Advice On Buying Rubber Car Mats

Rubber car mats are one of the most important pieces of car decoration designed for a specific purpose. The main purpose of a car mat is to protect the floor of the car from dust, dirt, mud and water that might get into the car through the driver or passenger. Whenever you go outside, you collect a certain amount of dust and dirt on your shoes and if it's the rainy season, mud and soaked shoes are the norm.

Whenever you get into your car with dirty shoes, your car flooring gets dirty. Mats can help you to keep your car floor nice and clean all the time. These rubber mats are designed specifically for that purpose and so they don't crack, break or shrink. They are also durable and can withstand rough usage.

Car rubber mats come in a variety of different designs, colors and sizes to suit any needs you may have. While the main purpose of these mats is a practical one, it does lend a certain amount of flair to the interior of the car as well. Due to this reason a little bit of versatility in the appearance of the mat can be helpful as far as the car's interior decoration is concerned.

Different cars have different spatial arrangements when it comes to their floors. Some cars have wide spaces whereas others have small spaces. The mats come in different sizes to meet any need you may have. They also come in many different colors like black, red, brown etc for aesthetic reasons. This way, you can choose a color to match the upholstery of your car.

As car rubber mats come in contact with water or slush from time to time, they are made to be weather resistant. They will not shrink or melt with the various seasons. They will remain strong and durable for a considerable amount of time. Most of these mats also come with anti skid grooves underneath to prevent any slippage. They also come with a non stick coating on the top which makes them easier to clean when they get dirty. A little bit of water will wash off any dirt or dust sticking to these mats.

While you can buy them from stores, they are also available for purchase online. There are many reputed websites online which can help you in choosing the perfect rubber car mats for your needs. Not only will you be able to get great discounts online but you can be assured of a product with unparalleled quality.

Do you want an all in one source to help you find the cheapest Car Mats For Sale? We help find the mats of your choice such as Rubber Car Mats

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10 Car Cleaning Tips

Keeping one's car clean is often viewed as a chore or something that is time-consuming and laborious. For people out there who do not enjoy washing and taking care of the vehicle, there are ten car cleaning tips that will help to make this process go easier, make the car look fantastic, and will help to keep it cleaner between regular cleanings.

1. The first step in keeping the car clean would be to unsure that trash and items get taken out of the car regularly. Trash should not be left in the back seat for days at a time. If there is a bag from a fast food restaurant, it should be thrown out that day. This will cut down on the cleaning time where a thorough job is done.

2. Car mats in the car will help to collect water, mud and debris. In between regular cleanings, these mats can be quickly and easily shaken out to keep the dirt out of the car.

3. The trunk and back seat of the car is often a collection place for books, jackets and more. Keeping a small box or bag in the back where a few items can be stores can keep things organized and in one place.

4. When doing a full cleaning of the car, the use of a protecting spray that cleans and treats the dash is recommended. One recommendation would be to not use this on the steering wheel as it can make it slippery and potentially dangerous.

5. A crevice tool for the vacuum is necessary when it comes to getting into the areas between the seats and the console. Otherwise, dirt will be left behind.

6. If the car has leather seats, it is a good idea to use a liquid leather product that is designed to treat and maintain. This will aid in preventing cracked seats.

7. On the outside of the car, using a combination wash and wax product will save considerable time.

8. To avoid getting any water spots on the car, towel drying should be done with a soft and lint free towel.

9. Tires should receive an application of tire spray. These sprays usually should sit on the tire for a few minutes before being wiped off. This will give the tires a nice shine to them.

10. Finally, an air freshener should be placed in the car or one should be sprayed in the interior.

With these simple steps, car cleaning is quite easy to do and maintain.

Find more tips for car cleaning such as weather protection and paintwork protection on the official Mitsubishi website.

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Advice On Buying Custom Car Mats

Custom car mats are very popular in demand among the many car owners out there in the world. They not only help in sprucing up the interior part of the car but they also protect the car floor from many undesirable substances like dirt, dust, mud etc. These mats look good in different types of cars. So whether you have an SUV or an exotic sports car, you can use these mats to have a clean floor.

These mats also come in a variety of different types in different materials, sizes, designs and colors to meet any practical or aesthetic requirements you may have. Always remember that cleanliness is not important only for the exterior part of the car. The interior, even places that are not easily noticeable need to be clean.

When buying custom car mats, it is important to get ones that gel with the color of the car and the interior theme of your car. As these mats come in a variety of different colors like black, green, brown etc, some buy any of these colors without paying attention as to how these colors fit the interior of their cars. In the end, they look out of place and dreadful. The aesthetical factor is just as important as the practical one.

When it comes to custom mats, you can design them the way you want. Therefore you have the freedom to make some really unique designs for the interior of your car. The material, color, embroidery, piping styles and stitch styles are all customizable when going for custom mats.

If you are interested in getting these custom car mats, you can go online to the many websites that are out there. Most of these websites will have a virtual mat maker to allow you to make your own mats. This application will help you to choose the material of your choice, your design, color etc; so that you can get a visual example of the concept you have in mind. You can play with the different options to make the mat you want for your car.

Buying these mats online has its advantages. You can look for the car mats you want by sitting at home. It can save you time and money as you simply have to make a few clicks to find out what you're looking for.

Custom car mats can help you to decorate your car's interior. Though the floor may not be instantly recognizable, having the right mat will make them noticeable. Apart from the aesthetic boost, they will also help you to protect your car flooring from dirt and mud.

Do you want an all in one source to help you find the cheapest Car Mats For Sale? We help find the mats of your choice such as Custom Car Mats

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Aftermarket Lamborghini Gallardo Tuning Options

There are many different ways and products that can be used to improve handling, acceleration, and looks for the Lamborghini Gallardo. Because it was Lamborghini's most produced car in company history, there is a large aftermarket marketplace for these sports cars.

The stock Gallardo is capable of staggering 0- 60 mph acceleration times that range from 4.3 seconds with the 2006-2008 Spyder, to 3.4 seconds with the LP 570-4 Superleggera model. Two V-0 engines are also used: a 5.2 liter V-10 that was used in the more powerful "LP" models and the 5.0-liter V-10 that was standard in the rest of the model line. One of the most popular modifications for the Gallardo is an exhaust system. Usually made of stainless steel, the aftermarket system is lighter and reduces backpressure, resulting in more power. In conjunction with the exhausts, aftermarket intake systems that increase airflow to the engine are also used to increase power. Owners can choose to install ECU tunes that will yield a moderate power increase depending on the other aftermarket modifications that have been fitted. However, no singe modification will result in the incredible power increases that forced induction is capable of. Some companies such as Heffner Performance have designed twin-turbocharger upgrades that are capable of producing 1,200 horsepower.

After power upgrades, the next step is usually upgrading the handling so that the Gallardo can better perform on the track. Numerous companies such as Hamann Motorsports offer suspension upgrades such as springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars. Buying adjustable versions of each of these allow drivers to create the optimum suspension setup for the road or racetrack. Another way to improve handling is to equip the Gallardo with new carbon fiber spoilers and diffusers that help create downforce and channel air at high speeds for better stability.

But for some owners, power and handling just aren't enough. Those that want to give their Gallardo that extra aesthetic upgrade will often install aftermarket Lamborghini wheels. The most popular Lamborghini wheels are forged 3 piece wheels. These wheels offer the strength and low weight advantages of forging while still providing a unique multi-piece look. Most forged 3 piece wheels can also be finished to complement the outlandish colors that Lamborghini offers for the Gallardo models.

Along with the wheels, many can choose to upgrade the stock braking system to larger big brake kits. These brakes will provide fade-free stopping power that drivers desire on the track. By decreasing the stopping times, drivers can also reduce their lap times.

The Lamborghini Gallardo has the largest aftermarket tuning market for any Lamborghini model as it was the most produced car by the Italian automaker. A number of upgrades from Lamborghini wheels to ECU tunes are available to increase performance figures and add that extra styling element.

Braxton Herring is a contributing writer at COR Wheels. COR Wheels specializes in forged 3 piece wheels and Lamborghini wheels in a variety of both traditional step lip, reverse, and concave designs.

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How to Register a Car in Spain

How to register a car in Spain

Registering a car in Spain yourself is a fairly straightforward process if:

1) All your paperwork in order.

2) You speak Spanish

3) You don?t mind waiting a long time in queues

The paperwork required by an owner of the vehicle wishing to register their car in Spain is:

- Original V5 logbook of the vehicle

- Passport (No photocopies)

- Original NIE

- Original and updated Padron (This is a certificate stating you are living at a particular address in Spain. It will also include your NIE number)

These documents will needed to be presented to SUMA (Local Government building where you will pay your road tax), Local Tax office and Trafico (Traffic department). Many of these places will require a photocopy of each document so it is well advised to take 2-3 photocopies of each document.

The following is a step by step explanation of what needs to be done to register a car in Spain .

First of all a technical report of the vehicle (what is known as a "Ficha Reducida") needs to be written by a certified Engineer (often referred to as a Perito) These vary in price, but you should not have to pay more than 80 Euros. Some charge up to 175 Euros but with the economic crisis and shortage of work it is very easy now to negotiate a good price!! Do shop around too as there are many Engineers out there that can write a technical report of a vehicle.

Once you have been issued with a technical report you will then need to book a time with your local ITV (MOT station) to get your vehicle passed. Although your vehicle may possess an up to date MOT certificate, in order to register a car in Spain it MUST pass a ITV test.

