Removing paint from center tail piece?

[mike96]

Is it possible to do without damaging the plastic? The center section of my talon tail lights were painted by the previous owner and I am not too fond of the look anymore.

 

[Colt4G63 also]

Buff it out with rubbing compound and a high speed buffing wheel.

 

[91-GS]

Car paint or spray paint?
If car paint, then might be easier to remove most of it with 600 grit sandpaper, then 1000, then buff.
If spray paint, then Graffiti Remover. Sand/buff if needed.

 

[Blurred Talon]

Soda Blasting.

 

[mike96]

Car paint or spray paint?
If car paint, then might be easier to remove most of it with 600 grit sandpaper, then 1000, then buff.
If spray paint, then Graffiti Remover. Sand/buff if needed.

Yea. Car paint.

I am kind of hesitant on using abrasive methods. I don't want to put scratches in that I cant get out but if all else fails then I will give it a try.


I will look into a soda blaster. I have been thinking about getting one for a while just haven't pulled the trigger on one yet. Do you think a sand blaster would be too much if I am running it with just enough pressure to make it work and a softer compound through it like walnut shell?

 

[Ghost_92TSi]

Sanding will be fine do the 6 to cut throught a paint, then 1000 then 2000 to make it fine (eliminate scratches). Then, use a compound, clean it with alcohol, and spray some krylon plastic clear coat.
It will look so nice you will want to do your sides too!

 

[inspire]

I am a auto painter. The only issue I can find with sanding would be removing the. Eclipse nameplattaken taken down to far. I would say depending on the viscosity of the hardened paint to start with 400, 600, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000 and then some 3m buffing compound on a variable speed buffer to restore to perfection. I personally would save the work for other things and just order a new light, visit a junkyard, or search on craigslist for someone parting out a dsm.

Just really re read your post. Thought eclipse, definetly wouldn't waste time sanding, it will destroy the raised talon on the back. Just buy new light.

Sorry typos. Cell phone + grammar= fail!

 

[99gst_racer]

I'd source a replacement rather than mess with trying to strip a painted one without damaging it. How much are they these days? $30?

 

[Devo544]

Sand it, I'm not sure what grit to start out with. Once you've sanded all the paint off get the headlight restore stuff to eliminate any scratches left in the plastic. I've used the headlight restore ( I forget what brand) on my headlights and they turned out pretty nice. I hope this helps.

 

[sccrbrandon4788]

Several on ebay for $20-$50, with letters.

 

[Blurred Talon]

Yea. Car paint.

I am kind of hesitant on using abrasive methods. I don't want to put scratches in that I cant get out but if all else fails then I will give it a try.


I will look into a soda blaster. I have been thinking about getting one for a while just haven't pulled the trigger on one yet. Do you think a sand blaster would be too much if I am running it with just enough pressure to make it work and a softer compound through it like walnut shell?

Sand is too abrasive.
You can make a DIY soda blaster for cheap, that's all I did.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

I'd source a replacement rather than mess with trying to strip a painted one without damaging it. How much are they these days? $30?

Wouldn't it be something if after carefully removing the paint to preserve the finish... the previous owner sanded the lens down anyhow to get the paint to adhere?!

 

[Ghost_92TSi]

Wouldn't it be something if after carefully removing the paint to preserve the finish... the previous owner sanded the lens down anyhow to get the paint to adhere?!

Nah because all you do is polish it anyways, He could of sanded scratches away and not of painted it, Lens is thick enough that its not like you will go through it. Only issue is if you remove paint and find deep scratches that were filled with bondo or something.

 

[Dnf]

It's not expensive to get a new one so, I'd go with that.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

Sandblast it

 

[NeverEndingProject]

I would just look around the classifieds for one that isn't painted, then you avoid all the hassle and it shouldn't be too expensive.

 

[Deadspool]

I'd source a replacement rather than mess with trying to strip a painted one without damaging it. How much are they these days? $30?

This.

Then you have a spare incase you regret this some day.

 

[Blurred Talon]

Sandblast it

You'll ruin the lens.
Soda blasting is not as abrasive.

 

[BurrowZ]

Would aircraft stripper not work? Is it too damaging to the plastic?

 

[Turbomelon211]

Nah because all you do is polish it anyways, He could of sanded scratches away and not of painted it, Lens is thick enough that its not like you will go through it. Only issue is if you remove paint and find deep scratches that were filled with bondo or something.

The scratches would be filled with paint.

Would aircraft stripper not work? Is it too damaging to the plastic?

I paint private jets and aircraft stripper would destroy the plastic

 

[Blurred Talon]

Would aircraft stripper not work? Is it too damaging to the plastic?

Most chemical strippers will degrade on complete destroy the plastic.

 

[sccrbrandon4788]

The scratches would be filled with paint.

Paint doesn't fill in scratches, especially with metallic paints, they will gather in the scratches and make them more visible. He'd have to use upwards of 400-600 grit sandpaper for it to not be noticeable.

As small as the panel is, I'd just sand down with 220, then work my way up to 400, then clear it.