Close



Results 1 to 18 of 18
  1. #1
    FEP Senior Member dtmilsap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Rose Hill,Kansas
    Posts
    895

    Default Cleaning tail light lens.

    Has anyone ever tried to use denture cleaner like polident the fizzy stuff that you put into water to remove the surface scum off taillight lens? If so did it work.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

  2. #2
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Grand Junction, CO/RR TX
    Posts
    14,206

    Default

    I have never tried, but then again I am either lazy or too much of a perfectionist . . . or maybe both if that's possible.

    I generally clean the lenses, then I carefully wet sand them with 400 grit wet sand paper. Then I respray either the black or the grey depending on year model of the lens. After that I mask off the color and reclear the actual lens area with 2K urethane clear. Generally 2-3 coats and the lights look brand new when I am done. Better than replacing and cheaper too in most cases.

    Masked for grey areas
    Name:  2018-11-25 10.20.53.jpg
Views: 236
Size:  122.9 KB

    Grey areas masked off
    Name:  2018-11-23 12.01.51.jpg
Views: 237
Size:  188.3 KB

    Sure enough can't find a picture of those finished, but here's another set done with the SVO stripes.
    Name:  2017-02-05 15.57.09.jpg
Views: 232
Size:  184.3 KB
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
    1969 Mach 1
    1979 Pace Car now 5.0/5 speed
    1982 GT Stalled RestoModification
    1984 SVO Still Waiting Restoration
    1986 GT Under going Wide Body Conversion Currently

    Current Capris:
    1981 Capri Roller
    1981 Capri Black Magic Roller Basket Case
    1982 Capri RS 5.0/4spd T-top Full Restoration Stalled in TX
    1984 Capri RS T-top Roller
    1983-84 Gloy Racing Trans Am/IMSA Body Parts

  3. #3
    FEP Senior Member dtmilsap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Rose Hill,Kansas
    Posts
    895

    Default

    86 Capri lens would be charcoal gray? Hard to tell from due to fading


    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Grand Junction, CO/RR TX
    Posts
    14,206

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dtmilsap View Post
    86 Capri lens would be charcoal gray? Hard to tell from due to fading


    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
    Yes, 85/86 Capri tail light trim would be the charcoal grey. Same is true for the 85/86 Mustang. Good Luck!
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
    1969 Mach 1
    1979 Pace Car now 5.0/5 speed
    1982 GT Stalled RestoModification
    1984 SVO Still Waiting Restoration
    1986 GT Under going Wide Body Conversion Currently

    Current Capris:
    1981 Capri Roller
    1981 Capri Black Magic Roller Basket Case
    1982 Capri RS 5.0/4spd T-top Full Restoration Stalled in TX
    1984 Capri RS T-top Roller
    1983-84 Gloy Racing Trans Am/IMSA Body Parts

  5. #5
    FEP Senior Member dtmilsap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Rose Hill,Kansas
    Posts
    895

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wraithracing View Post
    Yes, 85/86 Capri tail light trim would be the charcoal grey. Same is true for the 85/86 Mustang. Good Luck!
    Having trouble finding charcoal gray. I checked lmr, cj pony and some others. Where can I find.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    FEP Senior Member dtmilsap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Rose Hill,Kansas
    Posts
    895

    Default

    Trey, I wet sanded an area. Looks dull after drying, looks great when wet. Will the clear give it the wet look?

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

  7. #7
    FEP Supporter
    82GTforME's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Alberta, Canada
    Posts
    4,855

    Default Cleaning tail light lens.

    For the lights I have reused, I was lucky they weren’t terrible.

    I used 3M rubbing compound and power polished with that and the fine polish and they turned out great for me!



    For the charcoal paint, I did not like the LMR grey they said was for SVOs plus it didn’t go far. I changed and went with the SEM brand. Was available in the body shop supply store where I would usually get the SEM trim black I use.

    Quote Originally Posted by Travis T View Post
    I think this is my favorite car on the site right now.
    Quote Originally Posted by BLUECRAPI
    This is the best thread on the internet.
    Darran
    1982-1C (Black) GT T-Top:http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...he-Road-Thread
    1986-9L (Oxford White) SVO: http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...d-did-1986-SVO
    1979 (85:Tangerine) Coupe (my son's): http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...gerine-Machine
    1979 (3F:Light Medium Blue) Coupe (one day to be my other son's!) http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...um-Blue-Bomber!

  8. #8
    FEP Senior Member dtmilsap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Rose Hill,Kansas
    Posts
    895

    Default

    Thanks Trey

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

  9. #9
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Grand Junction, CO/RR TX
    Posts
    14,206

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dtmilsap View Post
    Trey, I wet sanded an area. Looks dull after drying, looks great when wet. Will the clear give it the wet look?

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
    Yes, when you clear the lens they will look slick, shiny, and glossy. Look at the two pictures I posted above. You can see the dull finish after wet sanding. The last picture with the SVO stripes shows the gloss finish thanks to the clear coat.

    As Darren mentioned the SEM 39153 is a good charcoal gray in spray can form for the 85/86 cars. Good Luck!
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
    1969 Mach 1
    1979 Pace Car now 5.0/5 speed
    1982 GT Stalled RestoModification
    1984 SVO Still Waiting Restoration
    1986 GT Under going Wide Body Conversion Currently

    Current Capris:
    1981 Capri Roller
    1981 Capri Black Magic Roller Basket Case
    1982 Capri RS 5.0/4spd T-top Full Restoration Stalled in TX
    1984 Capri RS T-top Roller
    1983-84 Gloy Racing Trans Am/IMSA Body Parts

  10. #10
    FEP Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Sprague River, OR
    Posts
    757

    Default

    I used Trey's method over a year ago for wet sanding with 400 grit paper and then clear coating the lenses. The black is SEM Trim Black paint.

