Friday’s Advice: Finding Areas to Reduce Expenses on Car Repair (A Review)

Who wants to reduce their expenses on car repairs? For sure, everybody does. But, who’s making a way to get that reduction? Chances are, not all do. Or, not all are aware that they can.

I’ve already talked a lot about auto repairs, rip-offs, avoidance, and ways to save on repairs. In this post, I just want to sum up all that I’ve mentioned before to give concrete examples of ways to save on auto repairs.

1. Recall and TSB

These I have mentioned in my last few posts. By being aware of recalls issued on your car, you can save on repair costs. On the other hand, being aware of issued TSBs can save you on unnecessary expenses due to wrong diagnosis and incorrect repairs.

2. Replacement parts

By being resourceful, you can find ways to save on the part that you mount as a replacement. Although some shops will not allow you to buy your replacement on other sources, there are shops that allow this set up, and this is a great way to save on repair costs.

3. Labor

When it comes to labor cost, there is a so-called flat rate or a book rate, which means the shop bills according to the manufacturer-indicated amount of time for the specific repair, regardless how long the actual repair takes. Meanwhile, a straight hour rate is a rate based on the actual amount of time consumed to do the repair.

4. Work done

To reiterate, you can save a lot on auto repairs by being a DIYer. By familiarizing yourself with the automotive basics, you will not be totally dependent on auto repair shops when it comes to problems, so you won’t have to shell out cash every once in a while.

With all these means, it would be easy to save more on auto repairs.

DIY Saturday: Weird Automotive Smells and What They Mean

Diagnosis is usually the first step to solving any problem in your vehicle. And if you want to save on auto repair costs by doing a repair the DIY way, then you must learn techniques to doing diagnosis. As I have already mentioned in this blog, diagnosing a car problem means using all your senses to find the culprit behind that problem. And when it comes to your senses, one of the most important senses that you have to use would be your nose, your sense of smell.

Weird odors are among the most common culprits behind a problem, and there can be a variety of odors depending on the issue. Below, we look at the three common odors that you need to pay attention to:

1. Gasoline smell

Needless to say, this is a dangerous smell. And, the most common reason behind this is a leak of your car fuel. It could be a leak on the fuel lines, the fuel pump, or even on the fuel cap. This problem should be attended to at once. Otherwise, a fire could always result, and the worst this could lead to is an explosion, something you sure don’t want in your car.

2. Rotten egg smell

This is a common smell that indicates a problem with the catalytic converter or the exhaust assembly. This means that you’re having an emissions trouble, and your car’s exhaust components need replacing or fixing. Attend to this at once before the problem gets more serious.

3. Burning smell

This could mean a problem in your car’s electrical system—a burnt out fuse or switch, or a shorted component. Like all the problems mentioned above, this also demands attention and must not be neglected.

If you notice any of the smells discussed, be sure that you do the necessary diagnosis to find the problem, address it, and prevent further troubles.

A Look at the Usual Auto Repair Warranty

Warranty is one controversial issue in auto repair, and there are a lot of gray areas when it comes to this topic. What warranty are you entitled to when you have your vehicle repaired? How long is the said warranty in effect? What are the exceptions? And what are the processes involved when it comes to the processing of claims?

An auto repair warranty is a detail-filled document that requires careful paying of attention. This document varies from shop to shop, from case to case, so you can’t expect a previous repair warranty to be similar to the warranty that you’ll get on a present repair. As to the questions mentioned above, there’s no specific answer that applies to all situations.

So, given this fact, it is of utmost importance that you pay attention to the complete details in the warranty offered by an auto repair shop. There are certain details that you need to look into when checking out any warranty from a shop.

Aside from the usual details (such as the time covered by the warranty), you also have to look into the smaller but more important details like deductibles, if any. Other pertinent information that you need to check would be the shops that can perform warranty repair—this is important in case you need the repair while you’re in a different place. In the same manner, you have to know the procedures involved in making a warranty claim.

The process is crucial because it is sometimes the reason a claim is denied despite its validity. Every small detail in the claim procedure must be checked and followed to ensure that the claim will be approved and that approval will not be delayed.

And when you go for a repair, be sure that you get a copy of the warranty afterwards so that you won’t have troubles should problems arise.

A Tale of Auto Repair Scam

I came across this story online just recently, that of a man who has been sentenced to prison after being found to have scammed insurance companies. The style was typical, only he was not directly ripping off the customers and car owners who came to his shop—he was ripping off their insurance companies.

Robert Buckingham of the Robert Christopher Collision practiced the fraud from 2005-2006. Some of the things he did are as follow:

1. He exaggerated the damage of cars brought to his shop in order to get more money on insurance claims.

2. He claimed for payment on new parts despite the fact that he used old parts on the cars brought in for repair.

3. In a similar manner, he claimed for payment on replacement parts when in fact he just fixed the damaged parts on the cars of his customers.

4. He filed insurance claims for repairs that were not actually finished.

It was found that Buckingham committed the fraudulent act together with other employees working in the facility. Some of these employees have already admitted to the act and were given their respective sentence some years ago. The case includes five vehicles, and the insurance companies involved are New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance, Travelers Auto Insurance, Selective Insurance, and Mercury Insurance. The defendant pleaded guilty to the fraudulent act.

As a result, he has been sentenced to three years in prison, and possible fine for civil insurance fraud. As of now, a complaint is also filed to ask for the forfeiture of the property utilized by the facility.

You see, auto repair rip offs and fraud can take on many forms, but they’re all the same any way you look at them. And, it’s a good thing that people are starting to take action about this situation.

A Look at After Warranty Assistance

Most warranties cover three years, but do you know that the said rule can be bent a little when needed? About.com talked about what is so-called as a “secret warranty.”

What exactly is this kind of warranty, and how can it benefit you? Well, this is an after warranty assistance, a kind of “warranty after the warranty” – meaning, this is offered when the given warranty has already expired (but, only for a short time after warranty expiry). This kind of warranty, however, is only offered when you asked. And, it is only given according to the discretion of the manufacturer.

If you encounter any problem in your car a few days after its warranty has expired, you have another option aside from bringing your car to an auto repair shop and spending on car repair. You can try getting in touch with the manufacturer to ask for help on the repair of the part involved.

Most manufacturers will consider the idea of providing assistance as long as: (1) the customer is loyal to the company, and (2) the correct interval has been followed when it comes to the maintenance of the vehicle.

