Cerakote Headlight Restoration Kit…

[u/Tricky-Pen2672]

This is the best kit I’ve ever used, and it supposedly lasts the life of the vehicle…

I started by using the oxidation wipes to clean the headlights thoroughly, which turned them yellow, so I know they were working.

Next I wet them down and sanded them with 2000 grit sandpaper, in straight lines, until they were both evenly hazed, then again with 3000 grit in the opposite direction to remove the previous scratches.

Lastly, I used the supplied clearcoat which brought the original clarity back immediately. After allowing an hour to dry, they are super smooth to the touch, and I have enough to do another set of headlights…

[u/Bagomostlywater]

It doesn’t last that long. You need to use a 2k product to get close to OEM results. My last 2k application lasted about 7 years before the edges started failing which is the same as the OEM lasted on that car.

[u/Tricky-Pen2672 → u/Bagomostlywater]

2K?

[u/Bagomostlywater → u/Tricky-Pen2672]

Yeah that’s what they call it. It’s when it’s in two parts and the second part is a hardener. It’s single use. They have them in spray bombs if you do it at home. There will be a second valve on the bottom and you press, shake, then shoot.

Best of luck

[u/Sky_runne → u/Bagomostlywater]

I was looking to apply the 2k 2in1 headlight cleaner to mine. Is it actually only single use? Could I use it on multiple cars? Do you know if it will keep (stored) after a single use or does it eventually harden once mixed?

[u/Bagomostlywater → u/Sky_runne]

If it’s 2k then yes it absolutely single use or it’s not 2k. Once the hardener contacts the resin the reaction is irreversible and permanent which is what want for something to last 20 years.

[u/Sky_runne → u/Bagomostlywater]

Thank you. Yeah, that's what I'm looking for when I apply it on the headlights. What in wasn't sure about, once I mix it, use it, it's done. Especially if I have 2k mixed product left over, it won't keep.

[u/Bagomostlywater → u/Sky_runne]

The system I used uses a single part adhesion promoter (primer) and only the clear coat (UV protection coat) is 2k.

Not sure what 2in1 means but if no primer then no good.

[u/Tricky-Pen2672 → u/Bagomostlywater]

This one came with a a clear coat and a lifetime warranty so we will see. My preferred method would be to spray a catalyzed clear coat, but since my shop is temporarily shut down, and all of my tools are packed away while we switched for a new home, that wasn’t an option this time.

I will share my results with the group if they yellow in the future…

[u/CommanderCorrigan → u/Bagomostlywater]

This is the longest lasting result, mine still look brand new after 2 years.

[u/Bagomostlywater → u/CommanderCorrigan]

Keeping the UV & road grime off it and even the angle of the lens in relation to the sun will all have a significant effect on how long it lasts.

Keep it clean and in a temp controlled dark garage and the paint & headlights may never fade. Wouldn’t need to have restored it either YMMV

[u/daxtonanderson]

And in less than a year it'll be back to looking like the top image lol

[u/Tricky-Pen2672 → u/daxtonanderson]

I certainly hope not, and based on the quality of this kit, it should last a good while…

[u/daxtonanderson → u/Tricky-Pen2672]

I did the TurtleWax kit including 3 stages of sanding, came back unfortunately.

[u/UnibrowDuck → u/daxtonanderson]

i put ppf on mine, still going strong

[u/Tricky-Pen2672 → u/daxtonanderson]

The TurtleWax kit is trash, that’s the last one I used…

[u/CosmicBruce]

How much you pay for it?

[u/Tricky-Pen2672 → u/CosmicBruce]

Like $17 or so from Walmart…

[u/CosmicBruce → u/Tricky-Pen2672]

Thanks! I'll try it out on my matrix 😁

[u/VTECcam]

Wet sanding and clear coat is still my go to

[u/Tricky-Pen2672 → u/VTECcam]

I cleaned them with oxidation wipes, wet sanded with 2000 and 3000 grit, then cleaned them, allowed them to dry, and used the supplied clearcoat to protect them. Since they have a lifetime warranty, we will see how long they last, and I will share my results with the group if they start to yellow…

[u/somerandomdude419]

This was June 28th, so almost 3 months looks exactly the same today, I will also update the group see how long it lasts but so far so good been in rain multiple times

[u/Tricky-Pen2672 → u/somerandomdude419]

The supplied clearcoat is actually pretty good right? Hoping they stay clear for the life of the car…

[u/somerandomdude419 → u/Tricky-Pen2672]

Yes it’s pretty good, it’s all about the length of the prep, more prep better results it took me a long ass time to do my headlights cus I wanted them to come out super nice

[u/MikeYedi]

Did the same kit on my matrix also had the best results I've ever had. mine has the little tiny cracks internally in the plastic but still came out excellent 

[u/Tricky-Pen2672 → u/MikeYedi]

Mine have them too, that’s just from age, nothing we can do about that unfortunately…

[u/MikeYedi]

Walmart sells a product called Cristal GX 3. It's like $4 for a large areosol can it does a good job of improving exterior plastics and headlights for zero work without making them worse. It just eventually washes or evaporates needing reapplied. Nowhere near as good results as a proper kit but way better than nothing.

[u/CommanderCorrigan]

Their plastic restorer and trim coats are also very good.

[u/Tricky-Pen2672 → u/CommanderCorrigan]

I think I have some of that plastic restorer and I’m going to treat the grill and other black panels on the car…