My rear lights are in quite good condition - How do I protect them easily?
Moderators: jifflemon, coyote1980, Rachel
My rear lights are in quite good condition - How do I protect them easily?
Good Evening all
I have recently been pondering how to preserve my rear lights in their unfaded condition, I understand there is an elaborate swedish method of restoring the rear lights that is very techical, but how to stop them from going foggy and brown?
so far I have tried putting the Autoglym vinyl repair on it (the same stuff I use to moisturise - for lack of a better word - the interior)
this hasn't made it worse, but I am unsure if this is the right path to follow
what are the tricks that other people use that are easy to do on the driveway?
Many thanks
Ben
I have recently been pondering how to preserve my rear lights in their unfaded condition, I understand there is an elaborate swedish method of restoring the rear lights that is very techical, but how to stop them from going foggy and brown?
so far I have tried putting the Autoglym vinyl repair on it (the same stuff I use to moisturise - for lack of a better word - the interior)
this hasn't made it worse, but I am unsure if this is the right path to follow
what are the tricks that other people use that are easy to do on the driveway?
Many thanks
Ben
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Re: My rear lights are in quite good condition - How do I protect them easily?
I have a film on mine, it is supposed to have UV protection.
Comes in various tints if that's your thing.
Comes in various tints if that's your thing.
Re: My rear lights are in quite good condition - How do I protect them easily?
where do you get it from? I assume there is just a tintless clear one?
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Re: My rear lights are in quite good condition - How do I protect them easily?
Through several years i found the best way to preserve them from UV light is wax. That common car wax . Silicone or oil based products will not protect from UV and will rise temperature leading to cracks and splits
Re: My rear lights are in quite good condition - How do I protect them easily?
From My old post, I went for a slight tint, the clear wasnt very forgiving with the scratches and rough surface of the plastic.
arthuy wrote: ↑Sat Aug 05, 2017 4:30 pm
Bought the film from the one stop shop that is ebay. I bought a 30cmx100cm for £4.25 inc p&p, it actually came in 2 50cm sheets. I did manage to do the 3 sections with one piece.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Headlight ... 2749.l2649
I had sanded and polished the left hand one but thought I would give the film a bash rather than trying to remove the lights and risk them breaking to lacquer them.
The right hand lamp has two cracks and all I did was clean it down with a baby wipe.
The search is on for a set of lights that arent broken.
Re: My rear lights are in quite good condition - How do I protect them easily?
Thanks for that, I think I will try JP's wax trick first, and then try the film, as I am still not sure about the way it looks, but this advice is very useful, thank you for letting me know!arthuy wrote: ↑Sun Jul 07, 2019 6:03 pmFrom My old post, I went for a slight tint, the clear wasnt very forgiving with the scratches and rough surface of the plastic.
arthuy wrote: ↑Sat Aug 05, 2017 4:30 pm
Bought the film from the one stop shop that is ebay. I bought a 30cmx100cm for £4.25 inc p&p, it actually came in 2 50cm sheets. I did manage to do the 3 sections with one piece.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Headlight ... 2749.l2649
I had sanded and polished the left hand one but thought I would give the film a bash rather than trying to remove the lights and risk them breaking to lacquer them.
The right hand lamp has two cracks and all I did was clean it down with a baby wipe.
The search is on for a set of lights that arent broken.
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Re: My rear lights are in quite good condition - How do I protect them easily?
If the lights are ok (not faded yet), wax is one of the best method to preserve them. A good paste wax is the one to go for. For example, i use collinite 476. A liquid/quick wax won't last. If the lights are faded i would polish them first and then go to the wax method.
Re: My rear lights are in quite good condition - How do I protect them easily?
The lights have not 'faded' in the sense that they have gone brown, but they do not look brand new, but I think they are ok, as you can see from the picturesJP wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2019 8:04 pmIf the lights are ok (not faded yet), wax is one of the best method to preserve them. A good paste wax is the one to go for. For example, i use collinite 476. A liquid/quick wax won't last. If the lights are faded i would polish them first and then go to the wax method.
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Re: My rear lights are in quite good condition - How do I protect them easily?
I have bought some paste wax now, I shall try it later today, do you have any tips for applying the wax? I assume it is rubbed in like a polish, but I could be wrong, is there any special things to take into account for the plastic?JP wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2019 8:04 pmIf the lights are ok (not faded yet), wax is one of the best method to preserve them. A good paste wax is the one to go for. For example, i use collinite 476. A liquid/quick wax won't last. If the lights are faded i would polish them first and then go to the wax method.
Many Thanks
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Re: My rear lights are in quite good condition - How do I protect them easily?
I have found the best way to preserve/maintain they current condition is to apply wax the same way as it would be on the paintwork. Make sure they are completely dry and clean. Apply one thim coat of wax and wait untill it begins to dry. Buff it off. Aplly a second coat in the same way and it's done.. your lights seems to be in a fairly good contidtion. If you want to make them better, carefully polish them first with an appropriate acrylic polish kit and then go to the wax process