Reconditioned Tails

[Jam]

...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





Midprocess (after 1000grit)



After



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.

[btownws6]

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

[maroman88]

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

[Jam]

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

[sweetbmxrider]

definitely looks good

[Jam]

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

[myfoot2020]

looks great

[Jam]

thanks^^^

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

[98tadriver]

good chit man. this is defiantely sticky-worthy material

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

Yea those came out awesome...good work!

[HardcoreZ28]

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.

[Jam]

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

[Jam]

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 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)

[Teds89IROC]

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