Problems with Cerakote Trim Restoration

JasterMereel42 · May 2, 2024

I've heard good things with Cerakote. Lots of people have said that it is the best way to restore the gray faded fenders on the TJs. I applied it and here is what it looks like.

1. The front fender has Cerakote. It is still grayish and very streaky.
2. This is the step under the door and this looks great!
3. This is the original color of the fender.
4. Side view of everything together.

Like I said, that front fender that's been treated with Cerakote looks better, but still doesn't look great. Should I use a different product on the other fenders? Or is there something that I can do with the Cerakote to make it better? It is definitely darker, but has lots of streaks in it. It looks OK, better than it did before, but still not great.

Anything else I can do?

GregBelleville · May 2, 2024

How did you prep the fenders before applying?

AndyA · May 2, 2024

This happened to me. I just bought new flares - quicker, easier and will look good for a long time to come. Andy

JasterMereel42 · May 3, 2024

GregBelleville said:
How did you prep the fenders before applying?

Just washed them.

Mike_H · May 3, 2024

Cerakote what? When I see the name cerakote, I think guns and a very hard, baked on ceramic finish. That's obviously not what we're talking about here.

JasterMereel42 · May 3, 2024

AndyA said:
This happened to me. I just bought new flares - quicker, easier and will look good for a long time to come. Andy

Can you provide a link to the fenders that you got?

Ir0nH3@d · May 3, 2024

I dont know why so many recommend it and other oil/waxes or heat when a can of spray paint is a few bucks, is applied in under 30 min per flair without removing them, and lasts for years

Duck Doctor · May 3, 2024

Ir0nH3@d said:
I dont know why so many recommend it and other oil/waxes or heat when a can of spray paint is a few bucks, is applied in under 30 min per flair without removing them, and lasts for years

Agree. One can of krylon fusion would've made those flares look brand new. Lasts for years.

JMT · May 3, 2024

I thought I was going to see some cool guns in the Jeep section.

Sgt Jarhead · May 3, 2024

If you don’t mind putting a little bit of work into them lightly sand the fenders and slap a few coats of krylon fusion paint.

I did this to a set of Bushwacker flares when I had my YJ in Hawáii and held up great before selling it a year or so later.

YonderWalnut · May 3, 2024

Mike_H said:
Cerakote what? When I see the name cerakote, I think guns and a very hard, baked on ceramic finish. That's obviously not what we're talking about here.

There are also air curing formulations of cerakote. Its less durable but actually higher temp, making it good for parts like silencers.

Apparition · May 3, 2024

JMT said:
I thought I was going to see some cool guns in the Jeep section.

GregBelleville · May 3, 2024

Mike_H said:
Cerakote what? When I see the name cerakote, I think guns and a very hard, baked on ceramic finish. That's obviously not what we're talking about here.

Cerakote makes wipes for plastic trim restoration.

GregBelleville · May 3, 2024

JasterMereel42 said:
Just washed them.

You need to wash them, then make sure they are completely dry, and one final step is to give them a wipe with isopropyl alcohol to make sure the surface is completely clean. My guess is there may have been some moisture still on your flares which caused the streaks. It's also possible that your flares were bleached beyond being restorable. I had an Xterra that I used cerakote on with good results, those Xterras have a ton of plastic.

Mike_H · May 3, 2024

GregBelleville said:
Cerakote makes wipes for plastic trim restoration.

Oh, I had no idea! Is it like that Mother's Back to Black stuff?

GregBelleville · May 3, 2024

Mike_H said:
Oh, I had no idea! Is it like that Mother's Back to Black stuff?

I'd say it's better and lasts much longer, like over a year. The drawback is that prop work is required to prepare the plastic so that it adheres well and doesn't streak.

AndyA · May 3, 2024

JasterMereel42 said:
Can you provide a link to the fenders that you got?

https://www.quadratec.com/products/12510_5006_07.htm

tnjeepguy · May 3, 2024

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1446712905935181/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp:98224b42-4e33-4a86-8a95-29a56bba6ac7

Might ship them to you ??

Or: https://www.amazon.com/Rugged-Ridge-11603-11-1997-2006-Wrangler/dp/B001FAI9X4?tag=wranglerorg-20

JasterMereel42 · May 3, 2024

tnjeepguy said:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1446712905935181/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp:98224b42-4e33-4a86-8a95-29a56bba6ac7

Might ship them to you ??

Hmmm, let me think about it for a day or two.

Tray Burge · May 7, 2024

I believe you mean "ceramic"?
Yeah, that looks like shit.
I started using Chemical Guys ceramic trim restorer, night-n-day difference over f11.
Most recent, mines the better looking TJ.
Nice dark with no greasiness.

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