Guest my3buicks Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 Spent the last couple days giving the Reatta some TLC, I have put about 2000 miles on it this year so far, just brought it back from another trip of 600 miles last weekend. The taillight turned out much better than I could have hoped.Here are some pictures of ZORRO SS (vanity plate I have ordered for it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Corvanti Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 lookin' good!!!:cool::cool::cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 What product did you use to polish the taillight? It looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 I like that car.Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasJohn55 Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 Keith, The car looks beautiful, a photographer you ain't! Just kidding, the mottled lighting doesn't let us appreciate the true beauty of the car. TexasJohn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 Just quick photo's with my phone, I should have gotten the good camera out. I used Mcguiares Scratch X on the lense, it was quick and easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Richard D Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Ok I will get up of my A$$ and do the same to mine . It is also black and when freshly detailed It looks great and I admit I feel better driving it. For some reason black cars in Miami attract all kinds of "stuff" to them. Even when freshly waxed the "stuff" is hard to get off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 I use meguiars inside and out on all my cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bushwack Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Just quick photo's with my phone, I should have gotten the good camera out. I used Mcguiares Scratch X on the lense, it was quick and easy.That's foolish. I know you feel/see it worked for you but Scratch X is designed to minimize light scratches and swirls on paint. It has abrasives. It's not formulated for plastic (or glass). The lens may be cleaner but you probably added some swirls or scratches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 (edited) Its crystal clear, not a swirl or blemish. How can one argue with results, I have been detailing show cars and more specifically national winning show cars for 35 years and also own a commercial cleaning co, so have a pretty good handle on what's foolish or not. Thanks for your opinion. Edited June 15, 2013 by my3buicks (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bushwack Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Its crystal clear, it is also stated to be used on plastics, how can one argue with results, I have been detailing show cars fir 30 plus years and also own a commercial cleaning co, so have a pretty good handle on what's foolish or not..I am also experienced in exterior/interior detailing of cars. I'm not going to argue. I'll let Meguiar's product description of Scratch X speak for itself - http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g10307-scratchxreg-20/PlastX is what to use for the rear lens - http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g12310-plastx-clear-plastic-cleaner-polish/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 (edited) Tried Plastx first, it didn't do the job. Not arguing either, simply stating what product did a stellar job and totally satisfied me, and anyone that knows me or my cars will tell you I am as picky as they come. Edited June 15, 2013 by my3buicks (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bushwack Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Tried Plastx first, it didn't do the job.That's unfortunate for you. Possibly you didn't apply it correctly. But for the sake of someone searching the forum in the future on what product to use for cleaning the rear taillights, Scratch X is not the right product (its formulation is too abrasive for anything plastic). It will work but you will put scratches on the lens. PlastX is formulated to clean plastic lenses and remove very light surface scratches. Apply using light pressure, let it sit on the lens for 3-5 minutes and wipe away. The product works best when you let it sit on the lens for a few minutes (just don't let it dry on the lens). If the lens is really filthy, apply a 2nd or 3rd coat. You do more damage to the lens using one coat of Scratch X then multiple coats of PlastX. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 I used PlastX on my taillight. It's hard to tell in a photo but what I see on that black car looks a lot better than the way mine turned out. I'll be trying some Scratch X next time. Did you use a buffer or did you do it by hand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 (edited) I did it by hand straight motion, although maybe I should succeed to the obvious expert Edited June 15, 2013 by my3buicks (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 I did it by hand straight motion...Thanks. I'll try that. The last time I used a buffer on slow speed with a foam pad. I wasn't satisfied with the results. It looked good, but not great like I had hoped for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanR Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 I did it by hand straight motion,although maybe I should succeed to the obvious expertThis made me snort out loud. If it works, it works. Just like anything tried in a small test area and realizing it works better than intended use nothing wrong with that. Otherwise folks wouldnt be using WD-40 for unintended purposes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 (edited) You do realize, Ervin, that most headlight restoration kits use many things that essentially "scratch the lense". Sand paper and rubbing compound (pretty much what Scratch X is) are commonplace items in most kits out there. Do you think that 3M would sell you something if it was going to scratch up your lens? Edited June 15, 2013 by NCReatta (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Speaking of WD-40 did you know it is probably the best product on the market for making your stainless steel appliances in your kitchen look like new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Keith, too bad you are not bringing the 88 to SB. Would love to see it. I believe we will have a great turn out of Reattas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-a-n-i-e-l Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Brasso also works great on the rear lense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Richard D Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Gentleman, If a product works well for someone and another product works well for someone else and both are pleased than why argue about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Corvanti Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 (edited) i should probably leave this thread alone, but:clean taillight cover while giving her a bath. once dry, clean with rubbing alcohol to remove any wax/polish.start with 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. rinse and repeat with 2000 grit wet/dry. rinse again.apply "Quixx Acrylic Scratch Remover": remove with a Mothers Power Ball. (it's size is close to the size of the taillight area).finish with a microfiber, or similar, towel...a good wax (meguiars gold class, or similar) for protection - UV or otherwise.don't use the power ball near the "BUICK" letters. elbow grease with a towel will be fine...with all that said - i've used "PlastX", "ScratchX" and similar products on other taillamps, headlight covers, etc. with good results. the "prep work" is more important than the product used. it's kinda like the use of polishing compound vs. rubbing compound on older vehicles - how much physical pressure is necessary in application to get the result wanted. Edited June 16, 2013 by Corvanti (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Keith, too bad you are not bringing the 88 to SB. Would love to see it. I believe we will have a great turn out of Reattas.I thought seriously about it Barney, but we are trying to get a good group of Centurions to show, and I have yet to have the orange one to a BCA National. Next year will be the Reatta's turn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 i should probably leave this thread alone, but:clean taillight cover while giving her a bath. once dry, clean with rubbing alcohol to remove any wax/polish.start with 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. rinse and repeat with 2000 grit wet/dry. rinse again.apply "Quixx Acrylic Scratch Remover": remove with a Mothers Power Ball. (it's size is close to the size of the taillight area).finish with a microfiber, or similar, towel...a good wax (meguiars gold class, or similar) for protection - UV or otherwise.don't use the power ball near the "BUICK" letters. elbow grease with a towel will be fine...with all that said - i've used "PlastX", "ScratchX" and similar products on other taillamps, headlight covers, etc. with good results. the "prep work" is more important than the product used. it's kinda like the use of polishing compound vs. rubbing compound on older vehicles - how much physical pressure is necessary in application to get the result wanted.Corvanti, " That's Foolish " sorry, couldn't pass that up LOL - sounds like the optimum way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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