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| Tailight Resto | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 7 2011, 10:21 PM (411 Views) | |
| BlackMagic | Apr 7 2011, 10:21 PM Post #1 |
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Senior
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Just picked up a set of taillights from biged the other day. They were in great condition but with anything 25 years old they needed a little care. So I decided to restore them. First step was a good cleaning. I used simple green, which works great on plastics/rubber and its not really corrosive/harsh. Let it sit for 5 min and brushed them with an old soft toothbrush. Then Rinsed Next I used a soap solution to wash everything clean. Second step was wet-sanding out the the rough spots and lenses. I used a 600grit wet-paper to wet-sand the entire housing and lens making sure to get them down to a clean mark free surface. I kept the black plastic surfaces sanded at 600. Next I used 800 wet to take down the 600grit marks in the lenses. Then 1000 on the lenses Then 1500 and finally 2000. Third step was the polishing. I used megs 105/205 combination. 105 with an orange foam pad, and 205 with the white pad on my DA. Next came a cleaner wax. Megs D151 with a green pad. This cleaner wax is still mildly abrasive so I chose to do this before masking. Fourth step was masking and paint. Masked all lenses with low tack painters tape. Sprayed them with a gravity feed touch up gun, adhesion promoter, and satin black . First satin coat was a dusting, next three went on slightly heavier. I used satin because it gives a nice contrast between the gloss lenses and the black plastic, without being flat. I haven't had time yet but the fifth step will be, masking the black satin and hitting the polished lenses with a gray pad and P21s 100% Caranuba. ![]() Polished with 105/205 only ![]() Masked and painted. ![]() Unmasked, fully Polished and painted. ![]() Longacre 175amp2000amp master disconnect installed. Sorry for the crappy camera phone pics, my camera has been acting up lately cant get it to work. The taillights came out amazing with no visible marring or scratches. Perfectly polished and smooth. I'm very pleased with the results. I do like the satin look as well. Edited by BlackMagic, Apr 7 2011, 10:26 PM.
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355, KB pistons, Eagle rods, ARP rod bolts, Ported 882's, bolt in studs/Comp cam/Timing gears. 9.58:1 CR, Victor JR intake port matched, FI Tech fuel injection, MSD Pro Billet, Blaster II and CDI box, Hooker comps to 4" Hawks Sinister Exhaust w/ Hooker Max Flow, Founders tubular LCA/Prothane bushings, LS1 rear brakes, Brembo fronts. Dropped/Fully Shaved and smoothed exterior and engine bay/VPA door kit/Viper red RN/C5 wagon wheels | |
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| MCMLXXXIIIZ28 | Apr 8 2011, 08:42 AM Post #2 |
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Advanced Member
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Good job man. |
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| charged355 | Apr 8 2011, 09:49 AM Post #3 |
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Nythirdgen Founder
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Looks good, that what I used to do to mine before I started tinting them |
![]() Custom Forged 355 / Solid roller cam/valvetrain / Victor Jr heads / Hurricane Intake/ Accufab 1250cfm Throttle body / MegaSquirt 3 Engine Managment/ 1000cc SouthBay Injectors/ 7.6:1 CR / 4" Custom Single Exhaust / 4000 Circle D Stall/ CK Performance Billet 4L80 FMVB Trans Brake / 3" Chromoly Driveshaft / Full UMI Tubular Rear Suspension / Moser/Strange 9" / 4:11 gears Detroit Locker / Sumped LS1 gas tank / A1000 Fuel pump / A1000 FPR / Paxton Fuel filter / -10 Fuel line -8 return / Borg Warner S475 Turbo @10psi/ JGS 50mm WG & 56mm BOV / PA Racing Complete Tubular Front End Kit With Coilovers / Full Autometer Dash / Custom Black Suade Guts / Built by yours truly/ Tuned by George the EFI whiz http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnxlPhzRElZYM5YE-n2NRUw | |
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| BlackMagic | Apr 8 2011, 12:40 PM Post #4 |
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Senior
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I saw you had a thread about polishing or tinting lights. Are you still doing it? How was/is business? I had a good time all said and done it took me probable around 5-6 hours. Most of the time was cleaning, setting up the paint/gun, and masking. Prob only 2.5 hours of actual polishing. It helps to spend more time with the higher grits 600-1000 instead of using the lower grits like most people do (320-400) and then wasting time trying to polish out the grit marks. I spend allot of time painting/polishing. My father was a body shop guy half his life. He still brings some side work home if he can make a buck. Most things he taught me early on I have expanded on. I used to make a few dollars detailing/touching up cars. Most of the money I made was spent on detailing products so I'm not sure how much I actually made. Charged, I saw you had a thread about polishing or tinting lights. Are you still doing it? How was/is business? Edited by BlackMagic, Apr 8 2011, 12:40 PM.
