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Tail Light no longer reflects - appears white from scratches

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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850forum
Posts: 237
Joined: 25 June 2009
Year and Model: 1995 850 turbo wagon
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Tail Light no longer reflects - appears white from scratches

Post by 850forum »

Is there a proven way to sand/buff the tail light assembly to make it look red again? I can see that the white color seems to arise from the myriad scratches. At night, walking by the parked car with a flashlight, its hardly visible at all. Compared to the one on the other side which is a few years old replacement part (original cracked). Or pricing a replacement (right side).
NEVER OPEN THE HOOD !!!
NEVER OPEN THE HOOD !!!
NEVER OPEN THE HOOD !!!

duke1
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Year and Model: 855 1994 10v
Location: horsham uk
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Post by duke1 »

850forum wrote: 28 Jan 2022, 00:09 Is there a proven way to sand/buff the tail light assembly to make it look red again? I can see that the white color seems to arise from the myriad scratches. At night, walking by the parked car with a flashlight, its hardly visible at all. Compared to the one on the other side which is a few years old replacement part (original cracked). Or pricing a replacement (right side).
hi there are products for the cleaning of the lenses but if there bad then best replaced my 855 had cataracts and no amount of remedies worked,got set rear lights for£40 from breakers not worth the wasted time,im told it is uv damage from using wrong plastic remedied on later models i think after 96ish,headlamps do the same thing but some baking soda and elbow grease improves this,good luck

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volvolugnut
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Post by volvolugnut »

Taillight lens can be improved the same way as plastic headlight lens, If badly discolored, start will 2000 grit paper, then 3000 grit, then polish with headlight refinish. However, you may just decide to replace the lens.
volvolugnut
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