Category: General

Dirt, pollen, tree sap, bird droppings, and normal road build up are really annoying me because I will again go to car detailing port Melbourne so that they can make my car new again. If you pay a visit to your local auto parts store you will discover a wall full of car care and detailing products. It’s no different on the web. Most retailers of car detailing supplies have so many cleaners, polishes and waxes that it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between even the most basic items. So how do you know what works and what doesn’t? More importantly, can the wrong products damage your car?

Practically speaking, there are only a few categories of detailing products. For ease of discussion you can break it down into cleaners, polishes and protectants. A few products have more than one purpose. Chemicals that clean and protect in a single step are a good example.

Car Wash

A car wash is a gentle soap that’s designed to clean the exterior of your car without removing wax protection. A soap is not the same as a detergent. A detergent will remove wax protection with a single use. That’s why you should not use a household cleaner like Dawn dish washing liquid, unless you’re planning to wax your car.

I recommend selecting a car wash soap based on what works best for you. You may need to try a few because they all react a bit differently to water quality conditions. That said, all of the major brand names are pretty close in quality. I like Meguiar’s Gold Class. Mothers California Gold is another popular brand.

Tire and Wheel Cleaners

A tire cleaner is a detergent that has enough cleaning power to cut through old tire dressing and the road grunge film that builds up on tires and turns them brown. Be careful. If you find a product that contains petrochemicals or bleach, stay clear. These chemicals will really do a number on fine alloy wheels and they cause tires to age prematurely.

To properly clean your wheels, look for an all-purpose cleaner or an all-purpose wheel cleaner. Don’t use an acid based cleaner unless you have chrome wheels. If you don’t use a cleaner containing acid correctly it will permanently damage your wheels.

Engine and Undercarriage Cleaners

Most people don’t clean their engines, but it’s a great habit to get into because it helps reduce corrosion. Once a year of so is perfect. It takes strong chemicals to remove dirt, grease, oils and grime. The best cleaner for this job was d-limonene, but it is an environmental hazard, so it’s banned in many areas. I suggest a detergent cleaner, not petroleum, such as Meguiar’s new engine cleaner. They really did a good job formulating it for new engines with plastic covers and other composite components.

Leather and Vinyl Cleaner

Leather and vinyl are common throughout car interiors. Both materials are very durable, but the sun, dirt and oils from our bodies can cause rapid deterioration. Skin oils cause vinyl and leather to age and discolor, so frequent light cleaning is necessary to avoid issues. It’s difficult to tell where real leather ends and plastic or vinyl begins theses days, so I recommend using a product designed for both. Lexol is the recognized leader.

Upholstery and Carpet Cleaners

For your carpet and fabric finishes, including carpeted floor mats, you can choose sprays or foams. There’s no easy answer here because there are advantages and disadvantages to each. Foams have the ability to push dirt to the surface where it can be vacuumed away. They also put less liquid into the fibers so the carpet or fabric dries faster. Conversely, liquid cleaners thoroughly wetting the fabric and carpet fibers for deep cleaning. I prefer liquid cleaners.

Glass and Plastic Cleaners

Ammonia-based glass cleaners should not be used on your vehicle. It’s harsh on interior car surfaces and it’s a health risk when used in confined spaces. A better solution is a damp microfiber towel. They clean glass without using chemical cleaners. You can clean clear plastic surfaces, including window tint film, with a glass cleaner as long as it does not contain ammonia or alcohol. These chemicals will ruin clear plastic. A better solution is to use a plastic cleaner, such as Plexus.

Paint Polish

Paint polish, not car wax, is what gives paint its high gloss shine. Choose a car polish that matches the needs of your car’s paint finish. New cars need a fine polish that cleans more than polishes. This type of polish is typically called a pre-wax cleaner. If you have swirl marks, fine scratches or water spots, choose a polish that specifically addresses these problems, but don’t use heavy rubbing compounds.

Clay Bar

About ten years ago a new product came onto the market for general use that cleans better than car polish. It’s called detailing clay, and it works like an erasure. Using a spray lubricant to prevent sticking, you simply rub the clay bar over the paint finish to make it clean and slick again. All of the bonded contamination transfers directly to the clay.

Car Wax

The final step is waxing. These days, “car wax” refers to any coating you apply to protect the paint. Synthetic waxes are also called paint sealants. Be leery of false claims on paint sealants. Too many products claim to last a year or more, and it’s simply not true. Regardless of any claim, your vehicle needs regular cleaning and waxing to prevent surface oxidation. Waxing three to four times a year is optimal.

To learn more about car cleaning products visit David Bynon’s Guide To Detailing blog, a leading source of information about detailing products and DIY car care.

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When a car detailing port Melbourne works in my old car I provided him everything so that the have all the resources to bring back my old car into something new. Having the car die while on the highway can be terrifying. You may be in a perilous place, and you will have the added headache of searching for a mechanic. How do you figure out who is right for the job? Use the following tips to find the right auto repair service.

An emergency kit is a must for your car. This kit should consist of tire changing tools, jumper cables, and an empty container that is appropriate for re-fueling your gas tank. In addition, you should have a flashlight with fully charged batteries, a blanket and other things.

