Re-claiming Lucas Lenses

[lotuselanman]

<_< :rolleyes:
Gidday,
I am finishing off a restoration on a UK car fitted of course with Lucas plastic type lens. Now at forty plus years old they are not really concourse condition. How can I rejuvinate them ? Buff, chemical or what ?
Awaiting your replies.
See ya, les

[garyeanderson]

Hi Les

Some detergent and water usually will give fair results but in reality new lens with a new paint job is the only way to go. I have heard that some of the cleaners that are sold to the marine trade will do a so-so job. I haven't tried polishing but it may work just fine.

Gary

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Hi,
I have not tried it myself but I would have a go at using cutting back paste, the same stuff that you would use to get a top finish on the paintwork.
John

[marcfuller]

Eastwood (www.eastwood.com) has a plastic buffing compound - item number 13138 And a Tail Light Clean Up Kit - item number 13177 Z

I doubt that eastwood is the only vendor of these type products.

[nebogipfel]

I can confirm what Mr Pelly says. If the plastic is scratched you can actually flat the scratches out with P1500 wet and dry paper and polish them with a fine cutting compound. Something like T-Cut or a bit coarser.


The usual problem is that they are faded, you can buy transluscent paint designed for painting bulbs in red and amber and it would help but to be honest they will probably look a bit manky.

The best bet would be new, all except the S4/+2 rears are cheap anyway.

[sotul86]

HI there

My painter showed me how he did, If they are looking dull. Use a fine water sand paper. And then spray some clear coat over then ready ....would look good

[nebogipfel]

Sounds good method Rohan, Not sandpaper though ...... use P1500 wet and dry paper (wet of course)

I flatted and polished an indicator badly scratched in an accident (a modern car) and the scratches were almost undetectable when finished.

[brassringfarm]

I've polished some plastic lens for the rear lights using a special fine liquid plastic buffing compaund I got at a regular car parts store. It worked quite well with a cotton buffing wheel on my grinder. No major scratches were on the lens - just dull. Also used the P1500 wet disks on my car followed by buffing compound (3M) which worked quite well also.
Good luck
Paul Zimmerman
65 S2

[type36lotus]

Meguires makes a plastic buffing compound. It can be found at most auot parts places which sell all teh other meguires waxes and such. I have used this with great success on instrument panels. I expect it would work as well on lenses.

[lotuselanman]

:rolleyes:
Gidday,
Thanks for your help fellas.
See ya, Les