Headlight restoration, sealants and warranty

C

Cameronswmp9

New member
I am going to start taking on some headlights restoring and been reading a lot, and wondering what y'all are offering for sealing and warranty of your work.

Not providing a sealant is only doing half the job, and at a disservice to a customer, since it just won't last.

Now, I know you guys in S Florida who see the sun all the time will offer a different warranty than those in Seattle who never see the sun.

I've seen the Opti-Lens but at $70 for 10 cc and not knowing how much one job would use and the cost per job vs profit makes me nervous too. Heard of BFWD and Meguiars sealants, as well as others, but don't know the longevity of the sealant and ability to actually cover a warranty for however long.

Any input is appreciated!
I'm in Raleigh North Carolina
 
I can't seem to find a straight answer, how much opticoat will be needed per headlight? Since its 10cc and $70 I obviously don't want to price myself out of jobs, but want to do the best I can do for the customer.
 
Curious though in trying to do it for a living. How do you deal with the ones that simply won't come clear? We had one like that, a Focus wagon that the wife drove. It had yellowing that looked like it would come out but no amount of working it would make it be so.


Paint I understand in that you can pretty much look at a scratch/problem and pretty well guesstimate if it'll come out before through the clear etc, but a headlight you're pretty much sanding ie: fully committed) before you'll know. Now I can understand a shrug if it's my own vehicle, but how do you work a business model around it?
 
The tubes of optimum gloss coat are 10cc aren't they? And they have enough to do an entire car. If the opti lense goes on in such a small amount like other coatings do, I would think that 10ccs would last you quite a long time. Probably only need a couple drops to do 2 headlights.

as for getting them clear, you probably just need to get more aggressive. Headlight lenses are very thick compared to paint and you can be very aggressive if need be. I've heard of some going as far as starting with 320grit to restore really really really bad headlights. Unless you're going at them with a wire wheel or a grinder (don't ever do that) you have nothing to worry about in terms of sanding thru
 
I'm not jumping in both feet in right now, just something to add a few bucks to the bank account. As far as getting them clear and clean, it will be written that it may not be perfect but will be dang close.

If I could do 10 cars on one tube then that would be fine, if not more, 20 would be better! It seems to be the best way to go as far as lasting and warranty. I called a few places and they are $60 with no warranty, another one $60 with a 2 year warranty, then up from there. Wouldn't say what they used for sealant obviously but the $60\2 year would be toughest competition.

Having done some before, I know there are some more difficult ones out there Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Mustang, Dodge Grand Caravan, etc. that will take more but others are easier and won't be as much. Most can be done within an hour, some take more but will be worth the time.

I'm debating calling a few places in other cities, see if they will see what they can share with me. I know a few that are same cost of living and all so match up pretty close to pricing and all. Mainly because places here won't tell me anything as far as what works here.
 
Wally World here in Georgia charges $30, but I did not ask about a warranty. I thought this was pretty cheap. They said it takes them about 30 minutes and won't do it if there is a chance of rain due to the coating they put on the headlights.
 
Place in KCMO does it at $80 a set, 1 year warranty with the opti lens and 4 year warranty if he paints a uv clear on them. Swore by the opti lens too, which is a good feeling and knowing I can get a good number of cars out of one tube.

Also said he teaches the customer caring for the light, some window cleaner and wax once a month just to help prevent it from happening. I thought that was a good idea and helped his warranty last also, even though he has not had any calls he said.
 
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