the very corner of my bumper on the passenger side brushed another vehicle and removed the paint. i did a simple rattle can driveway fix. i THOUGHT i taped everything off i needed to, but i missed the front parking light. sprayed right over it...

do you think i can remove the paint without taking the parking lamp out of the vehicle? i was going to try something like mineral spirits on a qtip or toothbrush to see how that works, but would that damage the plastic at all or make it foggy?

feel free to tease, i'm already laughing at myself. but i'd like suggestions on how to fix if you have those as well.

 

Paint that fresh a little alcohol or mineral spirits should take it right off.
You should be able to slip some blue tape in around the light, or even some card stock to prevent the liquids from getting anywhere else.
And the light isn't that "hard mounted." For instance, you should be able to push inward on the top of the light to slide something in on the bottom, and vice versa.
Not rocket science.

 

You could try WD40. If not, 90% alcohol should do the trick, but you may need to polish the plastic lens a bit to eliminate hazing.

 

The most gentle option here is likely a product known as Graffiti Remover, you can probably get it at a hardware store. It pretty much destroys specifically paint and has so far been safe on everything else I've put it on. My glasses, brick, wood, plastic, whatever.

 

Razor blade + 45 seconds and you'll have the paint of the front of the lens.

 

Don't think razor blade would work. The directionals are plastic. Fog Lights? Yes, they are glass. Best bet is to remove them. Two 10MM bolts in the back and they pop right out. Then use whatever everyone else has suggested. Plastic headlight restorer kits would work. Most basically sand down the surface and buff with special compound. Thats what I did with my 88 front directionals

 

I use acetone, needs to be warm out. Dab with a soft cloth till you get the streaks out. Keep your cloth moving so it doesn't stick. If it is cold out the plastic wont break down enough to put a nice shine on it. Made mine look new. Acetone is the duct tape of solvents.

 

I recommend to "test" whatever you elect to use first. 40 plus year old plastic and modern chemicals sometimes do not play together. From what I have always been told, use the lowest strength cleaner first and then work your way up. In my case a learned the hard way on the plastic lens cover. I would also take the light out before attempting to clean it up.

 

mosquito spray will cut it

 

Plastic polish and a buffing wheel.... Don't want to scratch up the lense.... Or use something that "melts" the plastic....

 

My experience with mosquito repellant is that it will also eat the plastic right up!

 

I agree. These lenses should be polished anyway after all those years. My lenses were a little worn and this product did the job.

 

So, @Stewbawl , what was the solution? Inquiring minds want to know!!

 

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