Headlight Restoration Side Job Advice?

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royalkangaroo

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Hey all, thinking about doing mobile headlight restorations as a side hustle. Just looking for a few pointers.

Tools/process:
GG6 w/ 3" backing plate
3" sanding discs (800, 1200, 2000, 3000 grits)
Orange foam pad w/ M105 compound
Optilens coating

I've restored my own headlights in the past with the 3M kit, not with my GG6 though.

Do you folks dry sand or damp sand? (Trying to figure out the best/most cost effective sanding discs) I'm also thinking charging around 75$ per pair, maybe targeting used car dealerships for more volume at a lower price. Advertising will be Craigslist, FB, and word of mouth.

Again, just looking for a few jobs per week. Anything I'm missing?
 
I used Meguiars medium kit. Wet sanding worked great for me. My lenses are still clear

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I gave up, Costco and same over $30 headlight restoration with a 5 year no fade warranty. I can't beat that.

Looks like u have everything u need, good luck with it man and kill it

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get sanding discs in 320-500-800-1000-3000(leave at 3k for UV coating) compound if doing ceramic coating

get a real UV coating like G clear or use a ceramic coating like Pearl nano HD
 
Since using the McKees Headlight restoration polish I haven't sanded a headlight. It really kicks ass considering you don't need to sand. I've done some bad ones too.
 
Cruzscarwash said:
I gave up, Costco and same over $30 headlight restoration with a 5 year no fade warranty. I can't beat that.

Looks like u have everything u need, good luck with it man and kill it

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Click to expand...

Where are they offering this? Heck, the biggest pain for me is masking the paint around some odd-shaped lenses. I actually enjoy it now that I have done it a few times. I'm offering it free to friends just to kill time and socialize. I use a CG video restoring a GTR as my guideline.

Although I don't necessarily use CG products for my approach to this, the video is quite helpful to get me started. I do use JetSeal to seal it and then top it with Optimum spray wax (for UV protection). I know the CG-bashing is coming on this but this video is pretty good for demystifying the process.

I haven't tried the McKee's product yet.

https://youtu.be/iFcyx6WHyMg
 
All over Cali, tx, and SC that I've seen so far

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Since the beginning of this year, I have been using this as my final UV coating on wet-sanded headlight restorations:

Sylvania Headlight Restoration UV Block Clear Coat

You can get it AA for $10 per kit with no sandpaper. $20 kit with some sandpaper. It is on the shelf next to the headlight bulbs and replacements, not with the detailing stuff. There is enough in the bottle to do at least 10 pairs of headlights.

It is a wipe on formula. It has a little bottle of cleaner spray that does a good job of removing the yellow crud (not big enough to do 10 pairs of lights, maybe 3-4 pairs). It comes with a blue shop paper towel to fold to use as an applicator, but I use a piece of MF suede. I think you could spray it on with an airbrush, but have not tried it. It reminds me of using the marine urethane/mineral spirit mix but did not have the urethane smell.

It is supposed to be loaded with UVA/UVB and be pretty close to the factory headlight coating. I apply 2 layers giving the first a few hours of dry time.
It has dried clear for me every time and it levels to a smooth finish as long as I resist the urge to re-wipe an area and leave wiping marks.

I had been using Opti-Lens pretty much since they released it and Opti-Coat before that, but not anymore. Can't beat that price and it is a true headlight coating. After it has dried I apply whatever sealant was used on the paint to add some more protection.

Its worth checking it out.
 
It is wise to use a quality battery powered drill. This way you can do a repair anywhere. Wal-Mart parking lot. Mobile. Gas Station ETC. handing out a card and getting it done on the spot is 2 different worlds. (If you do have a generator you do not have to worry about this. )

A customer can be genuinely interested in getting their headlights restored and if you give them your card for a later date its very easy for them to forget about you. The sales pitch is I can do it right here right now.

The downside to wet-sanding is the clean up. If you are charging properly this is not a big deal. However if you are doing it on the side and going to give decent deals this will cause you to use more of the following:

Sandpaper
Detail Spray/Waterless Wash
Microfiber Towels

Always see if you can get away without sanding first. McKee's 37 has a killer All-In-One Headlight Restoration kit. on some lenses you can get away with just polishing and no sanding.


Yes you can use a compound designed for paint, But understand that Headlight restoration polishes have a larger/sharper abrasive that is specifically designed to cut hard plastic. Compound is designed for softer paint finishes. So if you value time like I do, certainly get your hands on a polish designed for headlight lenses.

Word of advice, If you are ever quoting to restore a pair of BMW headlights, CHARGE ACCORDINGLY! these lenses are some of the most challenging to restore. some can require hours of work.

Here is a link to the Kit used it in the video I posted above.

McKee's 37 Total Headlight Restoration Kit, how to restore headlights

Link for just the polish.
McKee's 37 All In One Headlight Restoring Polish, headlight restoration


If you do opt for the Kit it includes a Headlight Protect Spray to preserve the headlight lens. Up sell the fact that after you restore the lens you are applying protection to prevent future oxidation.

Good Luck in your business I wish you alot of success.
 
dcjredline said:
Since using the McKees Headlight restoration polish I haven't sanded a headlight. It really kicks ass considering you don't need to sand. I've done some bad ones too.
Click to expand...

I like it..but wish it didn't try out as fast.. I typically do 2 go rounds with mckee37 headlight AIO...so i just switched to S0 and S3 XXl ..either or works on lights that don't need resurfaced

either method takes me about 5 mins to compound/drill and seal with UV coating or ceramic coating

600/1500/polish works great..but doesn't cut that mustard when lights are crazed
 
I use a spritz of pad conditioner from McKees and don't have a problem of it drying out. I can usually do 4 sometimes 5 section passes per headlight without dry up.
 
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