Headlight restoration kit

[old2soon]

   As in Cerakote ceramic headlight restoration kit. Usually the first one listed on Amazon is the one Amazon considers very good or the best?? Anyone here used it? Good? Bad? Indifferent? Run don't Walk from it? And it IS way less than replacing the whole headlight module. ANY input IS welcome!  And as ALWAYS T I A!  RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

My last new car got the headlight covers all faded out over the years, and I bought one of those ceramic restoration kits (can't remember which one) and went at it hammer and tongs, even with a power buffer, and I could never get it even close to clear again.  Hours of work, and all I got was like a 20-30 percent improvement in the cloudy.  (this was maybe 10-12 years ago, so maybe the stuff is better now, or my kit sucked, but I worked hard at it and followed the directions)

So I went to the dealer and paid an exorbitant amount for new covers.

I bet the ones in the TV commercials are just brand new ones, not restored ones.    

[Serk]

I used this kit:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08745K56G/

On my 2006 Acura MDX....

Before pic:



After pic:

[Sweet Cheeks]

A local friend saw the headlights on my 2006 and recommended the same kit as you mentioned. He said he used it with incredible results. His only warning to me was that the desire to “scrub” in a “back and forth” motion is strong.  RESIST!  He said it works great if you follow the directions. All that to say, I purchased the kit, but haven’t tackled the job.  As it isn’t working at all while riding around in my trunk, I am hoping to tackle the job soon.  I’ll try to remember to let you know how it goes.

Janice

[Jersey mike]

I worked with glass and plexiglass/acrylic/polycarbonate for many many years and have to say this Novus makes the easiest to use product. When I bought my Clearview shields this was the product they actually recommended for use on their windshields.

https://www.clearviewshields.com/motorcycle-windshields/accessories-cleaning-kits/accessories-cleaning-kits-cleaning-kits/novus-cleaning-kit-1-2-3-8oz-bottles/


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Novus-7056-Plastic-Polish-Kit-8-oz/203879403?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=4886&adid=22222222222000000000&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=203879403_10000004963&wl14=novus%20plastic%20polish&veh=sem&msclkid=c7c392d7c60d19ec59eaf5aadfed981c&gclid=c7c392d7c60d19ec59eaf5aadfed981c&gclsrc=3p.ds

I routinely use the #2 (red) for headlights and windshield on the Valk and Goldwing.

The #2 (red) comes out of the bottle like a cream and all it takes most of the time is a portion about the size of a couple peas. Use circular motion with some pressure on a clean soft rag. Sometimes a second application is necessary. It leaves a nice polished/smoother feel on the lenses. It will not remove pitting or sandblasted headlight lenses from years of driving. I do the cars maybe 3x’s a uear depending, it really takes 10 minutes. Just follow the directions on the bottles and there are some videos on YouTube.



Most of the time I use a paper towel on headlights and wipe clean. On the bikes instead of paper towels I use those very soft hand towels, I forget their real name at the moment.

MICRO FIBER TOWELS.

On headlights clean off any dirt or grit. As for the bikes definitely wash off dust, grit and bugs beforehand.


I’ll add this, depending on installation difficulty, I’ve replaced headlights with aftermarket ones, typically I’d use TYC I think is the brand. Usually exact fit and hold up very well over the years.

[sandy]

I wet sand with 1000 wet/dry paper. Wipe clean and switch to 1500 paper. Then apply Meguires mag N aluminum polish. Power buff till clear.

[Jess from VA]

Mike I use Novus plastic polish too (have all 3 compounds).

I only use #1 on my new Clearview shields and other fine plastics.  #2 is mild but I think still a bit abrasive (maybe with a soft microfiber and no pushing pressure).  #3 is pretty abrasive.

I pour some #1 in a small (like 1.5oz) fine mist atomizer and keep it in the bike (except in Winter all that stuff comes inside).  The Novus bottle pump sprays tend to throw too much product (probably so you buy more).

[h13man]

On our 175,000 mi. old 08' SX4 Suzuki I tried the Rustoleum brand earlier last year and it wasn't very good. $220 to replace the pods and partial front end plastic removal. Not yet.

Well finally I tried using my $5 garage sale find Dremel cordless scrubber kit with a scratch restorer for auto paint. Well this took 1 hr. to do to level I liked. Yes you can still see where the "wind" scratching/blasting points but not much. Used some old paste wax to finish. Very pleased how clear they are overall.

[Skinhead]

Remember when all cars had sealed beams made of glass?  I don't recall this being an issue back then.  I'm surprised the they allow manufacturers produce a product that will decrease safety over manufacturability issues.  The EPA mileage mandates and styling for reduced drag is what (IMHO) pushed manufacturers to go to producing plastic light module assemblies, at $300-1600 a pop as opposed to $10 sealed beams made of glass.

[GiG]

Yes, EPA / styling / weight drive the plastics inclusions  BUT NTSB is slow to allow the new generation of lighting to be adopted. LEDs are lighter & brighter-  & cheaper. Ditch the bulb! Adaptive Lighting already exists but is being held back in US due to regulatory crap. You can have defined light zones - for instance: normal straight ahead so not to blind oncoming drivers while bright on the road shoulders to illuminate deer& addresses- all kinds of gimmicky light tricks exist in some euro markets but not allowed here

[Skinhead]

I'm all for LEDs, I just want glass instead of plastic used in the capsule lenses.

[GiG]

Welcome to the 21st century, Sinkhead
LEFs don’t really require  the type of modules or lenses you envision 
Technology exists to “paint” the lights onto the body (very aero)  very easy to design… an added benefit: it’s possible to have your LED paint display message “Help!” Or “back off” - no plastic or glass covering required, I can think of some incredible scrolling messages that the regulatory folks would likely frown upon…

[Jess from VA]

I'm all for LEDs, I just want glass instead of plastic used in the capsule lenses.

I'm with you on this.   

Common sense trumped by technology and laws & regs again. 

The plastic on my '17 Dodge van lights is doing much better than it did on my '03 Dodge car (so far).  Although the lights are some 2 1/2 feet higher on the van, so less road/tire spray hits them.