Safe Driving Tip #14: Space & Speed Management

A professional driver explains why it's important to keep enough space between your vehicle and another one. These tips are from Ford Motor Company's Driving Skills for Life program, which is designed to help young drivers improve their skills in four key areas that are critical factors in more than 60% of teen vehicle crashes, hazard recognition, vehicle handling, space management and speed management.

Car Paint Care Techniques

Buying a car includes a lengthy decision making process involving an array of influencing factors. One of the most important among them is colour. Your car's paint job is one of the most noticeable features and expensive to replace and repair. That is why it is good to know the appropriate car paint care techniques which will add years to the life and luster of your car's paint.

Washing

One of the most obvious steps is of course washing. Washing removes loose contaminants like dirt, dust and road film that is sitting on top of your cars finish. Don't use dishwasher detergents, because they will strip your wax protection. I would suggest you to wash your car every two weeks to keep your car looking good and free of contaminants. It is good to wash your car in the shade and remember - nothing can replace the benefits of regular washing.

Drying

After washing, never skip drying your vehicle. This process is needed to prevent water smudges (annoying mineral deposits that imprint the outline of a drop of water into your vehicle's paint).

Cleaning

Cleaning makes reference to getting rid of defects like oxidation, swirls, stains, overspray, and all foreign surface fragments from exterior surfaces for achieving crystal clear reflections and long lasting protection. A clay bar helps to clean contamination\/dirt from the clearcoat that can not be cleared away through regular washing. Clearcoat contamination can come from industrial fallout, air particles, tar, and animal droppings. If the car is in good conditions and free of defects, cleaning step is not necessary.

Polishing

For a show car shine it is important that you don't skip the polishing step. Polishing your car's paint repairs the harm caused by the sun, foreign objects, contamination and washing or drying with poor quality wash gloves and towels. Polishing can be done using mechanical polishes with a machine and particular polishing pads that clear away a fine layer of clearcoat from a car to remove superior scratches and swirls from a paint surface.

Protecting

Protecting involves the application of a protective material (in liquid or paste form) that defends against foreign matter from adhering to the surface of the vehicle, including water, bug splatter, dirt, and tar. Waxes and sealants provide this barrier against those harsh factors.

Maintaining

This procedure is all about keeping your car in a good shape. It is recommended to wax your car 3 to 4 times a year. Be sure to wash and rinse in areas so the car wash soap doesn't dry before being washed off. And finally go through the manufacturer's directions on all car care products prior to use.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6961148

Safe Driving Tip #13: Seat Belt Use

A professional driver explains how to fasten your seat belt properly. These tips are from Ford Motor Company's Driving Skills for Life program, which is designed to help young drivers improve their skills in four key areas that are critical factors in more than 60% of teen vehicle crashes, hazard recognition, vehicle handling, space management and speed management.

Importance of proper forward-facing child restraint installation

Simulated crash tests show the importance of proper child restraint installation. Most parents don't realize they need to use the top tethers for forward-facing child restraints. Attaching the top tether keeps the restraint from pitching too far forward in a crash putting children at risk of head or neck injuries. Tethers are key to getting the most protection from a child restraint.

Safe Driving Tip #12: Objects in the Vehicle

A professional driver explains where you should place objects like your purse within your vehicle for optimum safety. These tips are from Ford Motor Company's Driving Skills for Life program, which is designed to help young drivers improve their skills in four key areas that are critical factors in more than 60% of teen vehicle crashes, hazard recognition, vehicle handling, space management and speed management.

Car Detailing Tips - A Remedy For Cloudy Headlights

Cloudy headlights result in diminished visibility, that's a proven fact. Often, this cloudiness is caused by hazing of the plastic (or polycarbonate) lense of the headlamp. This hazing is the result of harmful environmental effects over a period of time, and with the average age of cars on the road being 10 years, you can see how this is a growing problem.

It's very important to restore headlights to their full factory lumen output. However, many products have flooded the market addressing this issue and choosing one is a real problem for the consumer.

Here's a quick run down on the different types of restoration methods available and the results you can expect from each method. 

• Headlight Replacement - This is almost guaranteed to fix the issue and should be used if your current headlights have any cracks, leaks, or any evidence of a broken seal. Headlight replacement costs begin at $200 and go up from there.


• Drill mounted polishing kits - This method removes scratches, and minor chips in the headlamp lense. If you are handy with drills and good at sanding, this may be the way you want to go. These kits require two stages of sanding, wet first and then dry, and the kits contain special pads for each sanding process. Wet and dry sanding continues until the clouded surface of the lense is smooth and the dulled layer is removed. Now polishing begins. Begin with a drill equipped with a pad used for polishing and finally follow up with a pad for buffing. These pads will be in the kit. The result will be a clear lense that easily allows light through. Cautions for using this type of kit include protecting your vehicle's paint by taping before beginning the restoration and taking extreme care in using a power drill around water.


• Corrosion remover kits - These kits start with a spray that removes surface corrosion by softening it. Once applied the spray breaks down any surface grime so that it is removed in the hand sanding process. The sanding requires 3 stages with progressively finer sanding paper (supplied in kits) until the lense is clear. The final step is to coat the lense with a UV clear coat (also included) that will prolong the life of the newly restored headlamp. Cautions for this method include using protective gloves and a mask along with thorough taping to protect painted and chrome finishes.


