Posts Tagged ‘Glove Box’
Do It Yourself Auto Body Repair – It’s Easier Than You Think
Written by admin on February 18, 2010 in Automotive
Everyone has done it. You back into a pole, rear end a stray shopping cart or drop a heavy object on the trunk lid. The result is an ugly dent or a scraped finish. Turning in small damage claims to your insurance can be costly and if you have gotten an auto body repair estimate, you know that parts and labor can be expensive to pay out of pocket. There is another option though, you can fix it yourself. That’s right. Armed with a plunger, a bottle of touch up paint and a few supplies, the average do-it-yourselfer can repair small dents and scratches. Here’s how.
Unsightly Dents
If your accident has not broken the finish and has damaged a larger body panel, you may be able to pull the dent out. Dump a bucket of soapy water over the dent and stick your household plunger over the area. The water should help create a good seal and you may be able to pull the panel back into shape. The soap will allow you to slide the plunger down the panel to break the suction.
If your dent is in a small area near a crease in the vehicle, you can place a small block of wood at the tip of the dent and gently tap the wood with a mallet to force the misplaced metal back into its original shape. Tapping gently around the edges of the dent may help pop the metal back into shape. Use care not to break the finish, chipped paint exposes bare metal which will rust.
Scratches, Scrapes and Stone Chips
Most body shops will sell you a bottle of touch up paint. They will also ask you what you are repairing and offer to fix it for a large fee. Kindly decline, and request just a bottle of touch up paint. They will need access to you vehicle to get the manufacturer’s paint code. This is most often found in the glove box or the door jam. If your vehicle has been painted a different hue than its original paint color, the auto body technician can use an educated guess to mix your paint to match the rest of the finish closely.
You will need a fine grit sand paper, a bucket of soapy water, some wax and buffing cloths in addition to your bottle of paint. Wash the scraped area well with soapy water, paying special attention to any bugs or tar in the area. Wet your fine grit sand paper and carefully sand the edges of the scrape or stone chip, making sure to keep your sand paper wet. Dry the area well and leave it sit for at least ten minutes to make sure it dries completely. Then, shake the bottle of touch up paint for at least two minutes. Brush on a light coat of paint over the damaged area. You can always apply a second coat after the first coat dries. Allow the paint to cure overnight then use a rubbing compound followed by a coat of wax to protect your finish
Paint repairs fare the best when done on a sunny day with low humidity. If this is not possible in your area, perform the repairs inside a heated building with a dehumidifier running. You can also use heat lamps or a hair dryer on its lowest setting to help cure the paint.
With a few tools and a little know how, you can save yourself some money by repairing small damages yourself.
By: Levi Quinn
About the Author:
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Look For an Auto Repair Shop That Offers Top-Notch Service
Written by admin on January 15, 2010 in Automotive
For most people their car is one of the biggest investments they will make. Some people take more pride in the way their car looks than how it actually performs. As a result, they fail to perform regular maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations, brake, battery, and fluid level checks. Routine maintenance assures your car’s safety, performance, and it saves money.
Although manufacturer requirements differ, most recommend oil changes should occur every three thousand miles to keep the engine running efficiently. When the oil is not changed regularly, it eventually breaks down and begins to cause wear and tear on the engine. In order to function properly, the engine needs clean oil. Taking your car to a Denver auto repair shop for oil changes is fast, easy and the best way to insure that it is changed correctly.
When you have the oil changed by a professional car repair center, the technicians will also check fluid levels, tires and batteries. Tires should be rotated every six months to prevent them from unevenly wearing the treads. If this happens, the car may have a tendency to veer either to the left or right and have compromised stopping ability. It is imperative to take care of your tires to ensure you and your passengers safety.
Technicians at car repair centers also check your tire’s air pressure. If the pressure is too low, it may cause unnecessary wear, if it is too high, it may cause a blow-out. Vehicles with tires that are not properly maintained may become hazardous, and in the case of an accident, fatal. Keep a little tire gauge in your glove box and check the pressure regularly, or pay attention to that warning light that comes on in some newer vehicles.
Batteries are checked for leakage and corrosion. If wear and tear, corrosion, or leakage in the battery exists, a mechanic will suggest its replacement. If needed, the cables and other components will be checked and replaced. Brakes are a vital safety component of a car and consequently they are often quite expensive to repair. For your security, the security of others, and the security of your bank account, it is important to keep the brakes of your car in excellent condition.
Brake problems do not happen suddenly, they tend to develop gradually. More often than not, the damage has been done before certain warning signs appear such as soft brake pedals, squeaking, or scrubbing brakes. These warning signs indicate that a problem already exist in the brake system. At this point, brake components may need to be changed. This may cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Having routine maintenance checks will detect problems before they arise, prevent serious problems, and save you money.
Another way to avoid costly repairs is to make sure your air conditioner is functioning properly. During hot weather, you don’t want to get caught without a working air conditioner. Regular maintenance by your local auto repair shop can easily detect problems caused by low refrigerant, a dirty condenser, air and moisture contamination or a mechanical problem. Don’t procrastinate, take your car to a Denver car repair for maintenance today. Doing so will save you time, energy and money.
By: Nick Messe
About the Author:
Nick Messe is president of The Lead Frog LLC. Pro Auto Care in Denver has been providing top notch Denver brake repair since 1992. Have your auto repaired by fully qualified technicians who care – http://www.proauto1.com
