The Boys and Toys of Muscle Cars

How To Detail Your Car’s Interior

April 16th, 2009 admin

How To Detail Your Car’s Interior

It’s easy to become so immersed into your daily life that cleaning the inside of your vehicle is demoted lower and lower on your “to do” list. Eventually, the dirt, debris, and grime (not to mention a few fast food wrappers) accumulate to the point that your friends refuse to get in. Fortunately, detailing your car’s interior is simple with a little preparation.

This article will give you an easy-to-follow blueprint for making the inside of your vehicle look practically new. Whether you’re cleaning it for personal satisfaction or because you’re planning to sell it, the following 3 steps will put a new shine on the interior.

Step 1: Remove The Junk

You might be surprised by the items which are stuck into the nooks and crannies of your vehicle. This is especially true if you have young children. Besides your own shopping receipts, wrappers, and errant paperwork, you’ll discover toys and trinkets buried under your car seats.

Take everything out. Depending on the disarray, you may even want to wear gloves. After all, if you find food that has been driven into the carpet, you’ll want to protect your hands. Plus, while you’re digging around in the dark crevices, you may have to deal with paper cuts and other annoyances.

Step 2: Get Out The Vacuum

Once you’ve removed the junk from your car’s interior, it’s time to let your vacuum do its job. Put one of the brush attachments on the nozzle so you can break loose some of the debris. Just like washing the exterior, start high and work down. Begin on the surface of the dash before moving down to the gauges. And don’t forget the panels of the doors before vacuuming the seats. Finally, remove the floor mats before turning your vacuum onto the carpet.

When you’ve finished vacuuming, use a damp cloth to wipe the dash, console, steering wheel, and doors. Chances are, the vacuum will have kicked up a bit of dust.

Step 3: Clean The Surfaces

Applying a little polish and wax can give the surfaces a new look and feel. You can use an off-the-shelf polish like Pledge. Or, visit your local auto supply shop to pick up a polish and wax combo (anything sold by Mother is a good choice).

You’ll notice that despite having vacuumed the surfaces, dust still remains in the corners. You can dislodge it by spraying a soft toothbrush or thin paintbrush with polish. Lastly, use Windex on your vehicle’s windows. Your auto supply store will have a number of window cleaning products, but Windex is inexpensive and effective.

Detailing your car’s interior isn’t hard or complicated. It’s merely a matter of setting aside the time and going about the process methodically. Follow the 3 steps above to help the inside of your vehicle regain its vibrancy and attractiveness.

Muscle Cars

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How To Properly Maintain Your Car

October 6th, 2008 admin

How To Properly Maintain Your Car

Car maintenance is one of those chores that most people prefer not to think about. After all, it’s inconvenient, confusing, and often costly. Unfortunately, if you don’t maintain your vehicle regularly, it can develop mechanical and electrical problems. When that happens, the cost to repair the problems can become exorbitant. By taking care of your car through regular maintenance, you can avoid having to deal with major repairs in the future. Below, we’ll provide you with a few pointers for maintaining your vehicle and ensuring it has a long, useful life.

Fix Engine Problems Quickly

All cars will eventually exhibit signs of engine problems. Parts wear out through continued use, so you should have the expectation that your engine will need periodic repairs. The good news is that you can avoid major engine problems simply by having it tuned up on a regular schedule or when you notice warning signs.

For example, your engine may hesitate or stall sporadically. Or, you may notice that it starts hard in the morning. When you notice such things, have a mechanic run a diagnostic test. If repairs are necessary, having them done early can prevent costly problems later.

Regular Oil Changes

You should have the oil in your car changed every 5,000 miles. Over time, it degrades and becomes less capable of properly lubricating the moving parts of your engine. By replacing the oil, you can help ensure that the degradation never reaches the point where your engine suffers. If you neglect to change it regularly, you run the risk of major mechanical issues developing. And repairing them can be expensive.

The “Small” Details

You should routinely check the connections of your car’s battery. Even if it has a full charge, the cables can accumulate dirt and grime, making the connection loose. If that happens, it can interrupt the distribution of the battery’s charge.

Also, check your car’s brakes and tires periodically. If you notice squealing in your brakes or pulsing in the pedal, you may need to replace the fluid and pads. And when your tires show signs of wear on the side walls, replace them. Otherwise, make sure the tire pressure remains at the manufacturer’s default level.

Maintaining your vehicle doesn’t have to mean spending your entire weekend getting dirty. By keeping your car’s engine tuned, having the oil changed every 5,000 miles, and occasionally checking the battery, brakes, and tires, you can avoid costly mechanical problems in the future. And that peace of mind is worth the effort.

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