The first is important because it shows the manufacturer that you’re bringing them some profit, that you’re a contributing car owner, so to speak. And, they can get some more benefits when they help you. Meanwhile, the second is sort of like standard procedure. Of course, no shop would want to offer assistance if the mechanics know that you’re not taking good care of your vehicle.

The first thing to do to avail of this warranty is to just try. The manufacturer may not shoulder the whole bill, but there’s a great chance it will slash off a certain amount from what you have to pay for the repair.

Friday’s Advice: Voiding Your Auto Warranty

Last week, we’ve talked about checking recalls and TSBs as a means to save on auto repairs. There’s actually another means to save, if you’ll just pay attention to it: your auto warranty. There may be parts in your vehicle that are covered by specific warranties, so you don’t have to shell out big bucks when you replace them.

If your car is still covered by warranty and you want to be sure that you’ll get the most out of that warranty, it’s important that you take care not to commit actions that can result in voiding the warranty on your car and its parts. What are some of the actions that you have to watch out for?

Well, one is maintenance. When a part gets damaged and the manufacturer finds that it is poorly maintained, you may be denied a warranty claim. While your car is still under warranty, it’s very important that you follow the recommended maintenance to avoid problems should the need for warranty claim arises.

Another is the installation of aftermarket parts. It’s not advised that you mount upgrades to your vehicle while it’s under warranty. When any problem occurs and the carmaker finds any relationship between the upgrade and the problem, your warranty will end up void.

The use of your vehicle in extreme activities can also void its warranty (especially if your car is not designed for such rides). This is termed as misuse, and this can include the use of a vehicle in such activities as racing.

Finally, odometer tampering is one other common reason that can void an auto warranty.

If you want to know all the dos and don’ts when it comes to your vehicle, carefully read the contract as this will state all the requirements that you need to follow.

DIY Saturday: Some Add-ons to Consider to Protect Your Vehicle from Damage

They say prevention is better than cure, and that especially applies when it comes to your vehicle. Aside from regular maintenance, one way to arrest and prevent the occurrence of any problem is by getting parts that will protect your ride from any possible damage. Here, we outline some of the things that you can get to help you save on repair costs.

1. Floor Mats. These are simple mats (plastic or rubber) that you simply place on your floor area to protect that metal panel from dirt, water and mud from your shoes, as well as spills when you drive. The said elements can intensify wear and tear on the floor area, and you may just wake up one day with a rusted and corroded floor. Prevent this with floor mats.

2. Tonneau Covers. These are ideal for trucks, protective truck bed add-ons that will cover the bed and all the cargos that you place inside. The result? You don’t only get a neat look—you also protect the cargos and the truck bed from rainwater, snow, sunrays, and other elements that can cause damage.

3. Car Covers. Your car needs protection even when parked. In fact, it has to be protected even when it’s just inside your garage! And when it comes to stationary protection for your car, nothing beats a good car cover. Choose a breathable cover, an all-weather type if you park your vehicle outside the home, and one that’s custom-made to fit your vehicle well.

These vehicle add-ons are very simple, but they go a long way when it comes to offering protection to your vehicle. While your car is still in good shape and not yet damaged in any way, it’s a good idea to invest on any of these, and more, to keep your ride in tiptop condition for a long time.

The Effects of Auto Repair Rip Off: More than Just the Expense

Auto repair rip offs leave a bad taste in the mouth for many reasons, foremost of which is the ballooning cost that these demand from car owners. But, while the focus has always been on unnecessary and huge repair expenses, there are actually more to these illegal practices. Other than the money you spend for nothing, there are other crucial concerns. Check these out:

1. Safety

Shoddy automotive work can mean premature part damage, non-functioning components, and unexpected system failure—and all these can lead to accidents. If the rip off had been done on a repair involving a crucial system like the brakes or the steering assembly, you’ll never know what might happen while you’re driving on a busy highway.

2. Convenience

Poor repair would almost always result in the failure of the part or assembly involved, and this would just mean the need to return to the shop, or to another repair facility—wasting your time, effort, and energy. If you’re going on a long travel, the sudden breakdown of the parts would mean a lot of trouble for you.

3. Trauma and stress

Most individuals who have experienced an auto repair rip-off become traumatized after the incident, especially if there’s harassment or outright hostility involved. It’s no wonder many people view the auto repair industry with disfavor—because of these incidents. Some people even reach the point of dreading instances of going to auto repair shops, fearing that they’ll encounter an experience similar to a past one.

So you see, the effects of auto repair rip offs reach far and wide—these effects go beyond the money involved. And sad to say, the positive elements of the industry and the picture of honest mechanics are losing the limelight, replaced by those of the unscrupulous individuals who take advantage of unsuspecting car owners.

The Secrets Surrounding Auto Repair Shop Work Set Up

Money is the driving force behind all (or most) of the auto repair rip-offs taking place today. And sad to say, many auto repair shops are even promoting an environment that makes rip-offs one of the easiest options for its technicians and mechanics.

Most of us are familiar with the flat rate, a paying system that demands consumers to pay according to the number of hours that the book says, regardless of the actual number of hours consumed in the repair. Although this is reasonable (after all, a good, experienced, and fast-working mechanic deserves a good pay), it is often abused by mechanics who want to earn more, rushing the work, which results in poor repair.

And, with some (or most) shops requiring quota from their technicians, these individuals are even more tempted to rush the job just so they would reach their target and not get in trouble with their boss. In many instances, the said quota doesn’t consider the skills of the technicians—it stands the same whether the tech is skilled or not. So, woe to the customer who is assigned a technician who is unskilled, and whose only hope at meeting the quota is to rush the work even though the result becomes poor.

If you think these are serious enough, then wait until you hear this one more. I’ve heard about a shop that offers incentives on its mechanics for selling a service that sells low on usual days. While this may be valid, this system led to mechanics misleading customers into believing that their car needs the said service even when it really doesn’t—all for the sake of the incentive that was being offered by the shop.

You see, some of the practices mentioned above are actually implemented not for the purpose of ripping off car owners. However, they create an environment that gives way to the latter. And while we cannot control these, all we can do is be careful.

Coolant Flushes: How Necessary? How Often?

Next to an oil change, a coolant flush is probably one of the most commonly offered services in an auto repair shop. And, it is one service that sometimes lends itself as a tool for a rip-off.