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355, KB pistons, Eagle rods, ARP rod bolts, Ported 882's, bolt in studs/Comp cam/Timing gears. 9.58:1 CR, Victor JR intake port matched, FI Tech fuel injection, MSD Pro Billet, Blaster II and CDI box, Hooker comps to 4" Hawks Sinister Exhaust w/ Hooker Max Flow, Founders tubular LCA/Prothane bushings, LS1 rear brakes, Brembo fronts. Dropped/Fully Shaved and smoothed exterior and engine bay/VPA door kit/Viper red RN/C5 wagon wheels | |
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| charged355 | Apr 8 2011, 01:17 PM Post #5 |
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Nythirdgen Founder
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I do that as a side thing at my shop, I don't really advertise it's more of a word of mouth thing through car people around me, few in the club have my products and few customs around the area, might be doing a lambo in a week or two I he makes up his mind, I fear if I advertise that I might get swamped and quit work to tint lights lol, makes me angry to see nice cars with nightshade on the lights or even worse the window tint that bubbles and peels off and they kick themselves in the ass when they find out they paid more for that then they would at my shop for a perfect job... |
![]() Custom Forged 355 / Solid roller cam/valvetrain / Victor Jr heads / Hurricane Intake/ Accufab 1250cfm Throttle body / MegaSquirt 3 Engine Managment/ 1000cc SouthBay Injectors/ 7.6:1 CR / 4" Custom Single Exhaust / 4000 Circle D Stall/ CK Performance Billet 4L80 FMVB Trans Brake / 3" Chromoly Driveshaft / Full UMI Tubular Rear Suspension / Moser/Strange 9" / 4:11 gears Detroit Locker / Sumped LS1 gas tank / A1000 Fuel pump / A1000 FPR / Paxton Fuel filter / -10 Fuel line -8 return / Borg Warner S475 Turbo @10psi/ JGS 50mm WG & 56mm BOV / PA Racing Complete Tubular Front End Kit With Coilovers / Full Autometer Dash / Custom Black Suade Guts / Built by yours truly/ Tuned by George the EFI whiz http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnxlPhzRElZYM5YE-n2NRUw | |
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| Slash | Apr 8 2011, 02:28 PM Post #6 |
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FanPage Admin
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I'm still debating of coming down there to see ya for tinting Doc in future. I like both the tinted look and how the stock looks with the new NY plate x.X
Edited by Slash, Apr 8 2011, 02:28 PM.
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http://www.fquick.com/garages/Chevrolet/Ca...C-Z/1988/31509/![]() I am a shadow in the night, I protect those in need and ruin those who stand against me With their fists raised high, those who choose to do no good shall see no mercy from me. ~Slash | |
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| charged355 | Apr 8 2011, 04:30 PM Post #7 |
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Nythirdgen Founder
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U can always get another set of lights n ship em to me n I'll ship em back, I forget how far you are? |
![]() Custom Forged 355 / Solid roller cam/valvetrain / Victor Jr heads / Hurricane Intake/ Accufab 1250cfm Throttle body / MegaSquirt 3 Engine Managment/ 1000cc SouthBay Injectors/ 7.6:1 CR / 4" Custom Single Exhaust / 4000 Circle D Stall/ CK Performance Billet 4L80 FMVB Trans Brake / 3" Chromoly Driveshaft / Full UMI Tubular Rear Suspension / Moser/Strange 9" / 4:11 gears Detroit Locker / Sumped LS1 gas tank / A1000 Fuel pump / A1000 FPR / Paxton Fuel filter / -10 Fuel line -8 return / Borg Warner S475 Turbo @10psi/ JGS 50mm WG & 56mm BOV / PA Racing Complete Tubular Front End Kit With Coilovers / Full Autometer Dash / Custom Black Suade Guts / Built by yours truly/ Tuned by George the EFI whiz http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnxlPhzRElZYM5YE-n2NRUw | |
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| Slash | Apr 8 2011, 05:34 PM Post #8 |
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FanPage Admin
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Just outside of Albany so a good 3-3.5hrs north. - And tbh I'd prolly just drive down for a meet and stick around for a bit. I tell ya its so boring and sh!t up here, All there ever is is arguing in this house l0l. How long does it normally take to tint them if i decide to and price? Edited by Slash, Apr 8 2011, 05:35 PM.