The ITV test is fairly rigorous, but if your car has no serious faults it should pass first time. If you have any doubts about whether your car will pass the ITV test for one reason or another it may be best to have your local garage do a pre-ITV check-up so it definetly passes first time.

Once your vehicle has passed it?s ITV then you need to wait a couple of days to get all your paperwork back. Once the paperwork has been picked up it?s then time to prepare to test your patience and Spanish and finish the job of registering a car in Spain!!

I can only vouch for Alicante but many of the local Government building are fairly close to one another. First of all you will need to pay the road tax for your vehicle at a SUMA building. Here you will need to show your passport, NIE, Padron, ITV paperwork and your V5 logbook. Road tax is calculated on the region the car resides in, the engine size and the Carbon Dioxide emissions. To register a car in Spain the road tax must be paid during the re-registration process, otherwise the paperwork will not be accepted when you finally reach the Traffic department. Once the road tax is calculated you can either pay the amount on the spot by credit card or pay it at a local Bank.

The next step to register your car in Spain is to head over to the tax office. Here you will need to pay the "impuesto de matriculacion" (Special Registration Tax) This tax figure is calculated by the Tax office?s value of your vehicle, the age of the vehicle and it?s Carbon dioxide emissions. Once this is calculated you then pay this amount at a local Bank and then return to the tax office to be issued with a paper stating you have paid the amount.

The final step to register a car in Spain is to visit Trafico (Traffic Department) and fill in a form (576 - Solicitud de Matriculacion) and pay an administration fee of 91.80 Euros at the cashier. Once this is paid you will then be issued a number, you will then wait for your number where you will present all the paperwork. The paperwork will be your Road Tax receipt, your ITV paperwork, receipt that the Tax has been paid, original V5 logbook. You will also be asked to show your passport, Padron and NIE.

Trafico will keep your paperwork (except your NIE, Padron and Passport) and process it. You will then be able to collect it along with your new logbook the next day from 10.00 am. With your new logbook and NIE you will then be able to have your Spanish plates made up. These cost between 15-20 Euros and there are a few places around the Trafico that can do this for you. There are also a few bars near the Trafico where you can de-stress and enjoy a well earned drink...

If, however, you prefer to let a professional, experienced and friendly person living in Alicante City handle all the paperwork and stress for you, then please visit http://www.registeracarinspain.com/

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Bumper Bracket Fabrication

For the fabrication of new bumper brackets, begin by lining the bumpers up to the body, using something to stabilize them. Check and make sure that the body is level on each side and that the bumper is level with the body. After you have made sure that they fit well, measure the clearances and remove the bumper from your vehicle. Following that, flip it upside down.

First of all, run a 1/8 thick flat bar vertically across the bumper's deepest channel and stitch weld it in place. On the edge of the lower section, run and stich weld a vertical strip of the same material, then form the foundation by running a horizontal flat bar over each section. Run some bolts through pre-drilled holes. Then, attach tighten, and weld some nuts into place. Tighten the outer nut first, then weld the inside nut. After that, remove the bolt after loosening the unwelded nut.

Next, for the mounting flange of the bracket, measure then cut some 1/8th thick plate metal. Drill holes and mount it accordingly. It is now time to attach the bumper and check the fit. You can also design and mock up some brackets on chip board to check out the effect. Cut the sides out using a nibbler in the 1/8th thick material. Lay out the template and after spraying blue-dykem, scribe it on the sheet. Turn the driver side over and cut a section matching the bracket angle, and tack weld it in place using a 90° magnet holder and repeat this on the other side.

Now, cut another plate in order to fit the longer section. Beside the vise grip, you will see the small round tubing, which will help hide the fasteners in the bracket at the bolt locations. After all are welded properly, you can start the first fitting to the bumper and frame. Following measuring, drill some holes for mounting and mount the bracket with the help of wing nut clecos.

Mark the outer bracket's perimeter onto the mounting plate, and then remove the assembly. After then, clamp and weld them together, through the pre-drilled holes which are larger, for better welding penetration to the plate. For the corners, weld and ground them down as well. Stitch the metal properly so that the unit can be strengthened to be tougher.

Now, use the tubing that was completed just now to hide all the the fasteners. In order for the metal to be placed on the bracket's opposite, there are angle cuts for the purpose and you can close them in flat. After this, you are now ready to work on the front bumper instead. You will notice that both the rear and the front frame horns are open on the ends, hence, you can try making a slide plate, which will be welded by some nuts so that it can be attached to the brackets and the weight of the bumper can be supported.

Now, all you have to do is to insert a bolt and then tighten the nut down prior to welding, so that it can act as a clamp. At this point, you will need to make only a few stitches. In order for the threads to start easily, counter sink the bolt holes slightly. Drill four holes in the frame, two for attachment of bolts and two for welding, and then slip the nut retainer into the frame. After that, tighten and weld them in place. Many people will have the ability to perform these techniques spelled out in this article but for some part of the work may be best performed by a reputable street rod shop.

Finally, you have the fronts and you are ready to check placement. Together with the freshly created bracket, tack the fastener-tubing spacers in place, to the base plate. Then, wrap the metal around the bracket's fastener side, and then weld it in place. Ground them smooth and bead them. Then only install them with case. Repeat this at the rear and you can enjoy having the look of a nice bracket which also has perfect toughness and sturdiness.

Welcome back my friends to a show that never ends, look inside, look inside at the ultimate Street Rod Shop tour at Jeff Lilly Restorations. Taking the Car Building world by storm one project at a time.

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Finding the Right Car Parts and the Right Repair Shop

No one wants to be in an accident. There is a risk of injury or death and it can be a traumatic experience and give you serious reservations about driving in the future. What's more, a mild to serious accident can leave you without a car. With an older car, this could prove to be a real issue. Seeing all the car parts strewn across the accident scene can leave you will a sinking feeling that your car is over and done with, apart from the shock and disbelief that is so common after being in a car accident. So the real question is what is next.

After a car accident, depending on how serious the accident was, your insurance company will determine if your car is a total loss or if it can be repaired. If you own an older car, the chances are high that if the insurance company considers it would cost more to repair it than the car is actually worth, they will total it. However, this is not always the case.

If the insurance company decides not to total your older model car then you need to look for repair shops to have your car fixed. Your insurance company will typically make an assessment as to which car parts you will need to repair your car, and in some cases, they will even recommend or demand you use a particular repair shop.

In order to avoid this, you want to be sure that your insurance company pays you directly for the repairs as opposed to settling the bill after the repairs are done. This will give you the freedom to have the car repaired where you choose and have the car parts used that you wish to be used.

The next step is to find a repair shop to fix your car. What you will want to do is find a place that will use the car parts you want used in the repair of your car. This is an important step, because some repair shops will use after market parts automatically, but you have to stipulate if you want them to use OEM parts. Unfortunately, it isn't unheard of for shops to use after market parts while still charging you OEM prices, which if you didn't know are more expensive.

Lastly, before you decide on a repair shop, consider the reviews that the shop have received. Look online and do a search for reviews of a particular shop. You are bound to find something and if the reviews are good, you know you've made a good choice. If they are bad, you saved yourself from a car repair nightmare. Also check with your local BBB to see if there have been any complaints.

Older cars can be a challenge to repair, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. You can even find factory original parts as well. It might take more time, and it could be a bit more expensive, but if you want the car repaired, bumpers, fenders, car panels and all, and have it done right, the time and extra expense it will cost you will be worth it.

John black writes about a wide range of topics. Pls. Click on the links to learn more about Car tail lights and Japanese car parts or you can visit http://www.panelhouse.com.au/japanese-car-parts/.

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Eight Reasons for Tinting Your Vehicle Windows

Vehicle window tinting is one of the most popular car enhancements available today. Automotive specialty stores offer window tinting for all kinds of vehicles, including cars, SUVs, trucks, and RVs. Aside from aesthetic appeal, there are many reasons that vehicle owners choose to have tinted film placed on their windows.

Reduce heat and avoid overheating. Heat build-up in your car is not only uncomfortable for you and your passengers; it can put a strainon your engine and air-conditioning system. Tinted windows help to minimize the accumulation of heat within a vehicle. In fact, some films on the market today offer an 85 to 95% heat rejection rate. That translates into a much cooler car, even on the hottest and most humid days.

Protect your vehicle's interior. The UV rays of the sun can damage the interior of your car. Upholstery may fade after long-term exposure to the sun. Leather seats may crack and become brittle as well. Tinted windows block 99% of the sun's harmful rays, protecting your car's interior from pre-mature aging.

Protect your skin. Just like your car's interior, your skin is susceptible to damage from the UVA and UVB rays that filter into your vehicle through the windows. Sun damage to your skin can lead to cancer. Window tinting can block those damaging rays and prevent you and your passengers from dangerous sun exposure.

Reduce glare. Tinted windows help reduce the glare of the sun during daytime driving and the glare of headlights at night. This reduction will allow drivers to have a clearer view of the road and ideally, be able to avoid deadly accidents.

Improve fuel-efficiency. Because tinted windows keep a car's interior so much cooler, there is less strain put on the vehicle's engine and air-conditioner. Drivers are able to save some money because they will not be wasting fuel by cooling down their car dramatically each time it has been sitting for long periods of time.

Protection during an accident. In the event of an accident, window tint can help shattered glass hold together, protecting you and your passengers from dangerous shards of glass that may result from an impact.

