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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ OT: headlight restoration for modern cars
Posted by: Krieger Oct 2 2026, 06:04 PM
What have you guys used that works well and lasts? I have a 2011 Chevy. I used the Cerakote kit. It lasted a little more than two years before it started to come off and yellowing came back in more areas than before. The car was garaged more than half the time too.
Posted by: bkrantz Oct 2 2026, 08:08 PM
I have yet to see one, used by me or friends, that lasts.
Posted by: dtmehall Oct 2 2026, 08:18 PM
it's rinse and apply
Posted by: Shivers Oct 2 2026, 08:31 PM
This is what I used about a year ago. They still look good.
Link below to the item on Amazon. 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00429NKWK?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Posted by: Krieger Oct 3 2026, 08:44 AM
Yup, the other two available are Sylvania or 3M. I guess pick one and see how long it lasts. Thanks for the input guys!
Posted by: fiacra Oct 4 2026, 03:49 PM
I've used the 3M headlight restoration kit two times now, and both times the results were only acceptable for about 18 months. This last time I purchased a 3" hook and loop backing pad for my Milwaukee drill and an assortment of sanding disks. Worked my way up through the grades of sandpaper, finished off with a hand polish, and then applied two coats of clear coat. Turned out looking great, but longevity has not yet been determined. At least the cost for everything was just over what I would have paid for one kit, and I have enough sandpaper and clear coat to do at least five sets of headlights, maybe more.
Posted by: anderssj Oct 4 2026, 07:09 PM
I've used the 3M headlight restoration kit two times now, and both times the results were only acceptable for about 18 months. This last time I purchased a 3" hook and loop backing pad for my Milwaukee drill and an assortment of sanding disks. Worked my way up through the grades of sandpaper, finished off with a hand polish, and then applied two coats of clear coat. Turned out looking great, but longevity has not yet been determined. At least the cost for everything was just over what I would have paid for one kit, and I have enough sandpaper and clear coat to do at least five sets of headlights, maybe more.
I did the same for my wife’s 99 Miata and neighbor’s 09 Santa Fe…except for the clear coat. Worked up from wet sanding with 400 up to about 3000 grit, then used Meguiar's PlastX cleaner for the hand polish followed by a Mother’s wax with UV protectant. It stays pretty clear for a few months, but I can clear them up again in about 15 minutes with just the PlastX and the wax.
Hope this helps!
Posted by: Krieger Oct 4 2026, 10:25 PM
I've used the 3M headlight restoration kit two times now, and both times the results were only acceptable for about 18 months. This last time I purchased a 3" hook and loop backing pad for my Milwaukee drill and an assortment of sanding disks. Worked my way up through the grades of sandpaper, finished off with a hand polish, and then applied two coats of clear coat. Turned out looking great, but longevity has not yet been determined. At least the cost for everything was just over what I would have paid for one kit, and I have enough sandpaper and clear coat to do at least five sets of headlights, maybe more.
Interesting! What are you using for clear coat?
Posted by: fiacra Oct 4 2026, 11:05 PM
Eastwood Diamond Clear Gloss. It's not cheap, but I had some on the shelf from another project. Meguiar's makes a headlight coating that you spray on yearly to maintain your headlights, but I suspect the Eastwood product will be longer lasting.
Posted by: Jamie Oct 5 2026, 08:57 AM
Eastwood Diamond Clear Gloss. It's not cheap, but I had some on the shelf from another project. Meguiar's makes a headlight coating that you spray on yearly to maintain your headlights, but I suspect the Eastwood product will be longer lasting.
As a woodturner I have used the assortment of sanding materials on several frosty headlights, and buffed with NuFinish polish that has held up well. May not be permanent, and I suspect some of the ceramic polishes available now might be even better, but I haven't used any so far.
Posted by: sixnotfour Oct 5 2026, 09:05 PM
I just used the 3M ultra kit,, comes with drill powered polishing discs..
3M Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit 39195
very clear .. utah is hard on plastic..
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