Wet Sandpaper
- 800 Wet Sandpaper
- 1000 Wet Sandpaper
- 1500 Wet Sandpaper
- 2000 Wet Sandpaper
- Plastic Cleaner/Polisher (ie. Meguires Plast-X)
- Microfiber Towels
- Applicator Pad
- (Optional) High Speed Buffer *not necessary but definitely better results.
- Patience...don't be in a rush and skip multiple stages of sandpaper -- it will show in your results -- although skipping an abrasive grit like 800 won't hurt if you're at a lack of resources...it's mainly the finer grits like 1500. 2000 that are most important.
Steps in Order:
- Once dismantled off your car clean w/ rubbing alcohol, especially on the filler panel to remove the OE red ink (the sections that the ink has not begun to fade will require more effort to get out)
- Now, make sure water is constantly being applied to the surface when wet sanding or else you can be doing more harm than good)
- 600 wet sand
- 800 wet sand
- 1000 wet sand
- 1500 wet sand
- 2000 wet sand
- Then, pull out the high speed buffer and some "Meguiars Plast-X" (just make sure to use only popular brand plastic polishers; cheaper products, cheaper results)...tongue twister? and VWALAH!!
EXTRA:
- Use a polishing bonnet or a clean microfiber and some "Meguiars Mirror Glaze Plastic Polish" * helps protect the surface from further scratches and provides a slick surface to repel dust/pollen/dirt from building onto it.
- I only took a few pics. definitely not enough before/mid process pics..but enough to show the difference.
Before
Midprocess (after 1000grit)
After
notice the few light scratch marks (PICTURE BELOW) near the reverse light...that was due to using a dirty microfiber to wipe the residue off....novice mistake.. i had to go over that part.
Materials Required:
- Cleaner/Degreaser (ie. rubbing alcohol, simple green, etc)
- Water to wet sand
- 600 Wet Sandpaper
- 800 Wet Sandpaper
- 1000 Wet Sandpaper
- 1500 Wet Sandpaper
- 2000 Wet Sandpaper
- Plastic Cleaner/Polisher (ie. Meguires Plast-X)
- Microfiber Towels
- Applicator Pad
- (Optional) High Speed Buffer *not necessary but definitely better results.
- Patience...don't be in a rush and skip multiple stages of sandpaper -- it will show in your results -- although skipping an abrasive grit like 800 won't hurt if you're at a lack of resources...it's mainly the finer grits like 1500. 2000 that are most important.
Steps in Order:
- Once dismantled off your car clean w/ rubbing alcohol, especially on the filler panel to remove the OE red ink (the sections that the ink has not begun to fade will require more effort to get out)
- Now, make sure water is constantly being applied to the surface when wet sanding or else you can be doing more harm than good)
- 600 wet sand
- 800 wet sand
- 1000 wet sand
- 1500 wet sand
- 2000 wet sand
- Then, pull out the high speed buffer and some "Meguiars Plast-X" (just make sure to use only popular brand plastic polishers; cheaper products, cheaper results)...tongue twister? and VWALAH!!
EXTRA:
- Use a polishing bonnet or a clean microfiber and some "Meguiars Mirror Glaze Plastic Polish" * helps protect the surface from further scratches and provides a slick surface to repel dust/pollen/dirt from building onto it.
- I only took a few pics. definitely not enough before/mid process pics..but enough to show the difference.
Before
Midprocess (after 1000grit)
After
notice the few light scratch marks (PICTURE BELOW) near the reverse light...that was due to using a dirty microfiber to wipe the residue off....novice mistake.. i had to go over that part.
Last edited by Trans Am Jam; Jun 17, 2009 at 11:39 PM.
That turned out really good. I did the same thing to mine a couple of weeks ago. The only thing I did different is put a coat of the meguiar's glaze on last. Turned out like glass
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Verdad Gallardo what do you mean hologram effect?.... if you mean an outline of the firebird and trans am logo ink then just go over it w/ more stages of wetsanding.
Looks like you got some hazing...
You might try stepping down to a final polishing pad with some M205 or some SwirlX or similar polish...
The bonnet isn't really for polishing... it can induce slight hazing if not used properly...
You might try stepping down to a final polishing pad with some M205 or some SwirlX or similar polish...
The bonnet isn't really for polishing... it can induce slight hazing if not used properly...
