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Spring
Car Care ’86
Make your car a traffic stopper
With
some minor but personal touches, you can turn your new or
old car into a real traffic stopper. Tint King® of California
suggests the following techniques to make your car one of
a kind.
Engine
Detailing
You can spend a lot of money on a real detailed engine. If
you’re into looks rather than performance, you can keep the
costs down.
First
get your engine compartment spotless—steam is best for cleaning
really dirty engines. Remove all oil, grease, undercoating
and any other foreign matter. |
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To get
started, you could consider some of the engine dress-up kits
available. These usually include chrome valve covers, chrome
dip sticks, chrome oil filter and cap chrome air-cleaner housing
and chrome fasteners. The kits are available in different colors,
eg. chrome, gold and black. |
| Small
parts can be painted a different color for a unique look. But
use only heat-resistant paint on engines. Undercoating
Undercoating stops and prevents rust and keeps your car looking
great. It’s recommended for those planning on keeping their
vehicle more than a couple of years. If you decide to undercoat
your car, do so before washing and polishing since some spillage
may occur.
Some do-it-yourself
aerosols are available, but for best results, choose a reliable
firm who uses an oil-type spray with a compressor to creep
into all cracks and crannies, eg. door skins, rocker panels,
inner fender, engine comp and hood, trunk, undercarriage and
wheel wells. Yearly sprays are recommended to keep up proper
rust protection.
Undercoating
is not just for new cars; it will normally stop existing rust
and it will protect against inner rust.
Spoilers
and Sideskirts
Some of the hottest and most purposeful accessories are spoilers
and air dams for a sleek, low, aerodynamic look. Not only
does the car look good, but performance can be improved. |
Be sure
pieces are properly and solidly installed. You don’t want
them flying off and causing an accident. There are lots of
aftermarket parts for popular models which may painted for
a monochromatic look.
Be sure
to watch curbs as breaking one or two could be a very costly
lesson. Durable rubber models are also available. |
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Sunroofs
A sunroof can add to your resale value and there are many
types and sizes available, eg. pop-ups, pop-outs, electric
and T-roofs. Pop-ups are normally less expensive but can be
just as useful and smart-looking.
Look for
all-metal and glass types. Plastic handles tend to break down
more often.
To maintain
a proper water seal, clean glass and lubricate rubber trim
with a small amount of petroleum jelly, once a month. |
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Choose
a roof which has available replacement parts in case of breakage;
it costs less to replace a part than an entire roof. And have
it installed by a reliable firm with a lifetime guarantee |
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Window Tinting |
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Window
tints are available in flow or film method and film is best
for automotive use. The tint is bonded to the inside of
the glass like a second skin and appears to become part
of the glass.
New
scratch resistant tints and special tint cleaners are available.
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Choose
a reputable firm that stands behind their guarantee and
remember that the law requires you to keep tint behind your
head.
Appearance
Modifications
The latest look is monochromatic, with parts the same color
as the body. Chrome can be removed or painted in a chip-resistant
paint to give the car a sleek, clean look.
If your
car is too plain-looking, you can dress it up with some subtle
effects. An inexpensive technique is pin-striping to accent
the flowing lines of the body or an affordable two-tone paint
job can give remarkable results. Window
graphics can enhance a vehicle’s appearance, eg. a pin-striping
design to create a theme on all windows. Done properly,
your car will stand out on the street, but don’t overdo
it. |
| Headlight
shades add an aerodynamic appearance. They’re available for
most cars in clear or smoke color. Darker shades should be
removed in evening for greater light range. Shades prevent
some of today’s headlights from breakage. |
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Driving
lights installed under the bumper or in the grill look great
and are a driver’s best friend in fog or low visibility areas.
They’re available in clear or amber and look for quartz halogen
type. |
Window
Louvres
These
give a car an armor-plated look and are made to reduce heat
and glare. The best type to look for is anodized aluminum,
as plastic louvres tend to break. They must be installed properly
or they could be stolen or ripped off at high speeds. Power
car washes are not recommended from some louvres.
It’s
a very inexpensive safety accessory and is easily installed.
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| Bug
Deflectors and Automasks
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These
are for the real enthusiast. They protect from bugs and stones.
Look for a snug, custom-fitting mask. Breathable vinyl types
are available. Some masks must be removed when wet. |
Information
provided by Allan Starkman
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ARTICLES
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