Headlight Restoration
Headlight Restoration Cost in 2026: $80–$150
Headlight restoration is the best add-on in the business: high perceived value, tiny consumable cost, and a visible before/after that sells the next job for you. Sold standalone it's a lead generator; attached to a full detail it's near-pure profit.
Get the Course — $39Typical price
$80–$150
Time on site
45–75 minutes for the pair
Gross margin
90%+ — under $6 in abrasives and coating per car
Headlight Restoration Pricing by City (2026)
| Metro | Low | High | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | $85 | $160 | Austin |
| Dallas, TX | $80 | $155 | Dallas |
| Houston, TX | $80 | $150 | Houston |
| Phoenix, AZ | $80 | $150 | Phoenix |
| Las Vegas, NV | $85 | $160 | Las Vegas |
| Los Angeles, CA | $110 | $205 | Los Angeles |
| San Diego, CA | $100 | $190 | San Diego |
| San Francisco Bay Area, CA | $110 | $210 | San Francisco Bay Area |
| Seattle, WA | $90 | $175 | Seattle |
| Portland, OR | $90 | $165 | Portland |
| Denver, CO | $90 | $165 | Denver |
| Chicago, IL | $90 | $165 | Chicago |
| Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN | $85 | $160 | Minneapolis–St. Paul |
| Boston, MA | $100 | $190 | Boston |
| New York, NY | $110 | $210 | New York |
| Atlanta, GA | $85 | $160 | Atlanta |
| Miami, FL | $90 | $175 | Miami |
| Orlando, FL | $80 | $150 | Orlando |
| Charlotte, NC | $80 | $150 | Charlotte |
| Nashville, TN | $85 | $160 | Nashville |
| San Antonio, TX | $80 | $145 | San Antonio |
| Philadelphia, PA | $85 | $160 | Philadelphia |
| Washington, DC | $90 | $175 | Washington |
| Tampa, FL | $80 | $150 | Tampa |
| Jacksonville, FL | $75 | $145 | Jacksonville |
| San Jose, CA | $105 | $195 | San Jose |
| Sacramento, CA | $85 | $160 | Sacramento |
| Riverside, CA | $75 | $145 | Riverside |
| Columbus, OH | $75 | $145 | Columbus |
| Indianapolis, IN | $75 | $140 | Indianapolis |
| Cleveland, OH | $75 | $140 | Cleveland |
| Cincinnati, OH | $75 | $145 | Cincinnati |
| Kansas City, MO | $75 | $145 | Kansas City |
| St. Louis, MO | $75 | $140 | St. Louis |
| Detroit, MI | $75 | $145 | Detroit |
| Milwaukee, WI | $75 | $140 | Milwaukee |
| Baltimore, MD | $80 | $150 | Baltimore |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $75 | $140 | Pittsburgh |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $80 | $150 | Salt Lake City |
| Tucson, AZ | $75 | $140 | Tucson |
| Albuquerque, NM | $70 | $135 | Albuquerque |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $70 | $135 | Oklahoma City |
| Memphis, TN | $70 | $135 | Memphis |
| New Orleans, LA | $75 | $145 | New Orleans |
| Birmingham, AL | $70 | $135 | Birmingham |
| Louisville, KY | $75 | $140 | Louisville |
| Raleigh, NC | $80 | $150 | Raleigh |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $80 | $145 | Virginia Beach |
| Richmond, VA | $75 | $145 | Richmond |
| Boise, ID | $80 | $145 | Boise |
What the Job Actually Involves
- 1Tape the surrounding paint generously — sanding slips happen
- 2Wet sand progressively: 800 → 1500 → 2500 → 3000 grit
- 3Machine polish with a compound and wool or microfiber pad
- 4Wipe with IPA to verify no haze remains
- 5Apply a UV-blocking clear coat or dedicated lens coating — never just wax
- 6Cure 30 minutes before the client drives
What's Included
- Multi-stage wet sanding on both lenses
- Machine compounding and finish polish
- UV-protective lens coating
- 12-month clarity guarantee
Profitable Add-Ons
- Taillight and fog-light restoration+$40–$80
- Trim restoration package+$60–$120
- Full detail attach+$225–$385
Margin Killers to Avoid
- ✕Skipping the UV coating — they yellow again in 4 months and you eat the redo
- ✕Sanding without taping and burning the fender edge
- ✕Jumping grits and leaving sanding marks the polish can't remove
- ✕Selling it at $40 to compete with a YouTube DIY kit
Sell Headlight Restoration at the top of the range
The complete Mobile Detailing Academy course covers pricing menus, intake forms, and the scripts that hold your number. $39 one-time.
Get the Course — $39