A few lightbar questions

[GnatGoSplat]

When factory lights turn yellow, it's usually because the factory clearcoat has degraded. You might actually be better off without it, and just polishing the clear polycarbonate. You can get a glass-like smoothness and finish with a bench buffer.

 

[91GPSTE]

I took apart my lightbar today as well. I wanted to mod it so the fog light bulbs are regular 9006s. Just finished doing it 15 minutes ago. I also repainted the logo on the front.

[Robby1870]

I took some pics today. I just put the cleaned up cover on the old assembly, still no clear coat. I think it looks a little better.

 

This pic is the lightbar currently on the car (from my old 92 sedan) compared to the cleaned up one (top)

 

This is the currently lightbar with the lights on and the cleaned up on top

 

Current lightbar again, without the cleaned up one on top

 

Cleaned up light bar plugged in

 

Cleaned up lightbar again

 

And once more

 

Can you guys tell much of a difference?

 

The idea of using 9006 bulbs is a pretty good one, I might look into that.

[5speedz34]

IDK I can't tell a difference. IMO, lights are something you can only really tell in person.

 

Robby, I was at work (Wal-Mart) a yesterday and we sell this "kit" it comes in a packet and its to clean lights. It costs about $20 but says it does to lights.

 

I don't know if its stocked down there, but I'm thinking about picking it up!

[Robby1870]

Yeah, I know, it's hard to tell. I wish I could plug both of them in at the same time.

[Brian P]

When factory lights turn yellow, it's usually because the factory clearcoat has degraded. You might actually be better off without it, and just polishing the clear polycarbonate. You can get a glass-like smoothness and finish with a bench buffer.

 

 

The only thing I gotta wonder is how would the bare polished plastic hold up to the elements? I had polished a headlight to a Ford Escort by first wet sanding, then using various compounds etc until it looked clear. The original clearcoat finish was chalking off and this sanding took the rest off. Within a few weeks it started getting dull again. I re-polished it after that, then prepped it, and sprayed acrylic clearcoat onto it, which gave it an even "clearer" appearance, and it didn't dull for as long as the car was around (my girlfriend's old car) approx 8 months before it was traded in.

[Robby1870]

Yeah, plus the clear coat is gonna take on any small rock chips and stuff like that. I'm gonna pick up some clear coat this week and spray it down and see how it looks

[GnatGoSplat]

The only thing I gotta wonder is how would the bare polished plastic hold up to the elements? I had polished a headlight to a Ford Escort by first wet sanding, then using various compounds etc until it looked clear. The original clearcoat finish was chalking off and this sanding took the rest off. Within a few weeks it started getting dull again. I re-polished it after that, then prepped it, and sprayed acrylic clearcoat onto it, which gave it an even "clearer" appearance, and it didn't dull for as long as the car was around (my girlfriend's old car) approx 8 months before it was traded in.

 

Yeah, come to think of it, you're right. I polished the inner turn signals on the 94 Cutlass and I think they're dull again.

I haven't yet found any clear in a spray can that lasts longer than 2yrs though. I think I have about 5-cans of clear in lacquer, enamel, and all different brands. They all have some kind of problem ranging from dulling, chalking, yellowing, cracking, flaking, and peeling.

 

[Brian P]

I hear ya on the inner turn signals. Does rustoleum make a clearcoat? The other paints they have are damn tough. Actually, had I thought of it while I painted my rear bumper, reverse bar, and spoiler, I should have shot the inner turn signals with the same clearcoat that I sprayed with. For practice I clearcoated the electrical box in the garage, let me tell you how well it has held up since

[GnatGoSplat]

No idea on the rustoleum. I'll have to check my spray paint box to see if any of the clear I have happens to be Rustoleum!

Yeah, spraying with some real clear like Dupont, PPG, or something like that would be the best way to go. Only problem is that need for an air compressor!