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Forum nameInterior/Exterior
Topic subjectYes you can sand and polish your lights
Topic URLhttps://forums.2gnt.com/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=i7&topic_id=46861
46861, Yes you can sand and polish your lights
Posted by Squid, May-06-03 05:22 PM
I'm sure you're all familiar with the low spoiler brake light and that stupid SAE DOT APPROVAL crap on it.

My brake light is cracked so a bought a slightly scratched brake light from Slacker (yes I knew it was lightly used and abused that's why he gave me a good deal) I started off by wet sanding off the lettering with 600 grit sandpaper. Then I wet sanded the entire light with 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit sandpaper. Followed by some polish and a coat or three of wax.

Finished product:




Only a scratch or two are left which I couldn’t see until I took the picture. If I had a polisher I could probably get rid of the remaining swirl marks, but they are hardly visible under normal light.
46870, RE: Yes you can sand and polish your lights
Posted by BCIEclipse, May-06-03 06:03 PM
Umm, isn't the SAE DOT necessary for inspection? My car didn't pass because i my old Altezzas weren't DOT approved as well as my G/F's civic had euro clear corner lights and they failed her. Would the spoiler really matter that much?
46873, RE: Yes you can sand and polish your lights
Posted by 9D9 MITSU RS, May-06-03 06:11 PM
3rd brake light is a big deal.
46882, RE: Yes you can sand and polish your lights
Posted by Ryan_Hes, May-06-03 06:56 PM
I dont have a third brake light. I don't have inspection either tho :-)
46886, RE: Yes you can sand and polish your lights
Posted by chrysler kid, May-06-03 07:14 PM
i thought you were gonna say how u made it clear, awww now im upset
46920, RE: Yes you can sand and polish your lights
Posted by a_miller_76, May-07-03 03:34 AM
>i thought you were gonna say how u made it clear, awww now im
>upset


You can't make red plastic clear....it's dyed through and through. You have to replace it with clear plastic.
46922, RE: Yes you can sand and polish your lights
Posted by eclipticrider, May-07-03 03:49 AM
no 3rd brake light either, also no inspection :) :)

WTB--- Dodge Omni:


http://www.geocities.com/shadyporshe851proof/frame_content/indexframe.html

mods:
star stage III clutch, + the normal mods + bass + lights. well u get the pictur
46924, RE: Yes you can sand and polish your lights
Posted by Squid, May-07-03 04:16 AM
Yup, it’s tinted red all the way through. I would love a clear 3rd brake light, but don’t know if and when someone will make one.

As far as the SAE DOT number, I’m sure it’s required in areas where they are extremely anal about that sort of thing. But there’s a ton of things that are required on a car to pass inspection:

amber reflector visible from the side near the front (those with clear and euro clear markers aren’t technically legal, many body kits don’t even have a spot for it)

red reflector visible from the side near the rear (I think only the APC altezzas have the red triangle reflector)

The SAE DOT number is often faked on aftermarket lights so just because the SAE DOT number is there doesn’t guarantee you’ll pass. I doubt they would even look for it on a stock looking piece.

But none of that really matters since I’ve never taken my Eclipse in for inspection (yet the inspection is up to date ;) )

I really just wanted to demonstrate that scratches (and lettering) on taillights can be removed. I had heard you could do it, but I never seen it done. I thought I had really fucked it up after the 1000 grit sandpaper and it still looked hazy after 2000 grit, but after the polish it looked fresh from the factory.
46940, RE: Yes you can sand and polish your lights
Posted by djtrickee, May-07-03 06:46 AM
>>i thought you were gonna say how u made it clear, awww now
>im
>>upset
>
>
>You can't make red plastic clear....it's dyed through and
>through. You have to replace it with clear plastic.

Ohh wait... you mean like this??



and this:



-Chris b.
46944, RE: Yes you can sand and polish your lights
Posted by silvreclipsers, May-07-03 07:16 AM
where did u get that??
46955, RE: Yes you can sand and polish your lights
Posted by Squid, May-07-03 08:29 AM
If only that fit the stock low wing.
46985, RE: Yes you can sand and polish your lights
Posted by chrysler kid, May-07-03 02:07 PM
>>>i thought you were gonna say how u made it clear, awww now
>>im
>>>upset
>>
>>
>>You can't make red plastic clear....it's dyed through and
>>through. You have to replace it with clear plastic.
>
>Ohh wait... you mean like this??
>
>
>
>and this:
>
>
>
>-Chris b.


TELL ME WHRE YOU GOT THAT !!! and i see you use my image hoster (mustangmods :) )