Intro

[harrellbenjamin]

I have had a thermo fogger for several years.Although I dont push it I get $45.00 per unit.Helps me be full service to my Dealers.Easy add-on and found money very often.I am so busy I only do this service by request.

[GlassStarz]

I worked at a dealership who had a regular customer who was a Sheep Farmer When he traded his trucks they were in great shape with low miles but WHOOO!

[ray6]

Had an interesting day yesturday. Don't know if this would apply to everyone since I don't know what materials you are using, but we have been working on a process that would better sell to the typical "buy here/sell here" lots. These lots typically are loaded with older inventory with a high rate of heatlight deterioration, but not willing to pay conventional rates.

Some currently either polish them out themselves, or have a detailer do it.

I believe many of you use some type of chemical stripper. Yellow-X?

Here's what we did:

Mask with tape around the lens. No other masking required, and even this is not required if you hand sand.

Strip old coating, as much as possible.

Immediately spray with water to neutralize the strip.

Sand with 2 or 3" 2000 grit disk to remove any visible coatingremnants and to provide a good tooth for hard coat.

Coat with UV/hardcoat, using a foam wedge. This seems to apply a much heavier coat than wiping with blue towel.

The finished surface is very clear, but not as smooth as conventional process. It only takes about 10 minutes or less per headlight. Since our goal is to work at a rate of $120 per hour, we can lower the per car price to $40 or less and still make our target hourly rate.

At this rate, this type of lot is a much easier sale.

The appearance between this process and the more conventional process is quite similar. The dealer was most pleased. At an average of $40 per car, we are much closer to what they're paying for just polishing.

This won't work for all headlights though. Lights with visible delamination of the factory coating may or may not clear. Also, doesn't work well with 2 Jeeps we tried. Had to redo conventionally.

The hourly rate may be too high for some areas, but you can price accordingly.

On some lenses (chrysler vans) the shortened process was brighter than the longer process. Don't know why.

I know this method will not appeal to all, and some may have a hard time with the quality issue, but in these troubled economic times it might be worth considering.

Also, I am assuming that yellow-X strips the old coating. I have never tried it.

Ray6

[ray6]

On my last post, left out two critical steps.

After sanding, fully wipe with alcohol several times to remove any residue and moisture.

Turn on headlights for at least 60 seconds before applying UV/hardcoat.

Ray6

[GlassStarz]

If your quick step is taking 10 minutes per headlight your doing something wrong my method doesnt take 15 minutes per pair and the result is perfect
I make a large portion of my income in the Buy Here Pay Here lots Just like with the windshield chips give em a flat rate if they do em all Guy has 5 sets of lights and 8 chips depending on the customer i may tell em something between $200 - $250 for the lot granted thats not a lot per car but you are already at the location you make $100 an hour while there and move on
I try to maximize my time with these guys Get a couple injectors working and go do a set of lights going back and forth until your done. two of these guys added to your weekly total is an extra 20k a year dont walk away from them