Regularly check out your radiator. Let the car run a couple minutes, shut your engine and open up your hood. You never want to open up the radiator if your car is still running. Check the fluid in your radiator and always mix water with the coolant before adding it.

When bringing your car to a mechanic, tell them you want OEM parts. These parts are issued by the manufacturer of your vehicle. Although using generic parts may provide some short-term savings, it’s impossible to know whether or not they’ll hold up as well as OEM parts. It can appear like a deal right now and cost twice the amount later as OEM components to begin with.

Do you know the signs of a low quality mechanic? If they tend to talk in circles or ignore your questions, then they might not be all that you want them to be. Find a mechanic who seems trustworthy and knows how to answer all your questions.

If your car needs major repairs, get multiple quotes for the necessary repair. Do not pay extra money for a service that can be performed at a fraction of the cost. Find a shop that specializes in your particular make of car. Your car is more likely to be repaired properly at these shops.

Ask about prices and labor rates before you give your keys to a mechanic. A lot of places will put rates in the fine print and so you need to read over any paperwork carefully. Know where the estimated prices come from. Some shops have the repair times established by certain manufacturers. Some minor repairs could even be an all day job.

Remember that DIY auto repair may be quite dangerous. Work with someone nearby if you do plan to work on your car. Buy quality tools that are durable and reliable. You will need these in case you ever have a flat tire. The jack you buy needs to support your vehicle well. Err on the side of caution with a hydraulic floor jack, specifically one that has safety-tested and approved stands.

You should know things about the inner workings of a vehicle before taking your car to the mechanic. There are new parts, refurbished parts, and salvaged parts. Parts that are new are recently created to fit manufacturer specifications. Buying a rebuilt or reconditioned part means the part has been damaged and fixed in the past. “Salvage” refers to used parts that aren’t altered.

There are no auto parts that will last the entirety of your life, and you shouldn’t buy any products that claim to do so. This is generally just a way to get consumers to buy those parts. Lifetime deals are typically not legitimate. It does not last a lifetime and has to be changed every 80k miles.

A lot of people do not take their time to read through their vehicle’s manual when they have a problem. You need to look through this manual and know what you need to do if a problem comes about. You can learn a lot about preventative maintenance and small repairs in your manual.

For simple things, such as adding oil and windshield wiper fluid to your vehicle, there is no reason that you cannot do these things on your own. Routine maintenance can be done by you. Learn how to do the job online, which has many resources to teach you, then jump right in.

Once a mechanic diagnoses your car, ask if you can take some time to consider whether or not you want to hire them. Contact other shops or dealerships and compare what they would charge for repairs suggested by the first mechanic. If you locate a better deal, and you feel like you can trust the other shop, move on.

While going to a dealer costs more, on average they are going to do a better job. Technicians at the dealership are often more knowledgeable about the make and model of your car. This makes them better able to diagnose and fix problems quickly, getting your car back to you faster. These mechanics regularly receive additional training.

After paying a mechanic to replace an old part on your vehicle with a new one, ask him to give you back the one that he removed. If the mechanic refuses to give you the part back, it may because he never replaced it in the first place. This is a definite red flag and you should call him out on it.

Ask anyone you trust for a mechanic recommendation. This is a great method since your friend has personal experience with them. When using a stranger, this is a must.

It can be hard to pick a repair service for your car. The right advice can make a world of difference in making your choice much easier. Know what to look for and what to ask. Use these tips when your car next gives you problems.

Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misconceptions out there with regards to ceramic paint protection. There are three main rules to follow when one decides, “I want to learn how to paint my car.” Following these three rules will help you to get that factory fresh paint job. These rules have been borrowed from learnautobodyandpaint.com, a comprehensive resource for us amateurs wondering “how to paint my car“.

The first rule would be deciding what kind of paint job you will be undertaking. If it is to repair a small scratch or nick, then you will likely be using a small touch up can and brush. These are available for purchase in your local auto body store. If you intend to fix major damage, you will have to use a spray paint gun and possibly a paint booth. Should this be the case, make sure to purchase or rent a high quality gun. Figuring this out early on will enable you to create a budget to price you car painting project.

The next rule that will enable you to achieve an awesome finish focuses on choosing the right paint. Make sure you choose urethane for newer car models and acrylics for restoration and classic vehicles. Take note that paints with red and pearl in them will cost you more, therefore if you are on a budget it may be wise to steer away from these colors. In addition, make sure to purchase enough paint for the job you plan to undertake. You do not want your car half painted while you have to run back to the auto body store for more supplies.

The final rule to for a pro paint job is to make sure you correctly and completely prepare the surface that is to be painted. You will have you choice of sanding, media or sand blasting, and chemical stripping. Each choice is best for specific types of projects. Make sure to consult your local auto body store clerk when deciding this crucial element.

Remember it is always good to ask questions when you are in the store. This process will also require a fair amount of safety precautions to be taken. This is to ensure not only your safety, but to ensure you do not warp or irreparably damage parts of your car. With these three rules in mind, you should be well on your way to answering your original query of how to paint my car.