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Clay Bar and the Proper Maintenance of Paint Finishes

Of all the information out there and of all the products being sold to the public to preserve and protect your vehicle’s finish, little or nothing is said about a simple product used in the Automotive Detailing and Paint Repair industry. Paint protection film  treatments are designed to help protect your vehicle as well your investment, perfect its appearance and make it very easy to care for.

Some detailers don’t really understand the benefits of using this product in the way I am going to talk about, and how it is beneficial to their customers and why it should be done on a somewhat regular basis!

Well what is this product?

It is called a Clay Bar.

This is not a new product or a secret product. However, it is not a well know product. Its use even by manufacturers is not well explained or understood.

We have some insight that is unique and not well understood by detailers or body shops because of the range of automotive appearance restoration we specialize in. Since many of the vehicles we work on have already been detailed we have to leave the vehicles “front line ready” when we are finished.

Unlike a body shop whose job does not include any kind of ‘detailing” we have to leave the vehicles we work on “front line ready”. Also, unlike a detail shop we have paint restoration experience.

Why does this matter to you, and how can our experience and knowledge benefit you?

First of all let me explain a basic rule to paint preparation when preparing for refinishing. The surface being worked on has to be completely “sterile” and properly scuffed in order for new paint to adhere well to the area being refinished.

Let me illustrate it this way. If I paint something that has decal on it and I paint over that decal what happens if that decal’s glue looses its adhesive quality? That area will certainly peel off sooner or later. You would not paint over a pin stripe or decal but on a larger scale if you have removed all surface contaminates you will have great adhesion and a long lasting paint job!

One of the biggest things that makes a paint job a quality paint job is how well the surface has been “prepped’! I cannot stress this point enough!

Have you ever priced a paint job? Have you wondered why some body shops can do a paint job for $400 and others will tell you $3000?!

Did you know the factory paint job on your vehicle can be valued somewhere between $3000 to $6000 depending of the make and model? Any paint work that is not done to the factory standard can devalue your vehicle the amount of your factory paint job.

The prep work done for a paint job when done properly can be the difference between a factory quality paint job and disaster!

So you have this $3000-$6000 paint job on your car, how do you protect it?

First of all do not neglect it by not removing damaging surface contaminates such as tar, sap, bugs, industrial fallout etc. Sap can actually boil in the sun and burn off the finish under the sap, ruining the panel where the sap is.

Second, make sure your waxes or sealants used to protect your paint job are of good quality and prepare the finish for proper adhesion of your wax or sealant.

Should you “prep” the finish for was or sealants? Absolutely! However, most people think they are but they are not. So how do you “prep” the finish for wax?

The best way to “prep” your vehicles finish for wax or paint sealants is the use of a clay bar! Before you wax and after you have washed your vehicle use a clay bar at least once a year or every six months for the best protection of that expensive paint job.

A clay bar will remove any surface contaminates that washing did not. It can even remove hard water stains on the paint if they are not too bad.

How do you use a clay bar?

A clay bar has to be used with a lubricant. It is a simple process really. In fact you can even use water as a lubricant. However, it is better to use a spray way that will both lubricate the panels you are clay baring and can be used to clean up clay residue as you go.

Simply spray the area you are clay baring…a 12″ X 12″ area is best and rub the surface with the clay bar back and forth in a side to side motion. You will hear the clay bar picking up light contaminates and as the surface is cleaned you will stop hearing the movement of the clay bar.

You can also feel the surface. If it feels rough like tiny pieces of sand after you have washed it, it needs to be clay bared. Use the same method above and listen and feel the area you are working on after you dry it off.

So work your small area wipe it dry when you think it is finished and check the surface with the inside of your hand rubbing lightly feeling and listening for rough areas. Once you have completed a section you can move on the next.

A word of caution, it has been said, although I gave never experienced this, that a clay bar can rub the paint off eventually if not kept lubricated while using. Use common sense and you should be fine.

Well there it is, this is the best way to prep for waxing your vehicle and a great way to be sure you are getting the best results from your wax.

Enjoy and I hope this article helps!

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I own an automotive paint repair company specializing in spot repairs, custom color matches, color blends, body repairs, touch up and scratch repair. We also run a website where we sell our exclusive headlight restoration kit which we designed and created. We have sold well over 2000 kits from our website and on eBay. We also have over 1900 positive feedback for our headlight restoration kit.

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Perisher Wins Australia’s Best Ski Resort 2016 At World Ski Awards!

Perisher, Australia’s favourite ski resort, has won Australia’s Best Ski Resort for 2016 at the World Ski Awards. The prestigious title was presented in Kitzbuhel, Austria and is the third time Perisher has won Australia’s Best Ski Resort at the World Ski awards. Bluepowder.com.au can help you plan every detail of your ski trips to Canada to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Located in the Kosciuszko National Park, Perisher boasts 1,245h of skiable terrain across four resort areas of Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Guthega making it the largest resort in the southern hemisphere. With 4 resorts areas Perisher has fantastic skiing and snowboarding for all ages and standards including five award-winning progressive Terrain Parks, Australia’s only Half Pipes and amazing scenic trails including Guthega with views across the main range to Australia’s highest peak Mt Kosciuszko.

