5 Ways To Protect Your Cars Paintwork

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Whether your car is fresh off the production line or is a second-hand trusty workhorse, protecting its paintwork is the key to keeping its exterior in good condition for years to come and can make a vehicle look well maintained ultimately increasing its value. So here are 5 ways to protect your car’s paintwork. 

1. Don’t write on it

We know it can be fun to write on a dirty car but every time your fingertips wipe through the dirt they’re acting a bit like sandpaper, grinding the particles of dust and grime into the paintwork. It only takes one larger fragment of grit to leave a noticeable scratch and with regular touching, this inconspicuous action can begin to leave a more permanent mark on your shiny paintwork, so let’s find other ways to have a practical joke with our friends. 

2. Use a wax 

Wax not only makes the paintwork of your car glisten and shine but it also protects it from corrosive and harmful to paint materials such as bird droppings, tree sap, and tar which regularly find their way onto the paintwork. Waxes come in three forms, liquids, pastes and sprays and last between 3-6 weeks. Whichever type of wax you decide to use remember to only use it on the painted portions of your car and to keep it well away from the non-painted plastic or rubber components. 

3. Try a ceramic car coating

Ceramic car coating is relatively new to the market and because of it’s stronger bond to the paintwork the treatment can last 6 months or even more. Ceramic car coating not only gives a level of additional shine to the paintwork but also provides a hard and durable barrier to stop things sticking to it, making cleanups easier. Always have an experienced ceramic car coating installer apply the coating for best results and remember to have it topped up on time. 

4. Wash your car regularly 

Washing your car regularly helps to remove particles of dust and dirt that could end up scratching the paintwork and also washes away any corrosive substances such as acidic bird poo or tree sap. Remember to always use a detergent designed for cars as these are developed not to cause any damage to the paint and are made with specialist ingredients to give your car maximum shine. After washing your car carefully, paying attention not to rub the dirt into the paintwork, it’s then time to use a microfibre towel to dry and clean the rest of the body. Wash the wheels last and never use the same sponge on the wheels and the body as this can transfer abrasive dirt and dust. 

5. Try a car wrap

Wrapping involves covering your car in a vinyl film which enables you to not only transform its color or texture but also to protect the underlying paint job from sun damage and abrasions. Car wraps can even be printed with brand logos and personalized designs bringing the personality of your car to life whilst giving it a ‘fresh off the line’ without a new paint job. 

How to Prepare Your Car for Off-Road Adventures

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If you love to go off-road but your car isn’t quite up to the task, it’s a very good idea to prepare properly. This might mean adding some useful accessories to your car and it should certainly mean checking it is functioning properly before you set off. 

Off-roading usually means that your car will have to navigate more difficult terrain. Most cars are made for flat, tarmac roads. However, most 4-wheel drives are also quite happy to drive on uneven surfaces to an extent. Before you even consider off-roading, make sure that your car will be able to cope with the terrain you will encounter, whether that means desert, swamp, snow or mountain by asking your mechanic. 

A Few Accessories to Consider

Accessorizing your car will help to make sure that no matter what you encounter in the wild, you will be as safe as possible. This means that everything from 4wd bull bars to cameras to help you reverse could be ideal for your trip.  

However, accessories aren’t just for safety. You might also consider adding things like a roof rack to store a tent or other items as well as a bike rack so that you can explore the outdoors beyond the land your car can take you to. Practical accessories always work best when they open up new opportunities so think carefully about what you want to install and how it will work for you and the activities you have planned. 

Safety Checks 

Before you set out on your journey, you should perform a few safety checks to make sure that your car is road-worthy. For example, testing the pressure in your tires might not occur to you most of the time, but if you are going off-road, you may not have another opportunity to top up the air. Similarly, you should check the oil and ensure you have a full tank of gas before you set off. If you are driving long stretches without gas stations, you might also like to pack some oil, coolant water and a portable gas container. 

