About the Author

David Maillie specializes in automotive safety products and information. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight cleaner and restorer. For more information, tips, and money saving products for your auto please visit: mdwholesale.com

David Maillie specializes in automotive safety products and information. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight cleaner and restorer. For more information, tips, safety and money saving products please visit http://www.mdwholesale.com

SMART Repair Systems.

Smart repairs have been developed to offer a quick, easy and cost effective way of repairing vehicle damage. The repairs are localised to the affected area only, as result they are far smaller and much less time consuming to complete. The real advantage of this is a massive reduction in cost; a SMART repair can be up to 80% less than a body shop alternative. A secondary advantage is that most SMART repair specialists offer a fully mobile service; this means that you will no longer need to put up with the inconvenience of living without your vehicle while it is at the body shop for repair.

SMART repairs cater for many different types of vehicle damage ranging from Bumper Scuffs to Interior Tears and Rips. In the following article I will attempt to explain the types of repair possible and the various methods used to restore your vehicle back to its pre-accident state.

Paintwork and Bumper repairs

Paintwork damage is the most common form of repair needed to a vehicle. As the paintwork is exposed to the elements on a daily basis and is usually the primary contact point for an accident most cars need some form of TLC in their lifetime.
Minor scratches can often be polished out using a very fine grade of Wet and Dry paper; this will cut back the top layer of lacquer to even out the finish. Once the paintwork has been cut back enough to removal the scratch a fine Rubbing Compound is applied to bring back the original shine. A final coat of Car Polish will then finish the job. Great care needs to be taken when cutting back a damaged area as it is very easy to rub all the way through the paintwork and down to the base coat resulting in a re-spray.

More serious damage will involve a localised paint repair. The SMART technician will firstly determine the colour code of your vehicle and then mix a very small amount of paint to cover the affected area. It will be necessary to cut back the damaged area in the same fashion as above however this time we can afford to be more aggressive to flatten the damage. If cracks or dents are apparent a combination of Panel Filler and Dent Removal will be necessary to re-form the area back to its original shape. Once the affected area is prepped the colour is applied, then a top coat of lacquer and finally a fade out lacquer which ultimately blends the repaired lacquer in with the original bodywork.

Alloy Wheel Refurbishment

Alloy wheels often get scuffed along a kerb edge causing unsightly damage to the Alloy Rim. Using a SMART repair we can grind out the damaged area and blend it back in to look like new. Often the wheel will need a coat of paint in order to colour the damaged area back to its original state.

Corrosion of Alloy Wheels is also something a SMART repair will take care of. A Corroded wheel will need to have the corrosion completely removed to start with. This can be done by sanding and grinding but for the best result Sandblasting is necessary. Once all the corroded elements have been removed the wheel is coloured again and lacquered to return it to its original finish.

Interior Damage

Interior damage comes in many forms from Cigarette Burns in upholstery to Mobile Phone Cradles leaving mounting holes in the dash.

Upholstery repairs are usually undertaken by mixing up a fibre powder of colours to create a match colour for the interior trim. A damaged area such as a cigarette burn will be firstly cut out of the seat completely. The remaining hole is then filled with a packing material back to its original level. After the packing is glued into place a top layer of cloth is glued in to seal the repair and the coloured over using the fibre mix created earlier. A setting spray then coats the fibres and sticks them in place. The result is an almost un-noticeable repair.

Dashboard and interior plastic repairs are carried out in much the same way as an exterior repair however often the coating is much thicker than the outer paintwork and can be texturised to replicate the original finish.

These are the very basics a SMART Repairer has to offer. You should ultimately be aware that a SMART repair is more convenient, less costly and just as robust as a full body shop offering.

Seb Marley

By: Sebski22

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Cosmetic Auto repair Services (CARS) www.cars-101.com

Now that the sun is shining, we'll be spending more time on the deck. Devote some time to cleaning your outdoor furniture and it will be all set for another season. Practice some of these simple tips every year to keep your furniture looking great.

First decide whether your outdoor pieces can be simply cleaned or whether they are in need of a new paint job. If so, clean them up, but put them aside for further attention.


Use a mile dishwashing detergent that has no bleaching agents or abrasives.

Refrain from using the harsh jets of a power washer. A simple sponge or cloth followed by a rinse with the hose is all you need.

