Yesterday I recieved a free new set of APC Euros. I figured this is a good time to pull the originals and try to clean them up. They have become really faded over the last 13 years. Has anyone used one of those lens polishing and restoration kits? I really don't want to buy a new set....just get some of the haze off the originals.

*Rant On* These Euros have to be the worse fitting product ever!! The dont line up at all and the one even broke because the corner wasn't molded right. I'm glad they were free, and I can't wait to get them back off! This is why!! *Rant off*

Anyway, any info on the polishing kit would be great.

Thanks,
Mike

im not sure on the polish or anything like that but i bought some off brand ones just like those and they fit exactly like yours did, nothing is close to lineing up and are a piece of crap, after a year they are all ready turning yellow too.

Well as an update...I went to Autozone and found a Permatex Lens Restoration Kit. It was $15 and so far I only did the left light and it looks better but not 100% clear. The kit included 1000, 1500, 2000, and 2500 grit wet/dry sand paper, plastic lens polish, and a flannel cloth.

Here's a pic. The left side is untouched and the right was "restored" with the kit. You can see the haze near the top of the light in the reflector area. I'm gonna keep trying to clear it up nice.

Mike

I had the exact same tallight lenses on my 96 for almost two years and they still look good. Considering tehy were half the price of new lenses, I can't complain and I didn't think they looked too bad. Fitt seemed pretty good on mine too.

Those originals are looking pretty good. Mine had to many cracks and chips in them to polish out well. You did a real nice job on yours.

These APCs were manufactured on 11-19-1992 according to the sticker on the back. Maybe the newer ones fit better, but these are horrible. Yours look like they fit 1000x better than mine. If they fit better, then I wouldn't rush to get the originals clean.

After a little more polish I am happier with the results. A newer pic...left untouched and right "restored"

Mike

EDIT: You can see the results so much better in person...it's like night and day now. I think I'm going to polish a little more to get it crystal clear.

I keep my lenses clear by using 3-M Finnessee-It polish. It is primarily a paint buffing compound, but it works wonders on lexan and plastic lenses. I also use my popwer buffer to do the lenses and have had no problems with getting the lenses clear. The kits that you can purchase include sand paper, I would not use that unless it was a really damaged lense. Those kits also have a clear coating, to seal in the fresh plastic and give it a shiney appearance. I have never had to do that.

What about for headlights? Will that stuff work as well? I have been looking at getting clear headlights but if I can clean mine up I'd rather do that.

The 3M product works on all types of plastic or lexan. I have restored a fair amount of headlights to a clear condition. There are some lenses that have gone to far to restore, but I would give it a try before giving up. This stuff cleans up the bug deflectors on most hoods, also.

Pretty sure those tails weren't made in 92. Euros didn't come about till way after that.

i did this with the head lght lenses
use 1500 grit sand paper, then go over again with 2000 grit, uses a cutting cream with a polisher to clean up the lenses until they are clear, then got some clear coat paint and gave them a couple coats. still looks good after 2 years.

Pretty sure those tails weren't made in 92. Euros didn't come about till way after that.

The sticker said 11/19/1992 on it. I assumed it was the year made. I will get a pic tomorrow evening.

Anyway...I am no farther along. I haven't had the time or ambition to finish yet. Maybe this weekend.

Mike

Ok here's the updated pictures for all who care :hm: I polised the lenses, wash and waxed the truck, and temporarily fixed the rust on the roof. You can see the difference in the paint from the tailgate to the right side of the truck. The lenses look so much better now too. You can actually see the reflectors in the lights instead of the yellowish fog.

Here's the before and the after.

Mike

Pretty sure those tails weren't made in 92. Euros didn't come about till way after that.

Also here's a picture of that sticker on the back of the Euros.

Mike

Stockers look great polished up :D

Say no to Altezzas :lol: :D

they look great,another trick is to get some testors transparent candy apple red (model paint in a 4oz can)from wal mart and respray them.They look great solid red.

Say no to Altezzas :lol: :D

I am forever now :D

they look great,another trick is to get some testors transparent candy apple red (model paint in a 4oz can)from wal mart and respray them.They look great solid red.

Thats an idea I didn't think of. I might try that on the Euros first to see if it can make them look better...I doubt it though :lol:

Mike

I am forever now :D



Thats an idea I didn't think of. I might try that on the Euros first to see if it can make them look better...I doubt it though :lol:

Mike



Make Euro's look better? That isn't even possible!

Thats an idea I didn't think of. I might try that on the Euros first to see if it can make them look better...I doubt it though :lol:

MikeActually it will make the euros look better,but it wont fix the fitment problem :hmm:

Haha I'm not even gonna waste time on them :lol: They were just a temporary measure until I could get the red ones back to an acceptable level. These things will be thrown back in the box and into the closet for the next time I need to polish the reds.

Mike

You could sand and polish the lenses using 1500-2000 grit wet or dry or use 1000 grit then clearcoat, or 1000 grit and get a can of spray called Nightshades and tint them darker. Personally on a dark truck I like the tinted lenses (smoke color) I put Euros on my '93 that I just painted (Prowler Orange) but need to resize the pic to get it uploaded. They don't look too bad but I am on the line about them. Most that I talk to like them but something is there that I am not sure of. I may swap them out with the tinted to see how they look. They do seem to go better with the clear corners and chrome though. All I have to do is get the truck dropped more (3-4) drop and the looks will change again. If I was going to buy another set of tails though I doubt if I would buy the Euros. Fitment does leave a little to be desired. I noticed this when I mounted them that the gasket did not want to fit quite right. They fit fairly well but nowhere as well as the factory tails.

Never mind....I can load the pics a different way.
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=14672&stc=1
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=14674&stc=1

Kevin

I did the sanding thing and I think they came out good. I like the smoke idea but I'm trying to leave the truck stock the way my dad wanted so I didn't want to tint them. I dont like how the orange truck's lights hang out, they are smooth with the body. I do like the tinted look though. The definitely look good on that dark truck.

Mike