While many drivers are happy to rely on GPS most of the time, it’s always a good idea to have a map in the car just in case you lose signal. You should also familiarize yourself with the journey plan so that you have a good idea where you are going, even without technological assistance. 

Pack Only What You Need

Packing for a road trip can be difficult because you need to make sure that you have everything you need for each leg of the journey. If you are planning to drive off-road, you will also need to consider what you may need for every eventuality. Plus, you need to consider what you need as well as what your car will need. Rolling your clothes is one simple way to reduce the volume of your stuff but packing layers and washing as you go can also help. 

The more comprehensive your plan is, the more enjoyable it will be to go off-road and start exploring. So, all you need now is a route! 

How To Handle Car Trouble On The Road

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Life on the road can certainly be unexpected, not to mention stressful. There’s nothing like a conked out engine to ruin a perfectly good day. Finding yourself stranded by a broken down car is an experience all drivers wish to avoid. Unfortunately, it’s one that most of us have dealt with more than once. During these situations, it’s important to remain safe and calm while you assess the problem at hand. To make this much easier, here are six tips for handling car trouble. 

1. Check The Owner’s Manual

When in doubt, you must always check the owner’s manual. Although it’s easy to panic when you see the “check engine” light or hear a strange noise, especially if you’re new to driving, doing so won’t solve anything. That is why you should instead remain calm and pull over when it’s safe to do so. Most issues are simple to diagnose, so read the owner’s manual first for information. 

2. Move Away From Traffic

Idling amongst traffic can make any bad situation a dangerous one. If another driver were to overlook your vehicle, they could crash into it, causing a serious accident. Because of this, you must attempt to move your car to the side of the road. When this isn’t possible, you shouldn’t push the vehicle. Entering traffic like this is highly dangerous, so it’s best to leave your car alone. 

3. Speak To An Expert

Unless you’re a qualified mechanic, you shouldn’t attempt to repair a car yourself, especially on the side of the road. This not only puts you in danger but could make the car trouble much worse. Instead, you must call a breakdown recovery service. They will then tow your car to a garage for you. If you don’t have a phone with you, use any emergency roadside phone available. 

4. Source Your Own Parts

When a repair is necessary, car trouble can easily cost a small fortune. Thankfully, there are a few ways to lessen the expense. Sourcing your own parts, whether you need VW parts, BMW parts, or another make entirely, is very effective. While even brand new parts typically work out much cheaper when bought online, you can cut costs even further by purchasing used parts. 

5. Prepare For Bad Weather

Most cars don’t break down on a warm summer’s day. That would be far too lucky. Instead, many drivers have to deal with wind, rain, and snow while waiting for a tow service. That is why you must keep emergency clothing in your car. A waterproof coat, gloves, and a pair of warm boots are extremely helpful when you’re waiting in the pouring rain for help to arrive. 

6. Never Leave The Car

If you can’t move your car out of traffic, you definitely shouldn’t stay inside it. After all, if another vehicle were to hit yours, you could be seriously hurt. That being said, you should not wander off too far. Leaving your vehicle stranded could result in it being towed away, leaving you with a huge fine to pay. Move somewhere safe, but always keep your car in sight. 

Car trouble isn’t enjoyable, but the advice above means that it doesn’t have to be so stressful. 

Making Your Car Last Longer

We used to think that our cars would start to face more serious issues when they got to around ten years old, or when they had driven over 100000 miles. We’d begin to expect breakdowns, more expensive repairs and MOT fails once our cars reached this point. But, with newer, more efficient vehicles, with modern advancements and care, many get closer to 200000 miles before serious problems start. This means that as someone that drives a moderate amount, a car could last well over ten years before it starts to cost you that much money that it’s more cost-effective to replace it. 

But, only if you take care of it. Like home appliances and other significant expenses, your car is bound to last longer if you look after it, take sensible precautions, and put a little time and effort into your vehicle. Here are some of the things that you can do to make your car last for longer. 

