What to expect from a mobile appointment.

Mobile service means the work comes to you. Most appointments happen in a driveway, a parking stall at work, or a shaded spot outside an apartment building. You don't drop the car off, you don't sit in a waiting room, and you don't lose half a Saturday to an errand.

Here is exactly how an appointment runs, from the first message to the moment we pack up.

Step 1: Send photos. It starts with a few pictures of both headlights and one of the whole front of the vehicle. Those photos let us confirm the condition of the lens, the size of the headlight, and whether restoration is the right approach before anyone drives out. Daylight photos taken straight on work best — a close-up of each lens plus one wider shot.

From the photos we can usually tell the difference between surface oxidation, which restores beautifully, and internal problems like a cracked lens, a failed seal, or moisture trapped inside the housing. If replacement is the honest answer, we say so instead of booking the job.

Step 2: Pick a time. VP Headlights charges a flat $69 per pair of headlights on any vehicle, so there is no estimate to wait on — you get availability back and choose a window that works.

Step 3: What we need on site. Very little. A parking spot with room to open a door and walk around the front of the vehicle, and ideally some shade — direct midday sun makes coatings flash off too quickly. We bring our own power and water, so you don't need an outlet or a hose. Covered parking, a garage, or a shaded stall is a bonus but not required.

Weather matters more than location. Restoration needs dry conditions and a surface temperature that lets the coating cure properly, so appointments occasionally get moved when rain or snow rolls in. We would rather reschedule than rush a finish that won't last.

Step 4: The work itself. On appointment day the car stays where it is. The paint and trim around each headlight are masked off, then the damaged outer layer of the lens is removed and refinished in stages with progressively finer abrasives. That is what actually clears the haze — polish alone only hides it for a few weeks.

Once the plastic is clear, the surface is cleaned and sealed with a protective coating that shields it from UV. The vehicle isn't disassembled, the headlights are never removed, and no parts leave the car. Wiring, seals, and the factory housing all stay untouched.

Step 5: How long it takes. Most cars and SUVs take about 45 minutes to 90 minutes for a pair of headlights, depending on how far the oxidation has progressed and the size of the lens. Larger commercial vehicles take longer. You are welcome to work, stay inside, or run errands nearby while it happens — we only need you at the start and the end.

Step 6: The walkthrough. When the work is done we look at the results with you before packing up, in daylight, from a few angles. If anything doesn't look right, we address it on the spot rather than asking you to book a second visit.

Aftercare. Leave the headlights dry for the first 24 hours where you can — skip the car wash and avoid soaking the front end. After that, wash them like the rest of the car. Don't scrub the lenses with abrasive polish, bug remover, or shop rags, since those attack the protective coating that keeps the clarity from coming back cloudy.

How long the results last depends mostly on sun exposure and where the vehicle is parked. A car that sits outside all day in Utah's high-altitude UV will age faster than one that lives in a garage, but a properly coated lens should stay clear for years rather than months.

Common questions. Do you need my keys? No — the headlights are accessed from outside the vehicle. Can you work in an apartment lot? Yes, as long as we can legally park beside the car and there is room to work. Can you do more than one vehicle at the same address? Yes, and it's usually the most efficient way to book. What about fogging on the inside of the lens? That's a seal or moisture issue and exterior restoration won't fix it; we'll tell you that from the photos.

Mobile restoration exists because the alternative — driving to a shop, waiting, and paying for replacement assemblies — costs far more time and money than the problem deserves. Send photos of your headlights and we'll come to you.