Improve security. Window tinting blocks a potential thief's view of the valuables inside your vehicle. A criminal is less likely to break-in to a car unless he knows that there is something he wants. Darkened windows can deter thieves who attempt to "smash-and-grab" valuables from your vehicle.

Improves appearance. Tinted windows add a sophisticated style to any vehicle. Whether you prefer to make a bold statement or desire a subtler look, various shades of tint are available to fulfill all of your style requirements. However, drivers must follow local window tinting regulations and guidelines in order to avoid costly fines and tint removal.

Auto window tint offers numerous benefits to the consumer, making it an extremely popular enhancement for vehicle owners around the country. It is important to remember that you must find a qualified installer who can inform you about your tint choices and install it professionally and correctly. Getting it done right the first time will eliminate tint removal and replacement in the future.

Bruce DeDona is the owner of DeDona Tint and Sound. His company offers full service window tinting solutions for Cars, Trucks, Semi's, RV's, Homes and Corporate Offices in Greensboro, NC and the Piedmont Triad.

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Car Servicing: Best Car Maintenance

Men treat their cars as precious as their girl friends. They do a lot of upgrades and accessories just to make it look good. They do everything to enhance the beauty of their cars. Mostly they upgrade the engine into car racing type. Add accessories like bumper, skirts, tented windows, turbo engines, mags, wheels, and a lot more. They spend money for its body beauty but also you need to consider the maintenance of its engine.

Car Servicing is one of the effective ways of maintaining the quality of your car. Autos need to undergo into regular check up to avoid any repairs. With proper car maintenance it will last for several years and you'll be able to use it when needed. When you buy a brand new car, most car companies have car servicing offers included to the car warranty. You need to follow the car servicing maintenance being schedule according to its miles. Auto owners must follow the advice of the car companies because they know better. If it is your first time to own a car, you must ask your friends or people whose expert in car maintenance like the car mechanic. You should not take for granted the maintenance of your car. Human being needs regular check up to their doctors while auto needs regular tune up and check up from auto servicing.

Never do the car maintenance by your own unless it is a minor maintenance and you had experience with cars. But if you have no experience at all, don't risk any of it and just go to the nearest car servicing in your area. Listed below are some maintenance tips you should consider in taking care of your cars:

• Regular Car Service - It is important you follow the car service schedule according to exact distance/miles or time period. Most of the time, car companies scheduled it for you. It usually happens in first 1-3 years of owning the car.

• Proper Oil Change of Engines - Oil change should be done once a year or depending on it running miles. Follow the mechanic advice. With proper engine oil change guarantees a long engine life.

• Check Fluid Level - It is something can be done with the car owner but if you don't know how to do it ask for your mechanic helps although it's very easy to do it yourself. The essential fluids like coolant fluid, Brake fluids, battery fluid, and transmission fluid should be checked and maintained on a regular basis.

• Check Break and Tyres - These are the commonly used factor of your car so it advisable to check them every day if they works fine before using the car. Check if the break pressure is on the right level. Check if tyres are performing well with the right amount of air.

• Car Body Maintenance - You should also maintain the looks of your car. See if it needs body repaint. Check the minor parts such as side mirrors, headlights, bumper, doors, seats, and other body parts of the car. It is not necessary to have brand new body parts every day but just make sure it still working fine for you.

Pre NCT test dublin and pre NCT/DOE - Get the best service from the company that cares.

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Enhance The Performance Of Your Car With Basic Auto Accessories

Nowadays, the market is flooded with a wide range of advanced auto accessories. They can be the perfect add-ons for your car. You can beautify your cars and enhance their performance in an efficient manner with various auto accessories. You should buy them according to your needs and requirements. You also need to carry out a thorough market research before purchasing accessories for your car.

Now, we are going to talk particularly about auto accessories. Make sure that you read this article carefully. All these points could be of great help to you.

1. Auto Entertainment Accessories
You can increase the comfort and luxury of your car with auto entertainment accessories. A wide range of auto entertainment accessories are available in the market. You can make your journey and holiday road trips more interesting with various entertainment devices. Most of the cars are now fitted with advanced CD players.

2. Auto HD cameras for your cars
Most of the luxury cars are now fitted with HD car cameras. You can easily record great footages with these high definition accessories. You can easily locate the exact GPS location of any incident with HD car cameras.

3. Auto Car Stereo Systems
Car stereo systems are greatly preferred by many car owners. You must always look for the best option in the market. You must always buy advance featured stereo systems.

4. Auto Remote Starters
You can start your car from a distance with advanced remote car starters. Remote car starters are available in a wide range of features. You must always buy them according to your needs.

5. Auto iPod and iPhone adapters
If you are tired of listening to your old car radio, then you can simply install iPod and iPhone adapters in your car. You can also buy an FM transistor for your car. You can listen to your favorite songs while driving, using iPod adapters.

6. Dual Screen Players
Many car models are comprised with auto DVD players. These auto players are sold separately also. You can keep your kids entertained on the back seats with auto screen players. They can be installed easily. You can also take the help of professionals.

Auto car accessories can surely enhance the performance of your car in the best possible way. You need to be very careful while buying them for your vehicles. You will really have a great time with these advanced and efficient auto accessories.

Give Your Vehicle A Makeover With Brilliant auto accessories

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Custom Door Fit Fabrication

To build and fix a custom door on your car that fits safety requirements and will fit your preference is not difficult if you follow the steps below.

First, make a template for the door opening from cardboard, which may be subjected to adjustments later on. Next, cut a two inch strip form 18-gauge cold rolled steel and bend it into 90 degrees, with dimensions of 1x1 inch. Fabricate it with the template as a guide and tweak it into perfection against the real opening. It will form the inner door perimeter. Then, bend another strip into 90 degrees, with dimensions of 1x2 inch, forming the outer perimeter. In the inner structure, punch holes along the horizontal flange for welding later on. Slip the outer flange over the inner one, allowing adjustment for the width of the door. Check and tweak the pieces until they fit the template exactly.

Now, clamp both perimeters together and weld the bottom of the door too, where the pre-punched holes were. Then put the frame back into your vehicle to check its fit as well as to trace the proper hinge location and mark the attaching points. Original woody hinges are recommended if they are the correct shape and small enough. They will be undetected after being covered by the installed wood trim.

Drill a radius at the corners using a small hole saw and remove the excess metal using a cut off wheel. Now, the cut-outs should be completed. For the backing up of the threaded fastener plate, you can fabricate a "stair step" holder with a front cover which features access holes for the installation, removal or loosening of the bolts when adjusting the door into perfect fit.

Along with the fastener plate as well as the holder, fit the frame with the hinges and weld them in place after precise placement. You should have a functioning swinging door. Lay out and mark 20 gauge steel for your lower beam support, then bead roll a number of strengthening grooves so that the door assembly can be stiffened. Using a 36-inch roller, roll the ? beads out on both the inner and outer panels, following the markings you just made.

With the help of a Tenn Smith brake, bend the panels so that one can be fitted inside the other, the fit provided by the 90° lips. A rectangular beam will be formed by the two pieces, stiffening the door and allowing fastening spots for a power window system.

Spot weld the stiffening tube together, and cut the back half on each end out and install them to the door, so that stitch weld can be done. Then, cut strips from 20 gauge and lay them out for two qty pieces, and bend them at 90°. Weld the 2 channels together so that the window channel rear portion can be formed, which is where the glass's rear edge will slide vertically. To achieve desired width, use ? inch square tubing as form, and clamp the two sections in place for welding. After welding, leave it to cool.

After fitting the channel to the rear door edge at the driver's side, you can see that ample clearance is allowed for the door catch which will be mounted later on. Then, install the channel and weld it to the passenger side door. Build channels measuring 2x1 inches, with a small lip bent on the 2 inch side. Fix the interior window sill to the frame and weld it in place. Now, trial fit and cut the window fuzzys to length for the mock up later on. Build a channel as well as pie cut a section. For matching of the roof line, shrink the upper section. Install a 3/16ths wood for temporary glass to check fit, if clearance is right, tack weld the channels properly. Spot weld the inner and outer frames together with the top window channel. As you can see this is not an easy task to build a one of a kind door but at least you know the correct techniques to expect if you have to choose a street rod shop to build it for you.

Finally select small bear claw latches including door panel corners that are pre-notched for the latch. Cut a notch at the edge of the rear door so that the unit could be fitted in. Fabricate a cap to finish the cut out and weld the cap and the latch plate in place. Ground it smooth and you are done.

At Jeff Lilly Restorations we specialize in building one of a kind street rods at our street rod shop located in San Antonio, Tx. Give us a call today to get your project started!

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How to Get The Best Window Tinting for Your Money

With summer around the corner, motorists in high numbers will be opting for professional window tinting services. Just like anything, educated research will go an incredibly far way. By taking several things into mind, it will be overwhelmingly easier to ensure that money spent on your vehicle window tinting will go as far as possible.

Here are several tips that will arm you with the necessary information to be an educated shopper:

Budgeting the proper amount - Remember, lowest price does not always win. Surely, $99 and $120 tint specials are common - and even enticing. But using better judgment can go a far way. As the old saying goes: you get what you pay for. From bargain basement to the ultra-high performance, expect to see prices ranging from $80 up to $450. As with anything, usually the middle ground is the road best traveled.

Expect to pay $150-$200 for a basic lifetime warranty film. If you desire added heat protection, you can count on dishing out a price in the mid-$200's. Remember, this is your vehicle - and most likely it will be yours for some time. Being sure to get the best value, even if it costs a few dollars extra, may be worth it.

