Headlight Restoration Why Not?

[buda]

After completing a week of detail training including headlight restoration, I cannot understand why every Detailer and Carwash operator is not offering this service.

It is a critically needed service both from an appearance point of view making a vehicle with faded, oxidized, and yellowed headlights look better, but it is a major safety issue. Such headlights reduce illumination by more than 50%.

I am not talking about the non-effective chemical treatment, but the method where you cut off the oxidation and yellowing using several steps and then polish to a high gloss perfect finish.

It is easy to do, fast and generates a lot of money. A minimum of $50 per headlight for less than an hour's work.

If you are not doing it why not?

Bud Abraham

 

[mjc3333]

We've been doing the headlight restoration for years.

Easy and profitable!

We also do automotive inspections which require the headlight lens to be clear without hazy oxidation/scratches.

 

[Waxman]

It's not easy to get $50 a light. We have done this service for years and get $40 for a pair and $25 each.

The reason it's hard to get the $50/pair IMO is the cheapo kits and tv ads that boast perfect results for $9.99.

But yes, headlight restoration is an easy and profitable add-on, providing you can run a polisher well and know how to watersand properly.

 

[buda]

Actually in this work the customer satisfaction is very hard part.. if he got a single scratch on the headlight then he ask you that why this is left? and as Waxman said there are many headlight restoration kits available in market on cheap price. So people prefer to do by themselves.

Most people do not even know about the service or that they should restore their headlights. The good kind of detail customer is not one to do something themselves.

You have to show the need for the service. And if you have a good system and know how to use it the complaints are not there.

The BIG money is with the dealers because they MUST fixed an awful looking headlight and they pay at least $50 a headlight, chump change for the value of the car. They respect headlight restoration and those who can do it more than they respect detailers.

Focus on dealers and let the retail business be your gravy. Consider the cost of replacing one of those fancy headlights in today's cars. BIG BUCKS.

Be positive go for it, a lot of money to be made.

Regards
Bud Abraham

 

[MEP001]

You're arguing with a spambot.

 

[Pro-Techt]

If you're going to do HLR, do it right or don't do it. Grinding down a faded (compromised) lense with sandpaper and compound and applying a wax or sealant isnt doing justice to you, the light, the customer or the detailing industry. They dont really add any substantial benefit and ends up causing further failure almost immediately. The right thing to do is apply a coating that is disigned for HLR making the repair long lasting.

 

[buda]

Pro-Techt:

Excellent point you bring up about HLR. If you are going to do it, "do it correctly."

Our systems copies the 3M suggested process which involves:

a. Sanding with 600 or 800 grit sanding disks
b. Followed by a wet sand with 1500 grit sanding disk
c. Followed by another wet sand with 2500 grit sanding disk
d. Polish with 800 grit compound
e. Polishign with microfine compound
f. Then sealed with an aerosol can of clear-coat that can be purchased from any automotive paint store for $25 to $30.

There are numerous chemical products on the market that claim you can wipe it on and wipe it off and restore the headlight, but these are only very, very temporary.

There are some restorers who simply buff the headlight with a cutting pad and heavy compound, and voila, claim to provide a restored headlight. While better than the chemical process, this too is only temporary.

Light buffing oxidation off a paint finish you really have to cut it off completely down to the uneffected polycarbonate finish and the polish it back to a clear, high shine lustre. And, as you say, a seal that will prevent future deterioration.

Regards
Bud Abraham

 

[Waxman]

What aerosol clear from a parts store costs $25+???

I can imagine the clear peeling chipping and looking bad real soon.

 

[MEP001]

What aerosol clear from a parts store costs $25+???

I can imagine the clear peeling chipping and looking bad real soon.

Automotive paint store, not parts store. It's the same clear-coat used by pros.

It doesn't peel if you sand and paint the headlight just like you'd use the clear over paint. It can still chip, but it's harder than the plastic headlight, and the paint resists UV better than the plastic.

 

[Waxman]

Automotive paint store, not parts store. It's the same clear-coat used by pros.

It doesn't peel if you sand and paint the headlight just like you'd use the clear over paint. It can still chip, but it's harder than the plastic headlight, and the paint resists UV better than the plastic.

So you sand then paint w/out buffing after sanding???

Is this clear enamel in a spray can?

Thanks!

 

[Washmee]

I tried the clear spray paint method and was not happy with the results. After a couple of months of winter weather the clear coat started to peel off. If there was a way to put the clear on after buffing to a shine I would try it.

 

[MEP001]

I tried the clear spray paint method and was not happy with the results. After a couple of months of winter weather the clear coat started to peel off. If there was a way to put the clear on after buffing to a shine I would try it.

That's what will happen when you put a clear coat on polished plastic. It needs something to hold onto.

 

[Washmee]

That's what will happen when you put a clear coat on polished plastic. It needs something to hold onto.

No, that was the result after the method you suggested.

It doesn't peel if you sand and paint the headlight just like you'd use the clear over paint. It can still chip, but it's harder than the plastic headlight, and the paint resists UV better than the plastic.

 

[MEP001]

Did you use a good quality automotive clear coat? Krylon/Rustoleum doesn't hold up and won't protect the plastic from yellowing.