04 E55 AMG headlight restoration

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kevm14
Posts: 15200
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

04 E55 AMG headlight restoration

Post by kevm14 »

I decided to try this Cerakote kit from Amazon. It uses a ceramic coating which isn't just known to be the best exterior protection you can get, but this specific kit is guaranteed for life which seems hard to believe but that's what they say.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084R ... UTF8&psc=1

I ordered 2 because the high beams are separate housings but I was able to stretch the one kit, so I have an extra kit now. Fortunately the fogs are glass so no issues to correct.

The process was pretty simple, but is an "elbow grease" kit as opposed to others like 3M that use pads on a drill. This kit is also somewhat differentiated because the last step before the ceramic treatment is a 3000 grit wet sand. There is no follow-on compounding or polish. This may be because the ceramic coating requires the surface to be a little roughed up to adhere properly, and it did seem to clarify and fill in the 3000 grit scratches. I don't think it is quite as clear as it would have been with the 3M kit but the whole point is the kit was engineered to use ceramic coating and that is the killer app. Otherwise it seems you are stuck doing these multiple times a year or at least annually because it never lasts, particularly if there is no coating step (many kits have no protective coating which is crazy).

Anyway the steps are:
- Rub oxidation removal pads in a circular motion. You use multiple pads and junk does come off though I did not wash them before this. It said I should but I didn't feel like it.
- Install 2000 grit pad (red) on the foam sanding tool. Go in a straight pattern (I picked side to side) and spend a few minutes per headlight. This is a wet sanding process so mist frequently with water.
- Install 3000 grit pad (gray) on the foam sanding tool. Same thing but I changed the pattern to up and down. Mist frequently.
- Rinse with water and dry thoroughly. I rubbed them down with a microfiber towel and then used my gas leaf blower to blow all the water out of crevices. This is important as apparently the ceramic coating reacts with water (before curing) and can actually permanently ruin the surface.
- Remove a ceramic coating pad from a package and simply wipe from top to bottom, and overlap about 50% each time. I was able to use one pad for all 4 lights
- Let it dry for 60 minutes before exposing to water or driving.

I didn't really keep track of exactly which step I was on but I explained the progression and these should be in order. Like I said, I was surprised that I was applying the final coat after a hazy 3000 grit result but there must be a reason. If I thought the ceramic coat would adhere properly, I certainly would have entertained a machine polish to get them more clear. But this is fine and if it lasts, then I'm good with the tradeoff.

Also this took a solid 90 minutes, probably more. It always seems like it should be faster but this is how long it takes. A single headlight lens per side would have sped up the process, however.

These should be initial, as they were when I started.
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I'm guessing this is after the initial step 1, oxidation removal.
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Probably after 2000 grit wet sanding.
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Seems like no pics after the 3000...

I guess this is the final product. A polishing step after the 3000 grit would have been good but again I don't know if the ceramic coating needed the fine sanding lines to help adhere...though it does look better in person. My phone lens makes things look milky and less constrasty due to the pocket lint that accumulates on the inside....for some reason.
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kevm14
Posts: 15200
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: 04 E55 AMG headlight restoration

Post by kevm14 »

Front. Also I tried lifting the bumper up to close the gap with the hood. I think it helped. There is actually some adjustment for this, including depth.
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kevm14
Posts: 15200
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: 04 E55 AMG headlight restoration

Post by kevm14 »

Taken with my dSLR. Still somewhat milky. Oh well. Better than they were and if it lasts that's good.
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kevm14
Posts: 15200
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: 04 E55 AMG headlight restoration

Post by kevm14 »

Decided to re-do this.

I did 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500 wet. Then machine compound, a Meguiars polish (also machine), isopropyl and Cerakote again. So many steps and honestly the results aren't the best. I think there is a haze on the inside of the lens. This must be why people replace the lenses because you can only do so much on the outside. The good news is, I think the Cerakote did what it was supposed to do the first time. I just thought I could do better. Well, not if there is stuff on the inside of the lens, right?
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