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Reviving Dull XJ-S Rear Light Lenses — A Simple Weekend Refresh

By Mark Thorley

Published: 23rd August 2017

Rear light lenses on the XJ-S are exposed to years of sunlight, road grime, and washing. Over time they can become scratched and dull, giving an otherwise well-kept car a tired appearance. This article documents one owner’s experience restoring clarity to original rear light lenses using basic materials and a few hours of careful work.

Have you looked closely at the rear lights on your XJ-S recently? Many owners find that, despite the rest of the car being well cared for, the rear light lenses can appear scratched, hazy, and dulled by years of weather and sun exposure.

Replacing them outright is one option, but it is not the only one. With a little time and patience, it is often possible to improve their appearance significantly using simple polishing techniques.

Club member Mark Thorley recently set aside a few hours to tackle this issue on his XJ-SC Cabriolet. Armed with a bottle of plastic polish scratch remover and a selection of clean rags, he set about rejuvenating the original lenses.

The product Mark used was sourced online, though a number of similar plastic polishing compounds are widely available. The choice of brand is less important than the time and care taken during the process.

Removing the Lenses or Working In Situ

Mark chose to remove