UK Car Valeters

Why to Foil your Car Instead of Painting it

Prof. Joshua Thiel IV — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 08:45:34 +0000

Wrapping a car in foil is an affordable and effective way to give it a new lease of life. Not only is a foil wrap significantly cheaper than a new paint job, it also looks really cool. If you’re still not convinced, here are some more reasons why you should foil your car instead of painting it.

Resale Value

Your new foil wrap will protect the original paintwork, keeping it looking as good as new. This will add a lot of value to your car when you are ready to sell it. Remember, the new colour that you choice for your car might not be popular among people who are looking to purchase your car. In this case you can simply whip off the foil cover and the original manufacturer’s paintwork will be revealed.

Endless Options

Foil wraps come in a wide range of different colours and styles and there are literally hundreds of digitally created designs available. This means that you can transform your car in any way you choose and the design of your dreams might be just one simply step away. With foil wraps, the only limits are your own imagination.

Time to Install

A new paint job can take two weeks or even longer to complete, leaving you parted from your precious car in the meantime. However, it takes just two to five days to complete a foil warp and at the end of this time your will be able to hit the road in your pride and joy.

Protection

With a foil wrap every inch of your car will be fully protected from the elements. The original paintwork on the body of your car will be able to age naturally underneath the foil wrap and will not suffer from the effects of the sun, wind and rain. The paintwork will also be protected from stone chips and other day to day driving hazards.

Ease of Maintenance

Let’s face it, constantly waxing, polishing and cleaning your car can be a real pain. Foil wraps are extremely easy to maintain and mean that you can say goodbye to waxing your car forever. Simply hand wash the foil wrap with soap and water from time to time and you are good to go.

Long Lasting Effect

Most foil wraps last from between five and eight years and can be safely and quickly removed whenever required. Keep your car in your garage when you are not using it to keep the foil wrap in perfect condition for longer.

Staying Ahead of The Game

Prof. Joshua Thiel IV — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 05:34:58 +0000

Car audio is, like most technologies, a rapidly changing field; what is trailblazing today can be outdated and redundant quite a short space of time. However, an outdated car audio system is still very much a functioning one, and so the user should not get too preoccupied with having the newest system. More important is whether the unit will function in your car, its compatibility and suitability with your requirements, and how easy it will be to get the system up and running; whether this is done by yourself or a professional.Getting the unit in the car and ready to set up is the first hurdle, and is an important factor. Many cars today have moulded units that are difficult to remove or alter, and require tools that the average user doesn’t have. For this reason, it’s worth checking to see if your car requires a plastic faceplate adapter; if it does, these are available from any large online car audio specialist, or for aftermarket versions, eBay. In addition to the adaptation of your unit, many audio systems will require a ‘bridge’ consisting of wire and pin adapters; manufacturers hate buyers putting their own audio systems in, and will often create a complex system. However, this is easily overcome for a small amount of money.Lastly; does the unit do what you want it to do? As well as playing CDs and having an FM radio, will it support bluetooth connectivity, run your phone through an auxillary cable, or have a hands free kit for conversations on the go? These are often easily overlooked but can mean the difference between the ultimate car audio system or a redundant piece of machinery.

Setting Up Your Own Car Styling Workshop

Prof. Joshua Thiel IV — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 06:04:29 +0000

Detailing your car is a great way to spend free time and from a purely aesthetic point of view, it can also be quire rewarding. While having the eye of an artist and a good deal of skill is important, you will also need to know some of the basic approaches which will allow this job to run smoothly and efficiently. So, what are three important considerations to keep in mind?

Choosing Car Movers

It is likely that you will need to access the undercarriage from time to time. Also, you should to be able to navigate around the vehicle easily. These are two concerns which are addressed with the use of car movers from Stringo. These modular units are safe and come in a number of different sizes.

Airless Paint Guns

An airless paint sprayer is the best way to touch up any bare spots or even repaint the entire vehicle. There are naturally a number of steps to follow. These include choosing the correct type of paint, adjusting the power output and covering areas such as chrome or glass.

Adequate Ventilation

It is absolutely critical to make certain that there is a steady supply of fresh air within the garage. This can help to eliminate the dangerous (and potentially deadly) buildup of gases such as carbon monoxide. The same holds true when referring to painting your vehicle with the previously mentioned sprayer. One of the best tips from online resources is to connect the fan in tandem with the light switch. In other words, the ventilation system will operate as soon as you turn on the lights. This can help to prevent an accident if you forget to manually activate the fan.Detailing your car needs to revolve around safety as well as your sheer talent. By keeping these suggestions in mind, you will be able to thoroughly enjoy your next experience.

