Headlight Cleaning

[Boris]

Since you've done interior / touch-up in the past I don't need to tell you the competition at used car lots is huge. And if headlights is all you do, you are very limited b/c almost every vendor offers this service along w/ 2-3 other things. And managers have told me vendors come in several times a week. I'm talking about servicing new car dealers used inventory. I've never had much luck w/ the corner used car lots. They seem to do a lot of that stuff in-house. But you don't know until you ask.

I don't do much retail but the need is there. Just take a look at the lights in any parking lot.

There is a need for headlight cleaning. As mentioned above ... just look around.

People need clean headlights. But they don't WANT clean headlights. I think that's where this gets a little dicey.

Sell the sizzle, not the steak. But there's no sizzle to cleaning lights. Except, of course, if somebody is trying to sell the car. Then the sizzle is the additional coin he/she can make.

Obviously, you can make money doing this. There's lots of products and opportunities out there that involve buffing up those weathered low-beams. But it is going to take some old fashion effort, getting out there, talking to people, and dealing with rejection.

A thick skin, a "people personality," and the right chemicals/method will go a long way.

Wholesaling the product, though, is a whole different nut. There are so many products on the shelves at auto stores and big box discounters.

I think you'll need top-quality marketing, design and packaging to make even a small dent in the competition.

What always intrigued me was the idea of selling some "proprietary formula" stuff at fairs/flea markets/farmers markets ... stuff like that. Basically a huckster, selling the product with a captivating spiel and effective demo. Still, back to the original problem: Nobody WANTS clean headlamps.

Well, let me ask you this. Most of what I am seeing is the old sand, wipe, buff type of cleaning. This is labor intensive and messy. While I do see some of the better, easier wipe and seal, it appears the sanding is still the most popular. Am I wrong?

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by Andy

Well, let me ask you this. Most of what I am seeing is the old sand, wipe, buff type of cleaning. This is labor intensive and messy. While I do see some of the better, easier wipe and seal, it appears the sanding is still the most popular. Am I wrong?

IF the dealers or customers see you simply wipe on and wipe off, they feel you haven't worked for the money. Yes, the headlight got cleaned, but the perception is what allows one to charge more.

Bud Riggs perfected the 3 minute job, but, at the end, he went back to sanding, tripled his price (60 bux) and had no drop in demand.

Also, it is presentation and knowledge of the different types of plastics and how they were treated, so, you could clean a headlight, but, to RESTORE it, then sanding is done.

But, you test your market. I wouldn't do dealers in my area, prefer a little biz card on the parked vehicle and a phone call.

And, as posted above, very few people actively want this, but if you bring it to their attention, then you get jobs.

Wipe on wipe off chemicals could also permanently streak the plastic if it has even the smallest of chips or stonemarks.

Gordon

Originally Posted by GordonJ

IF the dealers or customers see you simply wipe on and wipe off, they feel you haven't worked for the money. Yes, the headlight got cleaned, but the perception is what allows one to charge more.

Bud Riggs perfected the 3 minute job, but, at the end, he went back to sanding, tripled his price (60 bux) and had no drop in demand.

Also, it is presentation and knowledge of the different types of plastics and how they were treated, so, you could clean a headlight, but, to RESTORE it, then sanding is done.

But, you test your market. I wouldn't do dealers in my area, prefer a little biz card on the parked vehicle and a phone call.

And, as posted above, very few people actively want this, but if you bring it to their attention, then you get jobs.

Wipe on wipe off chemicals could also permanently streak the plastic if it has even the smallest of chips or stonemarks.

Gordon

HOLY CAMOLY....what Negativity! I can't believe it!

"First off...."dealers or customers see you simply wipe on and wipe off, they feel you haven't worked for the money. Yes, the headlight got cleaned, but the perception is what allows one to charge more.

I DO NOT ASK THE LOT OWNERS TO COME AND WATCH ME! I simply ask if I could clean ONE Headlight on ONE car. I use my "Secret Stuff" and go back to the Office and ask the owner to COME SEE WHAT I'VE DONE!

He does NOT KNOW if I've used a BUFFER or SANDER of whatever....all he knows is....YUP! THAT HEADLIGHT SURE LOOKS A LOT BRIGHTER THAN THE OTHER!