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Get it Serviced

You should have a full service every year if you drive a lot, or at least every 10000 miles if you drive less often or for shorter journeys. A service won’t automatically flag up issues, but it will take care of things like changing your oil and air conditioning filters, refilling fluids, checking tire pressure and oiling hinges, and other openings. It might also give the mechanic a chance to spot what could be a big problem before repairs become costly. 

Different garages offer different services, so make sure you know what’s included in the price before you book. 

Drive Carefully

Better drivers find that their cars last longer. This is partly because they are less likely to be involved in a severe accident, but it’s also because their cars are treated more kindly. They are used gently, and so are less likely to show serious signs of wear and tear. Drive to the speed limit, brake slowly and in plenty of time, or even better, control your speed well so that you barely need to brake at all. Corner gently, give yourself plenty of space, and try to avoid bad driving habits creeping it. 

Keep it Clean

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Clean cars can also last longer. Vehicles that are cleaned often are less likely to rust, and the engines won’t become clogged with dirt, pollution, or leaves. Make sure you get your car cleaned frequently, and try to keep it in a secure, covered location when possible. 

Prepare for Long Trips

Before a long trip, you should also perform basic car safety checks and make any adjustments needed. This will keep you and your family safe on the road, but it will also protect your car. 

Be Careful with Replacements

It’s thought that around a third of us have at some point bought fake car parts instead of branded parts when our cars need replacements. While this can be a great way to make money, fake car parts generally don’t last as long and may not be as safe. 

Don’t Ignore Warnings

Most of us are guilty of ignoring warning lights on our dash, hoping that they’ll just go away on their own. Chances are, however, that the problem will get worse, perhaps causing more damage to your vehicle and becoming more costly to fix. 

Every Day Drivers Waste Money On Cars

How much do you spend on your car? 

According to a study run by Pony Parts, we spend on average $335,080 in our lifetime on our vehicles. To put this figure into context, it’s the equivalent of 10% of our lifetime earnings with a bachelor’s degree. There are only two terrifying facts about this. First of all, not everyone has a bachelor’s degree and can claim the same kind of earnings. What feels like 10% for one household, could be 20%, 30% or even more for another family. Secondly, everybody and their grandma owns a car, which means that even though we are not all on a comfortable salary, we still have to make ends meet for our vehicle. That’s a tremendously big ouch for your budget. 

However, what’s even more worrying about our car expenses and budget, is how much many of us overspend without even noticing. Indeed, there is no need to make car ownership more difficult when you can keep your costs down and your car on the road. Here are a few tips to spend less than 10% of your lifetime earnings on your vehicle: 

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Your priority: Finding the right vehicle for you

There is such a thing as the right vehicle for you. Typically, if you’re going to save money on the purchase of your car, it’s a good idea to consider used models that have still plenty of life in them and a budget-friendly price tag. Indeed, if you consider depreciation, new cars lose most of their value during the first couple of years. Buying a second-hand vehicle ensures the best value for the price as long as you know how to choose the right car. Your budget plays a significant role in your decision. However, you need to also consider car dealership practices vs. private sellers’. You’re more likely to get a better deal via a trustworthy professional who can offer protection and repair in case of problems. Another factor that affects the purchase is how long you intend to keep the car before getting rid of it. Anything that doesn’t meet your criteria is a waste of money! 

Investing in maintenance saves you a lot of troubles

Does it need saying? Your car requires regular maintenance, even when everything seems to be running smoothly. The best time to maintain your vehicle and let professionals perform all the common automotive services from oil changes to basic repairs is when you don’t have any complaints. Indeed, fixing small issues before they have the potential to grow is the safest way to avoid dramatic expenses in the future. 