Perisher’s vast multi-million dollar snowmaking system consisting of 271 snow guns covers 53.4 hectares of terrain, to ensure guests enjoy a reliable and consistent snow experience each year.

The World Ski Awards aims to drive up standards within the ski tourism industry by rewarding the organisations that are leaders in their field. Votes are cast by professionals working within the ski industry – senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators, agents and media – and by the public. Voters had to register through the World Ski Awards website or Facebook page and were only allowed to vote once.

World Ski Awards Managing Director Sion Rapson says “World Ski Awards is the only global initiative to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence in the global ski tourism industry, and as such our 2016 finalists represent the very best the sector has to offer.”

The Epic Australia Pass provides Perisher guests with incredible value which includes access not only to Perisher but also ten world-class ski resorts in Northern America including Whistler Blackcomb in Canada, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, Park City in Utah and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe region of California and Nevada, all on one season pass. Perisher guests can truly ski and board year round on the Epic Australia Pass.

Perisher’s Chief Operating Officer, Peter Brulisauer, says “We are very excited to be accepting the 2016 Australia’s Best Ski Resort award at the World Ski Awards. An award like this is testament to the efforts of all our staff; we would not be able to operate at such a high standard year after year without a truly great team. Most importantly I’d like to thank Perisher’s guests that truly create a fantastic atmosphere here every day of winter.”

Protecting Your Truck With Truck Tops, Truck Bed Covers, and Lids

It is not enough that you clean your truck everyday for you to assume that it is protected. You have to purchase accessories that will help you keep the cleanliness of your truck as well as protects it from any form of damages and from theft. To prevent damage from salt all you need is apply a breakthrough paint protection.

If there is a truck part that needs protection the most it’s the truck bed. Basically because it’s the most exposed part of the truck and therefore calls for a great amount of truck bed protection. There are different types of bed protection that may be employed for your trucks such as the placement of truck tops which are often referred to as camper shells, caps, cab extenders, cabs, lids, toppers, half cabs, or boots.

The truck tops are simply attached to a truck’s bed to produce a cargo space that is protected from the weather and from theft. Aside from protection, truck tops also help in improving fuel efficiency by enhancing the aerodynamics of the truck.

Truck tops are made from two types of materials–fiberglass or aluminum. These truck tops are made from custom molds that are designed specifically to suit a particular truck make, model, and year. The contour around the cab is also being taken into consideration when fitting truck tops to obtain a nice custom fit and a sleek look. The price of the truck tops would again depend on the particular truck make, model, and year. You may also match the truck top’s color with the paint job of your truck by simply telling the truck top manufacturer of the color that you want.

Things to consider before purchasing a truck top

Truck tops are considerably heavy and often prove somewhat difficult to remove and replace on a frequent basis. It usually requires for at least 2 people to remove them however there are some truck tops that come with a lift system making it easier to maneuver the truck tops.

Before you purchase a truck top be sure that you determine the features that you would like to add as an option to the standard truck top. You may choose from the following options: third brake lights, gas-assisted shocks, interior dome lights, tempered safety glass, paint finish, side and/or rear window packages, clothes rod, carpeted interior, style of trim, power locks, windshield wiper & washer, defrost system, spoilers, air deflectors, side access doors, utility racks, and roof mounted racks. Note: in some models these features are standard while in others they’re offered as an option.

Always purchase from manufacturers that makes a custom fit for your particular vehicle make and model although majority of the truck tops manufactured today will fit most of the model but still there are some that do not.

Truck Bed Covers and Lids

Aside from truck tops there are also other bed protections that are available for truck owners such as truck bed covers which include tonneaus, tonnos, and lids. These are placed as attachments to the pickup truck’s bed to provide protection from weather as well as security from theft enabling truck owners to store items in the bed.

Truck bed covers and lids are different from truck tops since they do not create additional vertical cargo space. Aside from that, bed covers are best for those who want the benefits of the truck top but do not want the complexity that comes with it. Truck bed covers also provide additional benefit such as reduce wind drag at the tailgate resulting to an overall fuel economy. They also provide a strong, rigid canopy cover over the pickup bed.

Most of truck covers worked with under the rail and over the rail bed liners. Plus there is no restriction on the tailgate in any way since it allows truck owners to simply open the tailgate without having to take off the entire cover. Another advantage of using truck bed covers is the fact that there is no drilling required into the truck bed.

In terms of colors, black is the standard color offered by most manufacturers since it suits every truck paint job however there are also truck bed cover manufacturers that offer a variety of other colors.

