Topic: Third brake light faded?

[Freebie]

I have noticed a lot of Avs with faded third brake lights (mine included!) and thought the only solution was to replace it.  While looking on a Grand Am forum for some headlights for the Bean's GT, I found a nice method of getting rid of cloudiness on the headlights (figured it would work on a brakelight too  )
Tools used:
1500 grit sandpaper
2000 grit sandpaper
Meguiar's PlastX cleaner and polish
Mother's powerball

First I let the sandpaper soak in a bucket of warm water and a little carwash soap for about 20 minutes.  In the meantime I went out and cleaned the brake light.  After soaking the paper, I started with the 1500 grit, sanding the entire brake light, sanding in one direction.  Then I went to the 2000 grit, sanding in the other direction (I do not know the reasoning behind this, just following directions!)  If 1500 does not get all of the fading out, try 800 or 600 grit.  You can keep going with a finer and finer grit after 2000 if you want to, it will make the next couple of steps easier, but no stores around here seem to carry anything finer.  I washed the headlight with clean water and let it dry (to make sure I didn't miss anything).  The light will have a haze to it.  Finally, apply the PlastX and buff it with the powerball.  If you do not have a powerball, you can buff by hand (I imagine it wouldn't be that much harder on the third brake light, but a little more work on headlights and brakelights)  Voila!  Factory fresh look!  I'll post some pics of the finished product as soon as I find the camera 

[MoAv]

Looking forward to the pics Freebie.  What's the purpose of soaking the sandpaper?  My lights need help - this might do the trick...

[bluedevil]

Strobin did this on his Camaro headlights:

http://www.midwestavalancheclub.com/index.php/topic,717.0/highlight,grit.html

[Freebie]

Strobin did this on his Camaro headlights:

http://www.midwestavalancheclub.com/index.php/topic,717.0/highlight,grit.html

That is about what the headlights look like on the Grand Am... I will be fixing that tonight though!  You soak the sandpaper so it doesn't scratch as harshly I think?  I think that is the reason behind wet sanding.  Once again, not 100% sure, just following directions 

[bluedevil]

That is about what the headlights look like on the Grand Am... I will be fixing that tonight though!  You soak the sandpaper so it doesn't scratch as harshly I think?  I think that is the reason behind wet sanding.  Once again, not 100% sure, just following directions 

yes.  ....soaked.

[MoAv]

Hmmm.  The difference on Strobe's Camaro was amazing.  Sigh.  Looks like another project.    But as least I can do this inside in the A/C!! 

[bluedevil]

I dont have the "fading" problem as i've used this for 3 yrs now.

eBay auction: #220241813308

[Freebie]

I dont have the "fading" problem as i've used this for 3 yrs now.

eBay auction: #220241813308

I was going to just get one of those but I got one for my 07 and had the hardest time getting it on, ended up ripping it off and throwing it away (granted I had no idea on how to apply vinyl then, I'm just bitter about it now  )

[bluedevil]

I was going to just get one of those but I got one for my 07 and had the hardest time getting it on, ended up ripping it off and throwing it away (granted I had no idea on how to apply vinyl then, I'm just bitter about it now  )

soap & water in spray bottle

[Freebie]

Yeah, figured that out when I got the tailgate vinyl 
I didn't take a before pic, but found one that kinda shows what shape it was in... faded, peeling, etc.
And then an after pic