hi, i have a 95 t/a and before i purchased it, it had a white residue that looked alot like paint or acid or soap or somehting that wont come off no matter what i do. i was wondering if any of you knew a good way to take of paint or something that wont cause more damage. i was thinking about pain thinner but im scared it will mealt the plastic away. any ideas??
thanks

 

Paint thinner will not damage the plastic exterior of your taillights.
Wipe away!

 

I also have the mysterious white crap on my tail lights. I could never get the stuff off.

 

This is not for the timid, but I used to use 1500-2000 grit wetsand sandpaper on tail lights to take out scratches, followed up with a mechanical buffing using a fine compound (Aqua Buff 2000 metal polish works beautifully). Shines like new. The sanding will ofcourse also take care of your white 'residue'.

Just to point out, Paint thinner and Laquer thinner are not the same thing (they are usually incorrectly referred to as the same thing as I am assuming you are). Paint thinner that you can find at Lowes or hardware stores is oil based for thinning oil based paints (floor enamel and the like), no it will not melt the plastic, but it could cause it to degrade and become brittle. Never use petroleum based products on plastic for this reason.
Laquer thinner is harsher and solvent based. It is used to thin automotive primers and laquer paints, and it will melt plastic.

Have you tried Latex paint thinner yet? It won't hurt plastic, and I find a couple glasses a day are good for you too.

 

ok what it could be is a wax buildup from waxing the car with cheap wax. all you have to do is get an old paintbrush, cut the bristles short and kinda poke and brush at it. if it is anything like what i had on mine this is all you need to do. this also works well on the emblems etc.

 

Also, Try washing the area really well with dishwashing soap, like dawn. If it'll take Zaino off...and the buildup you have is cheap wax, then it should work fine on it. I'd do this in conjuntion with the shortened paintbrush technique. You'll probably get it for sure.

 

i have always used Meguires "Diamond cut" and a rotary buffer with a wool pad, but you have to be real careful not to burn the plastic with the buffer.
I have made the few taillights i have done look brand new.