Removing Stubborn Tinting Paint

[BT]

Hello retro rides.

I am in need of some suggestions.

My Porsche came with most, if not all of its light covered in a thick and ghastly tint spray. From what I can see through the tint spray the light underneath seem to be in a good, useable condition. However despite attempts with numerous compounds the tint will not come off.

I am a little apprehensive to just throw anything on there incase it damages or clouds the actual plastic of the tail light.

I have tried acetone, what I can only presume is a mild form, polishes of various kinds on polishing mops, I don't want to go too hard with this incase the heat distorts or damages the lense, I've even tried petrol.

Can anyone recommend something to get this off? I have even considered trying those headlight refurbishment kits, where you sand and polish the light, but the tears have a text written in them and I don't want this to be left outlined in black, obviously the polishing method won't be effective in this area.



Any suggestions would be fantastic.

Thanks in advance.

[pistonpopper]

If you've tried everything else then i'd probably sand them with a very fine wet and dry, then polish them. Of course this does mean that you'll lose the text, but you will have nice red tail lights then!

[highvoltage]

Thinners,brake fluid or brake cleaner ?
I'd just try a localised spot first to make sure it doesn't react with the plastic.

[scratcher]

If acetone didn't remove it, you're looking at sanding.
As pistonpopper said, you'll loose the letter in on the lense but at least they'll look how you want them to.
I've actually had a few cars where people want the lettering removed for a super smooth look.

[kevins]

try cellulose thinner, will often move paint acetone wont. it will probably dull the surface as well so they will need a polish afterwards.

[VW]

Try either oven cleaner, brake fluid (needs long soaking) or model car nitro fuel.

They are my 3 go to's when needing to remove paint from plastic.

[BT]

Thanks for the replies chaps.

I've tried thinners, celly, 2k, tried brake cleaner, even tried fun wash. I haven't tried brake fluid, didn't want to cloud or melt the plastic lense.

I think that if I shopped around I could get a replacement pair at around £60 the pair at the cheapest but some are up at £100+.

If I was to sand and polish them, what grades/process am I looking at?

600/800/1000/1200/1500 and some AG SRP?

[fordperv]

i got that horrid stuff off some escort lights with nail varnish remover and a bit of time and effort

[BT]

Oct 31, 2016 18:14:13 GMT fordperv said:

i got that horrid stuff off some escort lights with nail varnish remover and a bit of time and effort

Yeah, that's the house hold name for acetone which I have tried with no success. I did however read that there are multiple versions of the stuff, so might try a different type.

It looks as though they've been tinted, and then a heavy layer of lacquer thrown over the top which I think it what I am having trouble with.

[MkX]

Angle grinder or lump hammer should sort it!

[dodgerover]

Normal nail varnish remover is pretty rubbish these days, I've got a 5l can of pure acetone which shifts nail varnish in no time compared to the gels etc

[mdh]

I tinted mine once and hated it. I used the pre-cleaner that came with the tint to remove it. It did a great job.

For sanding, I'd start with 2000 grit, used wet and soapy. Gonna need plenty of elbow grease though...

Maybe a second hand set of lights might be quicker and easier?