HL Coat Dries Streaky ?

Why did my HL Sealer/HL Coat dry streaky or with lines?
There are four reasons why Clear Wipe will dry this way.

1. Hidden compound from polishing.

2. Applying to thin.

3. Excessive wiping.

4. HL Coat has thickened in container.

Below are more details on the 4 reasons:

1. Left over compound hidden application.  This will usually begin to show as HL Coat dries and look like gritty streaks.

2. HL Coat should be applied generously.  After wiping edges with corner of towel apply into HL Coat before proceeding down lens.  The lens should be very wet with HL Coat.

3. HL Coat should be applied quickly and generously, areas or runs.  Once it is applied it begins to dry so once applied discontinue wiping and allow time for it to level.  Cooler weather will give plenty of time for HL Coat to be applied.  As weather warms there is less time to apply.

4. HL Coat may accept small amounts of mineral spirits if it has not to far gone.  The most common cause of thickening is untightened caps.  For the best seal tightend thoroughly then rap bottom of cap tith electrical or teflon tape.  Near freezing or below temperature will cause thickening.  This is not due to solvent evaporation so thinning should not be done.  Storing containers in warmer locations will relieve thickening.

Advertising HLR to car dealerships ?

Are free headlight restoration demo’s a good way to advertise to used car dealerships?

Sure.  However a more efficient approach, would be to have a demo light to carry with you.  Approach the manager with a light half restored.  You won’t be denied the chance to show him your work because you will have it right there with you.
It will also save you much time from doing no pay demo’s.

To prepare a demo light find a corroded one from a salvage yard or one from a body shop that has been damage on the back side (one they will throw away).  Mask off half of the light and restore just one side. Use a canvas bag to carry around so the restored side doesn’t get scratched up while in transit.

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Color Enhancer & Touch Paint?

How Can I use Color Enhancer with touch-up paint?
On paint CE can minimize your time with scratch and chip repairs.  CE is meant to be used on damage that has not penetrated into the basecoat color.  CE creates a finish within the damage that allows the existing color to shin be through.
The best method to apply is as follows:

Clean damages areas with a microfibre cloth and laquer thinner.  Using a blue shop towel or other soft cloth rub small amounts of CE into damage.  Wait for solvents to flash off.  The wait time can be from seconds to several minutes.  Much depends on temperature, sun or shade and color of car.  To quick will pull the CE out and to late will make it hard to remove excess.  After wait time return with a microfiber folded flat and using light pressure wipe log strokes over area.  Wipe until area shines, however avoid over wiping.  The idea is to remove the excess CE while leaving as much as possible in scratch.  Look from different angle to make sure no excess CE is left. Vehicle should not be wash for 2-4 hours after application.  After these steps are complete, tech can proceed to touch up deeper damage with color.

Different touch methods can be used with CE to achieve great results.  (Always test a small area to see how well CE works with the basecoat brand you use.)  For instance when tiny chips cover the front of a car.  Clean area with a microfiber towel dampened with lacquer thinner.  Then using a blue shop towel or a small t-shirt cloth rub and dab basecoat into chips.  (Adding some Adhesion promoter to basecoat may help bond to damage).  Then wrap a soft block tightly with a t-shirt cloth.  Make sure bottom side is smooth with no wrinkles.  Dampen bottom side with CE.  After paint has dried rub area to remove excess.  If paint seems stubborn to remove mist a small amount of wax and grease remover (paint prep solvent) from a spray bottle over area and immediately rub again.  To much Remover will pull paint out of chips.  After all dried paint is removed use a dry, clean t-shirt cloth and block to clean off the excess paint and CE.  By removing this excess with a clean cloth save a good microfiber.  When mixing color adding a small amount of CE may make it easier to remove.

For deep scratches, we would suggest cleaning with lacquer thinner and microfiber, applying CE, shine with microfiber, apply color with bondo spreader (plastic razor blade might work), remove excess with wax and grease remover, if necessary after paint dries apply more CE and shine.  This method requires a spreader to be free of nicks.  Check carefully, if you feel anything rub edge with fine sandpaper (1500 grit).  With a smooth edge you can drag paint into scratch or chip with out leaving any outside of the scratch, except at edges of spreader and where you stop.  So when you remove the excess you wont need to wipe over the scratch.

To achieve high gloss results with larger damage, check out the Excess Remover from our Paint Touch-up Line.

Mobile or Brick & Mortar ?

Do professionals usually set up a shop or prefer mobile service?
Both.  Some businesses already have a shop for other services such as detail, tire, lube, tinting, etc.  But many are mobile, servicing auto dealerships used car department, detail shops, body shops, and the public.

Dvelup Automotive Reconditioning Products