What are you charging for Headlight Restorations?

TTQ B4U

TTQ B4U

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Curious as to what folks are charging for restorations per pair. I realize ranges and conditions vary, etc.....

Thanks in advance!
 
As a outside vendor for Mercedes Benz detailer,I was getting 95.00 for headlights.when I left there in 09 no one has really asked me to do a set.although when I'm quoting a job for extreme profit ,I will throw that in there for free I tell them.I just quickly buff them out at most 5 min per headlamp and always seem to work cause people love to hear the word free.so I use that as a selling feature booking nice jobs.
 
There is guys doing it for 40.00 per set,I don't want to be involved with such a low profit..
 
GSKR said:
There is guys doing it for 40.00 per set,I don't want to be involved with such a low profit..
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I agree. I'm thinking $80 with a one year guarantee/redo policy or something along those lines. Not sure yet. Interested in what others are doing or having success with.
 
Used to charge 60$ but never got any calls. Now I charge 40$ and I get a few. I'm in Canada so that's like $3.95 US$ lol.
 
I charge $50-$80 based on condition. Some are very easy to restore that running a polisher brings back their shine. And also offer 1 year warranty. They all get coated.
 
usmcpab said:
I charge $50-$80 based on condition. Some are very easy to restore that running a polisher brings back their shine. And also offer 1 year warranty. They all get coated.
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What do you coat them with?
 
For vehicles that require no sanding at all, I coat them with opti-lens or bf crystal coat, if they require wetsanding I'll uses either infinity 4.1 or glassweld gclear
 
I charge 50$ per headlamp, so 40$ for a set. That includes wet sanding, polishing and coating with opti-coat 2.0

If this is is asked as part of a detail, I give a 30$ discount so 35$ per headlamp.

I purchased the McKee's headlamp kit this year, so for ones that are only slightly damaged I will probably give that a try and see if I can give a discount for not having to wetsand. But so far, when people call me for this service they are always in bad shape.
 
It's not a one time use coating, but it is on the more expensive side which I why I now use bf crystal coat
 
usmcpab said:
For vehicles that require no sanding at all, I coat them with opti-lens or bf crystal coat, if they require wetsanding I'll uses either infinity 4.1 or glassweld gclear
Click to expand...

What's the durability for those coats? Do you think are better than Opti-Lens?
 
I usually charge about $95 for the set. If I'm called for a wax job or an inside/outside detail and we later add headlight restoration I will discount the headlight job about $30-40 depending on how bad they are.
 
I charge. Nothing!

I bought a bunch of the 3M Headlight restoration kits on Amazon for $8.49 each including free shipping. And when a friend need his (or her) headlights restored I just GIVE them a kit and loan them one of my AC variable speed drills and keep an eye on them while they are doing it themselves. The only thing I do is the taping off and the application of Spar varnish afterwards. I dilute the spar 50/50 with odorless mineral spirits and apply with a blue Scott shop towel. Perfection!
 
Here in central Florida, i charge.50.00 a pair if done alone. As part of detail, 35.00
 
I have a question, when going to dealerships for headlight restoration, what have you found to be the best approach?
Second, what dio you say when they say "we already do it ourselves, knowing they don't do it, because you can see lots of cars with oxidized lights. Thanks
 
jsfomby said:
I have a question, when going to dealerships for headlight restoration, what have you found to be the best approach?
Second, what do you say when they say "we already do it ourselves, knowing they don't do it, because you can see lots of cars with oxidized lights. Thanks
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Here's some options:

A) Bye
B) Ok, well I've got to go make some money. Bye.
C) Is there anything a quality detailer could do for your business (As in that you would be willing to pay decently for)?

A lot of posts have been made on this forum about working for dealerships. The short version is that unless they feel they 'really' need what your offering, you'll never get more than the equivalent of a low employee wage without the benefits of being a employee.
 
mavagrand said:
Here in central Florida, i charge.50.00 a pair if done alone. As part of detail, 35.00
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Just as a follow up to my original starting of this thread, I've been charging $50 per pair and found no issues. Seems to be on-par with what the market around me will bear. Haven't had anyone in true need not do it.
 
$35 - $45 per light if wet sanding is needed. Lifetime upkeep if they bring their car back to me for a regular detail. As of late, I've been using Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating.
 
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