Modifying your vehicle is a bad idea

If you think about it, your car serves one clear purpose, which is to take you from A to B. It is a commuting machine that gets you to work every day, drives the kids to school and helps you to bring your groceries back home. As such, it’s a tool that makes your life easier. Your car doesn’t need to be modified to fulfill its primary functions. Modifying your car is a popular trend when it comes to injecting some personality to the model, but at the end of the day, it’s a waste of money.  Indeed, you’re likely to struggle to get a profitable resale value with a modified vehicle. Most buyers prefer stock models. Additionally, your insurance costs are likely to go through the roof! 

Getting your hands dirty

How many drivers can roll up their sleeves and fix their cars? There are a lot of things that, as a car owner, you can learn how to do to maintain your vehicle and cut costs. Something as simple as changing your brake pads yourself can be done in a matter of a few hours on your drive if you’ve got the right tools. More importantly, as you learn to change your brakes, your wheels, or even your oil, you develop a deeper understanding of mechanics. In the long term, fixing your car yourself makes you a better driver and enhances your awareness of issues. You can get things fixed more rapidly as you can easily explain where the problem lies. 

Waxing is not just for the looks

Everybody washes their car. Waxing it, however, is not as common. As a car owner, you need to wax the body regularly as it provides protection against the elements. Indeed, your car is constantly exposed to sunlight, oxidation, salt, and maybe even acid rain. A coat of wax, however, can act as a shield that preserves your paint and protects the body from rust. 

In conclusion, if you’ve been looking at cutting down costs on your vehicle, be warned that it takes more than reducing your insurance cover. In fact, you’d be better off maintaining the same cover while learning how to prolong your vehicle’s life. 

Pimp Your Ride In 3 Easy Steps

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It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got a boring old generic hatchback or a conservative SUV out the front on your driveway, the chances are you want a bit more va-va-voom for your motor. While the metallic paint isn’t looking too shabby and your set of wheels is highly economical on fuel, it might be a tad boring to look at. Cars nowadays tend to follow a strict formula when it comes to aesthetics. It is up to the car owner to add a bit more spice by customizing their vehicle. Take a look at these three simple ways that can see you pimping your ride.

Change The Color

Forget the jet black, gunmetal gray or bright red that your car came in direct from the factory, and instead opt for something a little more daring. Ever fancied lime green, shocking pink or canary yellow. If bright and bold is what you’re after then these colors will surely turn heads. Alternatively, it might be a finish that you’re looking for. The matt finishes to many customized cars look sleek and unique.

When painting your car, you are probably best taking it to a specialist who knows what they’re doing. You don’t want to make a costly mistake. However, if you are going to give it a go at home, make sure you use a primer first, you have done your research, and you have all of your kit. You might be tempted to go for graphics like racing stripes or flames. Just make sure this isn’t a fad, and that you consider how to future proof your car.

Upgrade The Fittings

Take a look at your car and decide how to upgrade the details that often get overlooked. You might want to get hold of a new BMW hood emblem for your sporty little number, or perhaps you want a set of customized alloys to set your wheel trims off a treat. Look at the interior and think about reupholstering your seats with some personalized fabric and think about swapping the steering wheel, upgrading the mats and altering the walnut trim on your dashboard. While the possibilities are endless, so is the amount of money that you could spend. Make sure that you budget wisely and don’t spend more than your car is worth.

Be Safe

While tinted windows are great, blacked out windows are illegal. Consider the safety of other road users, the law, and your own image when pimping your ride. You don’t want to end up driving one of those noisy exhaust modified cars, only for people to look at you when they hear you driving down the road with a negative perception of you in the head. Modify your car sensibly. Yes, you might want a better sound system, but a booming bass isn’t pleasant for your neighbors when you are arriving home late at night. Be considerate and pimp your ride in a sensible way.

Having the money to spend on your motor is a luxury, so don’t squander it. Make sure that you alter the appearance of your car without putting your safety and the integrity of the car at risk. Follow this guide and you will soon have the ultimate pimped up motor on your driveway.