Polishing tail lights...
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Polishing tail lights... 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.
Last edited by Adam2001WS6; Jun 2, 2011 at 01:31 AM.
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.
I'd highly recommend a machine of some type to polish with.
Highly doubt you'll see much progress by polishing by hand.
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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?
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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
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
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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?
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?
Last edited by Adam2001WS6; May 30, 2011 at 01:57 PM.
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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
btw im in for results
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