Wicker: The basket weave is prone to trapping dirt and can be difficult to clean. Try using a brush attachment on your vacuum and then sponge off with an oil-based soap. Rinse well with clean water.

Wrought Iron/Metal: Rust will be your biggest culprit when cleaning metal furniture. Sand it with a fine sandpaper, wipe with a tack cloth and then touch-up with an exterior paint with a built-in rust protector. Especially for decorative metal with lots of swirls and curves, apply a couple coats of wax to keep it looking nice.

For stainless steel, use the same polish that you would for a stainless steel appliance and never use anything abrasive.You may have to apply it monthly for extra protection from the elements.

Teak: The natural oil in teak protects it against moisture and rot, but it still needs to be cleaned up. Sponge off with mild soap and water and apply teak cleanser on any stains. A mild sandpaper will also work on any surface stains.

If you want to retain the beautiful honey color of the wood, apply a teak brightener and sealer to protect from the sun.

Resin: If the furniture is a wicker look type of resin, try using a soft bristle brush to get under the crevices and then wipe clean. For any stubborn stains, use vinegar or bleach mixed with water.

Wood: Regardless of what type of wood you are cleaning, to get rid of mildew, use a soft bristle brush and a mixture of oxygen bleach and water. To perk up the color, try using a semi-transparent stain or an oil finish to protect it from the sun.

Marble: Sponge of with mild soap and water and apply a stone sealer every year to protect the finish.

Plastic: This type of material will last for years if well cared for. Mild soap and water is usually adequate, but use a soft bristle brush and household cleaner for stubborn stains. Plastic is porous and tends to stain, but a couple coats of car wax will keep it looking like new.

Aluminum: Never use anything harsh on aluminum or the coating could be subject to rust and corrosion. Again, car wax works great to protect the surface. Cast aluminum can stay outside year round, but tubular aluminum furniture needs to come indoors.

Fabric: Clean with a sponge and mild soap, using stain remover for any stubborn spots. A combination of nonchlorine bleach and water is good for mildew. Once a year, spray the fabric with a protector that guards against UV rays, moisture and stains.

Remember at the end of the season, place your furniture in a covered area, or bring it indoors. Some people like to use covers, but ensure they are made of a completely breathable material or you will be dealing with a mold problem next spring.

If your pieces are still in good shape, but starting to look tired, they may be in need of either a paint touch-up or some new cushions to perk them up.

By: Justin Havre

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Complete Calgary real estate search: View all Calgary property listings including spectacular airport property. Access photos, virtual tours, neighbourhood info, maps, and connect with a trusted Calgary real estate agent at JustinHavre.com.

The basic logic behind car polishing and waxing is to provide the exterior of the car, a protective covering. However, most of us will refuse to give in to this reasoning because for us car polishing is a means of giving our car a cool, tidied-up, glossy look. Cars definitely repay routine car care, scheduled cleaning, waxing and polishing in the form of continued comfortable hassle-free services.

If you are thinking in terms of accomplishing the car polishing job on your own, do not expect the excellence of a professional car detailer. However, abiding the following car polishing tips will give your car a stunning look and keep the common problems such as rusting and corrosion at bay. This will definitely save a lot of unnecessary expenses and promise longevity.

Getting down to the real polishing business, the first step to follow will be to give the car a thorough wash. Some car washing soap, some soft towels and high-pressure water-sprinklers or hoses are all that you require for this job. Bathe the car; follow this up with lathering the car-body with a wet towel. Start with the roof and move downwards, cleaning and rinsing one side at a time. Once you are done, use a high-pressure jet to dislodge every bit of dirt and debris stuck fast to the vehicle's exterior and then wipe the car body dry, paying extra attention to the metallic fittings and parts.

The car headlights need special care as lens clouding (resulting from the impact of UV rays, dust and dirt) limits the amount of light, reducing visibility. This can and will lead to a reduction in night time driving safety as per the Institute of Highway Traffic and Safety. There is now a patented headlight cleaning and repair system that will restore your lenses to like new and at great savings over replacement lenses (please see the link below for more info on this headlight cleaning and repair system) .

Do not forget the windows, the wheels and tires. Clean the windows using some window cleaner. Water and a soft towel should do for the wheels; you can use some spray on tire shine on the tires to retain the new look and give them a protective covering. Using surface protecting products on other areas will keep the car in a great condition.

