Head light restoration

**bald richard** · 06-09-2016, 08:21 PM

How long does the typical restro. last?
Average cost?

**Mike@ShineStruck** · 06-09-2016, 10:56 PM

You looking to DIY or pay somebody?
I did a few with just paint sealant, going on 4 months
Only going to expect 6 months without reapplication of sealant every month
I'd imagine a year easy with a coating

**dcjredline** · 06-10-2016, 12:08 AM

Depends what "typical" is to you. Typical AG'er that does it I would guess seals it with something and it should last 6 ish months. Typical local hack that gave you the best price...MAYBE 1 month.

It all depends on the application and sealant used.

**Setec Astronomy** · 06-10-2016, 06:50 AM

For cars that are outside 24/7, I'd say two years tops for sanding and multiple coats of Opti-Lens, before the lens is noticeably yellow again. That's noticeable to a 'Geek, so maybe 3 years for a normal person.

**bald richard** · 06-10-2016, 07:08 AM

Thanks for the replies guys, I was thinking of starting to incorporate head light resto. In my offerings.
I'm looking at around $50 for the service & trying to get a feel how long the service would last.
Thanks again, Rick

**Setec Astronomy** · 06-10-2016, 08:03 AM

Just remember I said "tops". But from a business standpoint, if someone comes to you with a horrendously cloudy lens, and you sand it and make it look like new, I'm not sure they will care if it's yellow in a year, as long as it's not all clouded up again. Not sure how they will feel if it's all clouded up again after 2 years.

But I don't restore headlights for a living, so I'm not the best person to ask. There is a huge long thread somewhere about the Spar method that may have some more insight for you if you have a week to read it.

Headlight sealant: spar urethane vs. opti coat 2.0

**Coopers ST** · 06-10-2016, 09:31 AM

Not to thread jack this, but what are your favorite restoration kits?

**RangerDetails** · 06-10-2016, 09:39 AM

I've been doing headlights restoration for about a year now
(minus winter time). The ones I did a year ago are still holding. I use CG Jetseal to seal the healdights, but will soon go with OptiLens which is supposed to protect the headlights for like 10 years.

**Setec Astronomy** · 06-10-2016, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by RangerDetails

but will soon go with OptiLens which is supposed to protect the headlights for like 10 years.

Ha ha, where did you get that from? I don't think OPT makes any claim at all for Opti-Lens, and 10 years would be better than the factory coating, which it certainly is not.

**RangerDetails** · 06-10-2016, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Ha ha, where did you get that from? I don't think OPT makes any claim at all for Opti-Lens, and 10 years would be better than the factory coating, which it certainly is not.

That is why I said supposed. I can't remember where I saw 10 years but it was not from the company itself, you are right.

But on their website they state "Once applied, Optimum Opti-lens will form a permanent bond to the surface and can only be removed by polishing or paint removers."
I take the word Permanent as a long, long time.