Headlight Restoration which drill to use ? Need some Help

L

Louie_Blu

New member
Hello all, I am new here, I am starting a Mobile Headlight restoration business and I would like to know what cordless drill is good to use, being that I will be Mobile I wouldn't want to ask Customers to use their electricity, I thought about using this Kit from 3M ]3MCollision.com: Products for Automotive, Auto Body, Collision Repair, Refinish, Paint and Body Shops, Vehicle Restoration, and more



I see that the Drills are Pneumatic and I really don't want to carry an air compressor around either, They Say the Drill I need to use should be between 1200 to 1600 RPM



If anyone could please recommend a Cordless Drill that will last long and have that type of RPM power I would really appreciate it.



Also I was planning on charging between $75.00 to $100.00 for the front headlights does anyone thing think that is a fair charge for this service ?



any comments, help or tips are greatly appreciated



Thank you all.



Louie
 
Since you don't really know how much business you will get for a while, don't waste money on an expensive battery powered drill.

I use them all the time, almost everyday for hard work, and they are from Harbor Frieght.



I do not use them for head light polishing, for that I have a variable speed full size rotary buffer from Harbor Freight, and a DeWalt and a Milwaukee for big jobs that take hours. For quickies, the HF buffer is light and quick and cheap.



Get the HF,an 18v, and the good thing is that the extra batteries are usually $10 or so. vs the cost of ones for DeWalt, Makita, etc.



A new one comes usually comes with one battery and the charger. As cheap as the batteries are, get an extra one.

If you are successful and still want a high dollar drill that is up to you.



A side note, many "name brand" drills, etc are just rebranded units made overseas and not always any different than a cheaper one.

Grumpy
 
Would you mind showing me the Rotary Buffer you are talking about Ron, I went to Harbor Freight and i saw a couple but not like you mention,

Thank you for your help
 
Orange and black, variable roller switch on the handle.

They also have an electronic variable that is red in color.

Either one are good for light use.

Had mine three years, no problems.

You can catch them on sale fro $29.95 to $39.95.

The new flyer I got this week doesn't have either in them, only orbitals, two of them.

Just looked at the drills, looks like the batteries are now $15, not $10, but at a store, who knows.

They have a Drillmaster 19.2 v for $30 and their other 18 v for $30 as well.

Some have the charger with them, if not they are only $5.00

Grumpy
 
Hi Ron and thanks again for your help, I have seen the drills you were talking about the 19.2 volt drill is nice has a decent price too, the only thing is the RPM, 3M says i should use a drill thats between 1200 to 1600 rpm so i found this one 12 Volt 3/8" Pro Lithium Ion Cordless Drill/Driver



goes up to 1300 rpm it cost a little more but I think it will do the job fine, the only other thing I can think of is to use and Inverter for my car and use a normal home drill , let me know what you think about the drill



thank you

Louie
 
On most of the mentioned drills, it is possible to control the speed with the trigger.

12v, I wouldn't go that way, 18 or 19.2v is going to prove to be better.

If you plan to use an inverter, you may be limited to how close you can get to the customer car.

Don't know where you are located, but if a HF is close by, go in and find out which one works for you.

Should you decide on a corded drill, I have a Skil that has the variable speed trigger, think I paid $30 or so at Ace Hardware.

I am not sure just how many drills I own, let's see, 16 speed drill press, two 18v, two 3/8 corded, 1/2 HD, 1/2 hammer drill, and two dry wall screw guns.

LOL!, I know, what does one need all those for, heck, I don't know, just seem to use them all a couple of times a year.

Grumpy
 
In Fact there is a store next to me I live in Orlando they have a store next to the airport and they are having a sale till the 31st of this month, its true what you said about how close I will be to the customers cars, I do have a100 foot Orange extension cord but I think if I buy a Cordless Drill I should just buy the Inverter and bring the home electronic drill as well just to have a back up the inverter is only 39 bucks and its 750 watt and 1500 continuous, just got to be-careful not to drain my truck battery lol
 
A true enthusiast that cares about his vehicle who appreciates a job done properly has no problem paying between $75-$95 per lens. For many years now I have never had an issue charging this fee for a "Headlight Lens Restoral" with a UV coating reapplied to the lens...This is not for a "Scuff and Buff" service. Of course demographics could dictate pricing but for most the thought of increasing their light output, saftey factor and the savings vs replacing....you cant go wrong....JMO.



My advise as well......Drills don't cut it.............get a Matabo 3" or a Griot's for the resurfacing steps, then a rotary for polishing if you dont plan on recoating. For this type of service, I charge $50-$65 per lens (Scuff and Buff)
 
EliminatorXP said:
A true enthusiast that cares about his vehicle who appreciates a job done properly has no problem paying between $75-$95 per lens. For many years now I have never had an issue charging this fee for a "Headlight Lens Restoral" with a UV coating reapplied to the lens...This is not for a "Scuff and Buff" service. Of course demographics could dictate pricing but for most the thought of increasing their light output, saftey factor and the savings vs replacing....you cant go wrong....JMO.



My advise as well......Drills don't cut it.............get a Matabo 3" or a Griot's for the resurfacing steps, then a rotary for polishing if you dont plan on recoating. For this type of service, I charge $50-$65 per lens (Scuff and Buff)
Click to expand...
Is the UV coating you use some sort of permanent clear coat, or just a wax/sealant?
 
David, semantic's, "sacrifical" is not permanent, at least as I understand the English lanquage.

Just something to think about.

Grumpy
 
Your right Ron, my mistake.....but what I meant is that by being "Sacrificial" its not permanent for restorals but it is alot more permanent than a wax or sealant if cared for properly.



Thanks for the clarification..
 
I do headlights right now for $69/pair. Thats my advertised special price. Normal price is $89. Takes me an hour.



Charge what you can, sell the service.



Derek
 
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