Reconditioned Tails
 

...and the sun-faded filler panel.

Materials Required:

- Cleaner/Degreaser (ie. rubbing alcohol, simple green, etc)
- Water to wet sand
- 600 Wet Sandpaper
- 800 Wet Sandpaper
- 1000 Wet Sandpaper
- 1500 Wet Sandpaper
- 2000 Wet Sandpaper
- Plastic Cleaner/Polisher (ie. Meguires Plast-X)
- Microfiber Towels
- Applicator Pad
- (Optional) High Speed Buffer *not necessary but definitely better results.
- Patience...don't be in a rush and skip multiple stages of sandpaper -- it will show in your results -- although skipping an abrasive grit like 800 won't hurt if you're at a lack of resources...it's mainly the finer grits like 1500. 2000 that are most important.

Steps in Order:

- Once dismantled off your car clean w/ rubbing alcohol, especially on the filler panel to remove the OE red ink (the sections that the ink has not begun to fade will require more effort to get out)
- Now, make sure water is constantly being applied to the surface when wet sanding or else you can be doing more harm than good)
- 600 wet sand
- 800 wet sand
- 1000 wet sand
- 1500 wet sand
- 2000 wet sand
- Then, pull out the high speed buffer and some "Meguiars Plast-X" (just make sure to use only popular brand plastic polishers; cheaper products, cheaper results)...tongue twister? and VWALAH!!

EXTRA:
- Use a polishing bonnet or a clean microfiber and some "Meguiars Mirror Glaze Plastic Polish" * helps protect the surface from further scratches and provides a slick surface to repel dust/pollen/dirt from building onto it.




- I only took a few pics. definitely not enough before/mid process pics..but enough to show the difference.

Before

http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/DSC01164.jpg
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/DSC01165.jpg
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/DSC01162.jpg

Midprocess (after 1000grit)

http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/DSC01180.jpg

After

http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/DSC01157.jpg
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/DSC01159.jpg
notice the few light scratch marks (PICTURE BELOW) near the reverse light...that was due to using a dirty microfiber to wipe the residue off....novice mistake.. i had to go over that part.
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/DSC01172.jpg
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/DSC01184.jpg
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/DSC01183.jpg

wow they came out nice i need to that mine look like ****

i like that plastic X.. works pretty well. i didnt go thru all the sanding on my tails, just the plastic X and they came out ok..... deff gotta try this some day

thanks guys. i just went over them w/ meguiars glaze and now they are like glass.

definitely looks good

thanks. now just waiting for the overlay to put on the filler panel.

http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/DSC01188.jpg
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/DSC01198.jpg

looks great

thanks^^^

.. updated a quick writeup in case you guys needed some reference.

good chit man. this is defiantely sticky-worthy material

Yea those came out awesome...good work!

Look great Jam....good job. One of these days I need to do the tails on my IROC. I think it'll make a world of difference for me.

thanks a lot hardcore. ya reconditioning tails should be a must for our cars.... btw I sent you a PM a week ago.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT////
- so after all this time spent on getting the filler panel clean for the new decal I go to put it on and silly me was in a rush and didn't use dawn soap on the back of the vinyl cutout sooo when it came time to putting it on I was two degrees off from where it should have been placed. this slight head turner drove me crazy. LUckily not everyone in this world are conniving pricks :lol: and after relaying my pathetic story back to the ebay seller whom I've purchased the decal from he replied with a message saying "I'm sending you a new one free of charge!" just thought I'd share this story with you guys in commemoration of this mans generosity. the ebaysellers name is (GUNNER-D) I recommend him for everyone's decal needs!! (GS stripes, fillerpanel overlays, etc):nod:

looks good, I did the same to the taillights on my iroc, came out awesome.