Ultraviolet absorbing CeO2-TiO2 coatings were prepared by the sol-gel spin-coating process heat treated at 500 degrees C. The films obtained were brilliant yellow, adherent and had some pattern on the soda-lime glass substrate. The optical transmittance, thickness and hardness of the films as a function of the number of coatings, aging time (0, 24, 48, 96 h) or aging temperature (28, 35, 40, 50 degrees C) were determined, and surface microstructure of the films was observed by SEM. We found some pattern on the surface of films. This pattern was similar to that of the stage for fixing the substrate. The pattern on the surface of films would be caused by the difference of thermal conductivity to slide glass in the part of metal of the stage and hollow part of the stage. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.