Muriatic acid to clean tailight lenses???

[Charger43]

Anyone ever use muriatic acid to clean their taillight lenses??Best way to apply???
Someone mentioned the guys on Graveyard Carz  use it
Season one episode 3   27:08

[john108]

I was also wondering if there was an easy way to clean the lenses?

[Nacho-RT74]

toothpaste and cloth is enough, just like any waxing procedure.

[Canadian1968]

Do not us the acid !

Any  rubbing compound will work great !

[Kern Dog]

Acid, really???
Yeah...try that and post up pictures of the results. 

[Charger43]

Graveyard Carz
Season One episode 3  (27:08)

[Nacho-RT74]

So because they used it or say, is correct... right LOL.

Well, I think we are not saying is not posible or is wrong, just saying is not necesary. Aside using any regular wax ( I used tooth paste which is even less agressive and can be a cleaner at the end as any regular soap ) will also polish it at the same time, not just clean it.

[5wndwcpe]

Just a WAG here, but I would think the only thing the acid would do is remove rust stains.  It mean, it comes in a plastic bottle so would probably have little effect on the plastic itself. 

[DAY CLONA]

Anyone ever use muriatic acid to clean their taillight lenses??Best way to apply???
Someone mentioned the guys on Graveyard Carts  use it

Use Mequirers plastic polish, clean white cloth and some elbow grease, lenses will look like candy later.... stop watching GYC, unless you like redoing your work after listening to that smoke and mirrors BS

[Nacho-RT74]

It mean, it comes in a plastic bottle so would probably have little effect on the plastic itself. 

yeap, but is not healthy for the skin... or fumes. No need to that having safer methods

[5wndwcpe]

It mean, it comes in a plastic bottle so would probably have little effect on the plastic itself. 

yeap, but is not healthy for the skin... or fumes. No need to that having safer methods

Agreed.

[DanielRobert]

I like rubbing compound and then clear coat them.

[Canadian1968]

Don't get into the clear coat idea. You are opening a whole new bottle of worms . Juse get some rubing compound and be done with it ! if you have not done already

[DanielRobert]

I've had
excellent results with clear coating( not from a spray can) my plastic lenses. What can of worms are you referring too?

[Nacho-RT74]

Peeling off? For example!

I don't understand why after a good polishing would wish or need to be clearcoated. But at each own.

[DanielRobert]

I've had ten years of awesome high gloss taillights with zero peeling. Ten years with a polished lens would not look this good from hand washing. Just my experience. I do this with all the cars I restore. A good polishing is nice too.

[Canadian1968]

Yes I am referring to the peeling problem. As you said you are not using a spray can , but not everyone has access to the tools to apply a 2k clear coat to do the job properly .  most just grab a spray can and that's when a lot of problems and poor results can happen.

[Nacho-RT74]

I think a clearcoated lense will look somehow "unnatural". I preffer a natural look. But as I said, is about prefference. Being profesionally done I guess won't be a problem as you do

[myk]

Peeling off? For example!

I don't understand why after a good polishing would wish or need to be clearcoated. But at each own.

Well if it's anything like polishing headlight lenses in newer cars, the polishing only lasts for a short time.  Without a clearcoat,  the lenses will fog up again...

[Canadian1968]

Something to remember with the original post. He was talking about tail lights .

1. Majority of the lense is colored. So the yellowing or hazing is not nearly as bad
2. the tail light it does not receive the abuse a headlight does. It's not constantly blasted as you drive the car.

Referring to the polish vs. clear coat option  . It really comes down to how BAD are the lense really . And again this is basically for the headlights.  The tail lights don't see the same break down the headlights do.

If your lense are BLASTED and yellowed badly from age . Then yes, buzz them down aggressively with 320 grit and clear coat away . If they are slightly dulled / aged.  Wet sand and a buff will do wonders , but buffing needs to be done well with a finishing compound or even a wax .

When it comes to buffing you need to understand what is happening . You are scatching the surface on a microscopic level . If you leave an aggressive scratch it is easy for it to hold dirt and grime and quickly look bad again. Polish it properly with progressive compounds and you will see a difference in longevity of the finish . Again a wax will help .

[Nacho-RT74]

Or simply toothpaste just like any regular wax... really! I have made it! That's how I cleaned and polished my Dad's Mercedes cluster lenses. It came out AWESOME!

[kent]

I've used toothpaste before. Not bad. Autosol metal polish works pretty good. Any polishing compound should work. I heard that acid statement on GYC on u-tube when I use to watch the show before I found out the return on information was not worth the time watching the show.