For one, many shops charge a very high rate for a coolant flush. I’ve heard of a shop that charges around $115 for the said service, saying that the job consumes a lot of time to finish. In reality, it’s a pretty simple job that even average car drivers can easily accomplish on their own. Of course, you just have to be careful in handling the coolant.

In other instances, some shops would recommend the service even if it’s not yet time to flush the coolant. They’ll look at your car and inspect it according to the problem that you mention, and just tell you that you also need new coolant. As a car owner, it’s your responsibility to know when the correct interval for changing coolant in your vehicle is. The absence of knowledge can easily lead you to take on the suggestion of your mechanic even if it’s not yet really time for a coolant flush.

Aside from the knowledge of the correct coolant interval in your car, you also need to be familiar with the type of coolant that is in your vehicle. There’s a new “breed” of coolant nowadays that requires a longer time to flush, unlike the usual ethylene glycol. If you have the coolant whose change interval is 100,000 miles, you will need less frequent coolant flushes. Check out the information in your car manual to learn more about the correct flushing interval. This knowledge can help you save a lot on car maintenance and automotive services while also making you less prone to automotive rip offs.

Choosing the Right Auto Repair Shop 101

We’ve been talking about auto repair rip-off avoidance in the past as a better option compared to having the need to fight off a rip-off after it has occurred. And, I’ve also stressed out several times how important finding a good shop is—it’s still the best way to have a good auto repair experience and avoid repair problems.

Here, we take a look again at the things you need to consider when looking for a good shop to entrust your car to:

1. Certification

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is a basic seal or certification that you need to look into when it comes to the mechanics handling your car. If you’re looking at the entire shop, check out for the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence, a proof that at least 75% of the techs working in the shop have ASE certification. Next week, we’ll look at a list of certifications that you can look into as proof of a shop’s excellence and reliability.

2. Record

When it comes to shop records, the Better Business Bureau is an institution that can help you. Whereas the certifications mentioned above will give you proof of excellence and skills, institutions like the BBB will tend to provide you with a complete picture that considers the overall attitude of shop mechanics. Any complaint about the shop, you will find here.

3. Specialty

We’ve already talked about skills and attitude, now let’s move on to expertise. I remember mentioning once that auto repair shops are not know-it-all. Even the most general shop will have shortcomings in terms of the automotive systems that they can handle. So, if you have a car problem that requires specialty, choose the shop that can deal with the problem well.

With these three things in mind, you’ll be a step ahead in your search for the right auto repair shop.

Preparing Your Car for Summer

The month of June is here, and summer is just around the corner. While the months of winter require a lot of prepping up for your car, the months of summer have their own set of demands. Be sure that your car is summer-ready to avoid unnecessary trips to the auto repair shops. Below is an outline of the things that you must do to prep up your car (and yourself) for the heat:

1. Keep your cooling system in top shape.

The first part that you need to secure during summer is your engine—it can easily overheat under the sun. So, be sure that your entire cooling system is in good health, capable of cooling the engine at all times.

2. Keep all your automotive fluids at the correct level.

This goes especially true for the coolant and oil in your ride. The coolant is crucial for engine heat collection and dissipation while the oil is vital for reducing friction and heat among working metal parts.

3. Keep your AC system in good shape.

While your engine needs to be cool, you need to remain cool as well. And for that, your only hope is the AC system. Be sure that all AC parts are working well and that the lines are okay. These will guarantee proper refrigerant circulation and sufficient cooling inside your vehicle cabin.

4. Try a heat shield.

If you’re parking your vehicle in a public area under the heat of the sun, you may want to get a heat shield to keep your ride from turning into a gigantic oven. This is a cheap addition that will help a lot in keeping your drive comfortable.

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Repairing Car Washes - Just Another Day for an Electrician

                As an electrician, I never thought that I would end up specializing in something so strange, but after several years operating my own business, I find that a lot of my time is spent servicing car washes! It seems that these fairly complicated machines go wrong with regularity. The first one I saw was having all sorts of electrical problems, and it actually took me quite a while to diagnose the problem. It turned out that the machine had a faulty circuit breaker which was of course pretty simple for me to repair. I told the garage owner that the car wash would be out of action for a few days whilst I waited for a new breaker to arrive. I went back to the office to order a new breaker online, and when I was having a look around for the best deal, I came across used breakers for sale. This was something that I had just never considered before, so I decided to read up on used breakers. It turned out that used breakers go through a vigorous set of tests to make sure that they are suitable for retail sale, and they even come with a full warranty! They would be cleaned, refurbished and have to be in perfect condition to be sold. The warranty on these used breakers was exactly the same as the warranty on new breakers, so I couldn't see any reason why I would need to buy new breakers again! Before I went ahead and ordered the used breakers, I called the guy who operated the car wash. I told him what I had discovered, and he jumped at the chance of saving the money. The used breakers were half the price of the new ones! Once I had fixed his car wash, the owner was absolutely thrilled, and he was particularly impressed that I had saved him so much money and that I had been good enough to passed the saving on to him. As the months and years went on, I got called out to more and more car wash jobs, and the fault always seemed to be the same thing. I always explained to any of the owners that I could save them a lot of money by buying used breakers for them, and this seemed to really help develop a bond of trust with the customer. This is the great thing about used breakers. Not only are they just as reliable as new breakers, and not only do they have a full warranty, but they can also be used as a tool to develop good relationships with clients. Every time I tell a client that I can find them a used breaker which is fully warranted but will save them a lot of money, they feel like I am doing them a favor. I suppose in many respects this is exactly what I am doing, because I could be selfish, and just keep the difference between the price of used and new breakers and never tell them the difference, but I think that doing things the honest way has helped me get more clients who keep coming back to me.

