Restoring The Notorious Corvette Headlights! | 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Headlight Restoration
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- Hello all! In this video, I'm restoring the headlights on a 2014 Corvette. These headlights had it all, microcracking, oxidation, old clear coat, and scratching. This was my first video recording at the Flea Market location we just opened up at, which is going surprisingly well! I'd love to do a live stream sometime at the flea market once we get our Carport and Wi-Fi set up. Exciting things to come!
I started with a 320 to remove all the imperfections. Once it was well removed, I moved on to the 400 grit to remove the deeper scratches made with the 320. Once that step was complete, I finished with the 600 to get the lens prepped for the clear coat. Since the clear coat has filling properties, I can skip the polishing process altogether, saving time, money, and headaches.
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Not sure ill be doing one of these in the UK anytime soon 😆 Well done 👏🏼
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 😁
@@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 👍🏼
@@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
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
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.
would you recommend 3m as a alternative sandpaper?
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.
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?
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.
@@StartRestoringHeadlights I appreciate it. Thank you!
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
Hi Tommy! Maybe 5 minutes for both lights. It dries it pretty quickly.
@@StartRestoringHeadlights ok great seams like I often dont get direct sunlight because of trees or cloudy day
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
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.
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..
@@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.
How many lights you can do with one can ?
Between 2-3, depends on the size of the lens.
Could/would you be willing to share a copy of your warranty?
Where did you purchase your tape dispencer?
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.
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?
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.
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.
@@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.
@@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.
@karkule5919 thank you, I was thinking the same.
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 CZcams, youll see. Just trying to help ya.
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.
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!
@@TeriyakiPapi Agreed. Theres a stigma with headlight restoration that it takes hours and 10 different steps to do. Thanks for your input!