polishing 86 Headlight Lenses

[SVOmk]

I'm looking for atleast one good condition - non-yellowed headlight lens for my 86 (driverside - if that makes a difference)....
I'm tired of looking at my discolored yellow one!

I'd be interested in 2 if anyone prefers to sell a pair.
thanks.

email me at: mck@mckdesign.com

[richsvo]

I think Paul at SVP sells those...
Check his website
www.svpu.com/

[SVOPaul]

Unfortunately I only have a few of the passenger side headlights available, the driver side is the tough one to get. I am one of the guys pushing to get these lights reproduced so hopefully something will happen there but the people parting out perfectly good cars aren't helping to keep the number of potential customers up.

[richsvo]

Amen, brother!
Don't part 'em, restore 'em!

[SVOmk]

Thanks to everyone for the responses.

Yes, I agree - repro's would be a great idea.
As far as I have seen people generally want anything from $250 to $400 for a pair of these things!

I just don't have the cash at the moment. (and my wife would kill me!)
I tried Novalux plastic polish...it helped slightly.

Has anyone ever removed the lens and polished the inside of the plastic?
I remember one fellow owner a few years back - telling me he took his apart and using rubbing compound on the inside with great success, then glued it back toghether.

[SVOPaul]

Well, the marker lights are notorious for the glue deteriorating and coming apart but I have not seen a headlight do that so you may have some work to get them apart. If you have or can grab an old set to play with it would probably be smart just in case of a failure or breakage. If you can get them apart then you could polish the inside...when you glue it back together, after the glue dries...go around the outside with aquarium sealant or clear silicone and then briefly place a shop vacuum on the back of the housing where the bulb goes in, that will eliminate any air gaps and keep moisture from getting in.....

[SVOeric]

I dont think that would work. Most of your yellowing, and oxidation (does plastic rust??) is on the outside... while you probably should clean the inside really good, the inside is really rough...with lines running in different directions.. it would be hard to rub out, or polish.

Maybe you could soak them in oxy clean (HA!)

[8T6 SVO]

outer marker lights

I just purchased a NOS outter marker light and it looks like it was epoxied together. Is this how the service (or NOS ) parts came? My original doesn't have this epoxy like glue on it and apears to be sealed better. Anyone have any experience with "NOS" outter marker lights?

[SVOPaul]

Can you post a picture of it? I have a couple of NOS lights put aside for myself just in case(sorry, they are not for sale ) and I can compare it for you.....but they should look like the rest and should not appear to be "epoxied" together....

[svobud]

due to the fact that his want ad has now turned into a discussion about polishing headlights....it was moved to the proper forum and renamed.

[8T6 SVO]

Marker light glue?

Paul.

Here is a picture of my (NOS) outer marker light. I was surprised to see this glue and the size of the gaps between the lense and the body.

[8T6 SVO]

another picture

another view.

[svono50]

Just thought I would throw in my $0.02 on plastic polishing. Another good plastic/all around polisher is Rolite. They make products for the aviation industry that work awesome. I have been using their stuff for about 8-10 years now and can say that it hasn't stopped surprising me yet. I tried it out on plastic for the first time on Alica's (Mikey's ex gal) marker lenses. ~5 minutes of hand polishing took 75% of the yellowing out of the lens and gave them a much smoother appearance. Here is a link to some info on the stuff:

http://www.aircraftpolish.com/specrolite.html

You can call Rolite directly to find a distributor in your area or a mail order supplier. I found mine in a farmer's supply store, so the stuff is out there. BTW, the stuff I use is their Metal Polish / Fiberglass Cleaner.

[SVOPaul]

Re: Marker light glue?

Originally posted by 8T6 SVO
Paul.

Here is a picture of my (NOS) outer marker light. I was surprised to see this glue and the size of the gaps between the lense and the body.

Well, I looked at all of my lights in my collection but original and NOS and not a single one of them has that type of glue residue. It looks to me like someone glued those back together for some reason....I don't know why they would be taken apart and glued back unless it was a defect from the factory and this is a repair attempt. They are certainly not the NOS quality I have seen...and I have seen a lot of lights... There should not be any "gaps" and certainly no yellowish, cream colored looking glue....

[richsvo]

Hey Ted!

You said:

"I found mine in a farmer's supply store, so the stuff is out there. BTW, the stuff I use is their Metal Polish / Fiberglass Cleaner."

Since I am your neihbor...What store would that be?

Thanks, and we will get together eventually, just too busy with kids, work, working on the car, etc...you know?

Later,
Rich