Some Car Rental Tips and Repairing Car Coolant

                 There are lots of websites online that give tips regarding renting cheap cars. If you are thinking of renting a car, you should be first of all learning those tips. The tips will be helping you to take a good decision while you rent a car. While renting a car, you must be looking at a lot of things - and not just the pricing of the car. While renting a car, the person would surely be with certain ideas. Try to match the ideas with the characteristic features and configuration of the car that you are thinking to finalize. You should be having a look at the rental charges as well. Are you thinking of spending your vacation with your family? If that's the case, then you would need a pretty bigger car that would fit the whole family. On the other hand, if you are thinking of renting a car to enjoy your honeymoon, you would need a coupe or something. You might already know that there are different varieties and types of cars - and depending on your needs, you should be going with the right car type. There is no use of renting a big car, if only you and your wife is travel in it. So, take a decision after thinking well about it. Those were some details regarding the renting process of a car. Besides that, there are lots of stuffs that you should be learning if you are thinking of renting a car. While choosing a car, you must be having some ideas regarding the various components of the car as well. If that's the case, you'll be able to make out whether a car would be functioning well even before trying it on your own. For example, if the coolant of the car is not working well, the engine's temperature will be rising well more than the actual level. And this is something which will be creating trouble. If you know this thing, you would surely replace coolant of your car at the right time. For more car rental tips, you should be having a look at the various automobile sites the online way. Such sites would be helping you to research the required information without spending much money.

Car Scratch Repair - Repair Car Scratches At Home

                  Are you looking for the best method to repair your car scratches? Most people take help of body paint shops to take care of these scratches. But instead of going to body paint shops, you can eliminate these scratches with the best DIY tips. Actually this type of repair is not that difficult and you can easily do it by yourself. But this is only possible when you know enough information and instructions about these types of repairs. Read on to discover the proven repair tips and save your hard earned money in the process. If your car has little scratches and minor imperfections then they can be easily eliminated. Only thing you need is proper guidance and right tools to accomplish your task. This way you can remove the scratches without spending hundreds of dollars for professional car repair services. The common misconception amongst car owners is that the touch up paint provided by many car dealers can easily repair your scratches. Actually it is not the best solution and the car scratches can still be visible from a certain distance. Many car dealers try to sell you a touch up paint when you approach them for repairing the scratches. But the real problem with these paints is their inability to blend with the actual color of the car. These paints only produce just another eyesore. So my advice is keep away from them when repairing your car scratches. Remember these paints can only repair small nicks and minor scratches. Therefore, use them only when you have minor car imperfections. Here are some useful DIY instructions for repairing your car scratches at home: 1) For medium level scratches and nicks, you need to use 240-grit sandpaper to sand those scratches down. Then use 320-grit sandpaper to make smooth surface around the scratch area. If you have major scratches then use only 800-grit dry and wet sandpaper to make the surface smoother. 2) When you get significant smooth area, you need to clear up that area from outside debris, sand and dust. Implement primer to the scratch area. In the end, you need to use at least 3 color coats on the primed area. This really helps in minimizing the scratches. But remember to keep a gap of at least 15-20 minutes in between every color coat. Temperature also plays a crucial role while applying the color coats. So apply them only when the temperature is just below 55 degrees to avoid poor results. 3) If you car has major scratches then only way to repair them is to re-paint your whole car. You can take help of professional services in this task.

How to Repair Car Windows

                Some people think that learning how to repair car windows is a tad technical. However, it is possible to learn the do it yourself job and even grow to be proficient in it. Taking over this activity and doing it satisfactorily will go a long way in boosting your self-esteem and of course, saving money. Other related duties require that you just be sure of your competency before embarking on the project however with the car window repair, you'll be able to simply embark on it right away. The first step will involve you cleansing up the repair area. It should ideally be concrete as that is simple to clean up. If a concrete surface isn't available, it is advisable to lay a tarp before proceeding. The primary tangible step to repair the window is to make sure that you have the correct tools. These could be found lying around the house e.g. screwdrivers, painter's cloth and a masking tape. Next, take away or undo the armrest and door handle. The inside panel will certainly come next. This part is expertly held all rounds with screws. Next, to be taken care of will be the moisture barrier. This element requires extreme caution. It is likely to be fixed with tape, screws or even clips. It's crucial that you just take your time while undoing this. Any rapture or tear with this will lead to a complex problem, which can mean extra money for further repairs. With this safely off, the next part will be the actual door. That is the primary stage in repairing car window that may involve you meeting the actual glass that is broken. This step is essential and it requires that you simply be very careful because the glass might injure you if not properly handled. It is very unwise to be aggressive. Ensure you take away all the massive glass shards before vacuuming out the minute ones. As soon as everything is clean and good to go, now you can bring in the new glass window. Ensure you set the glass window correctly on the track. The glass is held into place by a plug or a pin. It is best to then maneuver the window down or up as soon as you are certain it is correctly set. It will guarantee you of its proper working. In the case of repairing car windows, there is no assumptions and you need to be sure that everything is done based on the set procedure. The subsequent step will be to make sure that the components are put back in reverse order i.e. the barrier now comes first, the panel, armrest and eventually the door handle. After the set up of every piece, you need to once again take a look at the car window to be sure of its perfect working. The final step to repair window is to make sure that all damaged pieces of glass are cleaned off to avoid injury. It will ultimately mark the end of a truly nice and fun filled learning experience.

Essential Paint Repair Car Accessories

                   No matter how careful you are with your car, there's always something to take its toll on the paint work. Whether it's a trolley in a car park, an unfortunate incident at traffic lights, or an errand movement of a door, there is always something about to damage your car's paintwork. However, don't despair; there are some great paint repair car accessories that can keep your car looking at its best, even after an unfortunate little incident. Scratch Repair Kits These kits are perfect for small scrapes and dents and allow you to touch up the little problems caused by loose chippings and other issues. These kits are easily applied, cost little and ensure your car looks its best, even after an unfortunate event. Filler Body filler is used with a range of cars and comes in a range of different materials. It can be used in a wide variety of applications, from filling in small dents to repairing bumpers and is an easily applicable, quick fix for a number of problems. Spray Paints The spray paint can is one of the necessities every car owner should have and it's not too hard to find the exact colour you need. Spray paint is a very versatile car accessory that can be used alone, or along with a range of other repair jobs. Most large paint manufacturer's spray cans match car manufacturer's numbers and are easy to apply neatly, once you follow the instructions. Car Paint Restorer Time takes its toll on car accessories - just as it does on the rest of us. Unfortunately, for us, paint restorer doesn't do the job for in the same way as it does for your car paint. Paint restorer wonderfully removes blemishes, scratches and also can rid a car of dulling caused by surface oxidation - leaving your car looking brand new and with a great looking shine. Metal and Anti Rust Paint Rust and oxidation can really take their toll on a car and its metal and in bad and untreated cases be the ruination of a car. By using metal and anti-rust paint you can prevent oxidisation from setting in and destroying an area of a car. This car accessory comes in a range of colours and has a wide range of applications - ensuring your car looks great forever, no matter how old - it's just a shame they don't have a similar treatment for humans. Sandpaper and Abrasives Abrasives and sandpaper are often used to level out filler, or sand down rough areas of a cosmetic repair. They include Items and car accessories, such as steel wool, pads and sponges and can serve you well in your fight against paint and rust problems. With a bit of skill that no one will notice you've even repaired an area of your car.

