Quick question....

[SoCalAutoSpa]

I am looking to make a stronger push here in San Diego for Mobile "Headlight Restoration". Are you all seeing clients who are looking for this service? As for the equipment needed; I assume the kits in the stores won't do the job needed. Where can I find detailing quality product as well as find training on how to do this properly? If training is needed.

Thanks!

 

[Y2KSVT]

AG sells headlight restoration kits AND they have videos of how to use some of them.

You really should do some target marketing in your area. More than likely, guys in your area aren't going to reply to this thread and hand you the information they've been working years for, and people in other areas won't be able to help you with what people want in your location. If you've been operating a detailing business for as long as you say, I would imagine you have a good idea of who is looking for headlight restoration, no?

Mark

 

[SoCalAutoSpa]

AG sells headlight restoration kits AND they have videos of how to use some of them.

You really should do some target marketing in your area. More than likely, guys in your area aren't going to reply to this thread and hand you the information they've been working years for, and people in other areas won't be able to help you with what people want in your location. If you've been operating a detailing business for as long as you say, I would imagine you have a good idea of who is looking for headlight restoration, no?

Mark

Yes, however we've never really pushed the issue. We have clients all the time who are in need and we clen them at no charge but I would like to have this as an add on service. Wasn't expecting anyone in my area to answer this post. I was really posting this as an "Ask the Expert" thinking he could recommend someone in the area to train my guys. I've looked around and there are only a few guys in the area (Mobile) who are even pushing this service. That's why I asked. As always it will differ from market to market but I just wanted to get a general idea of what people in other markets are doing. I figure I would have much more clientle here in "Sunny SoCal". Thanks for the input. Much appreciated!

 

[Y2KSVT]

I would think the need for it in your area would be sky high with as much sun as you get. I imagine tons of cars are driving around out there with faded headlights. You might consider picking up a restoration kit and practicing on a car that really needs some life brought back to their headlights. Take a 50/50 shot of one headlight, or a picture of both, with one cleaned up and the other hazy. Also take a picture of the light output at night of a clean headlight and one that's hazy to show how dangerous it can be to drive at night without clear headlight lenses. Add that to your website, and if you have a photo album that you show to customers, you could really show off your work. People in general need something visual to get the point across. While you're explaining the benefits of cleaning up your customer's headlights, make sure you point out how having cloudy headlights will really detract from the overall look of their car, especially when you're done restoring their paint to a showroom shine. :xyxthumbs:

Mark

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

As for what is needed to do the job, take a look at the Meguiar's professional kit. You can substitute the pneumatic tools for an electric DA and rotary if your mobile setup doesn't include sufficient compressed air.

Training is fairly self explanatory, or should be... I take it you personally don't do the technical detailing work yourself or know how? If you ARE able to do the detailing work yourself, you should be able to train your guys yourself I would think....

Meguiars Professional Headlight & Spot Repair Kit, headlight lens restorer, auto headlight repair, plastic headlight restorer, paint spot repair

 

[SoCalAutoSpa]

As for what is needed to do the job, take a look at the Meguiar's professional kit. You can substitute the pneumatic tools for an electric DA and rotary if your mobile setup doesn't include sufficient compressed air.

Training is fairly self explanatory, or should be... I take it you personally don't do the technical detailing work yourself or know how? If you ARE able to do the detailing work yourself, you should be able to train your guys yourself I would think....

Meguiars Professional Headlight & Spot Repair Kit, headlight lens restorer, auto headlight repair, plastic headlight restorer, paint spot repair

I do not dothe actual work. However I am making an effort to go out with the team more. I appreciate the heads up on the Meguiars Kit, I looked into it once before but passed for no particular reason. I think I will get it this time.

 

[Perfections]

Meg's is a good kit and comes with everything you need, I am not currently operating out of a shop, but I can tell you that on the mobile side there is a big demand for this service. Once you do one person's headlights in a building they will look and them and be very impressed and tell like half the building for you! My best 2 days was working 1 big lot and made close to 500 in 2 days. Now its been only a few a week but still demand is there.

 

[SoCalAutoSpa]

Meg's is a good kit and comes with everything you need, I am not currently operating out of a shop, but I can tell you that on the mobile side there is a big demand for this service. Once you do one person's headlights in a building they will look and them and be very impressed and tell like half the building for you! My best 2 days was working 1 big lot and made close to 500 in 2 days. Now its been only a few a week but still demand is there.

Awesome! That's the plan!

 

[g35_coupe]

Sounds like you could draw in a lot of customers if the competition is scarce. I'm sure the training won't be too hard. Best of luck!

 

[SoCalAutoSpa]

Sounds like you could draw in a lot of customers if the competition is scarce. I'm sure the training won't be too hard. Best of luck!

There are only two mobile companies here in my neck of the woods that even do this service.

Care to share any of your tips? Love your website. Do you also do mobile Detailing as well?

 

[g35_coupe]

There are only two mobile companies here in my neck of the woods that even do this service.

Care to share any of your tips? Love your website. Do you also do mobile Detailing as well?

Thanks. I don't do any detailing although I was very interested at one point in time and still love seeing the corrections you guys do. I weighed many factors and decided it would not work for me in the end. I found headlight restorations to be my perfect OCD niche (although it kinds sucks it's only seasonal).

I don't use a rotary or DA which keeps my costs down while allowing a little more mobility. Just like detailing, you'll gradually find what's more efficient in material cost, labor, etc. I can tell you that already having the vehicle there and mentioning the extra services will work great.