Gee Willikers! It's called "SalesmanShip"! If you allow Lot Owners to SEE what yer doin'.....their FIRST instinct is....."Hey! Why do I need THIS guy, I kin do dis myself!"

Excuse em waa.....THIS is for LOT OWNERS ......NOT vehicle Owners!

Hey....again....we're NOT talking here about "ROCKET SCIENCE"! If the guy who's gonna PAY ME (owner of the Lot).....sees the headlight I cleaned AND....IT LOOKS CLEANED AND BETTER THAN THE ONE I DIDN'T CLEAN...he doesn't give a whoopy fizz about "RESTORATION"....he's ONLY looking for a way he can;
SELL his vehicles....FASTER.....and for MORE MONEY! He doesn't give a "Rats Butt" about how long the clean headlight lasts!!!!!!

We are NOT trying to sell to OWNERS of VEHICLES! We're selling to Used Car Lot Owners!...which is a WHOLE DIFFERENT BALLGAME!

A guy in my town sells "RESTORATION OF HEADLIGHTS"! He charges $60! and does a BUFFER thingee! This is NOT the "Market" I'm taking about!

I am NOT interested in "setting up shop on a street corner, to sell to vehicle OWNERS!"

My "Target Market" is.....USED CAR LOT OWNERS who's ONLY interest is;
SELLING VEHICLES FASTER
and
FOR MORE MONEY!

Heck.....if the Headlights turn into mud a week AFTER car buyers get their cars home.....IT'S UP TO THEM TO HIRE SOMEONE TO "PROPERLY RESTORE"!

We're talking here about TWO (2) different Markets!

I have never had any interest in Satisfying CAR OWNERS! That's atotally DIRRERENT Market! My Market is satisfying used car lot OWNERS! IF.....you can see the difference!

Don Alm

Also.....whenever I've gone into ANY Used Car Lot and asked the OWNER if he has any cars where previous owners were SMOKERS.....they've ALWAYS (on a lot of 10 cars or more) given me TWO or more.....for which I took my can of "Fog" (cost me $3.50ea) .....filled the interior and a few minutes later...open the doors and WHALA.....NO MORE SMOKY SMELL! You Kiddin' ME! They QUICKLY GIVE ME $35 PER VEHICLE! If you can't do this for TEN cars a day.....you ain't tryin'!

[GordonJ]

HOLY BATMAN...litttle ol you...

can do atha??? All by y0urself???

You the man Don, You the man.

GorDon

Originally Posted by Don Alm

HOLY CAMOLY....what Negativity! I can't believe it!

"First off...."dealers or customers see you simply wipe on and wipe off, they feel you haven't worked for the money. Yes, the headlight got cleaned, but the perception is what allows one to charge more.

I DO NOT ASK THE LOT OWNERS TO COME AND WATCH ME! I simply ask if I could clean ONE Headlight on ONE car. I use my "Secret Stuff" and go back to the Office and ask the owner to COME SEE WHAT I'VE DONE!

He does NOT KNOW if I've used a BUFFER or SANDER of whatever....all he knows is....YUP! THAT HEADLIGHT SURE LOOKS A LOT BRIGHTER THAN THE OTHER!

Gee Willikers! It's called "SalesmanShip"! If you allow Lot Owners to SEE what yer doin'.....their FIRST instinct is....."Hey! Why do I need THIS guy, I kin do dis myself!"

Excuse em waa.....THIS is for LOT OWNERS ......NOT vehicle Owners!

Hey....again....we're NOT talking here about "ROCKET SCIENCE"! If the guy who's gonna PAY ME (owner of the Lot).....sees the headlight I cleaned AND....IT LOOKS CLEANED AND BETTER THAN THE ONE I DIDN'T CLEAN...he doesn't give a whoopy fizz about "RESTORATION"....he's ONLY looking for a way he can;
SELL his vehicles....FASTER.....and for MORE MONEY! He doesn't give a "Rats Butt" about how long the clean headlight lasts!!!!!!

We are NOT trying to sell to OWNERS of VEHICLES! We're selling to Used Car Lot Owners!...which is a WHOLE DIFFERENT BALLGAME!