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http://www.fquick.com/garages/Chevrolet/Ca...C-Z/1988/31509/![]() I am a shadow in the night, I protect those in need and ruin those who stand against me With their fists raised high, those who choose to do no good shall see no mercy from me. ~Slash | |
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| Rob | Apr 8 2011, 05:37 PM Post #9 |
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Deus ex machina
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Doc, Can you tint or smoke my third light? ![]() Edited by Rob, Apr 8 2011, 05:38 PM.
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| charged355 | Apr 8 2011, 05:40 PM Post #10 |
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Nythirdgen Founder
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They gotta dry overnight at least, it's 100 bux for the tails to tint them And why jus the third brake light? |
![]() Custom Forged 355 / Solid roller cam/valvetrain / Victor Jr heads / Hurricane Intake/ Accufab 1250cfm Throttle body / MegaSquirt 3 Engine Managment/ 1000cc SouthBay Injectors/ 7.6:1 CR / 4" Custom Single Exhaust / 4000 Circle D Stall/ CK Performance Billet 4L80 FMVB Trans Brake / 3" Chromoly Driveshaft / Full UMI Tubular Rear Suspension / Moser/Strange 9" / 4:11 gears Detroit Locker / Sumped LS1 gas tank / A1000 Fuel pump / A1000 FPR / Paxton Fuel filter / -10 Fuel line -8 return / Borg Warner S475 Turbo @10psi/ JGS 50mm WG & 56mm BOV / PA Racing Complete Tubular Front End Kit With Coilovers / Full Autometer Dash / Custom Black Suade Guts / Built by yours truly/ Tuned by George the EFI whiz http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnxlPhzRElZYM5YE-n2NRUw | |
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| Rob | Apr 8 2011, 05:43 PM Post #11 |
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Deus ex machina
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my reflectors and taillights are smoked, don't want to leave the third brake light clear. |
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| charged355 | Apr 8 2011, 05:45 PM Post #12 |
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Nythirdgen Founder
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Oh they looked like reg tails to me, does it come out or is it molded in the spoiler |
![]() Custom Forged 355 / Solid roller cam/valvetrain / Victor Jr heads / Hurricane Intake/ Accufab 1250cfm Throttle body / MegaSquirt 3 Engine Managment/ 1000cc SouthBay Injectors/ 7.6:1 CR / 4" Custom Single Exhaust / 4000 Circle D Stall/ CK Performance Billet 4L80 FMVB Trans Brake / 3" Chromoly Driveshaft / Full UMI Tubular Rear Suspension / Moser/Strange 9" / 4:11 gears Detroit Locker / Sumped LS1 gas tank / A1000 Fuel pump / A1000 FPR / Paxton Fuel filter / -10 Fuel line -8 return / Borg Warner S475 Turbo @10psi/ JGS 50mm WG & 56mm BOV / PA Racing Complete Tubular Front End Kit With Coilovers / Full Autometer Dash / Custom Black Suade Guts / Built by yours truly/ Tuned by George the EFI whiz http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnxlPhzRElZYM5YE-n2NRUw | |
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| Rob | Apr 8 2011, 05:46 PM Post #13 |
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Deus ex machina
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gotta check. |
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| BlackMagic | Apr 8 2011, 07:30 PM Post #14 |
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Senior
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Yea, I quit detailing customers cars because of word of mouth I was getting calls all the time. The thing is most people don't understand the labor that goes into a true detail or paint correction. They want a car wash special and there is no money in that for me. People always want something for nothing. The ones who pay well are the classics and cars who see few miles. Ive polished headlights and some body panels of a few guys in my shop with outstanding results, basically just pays for my lunch and allows for favors next time which is always a good thing. I don't do any more side jobs, unless its a friend/family in need. Edited by BlackMagic, Apr 8 2011, 07:32 PM.
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355, KB pistons, Eagle rods, ARP rod bolts, Ported 882's, bolt in studs/Comp cam/Timing gears. 9.58:1 CR, Victor JR intake port matched, FI Tech fuel injection, MSD Pro Billet, Blaster II and CDI box, Hooker comps to 4" Hawks Sinister Exhaust w/ Hooker Max Flow, Founders tubular LCA/Prothane bushings, LS1 rear brakes, Brembo fronts. Dropped/Fully Shaved and smoothed exterior and engine bay/VPA door kit/Viper red RN/C5 wagon wheels | |
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| Rob | Apr 10 2011, 12:34 PM Post #15 |
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Deus ex machina
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molded in the spoiler |
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