Ask for referrals - A tried and true method. If a company is as good as they claim to be, they should have no problem furnishing a list of clients willing to speak on their behalf. If the company is unable to do that, it may be best just to walk away.

Experienced Installers - It's extremely important to get an idea of exactly who will be tinting your car. If that individual was employed in a different field 6 months ago, would you want him to tint your car? A good rule of thumb is to seek a window tint installer with a minimum of five years experience. If they have stuck around the industry that long, chances are that they are good at what they do.

Ask about the warranty - Most companies offer a lifetime warranty on their products. Or at least that's what they advertise. If the company is offering a lifetime warranty, be sure to ask for a warranty card from the manufacturer. A proper window tinting service should furnish a manufacturer's warranty on the product itself. The installation component should be insured by the company tinting your car.

These four points will go a far way in helping you get the car window tint that you enjoy having on your vehicle. Shopping for a tint is not an overly complicated process, yet it should be approached with the same due diligence as anything else. Do you homework and you will be a lot happier with what you get in return.

Robert Coralis is a hired writer for My Window Tinting Dallas. Robert writes on a wide array of topics ranging from automotive to personal finance. In his spare time, he is a fitness enthusiast and yoga instructor.

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Major Differences Between Summer Tyres And Winter Tyres

Changes in weather needs a lot of things around us to be changed right from our eating habits, to dressing style, to the things we use in our day to day lives, one such thing that needs attention is the tyres of our vehicles. Depending upon the weather conditions, there are various different types of tyres available that can be used by the drivers and that can be bought easily for our vehicles.

Some of them are meant for the hot and scorching weather found in many countries and the other is for the cold and icy climates. The basic two types of tyres that are widely used are Summer Tyres and Winter Tyres.

Summer Tyres

These are special type of tyres that specially moulded for use in summers, these specific type are also known as a high-performance tyres because due to the low pressure in summers the chances of the them to burst are high and hence they should have a high performance ratio. While designing summer tyres there are few things that should be kept in mind factors such as their grip on the road, the driver should be able to keep control even at higher speeds. Tar roads heat up very quickly and therefore these tyres are required and they work best on dry roads.

They are heat resistant but one major loophole with these tyres is that they wear out very early just of the high temperatures they are exposed to.

Winter Tyres

The basic purpose of designing such tyres is to make vehicles skid free and work properly even in moisture and snow. Snow accumulation, ice are few major driving concerns, vehicles get blocked in them and the tyres get jammed hence special type of tyres designed for cooler climates. A very special type of rubber is used to cast these tyres; the main feature of this rubber is that it helps to push the vehicle through icy roads.

They are long lasting, and resistant to wear and tear, although they cannot be used very efficiently on heated roads because they are made for high pressure regions.

Although there are hundreds of different varieties of tyres available in the market but while choosing one, you should be well aware of the road, the climate and the region and of course the usage of the vehicle and choose a tyre accordingly.

Other than a summer tyres and winter tyres, all season tyres are also available in the market. But for extreme climates it is always preferred to buy whether specific tyres.

For more information on Summer Tyres and Winter Tyres please visit our website.

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Bumper Prep Fabrication Techniques

Sometimes you will need to refurbish or restore your bumper or other chrome-plated parts, and it can be done at your own personal garage, saving you some decent cash for restoration. When you are at it, it is advisable to always start with a good core and check for fit first.

For starters, get the bumper supported on a stand and work out flaws by tapping with a hammer and dolly. Remove the dents on the bumper and then use files to refine the metal. File the common flat areas with a flat file to remove any flaws. For those corners which are hard to reach, a bull nose file may come in handy. After that, block sand with a power sander, starting with 80 grit. For the contoured areas, make use of round PVC blocks. You can use a long power air board file for the knocking out of remaining flaws. After it is done, give the bumper a wipe down using grease remover and wax or shine.

Next, you can work on the areas which require attention such as bumper guards and their fitting. If it fits badly, you can add some wire and weld it to the inner edge. When all fits well, you can attach the bumper onto a bumper rack (if you have one) and clamp it. Cut down the copper in 180 grit, and find low spots at the same time. During plating and electric process, copper will tend to build up on the outer edges due to the amperage draws. You can take some photos to know where are the areas you want to work on first. Continue to block sand until it is quite smooth.

Next, do plating if necessary as you won't be able to apply primer using a spray gun. If there are any scratches or strikes, you will need to coat the whole bumper and block it once more. Then, for inspection, wet it down. Check for dips and other problems, and tweak them into perfection.

For copper build ups, you can use a smooth sander to knock them down nicely. It will leave you with a surface that has small curly cue on it when you are done. Put a strike on the bumper so that the smoothness can be seen and compared. Grit (320) and sand (400) the bumper and get ready for polishing. After a final wet down, the bumper should look great. Polish the copper until it has a clear and mirror-like finish. Recommended are tools like the RotoSet as well as the Roto Star from Shunner, both which may be the best tool for the job.

The smaller grooves as well as the nooks and crannys can be settled with the small RotoSet. You can use many bars of compounds. Start with rough to medium, to fine and final color from left to right. You can make use of a variety of buffs to alter the amount of space in between the threads of the buff, ranging from aggressive to refined, so you can work by trial and error to achieve the best results.

It is advisable not to use compounds of different nature on the same wheels, because once there is a certain grit coated on, it will be ingrained. You should also clean the buff in between rounds. Using a bit of 600 grit, finish off the bumper and give it a nice polish for a mirror-like finish. Apply compound now and wipe the copper down using grease remover and wax intermittently. Keep in mind that these techniques work within a professional level street rod shop so they are proven methods.

At the same time, keep your eyes open for scratches. After finishing off with the polish, grease removal as well as waxing, you are almost done, hopefully with things looking good for your car. You now have the completed section and should be ready to plate it using chrome and nickel. Following that, install it and you are done with your nice looking and sturdy bumper, which should really be worth your time and effort!

If your looking for the premium street rod shop to build your custom ride then look no further then Jeff Lilly Restorations.

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How Do I Look After My Vinyl Wrapped Car?

First of all, if you are unsure about car wrapping please read this article 'What is car wrapping?'.

Car vinyl wrapping has recently been used to change the colour of cars. Vinyl wrapping has many advantages over the traditional method of painting, such as quicker turnaround, smaller cost and the wrap can be removed to reveal the cars original colour. Although it may look very similar to a traditional painted vehicle, there are some small precautions you should take while washing your car.

One of the most common questions we get asked is 'How do I look after my vinyl wrapped car?'. Some wrapping companies tend to mislead customers by advising them that the wrap will last forever, this is simply not true. You can expect the vinyl wrap to last anything between 5-7 years. A vinyl wrap is effectively a large sticker carefully fitted to your vehicle and as you may know stickers can tend to lift up at the edges, especially if you are not careful whilst washing your car.

We suggest that you do not use the automatic machine car washes and instead use hand car washes. We are not short of these in the UK! If you go to a hand car wash, simply advise the staff at the car wash that your vehicle has a vinyl wrap and not to go too close with a powered jet wash. We would recommend that they do not go any closer than 1ft (12inches) with a handheld jet wash.

Special care and attention is due if using any cleaning chemicals, always test the cleaning chemical on a small area first to make sure that the cleaning chemical does not damage the vinyl. This also applies to wax and polishes. Although generally the vinyl can be polished, we would always recommend that you test the polish first. You should also ask the wrapping company for a small sample of the vinyl used on your car, so that you can use it as a test piece.

Also try to avoid using machine polishers. Machine polishers tend to be too aggressive for vehicle wraps, you may risk damaging the vinyl. This also applies to abrasive materials. Abrasive materials will damage the wrap so steer clear from these.

Any good wrapping company will have cleaning products available to take care of your vinyl wrapped car. Be sure to check what products are available. If you have any more questions regarding taking care of your vinyl wrapped car simply send me an email and ill do my best to answer.

Car Wrap UK - Vehicle Colour change specialists
info@carwrapuk.co.uk
http://www.carwrapuk.co.uk/
Unit D1, Hastingwood Trading Estate, 35 harbet Road, London, N18 3HT

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Exclusive Camaro Parts for Enhancing Vehicle Looks and Performance!

Chevrolet is a brand known for its extraordinary quality and great luxury. Chevrolet cars have a niche in the car industry and have a special place in the hearts of car lovers. It is one of the most sought after brands in the car industry; they offer a huge range of luxury as well as sporty cars. One such popular car which is loved by the sport car lovers is Camaro. It is known for its versatility and ability to be used as a racing car. If you have a sports car like Camaro, you would definitely love to enhance its looks with some state-of-the-art accessories like Chevrolet headlights, tail lights, exhausts systems and many other custom designed parts.

One can easily change these custom parts which are manufactured by aftermarket car parts manufacturers. You will find a wide range of choices including Chevrolet tail lights, headlights and so much more. If you are in love with your car and want to enhance its looks, choose some of the available accessories and enhance its appearance. You will receive many appreciations from your friends and family for sure. But for all this you need to spend a huge amount of money which is quite comprehensible. Imagine the pleasure you will have while driving such a uniquely designed exclusive car. This will make you a head turner. By using these high-class Camaro parts you can get a more pleasurable and comfortable ride.

When it comes to the Camaro parts there are having two categories: accessories and performance parts. Undoubtedly, you will find a huge variety of such products; you will get Chevrolet headlights, tail lights, grills, hood, bumpers and lot more. All these Camaro parts are available in various styles and forms, according to your needs you can choose from the lot. These parts are made of fine quality materials and they are quite strong and durable. These parts are designed under the supervision of experts and are aimed to last for many years. Well, these are the accessories which can enhance the looks but there are other type of parts also which are designed with the aim of improving the car performance.

If you want to improve your car performance, you need to install some special parts such as spark plugs, air intake, shocks & struts, drums and brake rotors. All these Camaro parts are especially designed for enhancing the performance of your car. Using these auto parts you can greatly increase the fuel economy and output of your vehicle engine.

Choose the parts according to your need and make your car look and perform stunningly well.

Author has 3 years experience in Internet Marketing.If you looking for the best quality of lights for your car for cheap tail lights and checkout for many luxury cars lights like Chevrolet headlights etc.

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A Basic Understanding of Methanol Injection and Octane Ratings

The stoichiometric ratio commonly known as the Air-Fuel Ratio (AFR) is a ratio of the particles of air to the fuel. As you notice on the chart different fuels have different AFR's. These ratios represent the amount of air it takes to completely burn the desired fuel. These air fuel ratios are extremely important for dyno tuning because they are indicators of how rich or lean your engine is. For regular fuel (premium gasoline) Rich is considered to be AFR between 1 and 14.7 and lean is considered to be 14.7 or more. To know exactly what your air fuel ratio is it is recommended to buy an Air/Fuel ratio gauge and wideband sensor which can be found in our store.

Octane plays a key role in your performance as it will help you or hurt you tremendously. Most know that the higher the octane rating the more power you can make, but why? Back during the First World War we discovered that tetraethyl lead or (TEL) can be added to gasoline to increase the octane rating. Octane numbers are the amount of compression the fuel can take before it combusts without spark. For an example 87 octane will combust naturally without spark before an octane rating of 93. When your fuel combusts without spark it creates knock in the engine which causes loss of power and damages your engine. The reason for higher octane fuels is to keep the knock down which allows you to produce more power. Methanol injection has been a quick and easy way of increasing your octane rating. The benefits to methanol injection are obvious when you sit down and look at the facts. With methanol injection your engine will see octane ratings of 10-25 points higher. If you are using 93 octane fuel with methanol injection you can see octane numbers between 103-118. Q16 which is a common racing fuel has an octane rating of 116 but it costs $16.40 per gallon. Methanol on the other hand is around $3.00 per gallon and is mixed 50% with water so you would actually be getting 2 gallons for the price of one which turns out to be about $1.50 per injected gallon. The same octane rating is achieved for a quarter of the cost and the best part about it is that you can regular gasoline at any gas station.

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Hennessey Performance Corvette Z06

There is a great deal of aftermarket support for Corvette Z06 owners ranging from superchargers to forged wheels. Oftentimes a single company will develop an entire program for owners so that all the bases are covered. Hennessey Performance has introduced a HPE800 Z06 upgrade for the Corvette that adds a twin-turbocharger system and pushes power to 820 bhp.

The upgrade package focuses on the 7.0-liter LS7 engine. In the stock car, the V-8 is naturally aspirated and sends 505 horsepower to the stunning z06 wheels. With the new HPE800 program, Hennessey has added a twin-turbocharger system that forces more air and fuel into each of the cylinders to create even more power.

The most important elements included in the package are the twin ball bearing turbochargers with dual wastegates. These turbochargers suck air in through new dual high-flow K&N air filters and the air-to-air intercoolers, and sends it into the larger 90 mm throttle body, high flow cylinder heads, and FAST LSx intake manifold. Because of the added fuel and air, engine components had to be upgraded. The pistons, connecting rods, and crankshaft have been replaced with forged aluminum and steel components while the main studs and head bolts were replaced with ARP units. To reduce backpressure, Hennessey Performance has installed a stainless steel catback exhaust and HPE stainless steel turbocharger manifolds. The fuel system also required modifications due to the additional airflow. New fuel lines, rails, secondary pumps, and larger injectors were fitted. Because the engine will not properly operate with the new modifications, Hennessey Performance has retuned the engine management software, and carried out extensive dynometer and road testing.

The end result of the upgrades is a potent 820 horsepower sent to each of the rear Z06 wheels - a 315 horsepower increase over the stock engine output.

Although the kit focuses mainly on the engine, it is also recommended that customers upgrade their stock clutch and Z06 wheels. Upgrading the clutch to a stronger unit will help to ensure better reliability. With the added power it is also important to consider upgrading to forged wheels. New forged wheels provide improved strength and durability compared to the stock rims, and are better suited to handle the increased power.

As part of the HPE800 performance package, Hennessey Performance will add premium floor mats, new exterior badging, and serial numbered dashboard and plaques. The entire kit comes standard with a 1 year/ 12,000 mile limited warranty.

Braxton Herring is a contributing writer at COR Wheels. COR Wheels specializes in forged wheels and Z06 wheels in a variety of both traditional step lip, reverse, and concave designs.

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Make Sure Your Mobile Auto Detailing Service Can Meet Customer Needs

Starting a mobile auto detailing service can be a smart addition for any detailing business. This is a service that addresses a real need that exists among many car and truck owners. Most people would love to bring their vehicles in for regular detailing. After all, this kind of car and truck servicing not only makes their vehicles look good, but helps vehicles last longer as well.

Unfortunately, many people simply do not have the time to bring their vehicle in for detailing. Even on the weekends, when they don't need to bring the car in to work, people often need their vehicles to do other errands. This is why many people keep putting off the task of bringing their car in for detailing. The best way to deal with this situation is to bring the detailing to the customer.

The Right Stuff

While starting a mobile auto detailing service is certainly a good business decision, it does require an investment in the right kind of machines. It's important to note that doing detailing jobs on-site means that you can use many commercial and even industrial-grade machines for effective cleaning. Servicing premises will have ample facilities to deal with water run-off and excess water consumption. The situation is very different when you do a detailing job at a customer's residence. Not only do you need to be careful about excessive water consumption, you also must ensure that the detailing job doesn't lead to excessive water drainage. Residential areas are often not equipped to deal with high levels of water drainage.

The best way to deal with these issues is to invest in the right kind of machines for your mobile auto detailing business. For cleaning exteriors, ensure that you buy pressure washing units with pressure levels of 1500 psi or less. This will ensure optimum cleaning power that doesn't damage the paint or body job of the vehicle. It's also important to use systems that have water flow rates of 0.5 GPM. This offers cleaning power that doesn't harm the vehicle surface and cuts down on excess water drainage as well.

Inside And Outside

Mobile auto detailing requires more than just exterior cleaning. It's also important to invest in the right kind of mobile car wash equipment for vehicle interiors as well. For cleaning carpets and upholstery, it's best to use car wash machines and carpet cleaners that use less water and more suction and extraction power for cleaning. These kinds of car wash products are ideal as they allow the interiors to dry out in just a matter of hours. This can be extremely beneficial if you are working on a deadline. The low water usage also means the interiors will dry out completely and there will be a reduced risk of germs growing in the damp material.

It's clear that a mobile auto detailing service is a great way to deliver a service that many customers would really find beneficial. It is vital to invest in the right mobile car wash equipment for the job. Using eco-friendly car wash products as well as car wash machines with low water consumption can be very beneficial to your detailing business.

Daimer Industries is a leading supplier of mobile auto detailing machines. Daimer provides a complete range of mobile car wash equipment including car pressure washer, portable car wash machines and many more.

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Clean Yourself Up!

No I'm not casting aspersions against your personal hygiene, I mean your car.

It's easy, will take a few hours, add hundreds to the value of your car and most importantly will sell it to the first caller, giving you time to get on with your life.

I am in the motor trade a long time. I have trained eyes I can see through dirt to spot a good car ahead of something that's just been tarted up.

So why after all these years am I still drawn to shiny things? There are evolutionary reasons why as humans we judge books by their cover and are massively swayed by first impressions. This is a discussion for another type of website, but it's a basic fact. Now I won't be fooled by a shiny thing, If I examine a car at close quarters and get that irresistible aroma of fresh paint and see the dashboard has had a nice coat of some Brylcream like substance I will soon realise it. But the facts are I have arrived at an auction/sales yard and walked past five good but dirty cars and made a beeline for the shiny thing.

So why do some people put their cars up for sale and expect to sell them, when the car is dirty and smelly?

The worst offence is attempting to present your car for part exchange at a garage or car supermarket when it is dirty. A lot of people are under the impression that garages will offer "book value" for your car no matter how you show it. While it is true that garages work off book valuations there is a big difference between "Top book and Bottom book". Your job is to sell your car to the salesperson or dealer, as something that they want and are willing to give the premium for. To do this you need to be enthusiastic about your car and present it at its best. A car with dirty ashtrays, fast food boxes strewn over the back seats, Puke encrusted baby seats, A boot inexplicably full to the brim with house or work debris, centre console/ full of CD cases and papers etc you are just begging to be insulted. And you will be having that "I thought it was worth more than that" conversation with yourself later

A quick word about car salespeople. They can be sold as well, Ultimately a good salesperson is proactive in trying to do deals, this is how they earn money and if you have managed to convince them that your car is a nice one, they are more inclined to try and convince the sales manager to allow them to give the extra ?400 for your car to do the deal. So shiny thing good...remember!

I'm going to give you some valeting/car detailing tips. I'm doing this because I like to keep my own cars clean and over the years I have built up a full assortment of every possible car cleaning product or tool in my garage.

If you don't have any such products and are not inclined to purchase them, or you can think of a thousand other things you would rather do than clean your car in your spare time that's fair enough. I know where you are coming from, you don't need to read on any further but take this advice with you as the bare minimum you should do.

Situation A: Your car is a shed, and its value is more like hundreds than thousands. You can run it through a car wash for ?3 and then blow another quid on a quick vacuum. If you have any energy left after that just run a damp (not wet) cloth over the dash and any interior plastics you can. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous a baby wipe works wonders on scruffy plastic. Realistically the value of a very cheap car is more influenced by how much tax and mot it has left on it, but it could still be the difference between being offered ?200 for scrap or ?500. Either way you will see a return on your ?4 investment!

Situation B: Your car is worth a few quid, possibly under 6 year old. Then get a bin bag and take your clutter out of the car and book it in for a professional valet. A Proper full valet will cost you ?50 to ?75 depending on where you are. The mobile valet guys work hard for their money, but if you can you are better off dropping your car off somewhere with premises. They generally get better results.

A ?75 quid valet on a car you are getting rid of? Bit of a waste of money! Just to illuminate my earlier point here's today's trade book values on two example cars:

-2005(55) Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec Climate 5dr 60K. Clean Book Value ?3600. Below average Book Value ?2600.
-2008(08) Volvo XC90 D5 Se Geartronic 5dr 25K. Clean book Value ?19,900. Below Average Book Value ?17,500.

That's trade value. Not the difference between retail and trade, But trade price high and low. Does That ?75 quid still look expensive?

There are better informed sites out there to give you info on car detailing, you should go and Google them...but not until you have read my very brief opinion.

Washing. If you are thinking of investing ?100 on a power washer from B+Q or Halfords etc, don't bother. A garden hose is every bit as effective. The only time a Pressure washer is of any use is when you spend above ?800 quid on a proper hot water boiler washer. With this you can do your car, roof tiles, your boat, Quads, even the gazebo in your Japanese gardens! In the real world a hose is fine. Make sure you get under the sills and wheel arches. If you can't be bothered to do this go to a drive through wash, they are only a fiver (a few young lads near me now do it for ?3!) and invest the extra pound or two to get your car dried as this is as beneficial as the wash.

Waxing. I was brought up old school with a tin of Turtle wax. Good product, but labour intensive. For the last twenty years I have only used Autoglym products. They don't give me backhanders to plug them, they don't need to everybody knows they are industry standard.

If your car really is a filthy beast covered in Tar etc then just get it Valeted as it's not worth investing in all the pre-cleaning products etc you will need to polish a turd. If your car is normal then Autoglyms Super Resin Polish will have it like new. Do one side at a time (apply and remove wax) and give it some strong wrist/fingernail action on scratches/pollen or tar. It has cutting properties and will take off a lot of noticeable marks. When removing polish always use two cloths, A first shine to take off 90% of the residue and a final shine to give the car a final run over. I do this last thing and find those microfiber cloths you can buy in the pound shops ideal.

Hoover the interior and wipe off all door edges with a damp cloth, remember one of the most impressionable moments is when a potential buyer opens the driver's door. If it's covered in dirty grease and old muck stains it's not good. A good wipe of the dash/plastics and door cards with a damp cloth is always going to make a big improvement. If the plastics are piggy then baby wipes are a great tool. Go over a scruffy car two or three times with baby wipes and it will remove some stains you thought were never going away.

Once an interior is clean that is good enough. A quick spray of neutradol is good or any other home product you have (usually best to spray under seats). A bad mistake is to use some cheap silicon wipe that makes your dashboard and steering wheel all greasy. Just clean is fine. It won't add much value but if you do want me to recommend a product, then again Autoglyms Vinyl and rubber care, will give your interior a nice no greasy shine and also smells good.

Washing and waxing your wheels should be good enough. If they are alloys and badly pitted with brake dust you can use an alloy wheel detergent. You want to spray the wheel then attack with your old toothbrush, then hose off within a minute. So one wheel at a time, and as I say only use on really dirty rims.

Clean Windows make a big difference, make sure you do inside and out. Don't use household products, again Autoglym have some products and FastGlass is the easiest to use. If you don't have anything else use a damp chamois(leather). You can lightly wax the outside of your windows but Never your Windscreen. Do this and you will go blind the second it rains.

Don't use tyre paint if such a thing still exists? Most tyre shines are fine, again Autoglym Instant tyre dressing gives tyres that shiny new look with just a spray.

If you ever consider buying a buffer to polish your cars professionally don't. A cheap one under ?50 will have no power and will be more hassle than it's worth. A pro buffer will burn the paint off your baby in less than 5 seconds, and powder coat all your edges in white waxy residue. Strictly for pro use.

If you have scratches on your car that look like they were applied with a screwdriver there's not much you can do with them. But you would be surprised how many scuffs and light scratches will polish out. Super resin polish will take out the light ones, for something heavier I have professional abrasives from 3M and Farecla. You can have a rummage under the kitchen sink and look for something with light abrasive qualities (no not a Brillo pad!) I have used brasso and found a wood polish that does the job. If you're stuck even toothpaste can take the bad look off a scuff( and leaves your car feeling minty fresh!!)

Thinking of taking care of some touch ins? Be very careful, make sure you are touching in actual scratches and stone chips. I have seen cars with touched in Birdlime and tar. Be very selective in touching in, If your car has three or four bad stone chips, on the leading edge of your bonnet that are an eyesore then touching in is good. If your car is pebble dashed with chips don't even start. A car that's had the dot printer treatment looks rubbish and it will take you all day.

Okay I think I will leave it there. I will possibly come back with some more tips for the car fetishists, who like to take the wheels off to clean the insides but that's another chapter.

Okay get Scrubbing!

copyright 2011 http://www.motordealing.com

http://www.motordealing.com/ - the inside knowledge on the car trade

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5 Ways to Keep Your Car in Top Condition

Have you ever gone to look at a second hand car and seen the description, 'only driven by one older lady to church in a Sunday'? Whether true or not, this description has become a bit of cliche when it comes to describing a vehicle that has been well kept, and really looked after by the previous driver. But the fact is, a vehicle that has been looked after this well, is a vehicle that will be traded in at a higher price, meaning the owner will need to fork out less cash for their next car. Get your car up to scratch, fit it with the new mod cons such as reverse cameras and hands free holders, clean it thoroughly and look after it!

So how can you keep your car in the 'driven by one driver to church' condition?

1. Cleaning
The most obvious tip is restrict the kind of dirt and grime that enters the car, and clean it well. If you are eating and drinking in the car, or smoking, you are asking for trouble -- stains and smell are tough to get out, and often leave little shadows to show you they were there. Keep your car spotless, and clean it thoroughly, on a regular basis. If you can spare the extra cash, think about having it professionally detailed every now and then -- especially before you try to sell it.

2. Drive safely
This one is a no brainer. The safer you drive, the more vigilant you are, the more attention you pay to your own driving, the conditions and the drivers around you, the more likely you are to avoid an accident. A car that avoids accidents, is a car without scratches, paint missing and scuffs, and a car that is in better condition. These days, you are assisted in your safe driving efforts by vehicle technology such as advanced breaking systems, reverse cameras and laminated windscreens.

3. Maintain, maintain, maintain
Mechanically maintaining your car keeps it's as healthy on the inside as it is on the outside. Make sure you have your scheduled services, regularly change the oil and get new tyres as required.

If your mechanic spots an issue, try to deal with it as soon as you can so you don't drive on the issue and make it worse.

4. Cover everything
Car seat covers were invented for a reason! Your car interiors are one of the toughest things to keep clean. They stain easily and are subject to the mud you drag in, the grass stains from the kid's soccer uniforms and the coffee spilt as you drive. The best way to save your interior is to cover everything -- invest in car seat covers, steering wheel covers, floor mats and any other covering available, so when you remove it, your car is in top condition.

5. Start and store
Finally, if you are not using your car, or really only driving it on Sunday's, or every now and then, remember that your car charges as it runs. The longer you leave it alone, the less likely it will be to start. If you are storing your vehicle, start it regularly, kick it over and let it run for a little while.

By the way, do you want to learn more about Automotive? If so, I suggest you check Mobile Phone Car Kit and Bluetooth Handsfree Car Kit.

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Clean Your Used Interior Auto Parts With Homemade Cleaning Agents

A clean car interior looks great, and it does not matter if you have installed some used interior auto parts in your car, the mere fact that you try to maintain them clean and polished is what matters most.

It usually can take about an hour to clean the car interior. Be careful with water though when cleaning inside the car; if water gets into some of the electrical wiring, it could cause some problems.

It is also not good if water gets inside your car seats or under the carpet; it can leave stains, moldy smell and may cause corrosion. Make sure you have a clean drying cloth handy while using water in cleaning your car interior.

There are many commercially available cleaning agents that you can buy and most of them are really useful but can be quite expensive too. You can clean your car without cleaning out your wallet by using some homemade car cleaning recipes.

For the fabric seat and door upholstery stains, mix white vinegar with baking soda well until they form a paste.

Apply the paste into the stain with a scrub brush or a toothbrush, and then allow the application to dry. Use the vacuum to remove the dried vinegar/soda paste and the stain will be gone too. There are some stubborn stains that may need to be treated more than once.

Cleaning the windows is easy with the use of white vinegar; just put some in a spray bottle, spray full strength onto the windows, leave for few minutes, and then wipe dry with newspaper and your windows will have a professionally-done cleaning look.

White vinegar is indeed a great cleaning agent, mix it well with equals part of water, pour the mixture into a spray bottle, then use the solution on any plastic, wood, vinyl or leather surfaces in your car interior that need to be cleaned. Allow the solution to settle down, and then wipe dry with a clean cloth. If you are apprehensive about using such solution, you can always test it on a small area before using on the entire interior.

A clan interior is good, but a polished one is much better. Dashboards are great looking when they are shining with health. Polish your dashboard and other interior parts by combining olive oil and lemon juice in a bowl or a spray bottle. Use a clean rag to wipe a small amount of the solution into the places that need to be polished. Finish off by wiping the entire surface with a different cleaning cloth.

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6 Reasons to Invest in Window Tinting

Window tinting has as much to do with performance and protection as it does with the actual look and style of your vehicle. The process of tinting windows used to be reserved primarily for government and luxury vehicles due to cost but simplifications in the process of window tinting have brought into the mainstream. Most new vehicles now come with some level of window tinting and just about any vehicle can have additional tint added.

There are numerous reasons to enhance the tinting on a vehicle ranging from health concerns, comfort, safety, privacy, etc. Likewise, adding the right level of tinting film to your vehicle can help preserve your investment in a vehicle. Of course going beyond protective measures, tint adds a lot of style to stock vehicle that's hard to match. Here are 6 reasons to invest in window tint for your car, truck or SUV.

Avoid Overheating - The sun can increase the temperature inside your vehicle by more than 20 degrees on a hot day, and that change can happen in a matter of minutes. Properly applied tint can keep the interior of your car up to 60% cooler on hot summer days by acting as a radiant barrier.

Protecting your Body - UV rays can do a lot of damage to us. Not only can prolonged exposure lead to skin cancer but there's the problem of sun burns, cataracts, wrinkles and skin blotches from over exposure to the sun. Tinting at proper shades can block up to 99% of these harmful UV rays - just like quality sunglasses.

Accident Protection - Tinting is applied to windows in a film, and in an accident that film can act as a binding agent that holds shattered glass together. It won't prevent a window from breaking completely but it could reduce the spray of shattered glass into a vehicle.

Enhancing Privacy - When you apply deeper tinting to a vehicle you're protecting the privacy of those within and remember - what a burglar can't see, he won't steal. By keeping your windows dark you reduce the odds of a vehicle break-in for items you may leave in your car.

Prolonging Vehicle Life - Those UV rays aren't just harmful to you - they cause your upholstery to crack and fade over time. Car tint acts like a great sunscreen for your vehicle, protecting the internal surfaces from sun damage.

Safer Driving - At any given time you're dealing with glare from multiple sources such as the sun, snow on a bright day, heavy snowfall and the headlights of other drivers. When you apply window tinting to your vehicle, particular the windshield, you make it easier to drive safely and reduce the potential for road hazards.

Whatever the reason you choose, you can save a great deal of money by investing in window tinting for your vehicle. The cost will vary depending on the number of windows you have, the size of your windows, etc. but even for a larger vehicle it's a sound investment that will pay you back in the end.

Protect your car with affordable window tinting VA through local professionals. You won't get better service with other shops that offer window tinting Virginia. Click to learn more today.

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Car Detailing: 5 Must-Ask Questions for Your Detailer

For most car owners, their car is an investment as well as a source of pride and joy. You don't want to drive a vehicle that performs poorly and looks dirty, that's why you want to make sure that you pick only the best car detailing specialists to take care of it. At the same time, an automobile detailing job can cost you a significant sum, so you want to get your money's worth in terms of cleaning quality.

With so many detailing specialists and car cleaning technologies to choose from, it can be pretty difficult for you to assess whether or not the specialist you chose can deliver on his words and give your car the cleaning it deserves. After all, it pays to have a lasting relationship with one trusted detailer instead of shopping for a new one every time you are dissatisfied with the results of the job.

As a car owner, it's important for you to know just what car detailing means and what it can do for your vehicle. It's definitely not the same as the typical wash you give your vehicle in the driveway every weekend, nor is it simply vacuuming the interior of your car to get rid of the dust and dirt. Bringing your car over to an automobile detailing facility means giving your car a thorough rejuvenation to make it squeaky clean and restore its showroom shine.

To find out if your car detailing specialist is the right man for the job, you can ask him these five all-important questions:

How much does automobile detailing cost and what's included in the package? For most car owners, cost is the number one concern that will tip the scales in favor of one detailer or another. You might be paying a modest fee at one detail shop, but the services might fall short of what your car really needs. Read the fine print and find out exactly what it is that you are paying for.
What cleaning method is best for my car? Different cars require different cleaning techniques, but sometimes it's also up to the car owner to choose which one he would like to avail of. Some car owners are also concerned about whether the car cleaning service they get is eco-friendly and chemical-free.
Do you offer mobile detailing? Why bring your car to the detailer when you can have it serviced right in the comfort of your own home? Some specialists offer mobile detailing services to provide their customers convenience and peace of mind, as the latter can watch their car getting professionally cleaned.
How long do the effects of the treatment last? You don't want to pay for a detailing service today and have to bring it back for a touch-up next week. The detailer you should choose should be one who offers top-notch and long-lasting clean for your car. The exterior should be waxed, sealed and preserved to maintain that high-class shine for a long time, while the interior should be free of dust and unpleasant odors.
Do you offer any kind of warranty? It's not unheard of for detailers to commit technical mistakes during a cleaning job and accidentally damage the car's finish or rip the carpeting. The most thorough and professional detailers offer warranty for their services to assure customers that they will provide the expected results.

DetailXPerts is the world's first eco-friendly steam cleaning car wash franchise. One of the services we specialize in is automobile detailing. For our car detailing services we use only steam cleaning methods to maintain the beauty of your vehicles and preserve natural resources.

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Aftermarket Car Accessories Can Make A Mild Mannered Car Into Hot Wheels

I do not obsess over cars. There is a lot of stuff I find more important. I have a family, a career, bills to pay, television programs to keep up on, a growing pile of mail, friends to visit, and my volunteer work. These things keep me busy. If I was a real "car guy" or as I found they call them in England "petrol head," I would have no time to sleep and I would alienate all of my loved ones with my lack of attention. That said, I do not want my car to be some slob-mobile. I would hate to hit up the mall parking lot in the automotive equivalent of old sweat pants and a filthy tank top. Like it or not you are what you drive, at least in some minds.

So what is a guy to do when he has no time to "soup up" his wheels but he also does not want to have people giggling about what a vehicular dunce he is? The solution I have discovered is aftermarket automotive parts. These items like custom floor mats, decorative gear shifters, billet grilles, or T-Rex grilles, are great for making your plain-Jane car look like a road warrior. By proxy you get to be a road warrior too, at least until you divert the conversation to your interest in scrap booking.

I never knew how helpful a well chosen custom grille could go. I get compliments on the one I found by searching out aftermarket accessories on the world wide web a few months back. Since then people scope out my car and the guy inside it with a little more of a glint in their eye and a whole lot more jealousy. People are really in to what I am doing with my car. My friends, many amateur mechanics and seemingly all amateur car critics, finally love what I am doing with my wheels as appose to tolerate it like they used to.

I am really glad that with precious little stress and fuss I was able to make my car the dream machine it is today. It was no heap of junk before but now with all these aftermarket auto parts it looks like the kind of car a real "petrol head" might respect. I am incredibly proud of a lot of things. I am really surprised to say that one such thing is the awesome look of my car.

http://www.uniqueautodepot.com/ is an online seller of aftermarket car parts offering billet grilles, truck grilles, T-rex grilles, aftermarket accessories, and more aftermarket automotive parts.

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How to Keep Your Car Running Smoothly?

Car is one of the investments we make because we need it in our daily use. It's a way of transportation and indeed it's a big help for everyone. Car needs maintenance and repair when it's needed. The importance of having a car is to make sure every part of it is in good condition, particularly the engine. Engine is like the brain of the car while other parts are part of supporting system that needs coordination in order to work together and run smoothly on the road. Running a car needs discipline. It includes discipline on how you check the car daily, weekly, or casually. Although the best time for car check up is daily. Before you go to work you should check the car if it's in good condition and can even run on the road.

The maintenance of a car is easy to do if you know what you're doing. Car maintenance includes checking of the car wheels and tyres. How important it is to check your wheels and tyres? Well, aside from the engine which is the main source of car's running condition, the tyres are also important in order for the car to run. Tyres should be check regularly. The best time to check your tyres is before going at work and even before using it. See if it's flat and need some air. With that regular checking you'll avoid any unexpected circumstances on the road such as accidents, tyres flat and a lot more.

In any vehicle, the tyres are considered as one of the essential parts since it affects the handling, steering and braking of the car. You must assure the wheel alignment and correct tyre pressure should be set. When the tyre has not been carried out very well this will cause higher speeds which can result into loss of control and end up to road accidents. Believe it or not, tyres can bring trouble if you ignore its value. Tyre pressures must be checked when cold and set to the manufacturer's specification since they have different standards for the tyres weather specification and also it depends to its location or country.

To make sure everything will be fine on the road don't hesitate and be lazy of checking all parts of the car regularly especially the car tyres. To avoid any accidents do your works now before its too late. Above all, be careful on driving! Be a responsible driver!

Tyres dublin - Distributors of Specialised Auto Accessories!