Credit Repair - Car Financing For Someone Who Has Bad Credit

                 If someone says you have bad credit,they mean you have a poor credit score. Generally people are given a poor credit score for having a bad credit record. This can be attributed to not paying on loans, home mortgages, bills, or services, or submitting these payments past their due date. To financial institutions, people with poor credit scores are considered "high risk", and it can be very difficult for these people obtain a reasonable rate on a secured loan. A question that is often asked by "high risk" borrowers: Is it a smart idea to apply for a car loan if I have a bad credit rating? Consider the Implications Your poor credit score negatively effects you in may ways: - Depending on the state of your credit, your loan request may be denied. - If your application is accepted, the lender can still charge you a higher rate of interest. - In considering the purchase of a car, the seller might not give you a good price, or may charge extra. There are niche lenders that will loan you the amount you've requested, but you will be required to repay the amount you've borrowed, plus the rate of interest on that particular loan. A person with an average credit rating can find financing for a car for 10% interest rate, with a 7 year term to repay that loan. Conversely, someone with a poor credit score can find financing for a car with a rate of interest somewhere between 5% and 26%. A person with bad credit will have 2 to 4 years as their loan term. Also, you may be required to offer 50% of the total loan amount as a down payment. Find the Answer After considering the implications of bad credit, it's easy to see that securing a car loan, if you have bad credit, is a bad idea. If you are considering the purchase of a new car and have bad credit, consider these questions: Am I able to pay the high interest rate for a "high risk" loan? Am I willing to sacrifice a large portion of my income to pay this loan each month? Isn't there a way to find a decent car loan, even if I have bad credit? No. But there is a solution. The ramifications of obtaining a loan for the purchase of a car, if you have bad credit, are great. It is best to avoid these types of loans and to focus on improving your credit score. Start handling your finances efficiently and make your payments on time. Improving your credit score takes time. Give yourself a few months to repair your bad credit, and delay the purchase of a new car until you accomplish your goal. Focus on rebuilding your credit rating, and wait until you've done so to purchase a new car. You will be able to secure a loan with a lower interest rate, and perhaps a better price as well.

How You Can Repair Car Upholstery

                       Seeing tears or holes in your car upholstery could be frustrating as you may need to spend a lot of money on a repair job. However, you can repair the tears or holes without making use of a professional if you can take to these tips. You should examine the upholstery to discover the type of material it is made of. Is it leather, vinyl or a woven fabric blend? Knowing the material type will determine the approach you are going to use in handling the repair. Furthermore, the nature of the problem should be determined. Are you dealing with tears or holes created by cigarette burns? Tears should be handled in a different manner from holes created by cigarette burns. By knowing the nature of the problem, you will be able to narrow your focus on possible solutions. You should get a needle and thread it. The thread should be strong enough for use with upholstery products. You should also make sure that the needle is strong and slightly curved instead of a simple sewing needle. A lot of fabric shops sell upholstery needles and it is not difficult to get one from any of the shops. In an emergency situation, you can get a curved canvas needle from a marina. Subsequently, the torn area should be properly sewn and you can carry out this process with a simple "X" stitch. A stitch of this type is a crisscross design creating an X appearance. The stitches should be placed closely so that the overall hold of the stitching will be strengthened. In addition, a small amount of upholstery gel should be applied over the stitching, and this is recommended for leather and vinyl only. A patch with a similar grain should be used to indent the surface of the gel so that a pattern that will soften the appearance of the stitches will be created. The gel should be allowed to set and subsequently, the tear or hole should be fully sealed so that the torn area does not continue to get bigger. The hardened gel will be a source of protection for the stitches and will ensure that any stitching that could produce a new tear in the immediate area is prevented. You don't need to worry about spending a lot of money on repairing your car upholstery, once you can follow these simple steps, you can put it back in shape.

Automotive Air Conditioning Repair - Car Air Conditioning System Parts

                    It's always a pleasure to enjoy the fall of cool air on our body especially during hot summers. So you can attend marriage or any other personal functions or meetings with your face radiating beams of freshness. A powerful car air conditioner could greatly bring down the weariness caused by long drives especially automotive air conditioners in many cars which would be the dream cars of today's youngsters. However, automotive air conditioning is always not a standard addition provided in a car. Cars manufactured before 1940 lacked the feature as it was not invented by then. Gradually several enhancements were done to the system. The repair requires a trained professional's help. People curious to get to know the bottom of things may attempt to do some repairs by themselves exercising caution. In small air conditioned cars, there may be a slight drop in pick up of the vehicle but this will not be the case with big cars. The Standard Parts of Automotive Air Conditioning The automotive air conditioning system comprises seven major parts. These parts are: 1) Compressor - As heart is to the human body, so is compressor to the AC system. It is basically a pump connected to the engine whose chief function is to compress the refrigerant from the evaporator coils and the compressor, or "the heart of the system," is a pump that is attached to the engine. Its purpose is to compress and transfer refrigerant gas. The compressor has both an intake and a discharge side. 2) Condenser - It functions very much like the radiator and will most often have a similar appearance. The purpose of the condenser is to radiate or to give away heat, so whenever the AC is switched on condenser must have good supply of air for cooling purposes. 3) Evaporator - Its chief duty is to absorb heat. Besides getting rid of heat from inside your vehicle, it is also responsible for dehumidifying the car. In order to regulate the temperature of the evaporator, pressure introducing pressure regulating devices like orifice tube is necessary 4) The receiver is used in automotive air conditioning systems that employ thermal expansion valves as pressure regulating devices to ensure that this pressure regulating device receives the liquid refrigerant that it needs in order to function. In order to do so, it must separate gas and liquid. 5) The accumulator is used only on automotive air conditioning systems that have the orifice tube as the pressure regulating device, and its main function is to store surplus liquid refrigerant. In doing so, it prevents any liquid from entering the compressor, which could be detrimental to the system. In spite of the modern advancements that have been made in the automotive field since the introduction of automotive air conditioning, it is still possible to maintain your own system even if it is an olden day style.

