Not sure ill be doing one of these in the UK anytime soon 😆 Well done 👏🏼
@StartRestoringHeadlights5 ай бұрын
These are maybe a few steps above the Ford vehicles in terms of difficulty. Usually they have microcracking but this one wasn't too bad 😁
@Number1HeadlightRestoration5 ай бұрын
@@StartRestoringHeadlights Oh I see 👍🏼 I've dealt with quite a bit of micro cracking over the years 👌🏼Some of the worst headlights I see for that here in the UK are V.A.G units, like Mk7 Golf R 😬 Always pleasing when they come good though. Hope you're well 👍🏼
@StartRestoringHeadlights5 ай бұрын
@@Number1HeadlightRestoration Yes! The Golf! I've had those too, Mercedes has a clear coat that causes pretty rough surface microcracks. Crazy how you deal with similar issues over there hah
@enterbros63714 ай бұрын
would you recommend 3m as a alternative sandpaper?
@StartRestoringHeadlights4 ай бұрын
3M can be pretty harsh. If you sand with your finer grit for a little longer than normal, you should be able to thoroughly remove all the scratches.
@jrv8586 ай бұрын
I have done a couple of head lights for car that i flipped/rentals i have but never tough of it as a business your video have me the idea to offer it as a side job i have always used 2k clear as im experience autobody painter i have had great results ....how long would the clear coat you used last for? Is it a 1k? Thank in advance
@StartRestoringHeadlights6 ай бұрын
With the right push, you could make it a full-time job. 2k's clears are terrible for the headlights since its not designed for polycarbonate. Its a 1k, no need to activate it. It can last between 3-5 years depending on the application, and how well its taken care of.
@grandmastert016 ай бұрын
Hi Brad , because I’m in upstate NY I don’t have the constant sunlight to cure the coating. How long does it take your UV light to cure the coating enough that it’s dry to the touch that if the customer has to leave I don’t have to worry that the headlight won’t get messed up
@StartRestoringHeadlights6 ай бұрын
Hi Tommy! Maybe 5 minutes for both lights. It dries it pretty quickly.
@grandmastert016 ай бұрын
@@StartRestoringHeadlights ok great seams like I often dont get direct sunlight because of trees or cloudy day
@vjeko86906 ай бұрын
I'm having the idea of this kind of business for almost a year now but stuck in the IT work from home job that pays well but sucks completely and can't get courage to start this job.(I have family of three kids...) Been doing it like a side job/hobby/illegally for few years now. Been through sand and polish techniques, few restoration kits, and latest I've been doing it with sanding + polymerization (acetone vapor). Did you maybe used it and what's your opinion on it? Is there any particular reason why you don't use cordless orbital sander? -also do you have some kind of database for customers so you know when you restored which car so you have evidence in case of a failure within warranty period? Greetings from Croatia
@StartRestoringHeadlights6 ай бұрын
This is your sign to do it then! Start it yesterday! Acetone vapor isnt good for the headlight, it can cause stress cracks in the future, and it also doesn't seal the lens, resulting in oxidation pretty soon. I don't use power tools because its excessive in my opinion. The old clear coat and oxidation is a very thin layer, theres no need to remove multiple layers of the lens to restore them. You also have more chances of burning the lens, damaging the paint on the body panels etc. Yes, we keep an Excel spreadsheet that we track everyone of our customers. I can tell you the first vehicle we ever did :) What I'm seeing a lot of issues with people starting this business, is they're afraid to invest. They don't want to spend money on advertising or marketing. They're comfort zone is spending $5 a day on Facebook, which will get them little to no results.
@vjeko86905 ай бұрын
Agree. Does your clearcoat hardens or it feels like 'gummy' to the touch?-in my country the closest to the pro spray i can get is 'HB Body C423 Lens clear' spray and it never fully hardens but remains very elastic to the touch..
@StartRestoringHeadlights4 ай бұрын
@@vjeko8690 I sweat I responded to this. Yes, it hardens. See how the C423 drys. Some need UV rays, some need heat, and some just need air/oxygen.
@GeneG-wk2mz5 ай бұрын
How many lights you can do with one can ?
@StartRestoringHeadlights5 ай бұрын
Between 2-3, depends on the size of the lens.
@mikerash11166 ай бұрын
Could/would you be willing to share a copy of your warranty? Where did you purchase your tape dispencer?
@StartRestoringHeadlights6 ай бұрын
Yes, shoot me an email. For the tape dispenser, you can pick them up at Lowes, however, they are kinda pricey since you have to get the dispenser and the blade separately.
@suddenlyentertaining22536 ай бұрын
Hey I really could use your help. I got everything and practiced on one of my wifes headlights. Turns out the tape I bought is bad for this. To much adhesive and the tape itself turns to mush. What brand do you use?
@StartRestoringHeadlights6 ай бұрын
Just regular Scotch 3m Painters Tape. This tape is good for wet sanding, because the adhesion turns soft by the time you're ready to remove it, reducing the odds of pulling up paint. I'd recommend automotive tape the next time.
@suddenlyentertaining22536 ай бұрын
@@StartRestoringHeadlights I appreciate it. Thank you!
@GILSJOURNEY6 ай бұрын
I have been practicing on my cars and most of my neighbors cars aswell. I am thinking of starting a business now that I've gotten enough experience. I was wondering what I can charge to do this. I've done my neighbors cars for free because they are low income and I needed the practice so it worked out in my favor. Thank you in advance for your time. I know you said 100 dollars in the video would that price be per headlight or the set of headlights?
@CoolcatTerri6 ай бұрын
Price will always depend on your area. There isn't a one size fits all for price. Look to see what competitors you would have in your area and see what they're charging and that will give you a baseline.
@StartRestoringHeadlights6 ай бұрын
If you are just starting, with no reviews or established portfolio, I would start with $74.95. Like CoolCatTerri said, If you do have competition, see what they are charging, but more importantly, see where they are lacking. How is there website looking, how is there Google Business Profile looking, do they have reviews and a portfolio? Your price should reflect on your skillset once you are established. Prices for headlight replacement are $500+, and people are too lazy to get a kit themselves. A good majority of them come out looking bad if they try it themselves anyway.
@GILSJOURNEY6 ай бұрын
@@StartRestoringHeadlights thank you, I am just starting out however I did quite a few cars first free so I could start to build a portfolio.
@karkule59196 ай бұрын
@@GILSJOURNEY Charge based on the vehicle and also the condition of the headlight and the area as well. For example, if new headlights for a Porsche is 6K, why would you charge the same price as a Toyota Corolla.
@GILSJOURNEY6 ай бұрын
@karkule5919 thank you, I was thinking the same.
@H.B.Fishing.6 ай бұрын
I think u need to do more research kid. I do lights off to the side and The Headlight Restoration Pro could really help you. I was just looking at different ideas and ill take his work over yours any day. Look him up on KZbin, youll see. Just trying to help ya.
@TeriyakiPapi6 ай бұрын
After watching the Headlight Restoration Pro it seems his method is a bit overkill. I don't see the point in 6 extra steps to reach the same outcome. Plus i can get an all in one kit from this guy! No need to buy 30 different products.
@StartRestoringHeadlights6 ай бұрын
I've done that method already when I first started, its exactly why I am doing this new method. If you are a hobbyist, or someone doing it "on the side" its good, but as a business doing it full time with employees, its not feasible to spend an hour and a half to 2 hours doing 1 vehicle. I appreciate your input though!
@StartRestoringHeadlights6 ай бұрын
@@TeriyakiPapi Agreed. Theres a stigma with headlight restoration that it takes hours and 10 different steps to do. Thanks for your input!