Questions We Get From St. Petersburg Locals.

Pricing

How much does headlight restoration cost? Standard service is $225 and includes the full professional restoration process, UV ceramic coating, and a 1-year written warranty. Premium service is $275 and adds a 5-year written warranty and our perfectly clear or it's free guarantee. Both prices cover both headlights on one vehicle. We provide transparent pricing before any work begins with no surprises at the end.

Why does professional headlight restoration cost more than a consumer kit? Consumer kits cost fifteen to forty dollars and use a simplified abrasive with a wax or polymer sealant that lasts three to six months. Professional restoration uses a full wet sanding progression, machine polishing, UV ceramic coating that chemically bonds to the lens, and a written warranty backing the result. The longevity difference is the process, the coating, and the guarantee — not a markup.

Is headlight restoration worth it compared to replacing the entire headlight assembly? In most cases, yes. OEM headlight assembly replacement typically runs several hundred to over a thousand dollars per pair before installation labor. Our Premium restoration with 5-year warranty costs $275 total. Replacement is the right call only when the housing has structural cracks, damaged wiring, or failed internal seals causing moisture intrusion. We assess that honestly before starting any work.

What is the difference between the Standard and Premium service tiers? Both use the same multi-stage restoration process and UV ceramic coating. Standard ($225) is backed by a 1-year written warranty. Premium ($275) adds a 5-year written warranty and our perfectly clear or it's free guarantee — meaning if we cannot restore your lenses to crystal clarity at the time of service, you do not pay. Most customers choose Premium for the extended coverage.

Do you offer volume pricing for dealerships and fleet operators? Yes. We offer tiered volume pricing for dealer lots and commercial fleet accounts. The more vehicles serviced in a single visit or on an ongoing account, the lower the per-vehicle cost. We also offer invoiced billing for established accounts. Contact us with your inventory size for an accurate quote.

Are there any additional charges beyond the quoted price? No. We assess the lenses before starting and quote the job based on what we see. If a severely oxidized lens requires additional sanding stages, we discuss that before proceeding. We do not add charges at the end of the job without prior agreement.

Scheduling

How far in advance do I need to book? Most appointments are available within one to three business days. We offer weekday, weekend, and evening slots. For fleet and dealer accounts requiring multiple vehicles in a single visit, additional lead time helps us schedule efficiently.

Can I book same-day service? Same-day availability depends on our current schedule. Contact us directly and we will let you know what is open. We do our best to accommodate time-sensitive requests when possible.

How long does a typical service appointment take? Most standard vehicle headlight restorations take 90 to 120 minutes for both headlights. Severe oxidation cases may take slightly longer. Marine light restoration time depends on the number of fixtures and their condition. We give an accurate time estimate when you book.

Do you work on weekends? Yes. We offer weekend availability along with weekday and evening appointments. We schedule around what works for you.

What happens if you need to reschedule due to weather? Certain weather conditions such as heavy rain or sustained wind affect the restoration process and require rescheduling. We monitor conditions ahead of each appointment and will contact you in advance if a change is needed. Rescheduling is at your convenience with no fees.

Materials

What products do you use in the restoration process? We use professional-grade wet sanding abrasives through a multi-grit progression, a professional machine polisher with appropriate compound, and UV ceramic coating specifically formulated for polycarbonate headlight lenses. We do not use consumer-grade kit products or wipe-on sealants.

What is the difference between a wax sealant and UV ceramic coating? Wax and polymer sealants sit on top of the lens surface and break down from UV exposure within three to twelve months. UV ceramic coating forms a chemical bond with the polycarbonate material and does not wash away or evaporate. This is what makes multi-year results and a 5-year warranty possible from a professional restoration.

Is the coating safe for the paint and trim around the headlight housing? Yes. We protect surrounding paint and trim throughout the process. Our wet sanding and application technique is controlled to avoid contact with adjacent painted surfaces. We are fully insured and have worked on all major makes and models including high-value vehicles with tight tolerances around the lens housing.

Do you use the same products on marine light lenses as on automotive lenses? The core process is the same. We verify the lens material before starting any marine job and confirm that the abrasives and UV ceramic coating are appropriate for the specific fixture. Florida salt air and reflected UV make marine lenses strong candidates for the same professional coating we apply to automotive headlights.

How should I care for the coating after the service is complete? Avoid automatic brush car washes for the first 30 days. Hand washing is recommended and extends the life of the coating. We walk you through the specific maintenance steps at the end of every job so you get the maximum performance from the UV ceramic coating throughout your warranty period.

Process

What does the full restoration process involve step by step? We start with a pre-service assessment of the lens condition. We then wet sand through a progression of grit levels from coarser to finer, removing the damaged surface layer. We machine polish to eliminate sanding marks and restore optical clarity. We apply UV ceramic coating and allow it to cure. We review the result with you before we pack up.

Do you sand by hand or use a machine? Both. Wet sanding is done by hand through the grit progression to maintain control over the lens surface. Machine polishing with a professional orbital or dual-action polisher follows the sanding stages to eliminate micro-scratches and restore full optical clarity before coating is applied.

Can you restore headlights that have interior fogging or condensation? Interior fogging is caused by a failed outer seal on the headlight housing that allows moisture inside. This cannot be fixed through exterior restoration. We check for interior moisture during our pre-service assessment and will tell you honestly if that is the cause before starting any work.

What do you check during the pre-service inspection? We assess the degree of surface oxidation, whether the haze is exterior or interior, whether there is any structural damage to the housing, and whether the lens has been treated previously with a consumer kit. This determines the process, the expected result, and whether restoration is the right call at all.

How do you handle lenses that have been damaged by a previous DIY attempt? Lenses with prior damage from incorrect DIY technique require additional sanding stages to cut below the scratched layer. We assess the depth of the damage and tell you what to expect from the result before starting. In most cases we still achieve a meaningful improvement. Under our Premium guarantee, if we cannot reach our clarity standard, you do not pay.

Warranties

What warranty comes with each service tier? Standard service ($225) includes a 1-year written warranty. Premium service ($275) includes a 5-year written warranty and our perfectly clear or it's free guarantee. All warranty terms, exclusions, and the claim process are provided in writing at the time of service. No other headlight restoration service in Pinellas County offers 5-year written warranty coverage.

What does the perfectly clear or it's free guarantee cover? The perfectly clear or it's free guarantee applies to our Premium service. At the time of service, if we cannot restore your lenses to crystal clarity, we do not charge you. If lenses yellow or haze within the 5-year warranty period, we return and re-do the restoration at no charge. Both commitments are provided in writing.

What voids the warranty? Coverage is voided by physical damage to the lens from impacts or accidents, use of automatic brush car washes that abrade the coating surface, application of aftermarket DIY products over our UV ceramic coating, and pre-existing interior condensation not disclosed at the time of booking. All exclusions are stated in the written warranty provided at service.

Do you offer a warranty on marine light restoration? Yes. Marine light restoration is covered under the same warranty structure as automotive headlight restoration. We walk marine customers through the maintenance steps that protect the UV ceramic coating in Florida's coastal salt air environment throughout the warranty period.

What do I do if I want to make a warranty claim? Contact us directly by call or text and describe what you are seeing with the lenses. We will schedule a return visit to assess the condition and, if the issue falls within the warranty terms, re-do the restoration at no charge. We do not require written documentation beyond the original service receipt.