    Join The Conversation
    http://www.youtube.com/basinmotorsports

    '86 Hatchback V6 / Auto Restomod (For Sale)

  11. #11
    FEP Super Member NAVYCAT's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Montebello, CA
    Posts
    3,435

    Default

    when I did my 86 capri tailights, I wet sanded them with 400, then power buffed them and then hit them with the proper 86 grey paint. came out looking brand new
    2017 Ford Explorer Sport (DD) 1986 Capri 5.0 Silver/Red
    1969 Falcon XW GTHO coupe (SOLD) went to Australia
    Past 4 eyes-
    4th. 1981 Capri "White" Black Magic I6
    3rd. 1984 Capri RS V8 Black/grey
    2nd. 1984 Capri RS V8 White/red
    1st. 1984 SVO Grey/grey (traded it for a worn out 1970 BOSS 302)
    Both '84 Capri's vin# were 10 away from each other
    U.S. NAVY 1980-2009

  12. #12

    Default

    Sometime in the not too distant future I will be restoring my tails. My concern with clear coat over time. Will it turn hazy or yellow or simply not stay optically clear? With the these parts getting more rare by the minute just my thoughts. I’m probably over thinking it but as for now hoping that a good buff will do it

  13. #13
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Grand Junction, CO/RR TX
    Posts
    14,206

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by saleen428 View Post
    Sometime in the not too distant future I will be restoring my tails. My concern with clear coat over time. Will it turn hazy or yellow or simply not stay optically clear? With the these parts getting more rare by the minute just my thoughts. I’m probably over thinking it but as for now hoping that a good buff will do it
    I have been clear coating Fox tail light lenses and others for over 20 years now and never had any issues with hazing or yellowing. I custom stripped a set of tail lights on my brand new 1997 F150 Flareside WAY BACK in early 1997. Painted part of them with matching body color base coat and clear. The tail lights still look brand new to this day. That truck has been sitting now for over 10 years outside my old shop in TX in the TX sun, etc. so I don't think its a problem. As with anything the quality of the paint supplies will dictate the longevity. Not saying you have to use the absolute most expensive, but don't expect the bargain clears to last as long. Oh and I have several sets of Fox tail lights that have been done that also look brand new to this day after 10-15 years of being cleared. Good Luck!
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
    1969 Mach 1
    1979 Pace Car now 5.0/5 speed
    1982 GT Stalled RestoModification
    1984 SVO Still Waiting Restoration
    1986 GT Under going Wide Body Conversion Currently

    Current Capris:
    1981 Capri Roller
    1981 Capri Black Magic Roller Basket Case
    1982 Capri RS 5.0/4spd T-top Full Restoration Stalled in TX
    1984 Capri RS T-top Roller
    1983-84 Gloy Racing Trans Am/IMSA Body Parts

  14. #14
    FEP Senior Member dtmilsap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Rose Hill,Kansas
    Posts
    895

    Default

    This is the reflective part of my taillight . The pics make look slightly lighter than it is. If I were to paint it in silver to brighten it up would it increase heat from standard bulbs that might cause damage to the lens.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

  15. #15
    FEP Senior Member liv2roc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Cherryville n.c.
    Posts
    774

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dtmilsap View Post
    This is the reflective part of my taillight . The pics make look slightly lighter than it is. If I were to paint it in silver to brighten it up would it increase heat from standard bulbs that might cause damage to the lens.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
    I painted mine silver like that a few years ago with no problems

  16. #16
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Grand Junction, CO/RR TX
    Posts
    14,206

    Default

    I seriously doubt you will see any difference in overall heat.

    You can use the Silver paint and there are even the Chrome like paints that are a bit more reflective than normal silver paint that can help increase the brightness of the rear tail lights. Good Luck!
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
    1969 Mach 1
    1979 Pace Car now 5.0/5 speed
    1982 GT Stalled RestoModification
    1984 SVO Still Waiting Restoration
    1986 GT Under going Wide Body Conversion Currently

    Current Capris:
    1981 Capri Roller
    1981 Capri Black Magic Roller Basket Case
    1982 Capri RS 5.0/4spd T-top Full Restoration Stalled in TX
    1984 Capri RS T-top Roller
    1983-84 Gloy Racing Trans Am/IMSA Body Parts

  17. #17

    Default

    Wow, I did not know they were molded in the colors. So....as mine have lost so much color, and are obviously bad....what grit to start with? And any decent polishers to buy? I have cloth polishing wheels I can chuck in a drill.

  18. #18

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dtmilsap View Post
    Having trouble finding charcoal gray. I checked lmr, cj pony and some others. Where can I find.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
    https://www.amazon.com/SEM-39153-Cha...ps%2C92&sr=8-1

    SEM 39153 is where it's at for charcoal trim. I'll absolutely agree with that recommendation.

    Quote Originally Posted by Ruskiegunlover View Post
    Wow, I did not know they were molded in the colors. So....as mine have lost so much color, and are obviously bad....what grit to start with? And any decent polishers to buy? I have cloth polishing wheels I can chuck in a drill.
    Folks above wet sanded with 400. I'd start there, and then bump up to something higher, and finish it by polishing. You could probably do it by hand but I'd imagine any random action polisher would do the trick as well.
    Last edited by ITdude87; 07-20-2023 at 10:18 PM.
    1986 Mustang GT - 2A, 5 Sp
    2018 Subaru WRX (Daily)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •