Headlight sealant: spar urethane vs. opti coat 2.0

Wonder how much you could damage the CC if you did the whole car in a Spar mix
 
HotRod said:
I am in mid western Kansas(Hays), probably 3 or 4 hours west of Manhattan on I-70.

I had no clue that the opti coat would be showing signs of failure already, depending on how long it lasts, it might not be much better than using Klasse for headlight restorations. I don't think optimum made this product for headlight restorations though, its mainly for paint protection. And its got rave reviews from what I have heard on paint. But how long does it last? Supposedly its permanent. I have a few more syringes of opti coat to use, so I might do some durability testing of my own on paint, and see for myself. Here is a question for someone: whats more durable opti coat or c quartz?

Not sure why so many people talk down on the spar treatment, it works for me. Some people just can't wrap their heads around the idea of using wood urethane on headlights, I understand that, but the results speak for themselves. IMO Also, I don't know why some people are having bad luck with it, maybe they are not mixing things up properly, maybe the lens is not prepped right, etc.... I think some problems people are having are not stirring the urethane up enough when they open the can, before they pour it into their mixing cup with the mineral spirits.
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The mixing is certainly a possibility. I had a problem with that myself once when I mixed too much Mineral Spirits and thinned it just a smidg more than I should. It looked great for a few months and then started streaking and wearing off completely. Yikes! I greatly appreciate your efforts. Thanks!
 
HotRod said:
I am in mid western Kansas(Hays), probably 3 or 4 hours west of Manhattan on I-70.

I had no clue that the opti coat would be showing signs of failure already, depending on how long it lasts, it might not be much better than using Klasse for headlight restorations. I don't think optimum made this product for headlight restorations though, its mainly for paint protection. And its got rave reviews from what I have heard on paint. But how long does it last? Supposedly its permanent. I have a few more syringes of opti coat to use, so I might do some durability testing of my own on paint, and see for myself. Here is a question for someone: whats more durable opti coat or c quartz?

Not sure why so many people talk down on the spar treatment, it works for me. Some people just can't wrap their heads around the idea of using wood urethane on headlights, I understand that, but the results speak for themselves. IMO Also, I don't know why some people are having bad luck with it, maybe they are not mixing things up properly, maybe the lens is not prepped right, etc.... I think some problems people are having are not stirring the urethane up enough when they open the can, before they pour it into their mixing cup with the mineral spirits.
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At least I'm hoping thats all it was..........lol
 
I actually have gotten over 2 years and counting on my work van headlights, and thats with the polished version spar treatment. No sign of deterioration at all, the van sits outside all year, but gets washed every couple of weeks, and the lights get treated with a wax or paint sealant every 3 or 4 months. I wouldn't be surprised if it lasts for 3 years, and isn't there an actual pro headlight clear coat (sprayed on and UV light cured) that someone is using here that only gives it a 3 year guarantee? Or is it 5 year guarantee?
 
Hello all,
I've been keeping up with this and the really long post (Headlight Restoration-new UV sealant idea) and have done about 10 sets of lights. Most have been family and friends. I posted a few pics on the longer post.
I'm looking for some marketing advice.
I have been mainly doing good old target marketing and leaving flyers and business cards on vehicles that need their lights done.
Not having too much luck.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Feed back please
 
Gatto5 said:
Hello all,
I've been keeping up with this and the really long post (Headlight Restoration-new UV sealant idea) and have done about 10 sets of lights. Most have been family and friends. I posted a few pics on the longer post.
I'm looking for some marketing advice.
I have been mainly doing good old target marketing and leaving flyers and business cards on vehicles that need their lights done.
Not having too much luck.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Feed back please
Click to expand...

The only advice I have is to pursue used car dealers. I've done the flyers and leaving business cards with absolutely no luck. Most people NEED for you to explain thoroughly exactly what you do before they will let go of the money. I think that they feel you are charging ?$$$ just to buff them off in 5 minutes, like the commercial on tv, and they don't want to pay for that. I've had way more luck just working at the small used car dealers or approaching people you know and trying to get them to refer you work. I've also heard of people offering to pay past customers a $5 birddog fee for every paying customer they send who actually gets their lights done. It IS a tough business right now because it seems everyone is trying to get into this at a cheaper and cheaper rate. Someone in MY town is doing them for $25 a set!! Unbelieveable!!!!
 
Part-timer said:
Howdy neighbor..........whats the going rate there in O-town? I've recently run into some competition here. Someone running around doing headlights for $25 a set!! I dunno how they can make any money like that, considering the time and effort involved. I'm lucky to have one dealer that loves my work and sticks with me. He told me about the $25 person and how he told them....."No thanks, I've got a guy already"
Im the MAN
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Hey there Part-Timer, I am charging $69.99 for Smaller Headlights and $79.99 for Larger Headlights so far I have been doing cars some by word of mouth and I really haven't had a problem getting what I'm asking for I am passing out flyers as well with business cards
I only hand out flyers to people that I see have pretty bad headlights also trying to give them to people with pretty nice cars and bad looking headlights really haven't had a problem yet.
I am using the Spar Urethane Method, I just don't like carrying the Quarts with me and having to mix it right where the customer can see it.
I would like to store the Minwax Spar Urethane and the Mineral Spirits in a different can, But what can to use that wont effect the Urethane from changing?? any thoughts on this would be really helpfulFeed back please

Louie
 
Hello Again Part-Timer,

That Quick Fix they sell on TV is really not as good as people think it is, not only that they charged you like an extra 8 bucks for the second bottle and there are a bunch of up-sales to ordering that product so they say 10 bucks plus the 8 dollars shipping fee that's about 20 bucks plus all they other junk they try to sell you, friend of mine tried this and ended up spending close to 30 bucks plus you have to do the work yourself it kinda balances it self out, would much rather have a Pro do it then buying that product.

Good Luck to you guys :xyxthumbs:
Louie
 
Rei86 said:
Wonder how much you could damage the CC if you did the whole car in a Spar mix
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Please tell me you're joking. Do you understand that spar urethane is a varnish made for wood? How about not applying it to the rest of your car.

HotRod: Before you applied the Opti-Coat, you had used M205 to polish the headlights as the final step. It has been stated that IPA is not enough to remove the oils that M205 will leave on the surface, maybe this is where the problem is. Usually M205 requires a strong dilution of an APC to remove the oils, IPA may not do it. I question if the Opti-Coat bonded properly to the headlight at this point.
 
96Lude said:
Please tell me you're joking. Do you understand that spar urethane is a varnish made for wood? How about not applying it to the rest of your car.

HotRod: Before you applied the Opti-Coat, you had used M205 to polish the headlights as the final step. It has been stated that IPA is not enough to remove the oils that M205 will leave on the surface, maybe this is where the problem is. Usually M205 requires a strong dilution of an APC to remove the oils, IPA may not do it. I question if the Opti-Coat bonded properly to the headlight at this point.
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I know its been a while since I did this, but if I remember correctly I used optimum power clean as well to prep the lights along with the IPA, but did not include that in my first post. You could be absolutely right about the oils not being removed, but at this point what should I do, re-do the optimum side? I have never used opti coat before, so maybe it has a learning curve as well.
 
96Lude said:
Please tell me you're joking. Do you understand that spar urethane is a varnish made for wood? How about not applying it to the rest of your car.
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Nope not joking at all after reading up on all Varnish types.
 
96Lude said:
I definitely would not recommend it. Apply a good regular paint sealant every few months, or apply a coating.
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I'm not going to do it to my car, however I do have a itch to pick up a junk panel and test it out.
 
Part timer,
Thanks for the advice.I agree with you, the fliers and business cards are almost a waste of time. With the economy in the toilet the vehicles that really need the work done are the ones that need to pay other more important bills.
I do carry a sample headlight with me when I'm placing the flyers.
I also have a listing on craigslist.
Like you, this only a part time job to earn extra cash.
I'll try those small lots you suggested, How much are you charging the dealers? or your retail customers.
I'm located in West Palm beach FL.


MyExample3.jpg

My sample I carry with me.
 
Louie_Blu said:
Hey there Part-Timer, I am charging $69.99 for Smaller Headlights and $79.99 for Larger Headlights so far I have been doing cars some by word of mouth and I really haven't had a problem getting what I'm asking for I am passing out flyers as well with business cards
I only hand out flyers to people that I see have pretty bad headlights also trying to give them to people with pretty nice cars and bad looking headlights really haven't had a problem yet.
I am using the Spar Urethane Method, I just don't like carrying the Quarts with me and having to mix it right where the customer can see it.
I would like to store the Minwax Spar Urethane and the Mineral Spirits in a different can, But what can to use that wont effect the Urethane from changing?? any thoughts on this would be really helpfulFeed back please

Louie
Click to expand...


Louie......I charge $40 a pair for my regular used car lots. There is a very popular car wash/ detail shop that is now advertising "Headlight Restoration" for $29.95......so it's getting harder and harder. I think one reason my guys stay with me is because I also do brakes, radiators and other small repairs for them besides the headlights.....thats ok though....this is all just a "part-time" weekend gig.....I have a 40 hour regular job.
 
Gatto5 said:
Part timer,
Thanks for the advice.I agree with you, the fliers and business cards are almost a waste of time. With the economy in the toilet the vehicles that really need the work done are the ones that need to pay other more important bills.
I do carry a sample headlight with me when I'm placing the flyers.
I also have a listing on craigslist.
Like you, this only a part time job to earn extra cash.
I'll try those small lots you suggested, How much are you charging the dealers? or your retail customers.
I'm located in West Palm beach FL.


MyExample3.jpg

My sample I carry with me.
Click to expand...

Gatto.....West Palm I hear is nice. I thought people there had more $$$ than here in Daytona....lol I love the 1/2 half lens. I have something like that too and agree, it's a great tool. I charge $40 a pair here.(see above post) Louie above is in Orlando and the flyers work for him.
 
Part-timer said:
Gatto.....West Palm I hear is nice. I thought people there had more $$$ than here in Daytona....lol I love the 1/2 half lens. I have something like that too and agree, it's a great tool. I charge $40 a pair here.(see above post) Louie above is in Orlando and the flyers work for him.
Click to expand...
Well I checked out some dealers yesterday and was able to pick up one mom and pop dealer, I offered them $25.00 per headlight only if they give me cars on a regular basis.
You have to try and get what you deserve or worth, some dealers wouldn't even give me the time of day, but the ones that do are worth it. It is so easy to show them how much better the vehicle looks, not too mention its not hard to add an extra 50 or 75 dollars to a cars sticker price and make their money back when they sell the car, I am also offering the Dr. ColorChip repair as well so they know I do other work.

Keep trying guys eventually there will be better days and just getting your name out there is important, Flyers and Business card to me are not really a waste of time because regardless if they don't want or cant afford to do the work, at least they have your contact information which can lead to them asking for you later on or even referring you to a friend, I like to actually talk to potential customers as opposed to just leaving a Flyer on a car, and if they cant afford my price, I will let them know that I can knock off a few bucks as long as they can refer me to friends and family, this should produce more work over time.
Hope this helps, More power to you guys and God Speed

Louie
:buffing::hungry::xyxthumbs:
 
Part-timer and Louie Blu,

Thanks again for your help.
I'll use your advice and keep trying and hope the business picks up.Im the MAN
Have a good weekend.
:buffing:
 
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