Now going ahead with the real car polishing job, you will need some car polish or wax and some soft towels (like diapers or cheesecloth). Before you start, read the instructions on the label for application direction. Apply the polish with a circular motion, allowing it to dry. By the time you cover the entire surface of the car, the wax will have done its job. It is time now that you follow it up with buffing up, removing extra wax. Your car should, by now, look all spruced-up - spotlessly clean and glistening, as you saw it at the car dealer's showroom, the first-day.

Some additional tips for car polishing are as follows:

1) Take care never to wash your car in direct sunlight or while the motor is still hot

2) Never use harsh, abrasive cleansing or waxing agents, as they are most likely to do harm rather than good to your car.

3) Always wash your car polishing stuff with fabric-softener.

Remember, your car needs gentle care! So, make your car polishing ritual a perfectly gentle program.

How to make your car shine and give it the maximum protection possible.

David Maillie holds numerous patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight repair, cleaner and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale:
MDwholesale.com
Bestbraindrain

Find more : car wax , Car polish , car grooming , car care

It is a proven fact that the better your car looks the higher the value you will get at resale or trade-in. Proper car care to include washing, waxing, and polishing will not only make your car look its best, but will help retain its value and make it last longer. For the purpose of this article we questioned numerous detailing experts and other similar professionals as to what works best. Here are their best car care recommendations:

Start by using a garage or shaded area. The hot sun will make proper car care and cleaning hard, if not impossible and could be detrimental to your car's finish. Next thoroughly wet down the car. This will remove dirt and road debris which will cause scratches if you skip this step and start using a sponge and soap on the car. If it is a hot day, be sure to routinely wet the car so it does not dry suds or cleaning chemicals on it.

Next use a car wash solution, don't use general purpose detergents and cleaners that were never meant for car care and car washing. A car wash solution will not dry out your paint or strip and possibly remove protective coatings. A long armed, soft bristled wash brush will greatly reduce the time it takes to thoroughly clean your car. It will also make it easier on your back and muscles. A good quality brush can be cheaply obtained at Walmart for about $10-$15 - buy one, you will be glad you did. When you have finished washing the whole car, use a chamois to dry off your car. A chamois will remove water quickly and not leave lint which terry cloths are prone to do. Routinely washing your car will remove things like bird droppings, bugs and industrial fallout which are all detrimental to your car's paint and finish. If there is road tar or stubborn bugs left after washing you should use a bug and tar remover prior to waxing and polishing.

It is a good idea to follow washing with the application of a cleaner/polish. This will remove minor imperfections in the paint caused by the environment and sun damage, remove minor scratches, and provide a good surface for car wax or car polish. Follow the directions on the bottle. Basically you apply cleaner wax as you would wax - in a circular motion and you treat one area or panel at a time. Use modest pressure and then let dry to a whitish haze. Buff with a clean cloth towel and reapply as necessary.

Then you need to decide whether to use car wax or a polymer car polish. According to the experts, carnauba car wax has the deepest and wettest looking shine, but it is also the weakest protection for the harsh environment (acid rain, extreme temperature ranges, bird droppings, etc...). Car polish is easier to apply as it requires less effort to apply and remove. It will also last much longer (some have polymers and even Teflon and will last as long as 52 car washes after 1 application). Car polish will still give you that new car look and was the unanimous recommendation from our experts for any outdoor use (car wax was recommended mostly for car shows). Both car polish and car wax are applied in the same way and many come with a cloth or foam applicator. Apply in a small circular motion same as with the cleaner/polish. Car polish will go on easier and come off easier than car wax and requires only one coat for great protection in any climate. After allowing it to dry to a haze, buff it off, but use a microfiber towel as it will leave a smoother finish quicker and without any lint.

The above recommended steps for properly washing, waxing and polishing your car will leave you with the best shine, maximum protection, make your car last, and maintain its highest value. Remember, a little proper car care can and will go a long way.

To properly care for and maintain your cars finish and new car shine we questioned numerous detailing experts and other similar professionals as to what works best. And what follows is their absolute best car care recommendations.

David Maillie specializes in automotive safety products and information. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight cleaner and restorer. For more information, tips, and money saving products for your auto please visit mdwholesale.com

Find more : car wax , Car polish , car grooming , car care