A guy in my town sells "RESTORATION OF HEADLIGHTS"! He charges $60! and does a BUFFER thingee! This is NOT the "Market" I'm taking about!

I am NOT interested in "setting up shop on a street corner, to sell to vehicle OWNERS!"

My "Target Market" is.....USED CAR LOT OWNERS who's ONLY interest is;
SELLING VEHICLES FASTER
and
FOR MORE MONEY!

Heck.....if the Headlights turn into mud a week AFTER car buyers get their cars home.....IT'S UP TO THEM TO HIRE SOMEONE TO "PROPERLY RESTORE"!

We're talking here about TWO (2) different Markets!

I have never had any interest in Satisfying CAR OWNERS! That's atotally DIRRERENT Market! My Market is satisfying used car lot OWNERS! IF.....you can see the difference!

Don Alm

Also.....whenever I've gone into ANY Used Car Lot and asked the OWNER if he has any cars where previous owners were SMOKERS.....they've ALWAYS (on a lot of 10 cars or more) given me TWO or more.....for which I took my can of "Fog" (cost me $3.50ea) .....filled the interior and a few minutes later...open the doors and WHALA.....NO MORE SMOKY SMELL! You Kiddin' ME! They QUICKLY GIVE ME $35 PER VEHICLE! If you can't do this for TEN cars a day.....you ain't tryin'!

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by Don Alm

I have never had any interest in Satisfying CAR OWNERS! That's atotally DIRRERENT Market! My Market is satisfying used car lot OWNERS! IF.....you can see the difference!

I think Don has a good point. Car owners and used car lots are two quite different markets.

As for which is better… Hey, that might depend on the person.

If you're not sure which to do… Try both! See which works best for you…

Best wishes,

Dien

Originally Posted by GordonJ

IF the dealers or customers see you simply wipe on and wipe off, they feel you haven't worked for the money. Yes, the headlight got cleaned, but the perception is what allows one to charge more.

Bud Riggs perfected the 3 minute job, but, at the end, he went back to sanding, tripled his price (60 bux) and had no drop in demand.

Also, it is presentation and knowledge of the different types of plastics and how they were treated, so, you could clean a headlight, but, to RESTORE it, then sanding is done.

But, you test your market. I wouldn't do dealers in my area, prefer a little biz card on the parked vehicle and a phone call.

And, as posted above, very few people actively want this, but if you bring it to their attention, then you get jobs.

Wipe on wipe off chemicals could also permanently streak the plastic if it has even the smallest of chips or stonemarks.

Gordon

I won't get into the dealer or retail argument here. I think both have merit
My dealer experience is limited and deals with another product, so there.

On the retail side, using Bud Riggs info, I fixed headlights for neighbors
and people they (the neighbors) referred. I've walked a few parking lots just
to see what would happen.

The opportunity is plentiful. Some want it, some don't care.

For anyone looking to get into this as a "quick moneymaker", pay attention to
Gordon's observations in this thread.

All plastic lenses are NOT the same, therefore results will vary.

Also, if you are fixing headlights outdoors and not in a controlled environment
weather conditions: temperature, wind speed & direction, humidity levels, sunny
or cloudy, will have an affect on your results. Doesn't matter what headlight
cleaning product you are using.

Customer expectations is another variable that you need to be aware of BEFORE you
start fixing their lens.

There are others.

That said, with the right approach, I think that headlight cleaning could be set up
as one of Dien's "absentee owner" businesses.

Ron

Ron, good commentary ...

However, I'm interested in how/why you think this would word for absentee ownership.

Seems to me to be something that would NOT work for that approach. Curious to here your reasoning ... I think I am too limited in my thinking on a lot of this stuff.

Originally Posted by Robert J.

Ron, good commentary ...

However, I'm interested in how/why you think this would word for absentee ownership.

Seems to me to be something that would NOT work for that approach. Curious to here your reasoning ... I think I am too limited in my thinking on a lot of this stuff.

Robert,

Bud Riggs said he made thousands of dollars sitting by the roadside
cleaning headlights.

I never tried it that way, but based on my experience, I believe he did.

I would set up retirees with the knowledge, sauce, location and banner.
There are tons of retirees looking to make a few bucks on the side.

A few of these set up around town would give me a nice side income, while I
pursue other interests.

Ron