Adam2001WS6

iTrader: (1)

So I took off the driver's side tail light because I want to get rid of the light scratches and just get that nice reflection back. Nothing heavy duty. Anyways, I hit it with 800 sandpaper (3m), then mother's polishing compound followed by Black Magic Liquid wax. They look like I still sanded them. It's smooth as all get out, it's just very very hazy looking. Did I miss something here? Was I supposed to clear coat at the same time? I wasn't aware that this was a mandatory step only if I wanted to, plus I wasn't hitting it with a very aggressive sandpaper grit.

PontiacFan

iTrader: (104)

800 is still too rough. Sand with 1500 or 2000 to get the sanding marks out.
I'd highly recommend a machine of some type to polish with.
Highly doubt you'll see much progress by polishing by hand.

ramairetransam

iTrader: (18)

need to wet sand them and use finer grit too , like 1500 and then 2000 , but wet sand them and then use a polishing compound . But use finer grit ,

Adam2001WS6

iTrader: (1)

I wet sanded using 800 with a 50/50 water & soap mix. I got the sandpaper from Home Depot... didn't see anything higher than that. Any recommendations?

APG12

iTrader: (25)

I got 1500 and 2000 from my local auto parts store.

Adam2001WS6

iTrader: (1)

Got it. I'm gonna run out to Advanced and pick up some 1500 and 2000 grit. Am I still smart to hit it with a wetsand on 800 followed by wetsand with 1500-2000 before polishing & waxing?

ECU_Pirate

iTrader: (5)

Yep, auto stores will have the grit you're looking for... Interested in seeing how this turns out as I have some export tails that could use a little freshening up.

Striker

iTrader: (1)

I would avoid 800 altogether. You're just getting the light scratches out.

Polishing Rule (for paint and otherwise) ALWAYS* start out with a less/least aggresive sandpaper or polishing compound and see how it affects the finish.

It's like jumping into the deep end of the swimming pool first, not knowing if you can handle it

beyonddisturbed

iTrader: (5)

home depot has these little sandpaper sponges that work great for wetsanding. range of aggressiveness and i seem to remember they were endorsed by nascar fwiw.

Adam2001WS6

iTrader: (1)

I'll post pics of them at this point and the finished product.

Adam2001WS6

iTrader: (1)

Here are some pics for all to check out...

Here is where I left off. This was after only wetsanding w/ 800 grit, polish and wax... notice a TON of scratches/hazing from the 800 grit paper.


Another shot of the above. Notice the hazing around where the light bar is shining in the reflection...



Here is after wetsanding with 1000 grit... Still a lot of scuff and hazing



This is after wetsanding with 2000 grit paper ONLY, NO polish, NO wax yet.


This shot is after 2000 grit, hand polishing and hand waxing. Now, notice the sweet reflection, HOWEVER, look at the bottom of the light. There are still a lot of small scuff marks.



Now call me ****, but I just feel that these can look better. The only thing I can think of at this point that's holding me back from that mirror finish looking at an angle and straight on is polishing/buffing with a machine vs. hand.

Any thoughts friends?

lemons12

iTrader: (71)

No pics buddy

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

Not seeing the pics except the first

BlueBird346

iTrader: (13)

Def gonna need a machine to buff them.

Adam2001WS6

iTrader: (1)

Should be good now...

6spdchevy

iTrader: (2)

yea image shack has been tripping lately idk why but i stopped using them and just upload my pics on album or facebook lol

btw im in for results

lemons12

iTrader: (71)

I think you need a little more time with 2000 and a machine.

Adam2001WS6

iTrader: (1)

Foregtting whether I'm doing this by hand or machine, can 2000 help create that mirror finish after it's followed up with polish and wax?

djfury05

iTrader: (30)

it won't look nearly as good unless you take a machine buffer to it.. 5 minutes with machine buffer will do wonders

Adam2001WS6

iTrader: (1)

Now are we talking one of those attachments for a drill or a true PC?