Headlight restoration only

[KWGUY]

Retired KWGUY would like to set up a mobile headlight restoration business. If money was no a big issue how would you Pro's set up your toolbox

Thanks in Advance
BA

[dcjredline]

Dewalt 20V drill with 2-4 5Ah batteries
Drill backing plate (Lake Country 3 Inch Drill Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/drill-backing-plate.html))
5 each 3" pads, Microfiber, Yellow, Orange, White (3 1/4 Inch Microfiber Cutting Pad (2-Pack) (http://www.autogeek.net/314inulduacm.html), Lake Country 3 Inch Flat Foam Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/3-inch-flat-pads.html))
McKee's Headlight Restoring polish (McKee's 37 All In One Headlight Restoring Polish, headlight restoration (http://www.autogeek.net/best-headlight-restoration.html))
Spray cans of 2k clear or maybe a regular can to brush it on.

Since using the McKees I havent had to use sandpaper anymore but if you want you can carry some wet/dry sandpaper or discs and some water in a spray bottle too.

[CarolinasFinestDetailing]

Thats actually a great business model. You can visit mechanic and all types of car shops and give them wholesale pricing as well.

You can literally fit everything you need in a Stanley Mobile Workstation box.

[FrankS]

Dewalt 20V drill with 2-4 5Ah batteries
Drill backing plate (Lake Country 3 Inch Drill Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/drill-backing-plate.html))
5 each 3" pads, Microfiber, Yellow, Orange, White (3 1/4 Inch Microfiber Cutting Pad (2-Pack) (http://www.autogeek.net/314inulduacm.html), Lake Country 3 Inch Flat Foam Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/3-inch-flat-pads.html))
McKee's Headlight Restoring polish (McKee's 37 All In One Headlight Restoring Polish, headlight restoration (http://www.autogeek.net/best-headlight-restoration.html))
Spray cans of 2k clear or maybe a regular can to brush it on.

Since using the McKees I havent had to use sandpaper anymore but if you want you can carry some wet/dry sandpaper or discs and some water in a spray bottle too.

:iagree: This is a good basic setup which will take care of most headlights.

I just did a quick HLR for my neighbor last weekend. Someone told him to use brake cleaner to clean his lights. He tried it and it didn't work out so good. The brake cleaner started melting the plastic.

Here's the light before I started and the damage caused by the brake cleaner. Both headlights looked like this.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2783/800_IMG_3226.JPG (https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/120074/title/800-img-3226/cat/2783)

I pretty much used the same setup mentioned by dcjredline - Dewalt 20V drill with 2Ah battery (you'll get more life from a 5Ah battery), LC 3" Drill BP, LC 3.5" Foamed Wool Pad and McKee's 37 AIO HLR Polish.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2783/800_IMG_3225.JPG (https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/120073/title/800-img-3225/cat/2783)

Results were not perfect but much better. Good enough for just a quick restoration job that was a freebie.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2783/800_IMG_3230.JPG (https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/120077/title/800-img-3230/cat/2783)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2783/800_IMG_3229.JPG (https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/120076/title/800-img-3229/cat/2783)

Sealed with Meguiars Headlight Protectant. I realize it won't last that long but again, I didn't have much time and it was just a quickie. I'll do them again when needed since he lives across the street.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2783/800_IMG_3228.JPG (https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/120075/title/800-img-3228/cat/2783)

You will need to sand if the headlights are in bad shape or the factory coating has begun to fail.

I keep all my headlight restoration products in a plastic storage box where I keep different grits of sandpaper, foam, wool and MF pads.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2783/800_IMG_3232.JPG (https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/120078/title/800-img-3232/cat/2783)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2783/800_IMG_3233.JPG (https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/120079/title/800-img-3233/cat/2783)

I would also invest in a coating such as Opti-Lens in case it's windy and using the spray cans of 2K clear is not conducive.

I also like using the Griots Garage Mini 3" DA when I have access to electrical power. The GG Mini is great for sanding and when using thin pads.

[Route246]

I don't think McKees AIO is going to cut really deep yellow etching. You're going to have to sand with 1000 at a minimum and perhaps 800 or 600 if it is really deeply etched.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dcjredline]

"spray cans of 2K clear is not conducive."

Which is why I mentioned maybe a regular can of 2k clear to brush on. There is also that big thread about the mixture of products from Home stores but I didnt want to recommend a product not sold at AG.

[KWGUY]

Thanks for sharing. Guys like you make this forum special
Thanks Again
BA

[Mantilgh]

If money was no a big issue....

I'd get a Rupes Nano and a LHR 75E.

Rupes Bigfoot Nano iBrid Short Neck Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-ibrid-nano-short-neck.html)

And some sanding disks.

RUPES BigFoot Nano iBrid Pads & Accessories, iBrid replacement parts, iBrid refills, where to buy iBrid pads, iBrid sanding discs, (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-ibrid-accessories.html)

And/or a Flex PE8

FLEX PE8 Kompakt Rotary Polisher, motorcycle polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-pe8-compact-rotary-polisher.html)