Scratched tail light - sand or replace?

[bgn]

Hi folks,

Yesterday, a guy in a parking lot ended up backing into my truck with his FJ Cruiser. Luckily, the only thing that hit was his bike on his rack. It ended up somewhat deeply scratching my tail light.

So...my question is: does this look like it can be buffed out easily? Should I find a professional to do it or should I buy a new tail light for about $340 at his expense?

My opinion: this should buff out, but I'm not sure if it'll look great after a few years....thoughts?

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[Hillbilly]

You are kidding right? What scratch?

 

[bgn]

Your kidding right? What scratch?

Nope, not kidding. You can't see it well in the picture, but there are scratches from the dirty rubber tire hitting the tail light.

 

[volksnuts]

You would be able to buff that out I believe HOWEVER in the long term if might affect the tail light as far as fading/oxidation is concerned

Mavericks haven’t been around long enough to know how the plastic lights fare in the wild
I know when headlights start to yellow you can buff them back to clear but they then turn much quicker each consecutive time
Unsure if there is a protective layer molded into the plastic or not
My suggestion is have him buy you a new light…. Or at least half the cost
He’s the one that hit you, it’s on him to make you whole

When he pays up swap lights and buff this one clean and sell/gift to someone that has a broken one

I do not understand people that accept damages from other peoples negligence

Is it that big of a deal? No probably not in the overall scope of life…. But I wouldn’t stand for it one a vehicle that took months and months of waiting to show up

 

[Ponchsox]

He did it, make him pay for a replacement. A lot cheaper for him instead of going through insurance. This is why I got a trailer hitch step so if someone hits me it won’t do much.

 

[bgn]

You would be able to buff that out I believe HOWEVER in the long term if might affect the tail light as far as fading/oxidation is concerned

Mavericks haven’t been around long enough to know how the plastic lights fare in the wild
I know when headlights start to yellow you can buff them back to clear but they then turn much quicker each consecutive time
Unsure if there is a protective layer molded into the plastic or not
My suggestion is have him buy you a new light…. Or at least half the cost
He’s the one that hit you, it’s on him to make you whole

When he pays up swap lights and buff this one clean and sell/gift to someone that has a broken one

I do not understand people that accept damages from other peoples negligence

Is it that big of a deal? No probably not in the overall scope of life…. But I wouldn’t stand for it one a vehicle that took months and months of waiting to show up

Thank you. You highlighted my concerns perfectly.

I will request that he buys me a new one and I will list the old one on eBay. Someone with more skills than me might be able to get a decent deal on it and buff it out if they want to, and take the gamble.

I've already called the dealer to check that I found the lowest price online and I'll "install" it myself (it's two screws, from what I remember).

 

[Maverick Life]

I do not understand people that accept damages from other peoples negligence

On occasion, when the impact of damages is small enough, the amount of time, effort, or money involved in recouping the loss can be more costly than just living with it.

 

[Azmig88]

Ask him to buy you and new one and give him your old one. Let him sell it to recoup a little

 

[volksnuts]

On occasion, when the impact of damages is small enough, the amount of time, effort, or money involved in recouping the loss can be more costly than just living with it.

Agreed, but swapping a tail light is about as quick and painless as you can get

 

[Maverick Life]

Agreed, but swapping a tail light is about as quick and painless as you can get

Agreed, and hopefully FJ cruiser driver makes it similarly easy to get the cost covered.

So far it sounds like it's no trouble this time.

 

[volksnuts]

Ask him to buy you and new one and give him your old one. Let him sell it to recoup a little

I like this idea as well

 

[commadorebob]

Not sure on fixing it. But I'm in the camp of just letting it go. Honestly, I didn't even notice it at first so it isn't very obvious. Plus, once you start involving other people paying, excuses start flying like "how do I know those scratches weren't there before hand when you put that bike rack on the back?"

For what this is, sometimes it is easier to just take it on the chin.

 

[Azmig88]

Not everyone is an ignoranus.
If he did it, and offered to pay, he sounds like a decent guy. He did it, let him pay. If I did it, I’d pay for a new one.
BTW: I can’t see it either, but he says it’s not obvious in the picture.

 

[ClemsonU88]

Yeah, I waffle between "It's just a scratch" and "It's a brand new truck, let's keep it looking nice for a while".

I'd probably consider the other driver's ability to pay. Driving an FJ, it sounds like he can afford it (though you never know). If it was a poor kid driving a 2005 Hyundai who was truly sorry & apologetic, I'd probably just let it go. That's what I'd want if I hit someone.

 

[Azmig88]

Yeah, I waffle between "It's just a scratch" and "It's a brand new truck, let's keep it looking nice for a while".

I'd probably consider the other driver's ability to pay. Driving an FJ, it sounds like he can afford it (though you never know). If it was a poor kid driving a 2005 Hyundai who was truly sorry & apologetic, I'd probably just let it go. That's what I'd want if I hit someone.

I could not agree more.
I think you said it perfectly!

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