Save Money by Repairing Car Dents Yourself

                Are you one of those people who will park way out at the end of a shopping center parking lot, away from all the other cars, just to prevent your paint job being scratched or even worse getting a dent from a runaway shopping cart or a door opened a little too close to your car? If this is you, then read on. Dents and dings are an inevitable part of owning a vehicle. We can try our best to avoid them but they will happen eventually anyway. The real question is how do we fix them? We all know that there are always auto body repair shops and dealerships that will take care of them--for a price. If your dent is small though and you do not have an arm and a leg to spare to cover the cost of a professional repair job, or if you just want the satisfaction of doing it yourself, then don't worry, there are ways to get your car dent repair done at your home and in your own time for a fraction of the cost. You can go to any of the many auto supply shops around and pick up a dent repair kit. Most of the ones that you find will have everything you need to take care of your problem except for the touch up paint and primer. All you have to do is follow the directions exactly as the kit has them and your dent repair will be a piece of cake. These kits are so incredibly informative and easy to use that even the most non-mechanically inclined person can use them with success. Being able to fix things yourself can give you such a sense of pride and being able to drive around in your spotless vehicle will feel so much better than wondering if everyone is looking at your dents instead of you.

How to Fix Your Car After a Collision Repair - Car Bodywork Repair

                     There are new ideas and research being done within the realm of fasteners when it comes to repairs. One welcome change that has been observed is in the bumper mounting area now coated fasteners are being used. This means an added replacement expense during repairs but it also means less corroded bolds. A new trend is headed toward fascia plastic fasteners being used. They are perfect because they are corrosion free and will release then they are suppose to. Continued research and changes like this are going to create a need for new types of fasteners. A good example of this is aluminum panels demanding aluminum fasteners. Again another significant way of reducing corrosion meaning a cost reduction because assembly times are faster. Routine Uses for Fastener Applications. -any of the sheet metal parts such as body panels, trunk, lid and hood. Usually attached with a Grade 2 screw or rivet. Screws may all look the same but there can be differences in and long and strong, they are as well as the pitch. - Treaded fasteners are most common for assembling bumpers. They have to be high strength as the bumper provides safety to the occupants of the vehicle. - Steel, plastic threads or plastic clips can be used for the headlight, grille and fascia. - For interiors fasteners or screws that are threaded are used for the dash board, while the pads may be plastic fasteners of varying types. Door trim panels are normally clips but some are bolts. Be very careful with the plastic clips as many are designed for one time use. - Steel bolts and screws are for the fiberglass items as well as plastic lips. - Steering and suspension are crucial to safety therefore demand high strength bolts. Proper Fastener Management Means Less Profit Loss You can actually stop your losses and increase your profit by about $50 on every repair done if you itemize the supplemental materials needed in your repairs. Items such as your chemicals, fasteners and even masking tape. That may seem like gouging the customer but actually these costs can mount up to thousands of dollars per year because they are not factored in when doing the estimates. If your shop does about 200 car repairs, a month then you are going to exceed $100,000 in revenue alone just in this one small change. You can actually create a snowball affect just by implementing a small change like this. You can re invest that extra money into other cost saving equipment, which allows you to increase the workload yet cut down the labor expense. The same goes for being astute at keeping control of inventory. You can dramatically cut down on your losses. Once you have cut these costs down then naturally, your profit level rises. It's the little things that can really make a big difference in the profit margin in this particular industry. The same with not wasting product is another issue to keep track off. By the same token, though don't start cutting corners to save money. In the end, it could end up costing you more by having customers returning for repairs and this is damaging to your businesses reputation.

Repairing Car Paint Scratches

               There are many companies out there these days that offer paint repairs, dent repairs and other services to get your car looking better than ever. You should make sure you're spending your money with the right company and getting a quality repair done. Some companies offer a lifetime warranty with their repairs, you want to make sure you're getting a lifetime warranty incase the job isn't done right the first time. Some companies also offer free quotes, you should always get a few quotes from numerous companies to ensure you're not paying to much for your repairs. Attempting to repair the paint yourself should never be done, this could go terribly wrong and you will find yourself with a big problem if it goes wrong. If you get the wrong color or get the wrong finish it won't look right. So when you're in need of any paint scratch repairs it's best to see the professionals, at least their work is guaranteed so you know you're going to receive a quality job. If you attempt to repair the paint yourself and it goes wrong, you will end up paying more money to have it repaired by the professionals. When choosing your paint restoration company, you should look around for a quality company. I would advise checking out some of their work before you get them to do any work on your car, this will give you an idea of the quality of work they provide. Some companies will provide better work than others, but they will also charge more. Depending on the job that is required should depend on where you take your car. If it's a minor scratch then it's generally an easy fix, so I would take it to the local guy. But if it's a major repair, you're better off looking around to get the best price possible. It's always best to have your repair done by a good reliable company. If you take your car to someone that doesn't know what they're doing, or a friend that says he can repair it for you. You aren't going to get a warranty on the job. So it's best to take your car to the local company that offers a lifetime warranty, so if your paint starts to fade or flake. You can take it back there and have it repaired without paying any further fees. If the paint is not right, or doesn't look good. You can have it repaired to your satisfaction. So when you're having your paint restored or getting your dents repaired, you should always find the most suitable company for you needs. Take a look at their work before having them do any work on your car and remember to get a few different quotes from multiple companies. This will ensure you don't end up being ripped off or end up with a bad job on your car. Don't forget to make sure you get a lifetime warranty on any work you have done, I wouldn't advise getting any work done by a company that doesn't offer you a warranty on the work they provide.

