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Subject: Yellowing Tail Lights Restored Author: CG : member since January, 2004 : 243 posts Posted on: 2007-10-22 01:04:34

For those of you that are interested, its possible to recondition your tail lights, especially if they have yellowed over the years.

Today, APW (Allan) brought over his 2001 e38 which is in excellent condition despite its mileage. It is his daily driver and the OEM tail lights have yellowed and I suggested we try to polish them before he spends considerable $$$ to replace.

Below are pictures of the excellent results from our efforts:


BEFORE




AFTER






Process:

1. Wet sand with 800 grit
2. Wet sand with 2000 grit
3. Porter Cable (PC) with Meguiar’s Red pad and Meguiar’s Compound Power Cleaner
4. PC with Red pad and Menzerna Intensive Polish

Already looked good, but not good enough...

5. PC with Yellow pad and Menzerna Final Polish
6. PC with Orange 4inch pad and Meguires Clear Plastic Cleaner
7. PC with White 4inch pad and Meguriars Clear Plastic Polish

It may seem odd, but you can treat plastic similarly to the way one restores a painted surface. Many of the techniques are the same.

Hope this helps those that are interested.


CG
1996 Sorrent Blue 740iL
with 2001 facelift, lowered and e65 19" wheels

• Yellowing Tail Lights Restored (pic) - CG 2007-10-22 01:04:34 (11327 views)
  • Unbelievable, I've been looking at buying new taillights - ucbearcats27 2007-10-22 22:31:39 (359 views)
  • Looks Great.... But I see a lacrosse stick in the background! Who plays? (nt) - absessler 2007-10-22 20:52:51 (250 views)
    • Good eye, My 3 sons play - Great Sport! (nt) - CG 2007-10-22 23:38:04 (195 views)
  • I can say that the difference was amazing. After all the wet sanding - sealbeach740 2007-10-22 19:57:43 (326 views)
  • Exactly what I did with a couple fewer steps........... - Bayou Bimmer 2007-10-22 09:23:26 (368 views)
  • I can't wait for a way to fix yellowing fron the inside. :o( (nt) - bghark 2007-10-22 09:20:17 (291 views)
  • NICE - I'm going to have to give this a try... (nt) - lexicon740il 2007-10-22 02:15:25 (191 views)
  • Just so I'm clear.... - shaunhaywood 2007-10-22 02:05:43 (282 views)
    • Yep, everything was done to the outside, nothing inside... (nt) - CG 2007-10-22 02:20:07 (287 views)
  • Great info! Thanks (nt) - Edwin 2007-10-22 02:01:33 (187 views)
  • Nice work! Thanks for sharing. (nt) - DavidC 2007-10-22 01:45:05 (191 views)
  • looks great! Did you try PlastX? I had similar results with far less effort (nt) - SDmike 2007-10-22 01:09:15 (482 views)
    • I use PlastX also. I think it chemically combines with the oxyidized - henry 2007-10-22 09:08:04 (467 views)