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What's the average time to restore a set of headlights?

Posted: October 29th, 2015, 11:18 pm
by Aussie lights
Just wondering what's the average time other technicians take to restore headlights ?
Also with headlights with minor marks on the headlights is there an easier way then going back to 320 grit each time.
Is there anyone else from Australia on the forum

Re: What's the average time to restore a set of headlights?

Posted: October 30th, 2015, 5:22 pm
by Brent Deines
We spend between 30 & 60 minutes depending on the level of difficulty.

Re: What's the average time to restore a set of headlights?

Posted: October 31st, 2015, 12:26 am
by Aussie lights
With following all the steps from masking to sanding applying infinity usually with 2 coats it's about 80-90 min job.
I'm charging only A$66 trade A$88 public

Re: What's the average time to restore a set of headlights?

Posted: November 1st, 2015, 9:39 am
by screenman
45 minutes and I charge £60 a pair, there are cheaper guys about but none are very busy.

Re: What's the average time to restore a set of headlights?

Posted: November 4th, 2015, 7:48 am
by kevinsoupy
I just started HLR fulltime and I have noticed that it does take longer than I expected. I am sure as I get the feel of it better and lots more practice that the time will trim down a good bit. I am very pleased with Delta and I plan on using these supplies as long as I can. I have many people and a few dealers and they all understand that I am new and it will take me a little longer until I get better at HLR. They have all been very supportive so far.

Re: What's the average time to restore a set of headlights?

Posted: November 4th, 2015, 4:38 pm
by Brent Deines
As your skills improve you can shave some time off but to get the best results and protect the car properly takes some time to be sure. Although we never expect it to take us more than an hour we always leave ourselves a buffer. Those using Infinity 4.1 can speed up the dry time by using fans but we always try to leave as much time as possible for the coating to dry thoroughly before releasing the car into the customer's care. It takes about 24 hours for Infinity to fully cure and longer for Coat2Protect and most other coatings. Going through a car wash or driving on a gravel road before the coating is fully cured may affect the performance of the coating...any coating.

Re: What's the average time to restore a set of headlights?

Posted: November 5th, 2015, 8:38 am
by Old Blue 66
Depending on the vehicle (passenger car) Im at 30 - 45 minutes. A tougher one may be listed a a HL that has OEM clear which is difficult to remove like a Volvo XC90. For the newbie, 60 minutes should the be the norm until you gain experience.

But this also includes having all the tools and sanding discs easily accessible to make a quick change. In other words, you've streamlined your process and are efficient.

Re: What's the average time to restore a set of headlights?

Posted: November 6th, 2015, 11:18 am
by kevinsoupy
Thanks Brent. I had a very productive day yesterday and I am getting a better feel for getting the lenses thru the sanding process and results are really good. Now if I can get the weather to cooperate. 4 days of rain and one day off and on rain. Been tough getting much done that way. I have one dealership that will let me work in their shop but the didn't have much work this week.

Re: What's the average time to restore a set of headlights?

Posted: November 6th, 2015, 11:22 am
by kevinsoupy
Old Blue 66 I have only had one real problem and that was a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe with tips sticking out on the Headlights. Also had a Dodge Ram with an old restoration coming off and it was extremely time consuming for me at first but I got the hang of it. Any advice on the older Tahoes and such will be appreciated.

Re: What's the average time to restore a set of headlights?

Posted: November 7th, 2015, 9:50 am
by Old Blue 66
As mush as some would not like to hear this, there are vehicles that Ill pass on. They are just too time consuming. Most Chevy trucks are tough to do and we dont see many here in the upper midwest they need help. Ive done two in the last three years. Same goes for Ford trucks. If you see those more often, you must be in a different climate like out west.

Take a look at the pinned thread here "Tougher than normal HL's". While I dont agree with all of them, some are just a nightmare.