After we installed my new spoiler, we were using this acetone paint thinner to remove overspray from the tail lights. The previous owner had the car painted and there was maroon paint on the tail lights.
The Acetone thinner seemed to eat the outer layer of the plastic leaving this white film. There was an article here a few months ago, but I can't find it. I really need to get this repaired, it just makes the car look ugly from the rear. The center piece between teh lights with the bird and pontiac on it is also messed up.

Thanks guys.

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Zepher
'86 Pontiac Trans Am WS6, 5 Speed:
Edelbrock 1406 Carb, Edelbrock Performer RPM 7101 Intake Manifold.
Edelbrock Open Element Air Cleaner: Flowmaster Exhaust, 160* Thermostat,
Grant GT Steering Wheel, MSD HEI Coil, Taylor 8mm Wires, Recaro Seats,
Alpine CD+Changer,Rockford & Soundstream Amps, Premier TS-1040C Subs, Polk Audio highs/mids.

86 Trans Am & Girls

 

That's not just a film, the acetone's actually etched the plastic. You might be able to fix it acceptably with a denim buffer wheel and a small amount of buffing compound.

 

You will have to sand it some before you start to buff. I would start with a 320 to 400 grit, then go to 600 and finish with 800. I would recomend wet/dry paper and sand everything wet. Then clean it up with a buffing wheel and some plastic or polishing compound that is the equivalent of 2000 grit.

James

 

Chrome polish actually works well to polish plastic to a decent finish. To get it one step better after you use the chrome polish, you can use one of the commercially available plastic polishes. The stuff I tried is Blue corral or Blue *something*. As stated above, if it's bad enough you may need to start off with sandpaper. My tail lights looked good but weren't shiny, but the plastic polish really brough out a shine.

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The IROC Homepage
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View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the tips.
I'll let you know how it goes. Probably have time this weekend, hopefully.

 

Yep,

Sand first, if it's deep.

I made a bonhead move with an aerosol paint stripper, and had some resultant pits in my tailights. Began with 300, up to 600, then used 3M micro, and glaze compounds. Good as new.



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Ryan MacEwen Pruyn
MacEwen Motorsports

1987 GTA 350 6spd, White OEM instruments, 17" Borbet Type A's, 275/40ZR17's, 255/45ZR17's, Koni Sport Adjustables, Eichbach Sport Springs, Poly U, everywhere, Guldstrand Engineering Panhard rod, LCA's

 

Guys, how do you use the compound, its freakin Crayola.....

????
PLEASE GET BACK ASAP
3.30 MINUTES cOUNTING DOWN

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91 FireBird 305 V-8
Edelbrock Catback, Custom Alarm. Fourth Gen Console. i have six cupholders. all for starbucks!
Go|)Created The Earth, And Then Turned Up The Bass.
Here's My Audio Install!

"Honda's FOR ME TO POOP ON!" -Triumph...

 

I've used mothers aluminum polish with good results. pretty much any polish, be it for paint or chrome or whatever will work. Heck, even toothpaste works, as long as there are some small semi-abrasive particles in whatever you use it'll buff it to a great finish.

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1986 Camaro Sport Coupe
Stock 305 cid. LG4 engine
3" catback dual exit exhaust
Metallic Indigo Blue Paint
Gloss Black Interior
L69 dual snorkle intake

 

toothpaste....