Headlight restoration charge...

**Clean Dean** · 02-23-2009, 04:40 PM

Tried the search function, but not enough info came back.

I pretty much have all the components of this 3M Headlight Restoration kit, and have done a few restorations with great results.

3M? Headlight Lens Restoration System US 3M Automotive head light lights headlight headlights tail taillight taillights plastic plastics cover covers fog fogs foggy fogged cloud clouds cloudy clouding clear clears clearing dull dulled yellow yellow

Was looking into offering the service, and was wondering what other pros are offering the service and charging on the retail end ? I was thinking that with a little practice a restoration should take between 45 minute to 2 hours, depending on the amount of oxidation and damage.

My guess would be between $79 to $99 retail for the service, and that anything over $100 would scare off most potential customers. You have to figure most of your target customers will have daily driver cars.

Any info would be greatly appreciated !!! Thanks.

**Envious Eric** · 02-23-2009, 04:44 PM

50-100 is what most charge...

i just wetsand, compound, polish, then plastic polish with Plastix...works like a charm!

**Clean Dean** · 02-23-2009, 05:22 PM

Thanks. I just picked up a couple bottles of Plastix this afternoon. I had the airtools from the 3M kit, and figured that with the 3" sand pads and polishing pads it should help with saving time on these jobs.

**automedix** · 02-23-2009, 05:54 PM

I added this service last year and have sold this service several hundred times since.

i use a 3" DA sander going through the grits from 400g to 1500g. then I use rubbing compound and a 3" wool pad. After this is done I ix up a 2 part clear wipe and slicker. It gets applied with a paper towel.

i do 5-10 of these a week ranging from $50 (per pair)for a dealer to $69.95+tax for a retail customer. It takes me 20 minutes to do a pair of headlights.

I use the stuff from Dvelup.

**Clean Dean** · 02-23-2009, 06:11 PM

i do 5-10 of these a week ranging from $50 for a dealer to $69.95+tax for a retail customer. It takes me 20 minutes to do a pair of headlights.

I like that 20 minutes per pair !!!

**heatgain** · 02-23-2009, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by automedix

......After this is done I ix up a 2 part clear wipe and slicker. It gets applied with a paper towel....

What 2 part clear wipe and slicker do you use?

**Garry Dean** · 02-23-2009, 06:38 PM

I charge $40 per pair and it takes me 15-20 min to do a pair.

**AppliedColors** · 02-23-2009, 07:33 PM

$50 a headlight, but we don`t just wetsand/buff. We re-clear all headlights with an HVLP gun.

If you wetsand through the clear on a headlight and buff it to a shine without reclearing it, it will be hazed up again within months.

**imported_DJ Mayo** · 02-23-2009, 09:10 PM

I charge $50 for the set. Never taken more than 30-40 minutes.

**gtpaul** · 02-23-2009, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by AppliedColors

$50 a headlight, but we don`t just wetsand/buff. We re-clear all headlights with an HVLP gun.

If you wetsand through the clear on a headlight and buff it to a shine without reclearing it, it will be hazed up again within months.

That`s my biggest concern. Charging a customer $50+ just to have the haze/yellowing come back. I`m thinking about picking up a roll of 3M clear bra to cut to shape after I`ve restored the plastic.

I`m not sure how to approach this because I can`t charge too much in this area but don`t want to risk clear coat yellowing itself or flaking off down the road.

input?

**Clean Dean** · 02-23-2009, 10:10 PM

$50 a headlight, but we don`t just wetsand/buff. We re-clear all headlights with an HVLP gun.

If you wetsand through the clear on a headlight and buff it to a shine without reclearing it, it will be hazed up again within months.

How long does that take?

That`s my biggest concern. Charging a customer $50+ just to have the haze/yellowing come back. I`m thinking about picking up a roll of 3M clear bra to cut to shape after I`ve restored the plastic.

That would increase the cost pretty dramatically. Do you install 3M PPF ? I am a 3M certified installer, but it can be a royal PITA if you do not do install regularly.

**imported_Denzil** · 02-23-2009, 10:35 PM

I`ve always thought that despite whether you apply a plastic clear coat or not, those headlights are going to haze regardless. The only difference is that the protected headlight will take longer to haze, otherwise, you wouldn`t really need to do a headlight restoration if the original headlight protection had done its job.

I don`t know, I`m looking to hear more insight on this. Perhaps reclearing the headlights should be an option? ... or should it be part of the service? It`s an additional cost and not sure if we can still hit our target market with the extra cost of materials.

**Envious Eric** · 02-24-2009, 01:55 AM

Originally Posted by Denzil

those headlights are going to haze regardless. The only difference is that the protected headlight will take longer to haze, otherwise, you wouldn`t really need to do a headlight restoration if the original headlight protection had done its job.

well you can say the same thing about oxidized paint, swirling paint, and crappy interiors...overtime without care, of course its going to come back...the main thing to remember and to inform clients is that proper care is needed to ensure a good looking vehicle for a long period of time! Even though I perfected and completely polished out a black BMW, the swirling and oxidation I removed will come back because the owner doesn`t take care of it, washes it every once in a while, never waxes and uses dawn to wash his car when he does wash it...

**imported_Denzil** · 02-24-2009, 02:28 AM

Originally Posted by toyotaguy

well you can say the same thing about oxidized paint, swirling paint, and crappy interiors...overtime without care, of course its going to come back...the main thing to remember and to inform clients is that proper care is needed to ensure a good looking vehicle for a long period of time! Even though I perfected and completely polished out a black BMW, the swirling and oxidation I removed will come back because the owner doesn`t take care of it, washes it every once in a while, never waxes and uses dawn to wash his car when he does wash it...

So do you think something like a reclear is appropriate and should be included or left as an option? I usually just care for it like I do with paint and top it with a LSP. :nixweiss

**backwoods_lex** · 02-24-2009, 03:02 AM

The new optimum coating would be great for this. I tried clearing a set of lights with an OTC rattle can clear a while ago and it came out very, very bad (it was done outside on a cold day).

I`ve seen hazing return on some headlights after only about 3 months, but on my car (which never gets wax on it`s headlights) the hazing hasn`t returned even after 18 months or so :nixweiss.