Can anyone tell me how to clean up the rear light units--the ones in which the bulbs are, and into which the plastic covers are screwed? I have no idea how they looked new, but they're all ugly gray, and coated in front and back with years of soot. I tried scrubbing with a vinyl brush, but not cleaned. Could anyone upload a pic or two of how a clean unit should look? Thanks, Eric (ewojcieszak@yahoo.com).
I meant how to recondition the areas outside the taillight lenses, that are actually attached to the rear bumper. They're a cruddy gray and bumpy from corrosion, or other...
I agree. I just washed mine in the parts washer carefully taping off the sockets and reflective part. If you have heavy pitting its fairly unusual. I've seen a few of these sets from Northeast cars and while grimy they are not usually really badly "pitted". Try a good parts washing solution and a small brass wire brush and I think it'll come out nice. Years of grime doesn't always come off easy. A good solvent is key. It won't be shiny because it's not supposed to be. As Mike said, its a rough cast aluminum. It looks good just being clean. It is not really a high visibility part as its shrouded by the bumper so much and the inner area is mostly covered by the tail light lens. That's why they did not doll it up from the factory. Good think they made it out of aluminum though, being it was in such a punishing location. You seen how rusty those license plate lamp housings get? :error:
