Restoring Your Car: Things You Can Do Yourself

October 9th, 2014 Comments off

Car restoration is a fun and potentially lucrative pastime. Do you have an old Mustang that you would like to bring back to its former glory? You may be considering purchasing a used Porsche and enabling it to gleam once again. While these and other projects can be a bit challenging and may require the skills of a professional, there are other tasks that you can accomplish easily within your garage. Let’s take a look at a few great car restoration tips and tricks.

Windscreen Repair

It is very common for older cars to have a crack or ding within their windscreen. Although larger imperfections could require an entire replacement, those which are smaller than six centimetres can be fixed with the use of a windscreen repair kit. These can be found at most automotive repair stores and they employ the use of a transparent resin to seal the crack and protect it from future damage.

A Coat of Paint

We should first be clear here. Painting your car is much different than slapping a few coats on the walls in your bedroom. You will need to use what is known as an airless paint sprayer. These machines will offer an even coat of paint and they can handle automotive additives quite well. If you do not have the money to purchase one outright, you will always be able to rent a sprayer from a reputable dealer. Of course, you should read the instruction manual before attempting such a job.

Leather Restoration

Nothing beats the feel of a classic car interior. So, you are wise to contemplate restoring any leather to its former glory. Barring the need to physically replace a seat cover or a dashboard, this type of work can normally be carried out quite quickly. There are numerous kits on the open market and they generally come in two parts. A solvent is first used to remove and dirt and debris on the surface. After this is completed, a second material will be rubbed in. This protective top coat will bring out the sheen of the leather and help to protect it against the cold and extreme temperatures. In regards to older models, you should perform this task at least twice every year.So, it is apparent that you do not have to be a professional to carry out some amazing restorative techniques on your used or classic car. In fact, each one of these tasks can be accomplished during a weekend afternoon!

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Four Tips for Buying Car Parts Online

October 7th, 2014 Comments off

Buying car parts online is a great way to cut costs and get access to a huge variety of brands and part-types. However, it is also equally easy to get ripped off, especially if you are new to auto repair and maintenance. Follow these four tips and you’ll have no problems getting the best car parts online, without breaking the bank:

  1. Look at warrantiesOne of the first things you must consider when buying a car part online is the warranty. Any trustworthy brand and retailer will have no problems offering a generous warranty with its products. Typically, brands offer a minimum of 1 year warranty on its products, though this may vary from part to part. Reputably online retailers also add their own warranty in case of damaged goods, shipping problems or other issues.
  2. Consider brand trustworthinessNot all car part brands are the same. While you can buy a product from Bosch with your eyes closed, it’s not the same for many of the cheaper, smaller import brands. Many of these use knock-off parts and low-quality materials which compromises your safety and the long-term health of your car.When buying car parts online, make sure that you choose only a reputable, established brand. Never pick a brand just because it is cheap.
  3. Customer service qualitySelling car parts online is highly competitive. Often, the only way a business can differentiate itself is by offering superior customer service. Before you plop down your cash for an expensive car part, make sure that you try out the customer service once. Send them an email or give them a call. Try to gauge how much they truly know about cars. If the customer service is knowledgeable and enthusiastic, you know you are in good hands!
  4. Verify required car partsLast, but not the least, make sure that you are buying the right car part before giving up your hard earned money! This sounds simplistic, but many people end up buying parts not meant for their cars. Consult your car manufacturer thoroughly before deciding on a part – it will save you both time and money.

Buying car parts online can be challenging, but with the right guidance, you can select just the right parts and repair your car for cheap.

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