• Diamond polishing systems - A solution containing diamond rouge is applied using a pad supplied with these kits. Because of the abrasiveness of the diamond solution, the lense can be polished quickly to remove surface corrosion and grime. The solution is removed with a clean, dry towel and the lense can be inspected to see if any further application of the diamond rouge is needed. After the desired result is achieved, a protective polymer is applied to the lense to keep it clear longer. There are no cautions for this method as it doesn't require power tools, taping or sanding.

No matter which method you choose to use, you can expect the results to last for about two years. During those two years though, you will be experiencing better visibility and your car's appearance will be greatly improved. It is also important to perform this maintenance work before offering your car for resale as it may increase the value of your car.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6965891

Quik Tips Series - Waxing Your Paint Finish for Maximum Protection

Waxing your car regularly is a must when it comes to protecting your paint from the elements.  If you are looking for a synthetic polymer based wax, Meguiar's® offers NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 for the ultimate in protection.  Or try Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Plus Wax for a more natural, carnauba based wax.

Safe Driving Tip #11: ABS Braking

A professional driver explains the differences between braking with Antilock Braking Systems (ABS) and standard braking systems. These tips are from Ford Motor Company's Driving Skills for Life program, which is designed to help young drivers improve their skills in four key areas that are critical factors in more than 60% of teen vehicle crashes, hazard recognition, vehicle handling, space management and speed management.

Take Care of Your Vehicle With the Help of Professional Automobile Body Repair Services

If you've been in a collision or if your car has simply suffered normal wear and tear, you need to make sure that you get any potential problems checked out at one of the auto body shops in your area, even if the damage doesn't look serious. Professionally trained technicians will be able to evaluate any external or internal issues and get your car back on the road looking and driving its best.

Your car represents an investment, and so it's in your best interest to take care of any body or frame issues with the vehicle right away when they come up. In addition to that, your safety, and that of other drivers, on the road depends on having a fully functional car. If your car has been damaged, call your local auto body shop right away to set up an appointment to have it looked at even if the damage seems minor. These professionals will be able to accurately asses the extent of any problem and have the tools and materials on hand to fix whatever is wrong. Then, when you pick your car up you'll be able to drive away knowing that your car is in great, safe condition.

Little problems such as scratched paint or dents may not impair your car's ability to drive, but they certainly affect the look of the vehicle and the image that you project to others. Additionally, some seemingly minor damage can actually signal larger problems. If you've been in a collision, for example, a dent on the surface of your car may actually only be an outward sign of more extensive internal damage. Scratched paint may not seem like a big deal on its own, but if left untreated, it can lead to rust damage that will slowly eat away at your car's exterior. In order to protect your car in the long term, getting minor surface damage checked out by an auto body repairer is essential. They will be able to survey the whole vehicle, find out the extent of the damage, and take appropriate steps to fix it. You'll protect your investment and will end up with a car that will look great for years to come.

When it comes to internal damage, it is also sometimes hard to tell if there's a problem. In many cases, you'll know right away that there's an issue because your car doesn't work properly, but your car can still drive fine even if there's some damage to the frame. Having a properly aligned frame, though, is central to how safe your car is, so even if your car can be driven, that doesn't mean it should be. The frame is designed to act in a certain way in the event of a collision, so if it is at all compromised, you are putting yourself and anyone who rides with you in unnecessary danger. If you've experienced any type of collision that may have affected the internal structure of your car, call your local body repair shop immediately. They can perform tests, frame repairs, and realignments to make sure that your car's structure conforms to industry safety standards. By taking your car in, you'll be secure in the knowledge that your vehicle is in the best possible shape.

Auto body shops can address all kinds of car-related repairs, from fixing damaged paint to straightening the entire frame of your car. For your own safety and for the sake of your car itself, call your local repair shop as soon as you have any type of auto body issue.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6013983

What Does a Collision Repair Service Do?

Driving down a long winding road watching the sunset is a lovely thought. But, what if your vehicle is suddenly involved in an accident? Collisions are becoming very common these days due to negligence or reckless driving. Sometimes the vehicle is completely destroyed in an accident or the body suffers extensive damage. Even dents and scratches spoil the appearance of the car.

You need to find a good collision repair service nearby. The technicians will survey the degree of damage suffered by the car due to collision and then repair it accordingly. They will also replace door glasses and windshields if needed. The repair process generally consists of the following stages:

1. Estimate - This is a preliminary estimate after the external damage is surveyed. The data is entered into their systems and a rough estimation of the cost of repairs will be provided.

2. Approval by Insurance Company - The insurance company will check the estimated figure and may negotiate on the price. The company will also determine if a vehicle is beyond repair.

3. Disassembly & Ordering Parts - The inner damage is inspected and the replacement parts are ordered based on their availability. Sometimes the repair process may get stalled until parts are available.

4. Structure & Body Repair - In structural repair, a computerized system is used to inspect the frame of the car. Body repair consists of replacing of exterior panels and installing the sheet metal.

5. Paint - The panels are sealed and primed and then the coats of paint are applied.

6. Reassembly & Completion - The final moldings are installed and the vehicle is also cleaned of all dust. It is also tested on the road to ensure that the repair process has been successful. The electrical systems of the car are checked to make sure that they are all functioning properly. Now that the collision repair is over, the customer can come to pick up their car.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4762612


If your vehicle has been damaged in a car accident come see the experts at Corby's Collision. When you do business with us you will not only deal with our qualified and professional staff but, also with Paul himself. He is an Owner/Operator and likes to be "hands on" with everything that goes in and out of the shop.
707-448-1696