How to Repair Car Rust Holes

              Cars are prone to corrosion. Older unkempt vehicles tend to develop more rusts than well maintained ones. And when these rusts are untreated, overtime they eat the metal and create unsightly holes. Fortunately, there are simple ways that can be done to repair these holes. Unfortunately, the repair doesn't guarantee that it will last. Nevertheless, repairs can still be done to fill up rust holes on your vehicle. There are numerous ways to do this. But the most cost-effective and practical way of repairing these rust holes is by using the fiberglass cloth kit. The steps are relatively easy to follow and carry out. All you just need are a good amount of elbow grease, of course the fiberglass cloth kit, electric grinder and drill, spreader, sandpaper and sanding discs. Here are the 10 steps in repairing rust holes using the fiberglass cloth kit. Step 1: Remove all excess trim and loose debris from the corroded part of the vehicle. Cut the rusted metal but leave enough to maintain the overall shape of the body of the car. Step 2: Using an electric grinder with 24-grit disc, grind all traces of the rust including the primer and paint, just about four inches from the edge of the rust hole. Step 3: With the use of 100-grit sanding block, sand the affected surface to get a clear and shiny surface. As for the edges of the rust hole, slightly tap them inwards using a ball-peen hammer. Step 4: Get the release film from the fiberglass cloth kit and cut it about three inches larger than the sanded area. Lay the film over the rust hole. Mark this area with a pencil but avoid wrinkling the film. Step 5: Cut two pieces of fiberglass matte to cover the rust hole. One piece of this matte should be about one inch smaller than the sanded area. The other piece should be one inch smaller than the size of the first matte. Step 6: Get the cut release film and spread over it a layer of auto body repair jelly. Make sure that the film is facing outward. Then take the smaller fiberglass matte and place it over the release film with the jelly. Spread more repair jelly to the smaller fiberglass matte then place the larger cloth on it. Step 7: Then place the entire repair material over the rust hole, making sure that the film is facing outward. With the use of a spreader, smooth it out over the rust hole in an outward motion. Follow the shape of the car body and make sure that you remove all the bubbles. Step 8: Let the repair material cure overnight. And then the following day, remove the release film. Check if the repair material is completely set. Then sand the repaired area using an electric drill and sanding disc. Complete the repair and sanding using a block sander. Step 9: If there are low spots, fill them with the filler material. Once the filler dries, file and smooth it out with 80-grit sandpaper. Step 10: Apply the topcoat and hardener to create a smooth finish to the repaired rust hole. Smooth the topcoat using 200-grit then 400-grit sanding block. This should be enough to prepare the car body for masking, priming and painting. Remember, this treatment can repair and fill the rust hole up. But this doesn't give you an assurance that the rust will not return. Thanks for reading my rust repair article. Visit www.rust-repair.com [http://www.rust-repair.com/] for some great info regarding rust removal and repair.

Clean Title Repairable Cars

                  If you're in the market for a car that can be rebuilt and put back on the road or re-sold, you have certain advantages if you find a repairable car with a clean title. A clean-title rebuildable car could be a car that's been in a collision, or a theft recovery, a vandalized vehicle, a flood-damaged car or a burnout. In the case of floods, in particular, often insurance adjusters will get a sampling of cars that have been affected by flood damage on a dealer's lot, and then write off all the cars as total losses. Sometimes these cars will come away with salvage titles; other times they'll come with a clean title. What is the one clearest advantage? A car that comes with a clean title will be worth more when the rebuild process is complete. A rebuilt car with a salvage title will be worth less, and many states will mandate extra inspections before the car can be registered again. Remember that some states do NOT record salvage vehicle titles. You'll also need to know that an unscrupulous seller can launder a salvage title by moving the car from a state that has salvage titles to one that records only clear titles. You will, of course, need to check over a clean-title repairable car closely. Flood damage, in particular, can cause lingering headaches even after a car has been rebuilt. Inspect under the hood, under the dash, under the seats and carpets and in the trunk. Be aware of musty, mildewy smells (or efforts to cover up dank smells). Be on the lookout for rust inside the vehicle, or signs that the flood damage has been repaired or covered over. Water up to the floor pan of a car isn't necessarily a big problem, even though an adjuster might still call it a total. Water up to a car's windshield is almost always going to mean real trouble. If it is at all possible, you should try to get a vehicle history report such as CARFAX. CARFAX isn't perfect, but it gives you a leg up when buying a damaged vehicle (any vehicle, really). You can also look at the National Insurance Crime Bureau's database to look for VIN numbers of cars that have been damaged in hurricanes or floods. Clean-title repairable vehicles can wind up being a great deal for the rebuilder and reseller. Often these vehicles have negligible damage, or may just need cosmetic work to be returned to resellable condition. Do your homework, be aware of what you're getting into and you can wind up with a car that can bring you years and many miles of reliable service, or can be sold at a fairly tidy profit. Also, remember that an older car has a lower book value, so it's going to mean less actual damage for an insurer to write it off as a total loss.

A Guide to Repairing Car Dents

                  Any type of vehicle is subject to dents. Accidents have a way of happening, and when it happens to you, it is out of your control. Minor car accidents manage to only get dents on the car. Taking your vehicle to an auto body repair is time consuming and it can also cost a lot of money. You can save your time and money if you find a way to handle the repairs yourself. Below are some of the different ways to repair car dents on your own: 1. Assess the damage. Most dents are either tapped or popped out, provided that there are no creases on the steel and that it is not draped up. By carefully assessing the damage, you can easily spot if there are creases on the steel or if there are ripples in the metal. If the steel is creased or draped up, you are better off purchasing a new panel. This would be the better option rather than trying to fix the dent. 2. Tapping Method. This procedure is usually used to remove dents on large or flat surfaces such as the hood or trunk of the car. The tools used for this method is a block of wood, an old towel, and a rubber mallet. The size of the wood would depend on the size of the dent and the area you are working with. Ideally, choose a block of wood that you can easily grip with one hand. The key to this method is to take your time and when you hit the wood, make sure that you tap the flat surface. 3. Use a common plunger. This is considered to be one of the most effective ways to take out or remove a dent. Apply the plunger on the dent and in a slow and steady manner, depress it until no air remains and you've managed to a get a tight seal between the rubber head of the plunger and the steel. For a tighter and more impressive seal, slightly wet the plunger head. Softly pull the dent back out of the panel. For a more stable pull, make sure that you have a solid grasp over the plunger. If tapping the dents away is not an option, this would be a good alternative. For more complicated and technically challenging car dents, it is always a good idea to get the advice of a professional. Seeking the advice of experts ensures that you will do the right method to effectively remove the ugly dent on your car.

