Fixing those old, sad tail lights

I picked up some spare tail lights for the gts from the junk yard, they were in great shape, but the lenses were really hazy and had over-spray on them. I picked up a headlight restoration kit from 3M, which i picked up for about 20 bucks.

Here is the before and after. One looks like a shiny candy, the other just looks old.

HOW TO DO IT YOURSELF

First, I used 400 grit sand paper. Keep sand paper wet and work your way around the whole lens. Clean the lens after.

Use the 500 grit pad that comes in the 3M kit, use it dry.

After you are done, it should look like this. Clean lens.

Next, use the 800 grit paper, use it dry.

This is what it should look like, notice the dust is much finer. Clean lens.

Now use the 3000 grit pad, make sure lens stays wet and the pad stays wet, apply water to lens from time to time. You should start seeing a milky white substance left behind. Clean lens, you should notice lens is smooth, but not shiny.

Use the polishing pad, apply dime size of rubbing compound to pad and smear it all over the lens first and then start working your way all around the lens. Wipe it off with a microfiber cloth and this is where you will see some serious shine. Repeat if you want even a deeper shine. 

Smearing the compound

Just after wiping off the compound.

Ta-Da! Now they look like brand new again!

So it begins...