Cerakote headlight restoration kit.
- Thread starter EA82
- Start date
Thanks for the post. I have that on my amazon wishlist.
Looks like they may have wanted more sanding, but nice improvement! I used a similar kit by meguiars on my parents recently purchased accord. I normally wet sand and clearcoat, but this turned out nice. Have to see how long it lasts though.
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I used it on two cars and it lasted about 2 years. I haven't tried the lifetime warranty but at about $15 I'm good with its cost. When I bought a 10 y.o. used car in 2016, it had the headlights "restored" and it lasted 4 years. We're talking about cars that are never garaged and outside 24/7/365. It's a bang for buck DIY.
Just happened to do mine last week. Sorry, no before pix, only after. Before condition similar to thread starter. I get a good 4 years or so out of a treatment. Car is not garaged, 12 years old. The kit is about 16 bucks. I think it’s a good deal.
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Did 2 cars today. Lexus lasted 3 years, and GM 2. GM doesn’t come out quite as good for some reason. But LS430 looks new.
One tip I can offer: only make one pass with the final step, and as they say, overlap 50%.
Resist the temptation to do more than 1 pass.
One tip I can offer: only make one pass with the final step, and as they say, overlap 50%.
Resist the temptation to do more than 1 pass.
Did the 2004 911 40th AE headlights with the Cerakote kit. Definitely think it needed 800 grit or 1000 first, but not included in kit. While not perfect, it is a definite improvement and better than polish using the DA polisher and McKees 37 headlight spray on protectant (not clear coat).
Since I removed the headlights, figured I’d change the high, low and fog light bulbs. Big mess inside with brittle wire insulation falling off and exposed wiring. No replacement harness available from Porsche. So, used electrical tape as best as possible in tight space. New bulbs installed and looked nice and bright tonight on the test drive.
Ordered new headlamp washer cover that was damaged as well.
Before and after:
After:
Since I removed the headlights, figured I’d change the high, low and fog light bulbs. Big mess inside with brittle wire insulation falling off and exposed wiring. No replacement harness available from Porsche. So, used electrical tape as best as possible in tight space. New bulbs installed and looked nice and bright tonight on the test drive.
Ordered new headlamp washer cover that was damaged as well.
Before and after:
After:
Last edited:
For me, the Cerakote sandpaper was insufficient to remove all the crazed surface. I bought this sandpaper kit and wet sanded with grit from 400 to 10,000. I held the sandpaper holder disk in my hand to sand. I removed the headlight lens from the car which made it easier to sand. That has been 2 years ago. It looks like I will need to redo again in another year.
https://www.amazon.com/Sandpaper-Ba...ocphy=9189467&hvtargid=pla-2281435178298&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Sandpaper-Ba...ocphy=9189467&hvtargid=pla-2281435178298&th=1
Looking good! Hope it last 3 years
did this on the daughters F150, turned out just about as good as the rest but I, too, am very curious on longevity of the restoration.
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- Jun 30, 2023
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I had the Cerakote product on for about 2 years. The fading began to come back. Read that the Sylvania kit was superior to all. I used it 6 months ago and it's about the same as when it was done.
Wish I took before and after pics of my wife's 2008 CRV headlights. I did the Cerakote last year and the headlights still look clear. Up until then I polished the lights and only got temporary mediocre results.
Did this almost a year ago. It’s my mom’s car that stays in the garage mostly. There are some spots that have chipped off but overall looks alright. When I sand and clear headlights, they last like that for years and years. This was easier and quicker though.
I used this kit on my daughter’s 2014 Honda. The car is parked outside in a Miami, Florida, neighborhood. As a result, the lenses were badly oxidized. This kit WORKS! The first step literally dissolves the oxidation. It’s like magic-no hard rubbing, no grinding! I merely rubbed each lens with cleaning pads and the oxidation disappeared! The next step was to polish the lenses with 2400 and then 3000 grit sandpaper. I then washed the lenses with dish soap and dried them with a lint free cloth. The last step was to apply the sealant.
This is what you want to use when getting rid of lens oxidation.
This is what you want to use when getting rid of lens oxidation.
I followed the instructions to a T and the clarity on my 18yo Impreza lenses lasted about 8 months. I haven’t decided if I’m going to bother with trying it again or not… I assume headlight plastics are the same as all other plastics. After a certain age, especially exposed to daily direct sunlight for hours, it isn’t the same as when it was new and will never return to its original state.
If Subaru still made new OEM housings I would probably pursue that route, but they don’t.
Yeah, I think car manufacturers want you to buy the entire head light assembly. That way they don’t have to stock so many parts and they make more money. It seems to come down to money.
I used the Cerakote kit on a car that says outside. And it’s clouding up again.
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Sylvania kit > the rest