Hard or Soft?

Another thing to take into consideration when purchasing a truck bed cover is the material whether you want hard or soft covers.

Hard and soft truck bed covers have their respective advantages. The hard covers since they are hard and more compact can’t simply be blown away even at highway speeds. They are available with hinge systems which make it easy to lift the cover to add/remove cargo. They are also lockable and therefore give security from theft. They are waterproof and may be painted to match the vehicle. However since they weigh more they can prove to be tricky to remove and reinstall on a frequent basis. Hard covers are also more costly than vinyl.

Soft covers on the other hand are very easy to remove and can be reinstalled as often as you want. They also provide a less rigid top than hard covers and are easily removed for hauling tall cargo. There are also some soft covers that come with adjusters, allowing you to select the tension you desire.

For some more details with your truck bed protection needs check your resources.

Gertrude Sayzer finished her degree in Marketing at Western New England College. She is passionate about writing and loves to travel as well. At present, this 32 year-old mother of three works full-time at an Ad agency in Boston.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Gertrude_Sayzer/90277

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The Finest Auto Repair Tips On The Web

Is your vehicle in need of repair? Learning more about auto repairs will come in handy, even if you do not need repairs right away. You probably also know what it feels like when you just don’t know what to do if a problem occurs. So, what do you do? Read on to discover some great tips to help you with dealing with auto repairs. There are some essential best car wash products that are needed to achieve the shine and glossiness of your vehicle. The most basic of these are car soap and car wax.

Get a reliable battery charger and be sure it is always in your car. Having a dead battery can leave you stranded in some pretty terrible places. It is important to not only have the battery charger but to know how it works as well in case you are alone.

Ensure your car has an emergency kit. This kit should consist of tire changing tools, jumper cables, and an empty container that is appropriate for re-fueling your gas tank. Bring a blanket and flashlights too, in case you are stranded.

You do not have to call a mechanic every time you are having car trouble. Many things can be easily fixed. If you want to take a chance, you can go online and do some research to pinpoint what the problem is. If it’s a quick repair to make, you can save yourself some cash by doing it yourself.

Read the manual for your car and make notes of important pages. During auto repair visits, your mechanic will probably need to gather some information from you, about your vehicle. After reading the manual, you might just find that you have an easy fix on your hands.

Always keep a record of any maintenance done to your car. If you have problems later, it may help the mechanic to see these notes. The records can help the mechanic determine the problem.

Make sure you replace old parts with OEM parts. These are original parts direct from the manufacturer. Generic parts may cost less, but they are not as good. What is a cheap option now could be an expensive option later.

If you do not have headlights that are shining bright enough, you may need to clean them. Sometimes the road’s greasy residue can get on a light and reduce the output of light. You will be able to see well when using a reliable glass cleaner.

Have a DIY kit for auto repair in your car at all times. For instance, if anything dealing with tire changes came with the car, have this in your car. If the necessary lug wrench and jack are missing, replace them. You should probably get a few screwdrivers with various shapes as well as different wrenches like for this kit. Don’t buy poor-quality tools. Instead, you should obtain solid tools that don’t break whenever you really need them.

You do not necessarily have to go through your dealership if repairs are needed. There are good mechanics all over that can fix your car. If you feel comfortable with someone, use them.

Take a second to read the manual and learn about the different components within your vehicle before visiting a mechanic. There are three conditions: salvage, new, and rebuilt and re-manufactured. Obviously, “New” components are those recently created. Refurbished or reconditioned parts ate those that have been restored to working condition. Salvaged parts are used parts that have not been repaired.

Most people don’t look at the manual in regards to their vehicle. But, reading it can give you a lot of helpful information. Your manual contains everything you need to know about maintaining your vehicle and performing small repairs yourself.

One of the trickiest ways that shady mechanics rip customers off is by adding repairs that weren’t agreed to in the beginning. They do this to make it look like you are getting a good deal from them. Tell them you have to think about it before accepting the deal.

Call the manufacturer for serious issues on a new vehicle. They may already have recalled the model, or may need reports like yours to do so in future. Many times, the manufacturer will repair it for you.

When you find a mechanic you like, stick with them for all of your auto repairs. Try to use a trusted auto repair shop and avoid hopping from repair center to repair center. Different shops won’t have records of the previous work done on your car. Prices will also vary, which can lead to a higher overall cost for car repairs.

Get yourself an AAA membership. Joining them can help you when you need a deal at a body shop or a tow truck. In fact, you’ll find that many times, AAA has set discounts to lower your out of pocket expenses.

It actually isn’t that difficult to figure out what to do when your car needs a repair. Just use the information included above. Continuing educating yourself on auto repairs to keep up with current pricing and gain a better understanding of your vehicle’s needs. Being knowledgeable about your car can save you money and stress in the long run.