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Helpful Tips on Adjusting Dampers

When you have dampers or shock absorbers that have adjustment features, this usually means that the units are high- or medium-end units at the very least. If you are on the market for shock absorbers and are looking at adjusting dampers to fine tune your car's handling, bear in mind the primary use of the vehicle that it will be used on. It is illogical to fit shocks with 10-point adjustments for compression and rebound if all the car will see is fast road use. In cases like these, it actually makes better sense to purchase high-end non-adjustable shocks than mid-end adjustable shocks. Adjusting dampers is a trial-and-error affair and finding the perfect settings takes more than one or two test runs.

If you do need to tailor your suspension settings to a fine degree, then adjustable shocks will go a long way towards finding the handling characteristics that suit your driving style. There are plenty of brands and types of adjustable dampers and your choice will depend on the kind of track the vehicle will be used on. Off-road dampers have significantly different characteristics compared to autocross or drag racing dampers.

Assuming that your units are adjustable for both compression and rebound, adjusting dampers takes a few basic principles into account. Compression damping controls the upward vertical movement of the wheels, axles, control rods and (usually) the brakes that make up the unsprung weight of the vehicle. Compression damping regulates upward movement of the suspension when it hits a bump or a rise in the road surface. It should not be used to control dips, body roll or bottoming of the suspension. The ideal bump setting can be at any point within the adjustment range. In adjusting dampers for compression control, you are looking for minimal side-hop in a bumpy turn. When the setting isn't optimized, a pronounced side-hopping condition will be evident and ride quality will be harsher.

Rebound damping is about controlling the roll (lean) of the car when it enters a turn. Adjusting dampers in the rebound does not limit the total amount of roll; it limits how fast this total roll angle takes place. Roll angles are affected by spring rate, sway bars, roll centre heights and other factors. Too much rebound damping on either end of the vehicle will cause an initial loss of cornering ability at that end. This causes excessive vehicle oversteer or understeer when entering a turn. Too much rebound control does not allow the spring to return to a neutral position before the next bump is encountered. This condition can repeat with closely spaced bumps and can cause the car to lower onto the bump stops. When this happens, there is a dramatic increase in roll stiffness. When this happens on the front, the car will understeer; if it takes place at the rear, the car will oversteer. In adjusting dampers for rebound control, one should increase rebound damping incrementally until the car enters the turns smoothly with no drastic attitude changes and without leaning excessively.

Find out more on suspension modifications or visit this site for spare parts.

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Car Tuning and Styling - Why Do It?

The rule of effective car tuning and styling in my eyes "Subtly is the key".

Everyone has their own opinion but personally (and I know a lot of people think the same) the more brash the revamp, the more tacky it can look. I have personally witnessed fourteen year old cars having literally thousands of pounds spent on tacky body kits, loud exhaust systems, spoilers that can could slow down a jumbo jet, and I ask myself why?

Unless your car is on the TV show 'Pimp My Ride', chances are it will look the same way. What I am saying here is that obviously not all expensive modifications look tacky - not at all but there are people out there who could have transformed that car into literally a new car. Subtly is the best way, it presents class, style, and brings an air of professionalism to a car rather than someone who is trying to show off. Some one who applies subtle changes to their car often makes it look more stylish and aesthetically pleasing to them and anyone who comes into contact in it.

There are 2 types of car tuning - interior and exterior. By interior I mean engines, brakes, suspensions, and by exterior I'm talking body kits, headlights, spoilers, which could also be classed as styling.

Having a very subtle spoiler, slick sills, angel headlights, windows slightly tinted can literally transform a car and elevate to a new level and these are only minor changes. This is what I believe is the most effective type of car tuning and styling not just for the sake of cost but also appearance, so in a way less is more from that perspective.

On the engine front, well they can always do a remap - that way they can not only preserve the life the engine but enjoy noticeable power, torque, responsiveness and flexibility without it impacting on their fuel consumption which is a real plus point especially in this economy with sky high oil prices.

The latter could be a factor in why the demand of remapping has increased as people do not want to splash out on a new car thus tune it up to make it last longer and more enjoyable to drive.

I have a lens that highlights why people have started paying serious attention to car tuning and styling. This article is just my opinion on why I think car tuning is becoming more popular

Thank you for reading

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Car Valeting Beginners Guide

Ever just wished there was a way to get your vehicle back into the same condition it had been the day it left the dealer? Car valeting is definitely the only way to keep your vehicle looking as good as it can. The fact is, valeting can actually help make your car look better than it did the day it was driven from the dealer's lot. Here's how to get started.

Exactly What Does Car Valeting Include?

For a complete car valet, you'll need to get started with the exterior by washing, polishing and waxing the surface, then cleaning up your wheels and tyres. When you have finished the surface, you'll move onto the car's engine, flooring, pads, cleaning the glass and plastic, getting rid of any kind of spills and smells while taking good care of any leather upholstery.

Cleaning

We start by washing the outside of the car. You will need to make sure you have a good soft wash mitt to shampoo your car. Always pick a woolen wash mitt where possible. The woolen wash mitt can help you avoid any scuffs to the exterior. The wool will also keep more water enabling you to shampoo your vehicle more effectively.

One important note is to wash your car by using a two-bucket technique. Bucket one will have a shampoo and water solution and bucket two will just hold water to rinse. Buckets guards are extremely useful. Dirt moves through them at the bottom of both buckets. This can stop you from moving the dirt back to your car while cleaning.

Purchase a good vehicle shampoo. Although you can save some money with "bargain brands", they lack the overall performance and defense paid for by top end products.

Microfibre or even PVA towels are best in relation to drying your car. It is best to finish the wash by rinsing your car with a good jet mist nozzle.

Polishing

To get rid of any minute imperfections that your car's paint may contain, we use polish. Polish does not harm the end result. Preferably, you want to have a fine polish, as it will offer a sleek, wet look once you're done. You may polish by hand, or you can make use of a buffer to do the task. Bear in mind, if you're working with a buffer you'll need to apply the polish on a slow setting applying overlapping actions.

Waxing

In order to finalise the finish, you'll use a wax. It helps keep the "recently polished" look to your car's paint. A top quality artificial wax can be used although the best results are with natural waxes, such as carnauba. Do not wax your head and tail lights since this will cause a glare.

Your Wheels and Tyres

Valeting your wheels and tyres should not be overlooked. Ensure you clean them properly with shampoo and water, but you will need it double the strength. Use a hard brush to take away as much dirt as you can. Tyre dressing will be used to finish the process.

The Engine

Cleaning your engine will require that you've got a quality engine degreaser, as well as a way of protecting vital devices and components during the process. Use a product to protect the engine after you have finished degreasing.

The Interior

You'll need some extra things for the vehicle's interior. A wet/dry vacuum is vital, along with vacuum attachments to enable you to clean inside tiny areas. You'll also need carpet shampoo to clean the dirt from the carpets and mats.

Cleaning the car's interior includes a few steps. If you start with the windows, you'll need to clean them using a glass cleaner and then buff them using a towel. Most of the different surfaces in your vehicle will have specific cleaners intended for them, like the plastic as well as vinyl.

Any stains in your car must be removed using a neutral cleaning soap combined with water. You can use a scrub brush and even a putty knife in a few instances to help.

Finally, if you have leather covers, you will need to clean it correctly. You can pick up some great leather cleaners and particular brushes for the job.

Find the full guides on car valeting at our dedicated Car Valeting HQ website http://www.carvaletinghq.co.uk/

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Headlight Bulbs: The Eyes of the Car

Ever wonder how would we see in the dark? Obviously, with the help of light. And how would we drive in the dark or during fog when the visibility is very low? Where would the light come from then? Well, headlights of the cars are what made for. The front headlights make the road visible in the dark or during low visibility. They not only help the driver to drive efficiently in the dark, but add to the beauty of the car too. The main function of these headlights is to lighten the road in front when it is difficult to drive during low visibility.

These beautiful headlights come in various shapes and colours. They could be chosen on the suitability to the car. The advent of the headlight goes back to 1800 when acetylene or oil was used. Then came the electric lights in 1900s which used the tungsten filament. Then to make these bulbs bright halogen bulbs were built. These bulbs have a longer life. These can be colourful headlight bulbs as they emit light of different shades. It happens basically due to change in temperature. When driving on highway, these shades are visible.

The latest of the category of headlight bulbs is the use of HID which emits the light that is three times the light emitted by halogen lamp. And due to highly focussed beams these bulbs have turned out to be most reliable in terms of safety and provide greater visibility for the driver.

It is always wise to change these bright headlight bulbs from time, as they are not for life. With time they get worn out or obsolete or start malfunctioning. There is wide range of these headlights available in after market. But it is always advisable to have some knowledge before getting them changed. One can always read the reviews about the parts that are published in different magazines and various websites.

To get these headlights bulbs installed it would be better if one hires a professional mechanic or the authorized service centre. Headlight bulbs are the reason we have greater visibility. Not only has it given a makeover to the car, but also a longer life it. Safe driving to an extent is possible only because of these life saving headlights.

The headlight bulbs from the time they arrived have been a useful part in any automobile vehicle. They have become the true eyes of our vehicle as they help us drive when it is difficult to see what is ahead of us. These at the same time also give a makeover to the vehicle providing a sense of pride to the owner of the vehicle. In true sense, they are lifesavers not only for cars, but for the drivers too.

For more information about Fog Light Bulbs , please visit http://www.tunersdepot.com/

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