how to fix scratched brake light

[phenomic]

My brake light got scratched badly and i wanted to fix it. I sanded it down really good and worked to the finest sand paper i have. It is smooth to the touch and look. It looks as if it just isnt glossy there.

The scratch covered the edge of the brake light which is black so i was wondering if i could paint it clear or black. Would that work or is there anyway of polishing the plastic back to a glossy finish?

[ February 13, 2005, 06:42 PM: Message edited by: phenomic ]

 

[kenw]

try some 0000 steel wool. it will polish quite well, i've used it on painted surfaces.

 

[ZR2RANDO]

And then try some rain-x..

 

[srivett]

You can polish yellow headlights back to clear so you should be able to fix the brake light. I don't know what kind of polish people normally use.

I use a magic marker to fix scratches on black surfaces.

Steve

 

[phenomic]

I ended up using 1500sandpaper and then some 3m finecut polish compound, it came out good as new.

 

[chas3]

i have used 3M Perfect-It II Rubbing Compound Fine Cut before on black plastic with good success. you should be down to about 1000-1500 grit sandpaper though it it will take a while with the rubbing compund.

 

[Pete]

I'd recommend Meguiar's Mirror Glaze (17), Clear Plastic Cleaner. This worked wonders when my light was scratched by the bumper of a step-van that cut a parking lot's corner; the wide scratch is no longer visible. I bought it at my local NAPA, $6.99 for 8 oz.

http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_detailpage.cfm?sku=M-17&store=meg