Damaged Repairable Cars

               While you search through classifieds and the Net or the paper and you see any damaged repairable cars available, would that be of some concern to you in the least. We're a society that's forever seeking the greater, best thing and this is frequently apparent in the autos we buy. There's technically not anything bad about it, only it does cause one to wonder what we're passing by in terms of producing something unique. After all, we want things to be unique and it does imply a sound investment; a diamond isn't of value because it's common. Hence, we would like to buy a new auto only everything automotive today appears to be so costly, recession or no recession. What we could do is think out side of the box and discover what rewards there are in purchasing damaged repairable cars. In the first place, you're going to get it inexpensive then you will be able to plan from there. You'll be able to locate a repair shop to check with and find out what repairs are required then what sort of customizing you will be able to do to create a really extraordinary car. These "gear heads" are bound to know where parts could be found and where accessories could be added on. You may think of them in representative terms and say that in a drought or 'recession' it's the vultures, which ofttimes experience a kind of good time, feeding upon all the accessible carrion. This position is beneficial while the drought doesn't go on to long and the carrion plays out. By comparable terms, the person feeding off of the bodies of autos don't have this downside. They may stash away the restored vehicle for sale in the future or hold on to them for their personal usage. They likely saved a lot of expense purchasing and restoring damaged second hand cars to begin with and today because they made it unusual they, could plausibly sell them at quite a net profit.

Did You Know That You Can Repair Car Scratches Yourself?

                 Over time, one's car paint will inevitably get scratched. These unsightly marks can depreciate value and weaken the car's finish. Left unattended, some deeper scratches can even lead to rust. No one wants rust on their car as this can be costly to repair. Luckily, the DIY auto painter can easily repair car most minor scratches and nicks in his or her home garage. You can sometimes polish these out as long as they are not deep and paint is still visible under the blemish. If this is the case, you are in luck as no further reading is necessary. Unfortunately, if you see primer or bare metal under the scratch, a new paint application will be necessary. The first thing you will need is a brush from a touch-up bottle to apply the paint to these scratches and other small nicks. In times past, the DIY auto painter would use dabs of clear nail polish to cover these minor scratches after. Both of these can generally be found in your local auto body paint and parts store. It would be wise to ask for help when selecting the correct touch-up bottle as they can match up the car's color code with what you are in need of. In addition, they will have invaluable information on how to repair car scratches yourself. Remember there is nothing wrong with asking questions. When deciding whether or not to repair car scratches yourself, make sure you do not let too much time pass. Many scratches will allow oxidation to wreak havoc with your paint job. This is also why nail polish was used as it would protect the finish from peeling. If too much time passes, the paint will eventually start peeling off. This would be an unfortunate result of something that can easily be repaired in one's own garage and much more expensive. If the nick or scratch is quite long, touch up paint will not work. This is because it is not effective in long strokes. To recap, those small car scratches and minor blemishes are simple to fix. Gauging the scratches severity will also help decide whether or not the project can be done at home. The deep scratches that many of us see on cars that are long and often made by keys belonging to angry people will usually require quite a bit more work and possibly a paint booth rental. If you want to learn more about how to repair car scratches please visit http://www.learnautobodyandpaint.com to get more information as well as a FREE 85 page e-read on auto body repair and paint!

Buying Crash Repair Car Parts From A Salvage Yard - What to Watch Out For

             Salvage yards are popular sources of crash repair car parts because they are good sources of inexpensive parts. If your car has been involved in an accident then you will have to replace quite a few parts. Needless to say, you need to deal with a really good salvage yard because that is the only way you can get all the parts you need. In addition, you also need to have a really good mechanic who will be able to fit the parts correctly because this is absolutely essential to the proper functioning of the vehicle. You should stay away from smaller salvage yards because they might not be able to get you the parts you need because they do not have too many vehicles to take apart. The best ones maintain proper inventory of parts so that you can get the exact ones without too much trouble. You shouldn't have to search through rusty parts for the exact one you want. Rust is another problem you will have to face if you buy second hard parts. Examine the parts you plan to purchase, preferably go there with your mechanic, so that you don't buy anything that is already damaged. You will have to do a few repairs to get rid of rust and dents and its best that this is done before the piece is attached to the car. This is the only way that repairs can be done properly. If possible, take the part that has to be replaced along with you to the salvage yard so that you can verify that the new part is an exact match. You'll certainly save a lot of money if you buy crash repair car parts from a salvage yard but there are certain circumstances when this is not a good idea at all. It is a bad idea to buy parts for your engine or brakes from a salvage yard because you never know how badly they have been damaged. Further, if you are really particular about how your car should look once it has been repaired then you should consider buying crash repair car parts brand new instead of second hand. If you buy a part that has been manufactured for your specific vehicle in mind then there is no chance of it not fitting. There are plenty of great stores where you will get all sorts of brand new accessories to help make your car ready for the road again. Be very careful when you buy crash repair car parts from a salvage yard because you might have to deal with a lot of problems. Visit www.panelhouse.com.au in order to get all the parts you need at incredibly affordable prices.

Car Scratch Repair - 3 Options to Repair Car Scratches

                  A car scratch repair is what comes to your mind as soon as you walk up to your car in the parking to find a big scratch on its side. It would be very hard to find out who is responsible for it. Furthermore, you also have to think about how much it will cost you to have it repaired. A scratch can mark the finish of your car's paint and diminish its value. But don't worry, here are 3 options to repair car scratches. 1) Using touch-up paint. First, you have to clean off the area thoroughly. Then you can do touch-up paint on the scratches to make it look like new. Use a very fine brush and paint along the scratch. Make sure that the color exactly matches the paint work of your car. Wipe away excess paint and leave to dry. After it has dried up, determine if you need to add extra coating or simply wax it. When adding a second coat, make sure to wax them as soon as they dry. 2) Using polish You can also try to use polish for the car scratches. Polish is mildly abrasive, thus it can be used to fix car scratches by taking off some of the paint gently. Then, put polish on a cloth and wipe it over the scratch, rub the area surrounding it to the paint matches. Wipe off the polish and the scratches should be invisible. Apply wax to the areas for added protection. Keep in mind that you do not have to spend a lot in removing scratches in your car. There are plenty of do-it-yourself methods that will enable you to save money. The most important thing is to find the time to do it, so that your car will look good as new without having to spend your hard-earned money on paying someone to get it fixed. 3) Using the Fix It pens These pens work quite similarly to touch-up paint, but they are much easier to use. The best thing about these pens is, you can keep it in your car and repair those minor scratches instantly - right after you spot them!