Decorating Your Car With Lights

Prof. Joshua Thiel IV — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 12:07:14 +0000

Lights are a great way to accentuate any vehicle. Not only will they add a bit of class, but technology has enabled you to enjoy many choices in terms of the type and where they can be placed. What are some great suggestions to keep in mind and which features will each provide?

Lights for the Holidays

Many automobile enthusiasts will choose to add a bit of visual holiday cheer with the use of lights. The most common variety are red and green variants which can be placed around the undercarriage or on either bumper. However, the very same approaches (although with different colour schemes) can be used during any time of the year. It is common to utilise tubular LED lights which are protected from the harsh conditions of the road.

Interior Concerns

Another great idea is to add to the ambiance of your interior with a selection or either neon strips or LED fixtures. These are generally placed underneath the dashboard so that they will illuminate the feet of the passengers. However, lights can also be used on stick shifts, around a radio and inside the glove compartment. It is important to keep in mind that any such lights can interfere with your ability to see the road. They should never be placed within your direct field of vision.It is always wise to check with your local authorities, as there may be guidelines and regulations which prohibit the placement of lights around certain areas of your vehicle. Lights are a cheap, scintillating and eye-catching option for anyone who may be looking to add a bit of visual “spark” to their car.

How to Polish Your Car

Prof. Joshua Thiel IV — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 10:34:00 +0000

Before we start, polishing your car is not the same as waxing your car. When you wax a car you basically give the paint an additional layer of wax, to improve the shine. Polishing is harder, more involved work, which entails breaking down the outer surface and working the polish into the paintwork.There are two ways to polish a car, either by hand, or using a buffer. If you have never used a circular buffer, I would recommend you polish by hand, gain some experience with a buffer, on something that is not doing to become a problem should you scuff or gouge the paintwork.If you intend to polish the car outside, do it on a bright day, but not in full sunshine. If you are working in a garage then a decent halogen light to provide adequate lighting should be used.Use a good sized towel (kept just for the car), and fold it in on itself, ending up with a round segment being held in the palm of the hand, similar to a medium plastic ball.Tape off any plastic, bumpers, trims, and wing mirrors. Polish in a circular motion, concentrate on small areas at a time, ensuring the polish has been absorbed by the paint and your shine is visible, before beginning the next area.Although polishing is much harder work, the finish you can achieve is far superior to just waxing.

Modify your car to fit your style

Prof. Joshua Thiel IV — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 08:53:46 +0000

Cars can be as much a fashion statement as a new haircut or well-placed scarf. Whether you have an old banger you want to update, or a new car you want to make your own, modification can be a really rewarding experience. However, it can be a gruelling process, so read our top tips before you break out the tools!

Interior

This is perhaps the easiest part of the car to tinker with, as many of the components are designed to be customised. Consider tinting windows for added privacy, installing a kick-ass audio system and satellite navigation, or designing a custom lighting scheme. Materials will make a difference, so look into plush leather seating and wood grain finishes for the dash board.

Power

Perhaps you are environmentally conscious and want better fuel efficiency, or just want an extra boost of speed. The first point of call will be making the car more aerodynamic by using lighter tyres and adding spoilers. The engine can be overhauled, changing the default electronic program with one to suit your needs, and changing out hardware. But beware – turbochargers may seem an attractive option, but the added air may compromise the air to fuel ratio, blowing out the engine and damaging delicate components.

Suspension

The length and rigidity of components will affect your suspension. Short springs will lower the centre of gravity of the car, but can affect how the tyres move in relation to one another (suspension geometry). Combined with stiff shock absorbers, short springs will help with cornering, whilst stiff sway bars reduce body roll and increase grip, improving handling. These are only brief examples of how fiddling with suspension can change your driving experience, so do your research.

Inspiration

There are hundreds of styles which bring together certain popular features. The Lowrider look involves garish paints and blinged up wheels, with hydraulic systems to change the height of the car at will. In contrast, Sleeper cars are a heavily modified car designed to look ordinary, hiding the fact it’s been souped up.With modern technology, the sky’s the limit. You can change up your car’s style to suit your wildest driving desires. But remember, stay safe and within the legal limits – sloppy modifications can make a car impossible to drive.