Laura Unbound

When I first starting working for what I consider a “renowned” local commercial real estate developer, I would come back to him with what I thought were good locations for a few banks and pharmacies that he represented. They would have good traffic counts, sometimes corner locations, and sometimes even had a high density of homes nearby. When we would start discussing the properties that I thought were good, he would ask me what is nearby? Are there any banks, pharmacies, fast food, or any other “shopping” district attributes, initially my answer would always be “no, but it has many other great attributes”! He would reply, “we really do not want to be the ones who create the shopping district, we just want to be in a good location where a shopping district already exists”. With this said, I quickly learned that if a prospective location is not where people shop, eat, bank, or run other errands, then it is too risky. Now, I only look at locations that have 4 to 5 franchise stores nearby creating some type of “shopping district”. If you are considering locations that aren’t in one of these areas I would give you the big thumbs down on the location. I know that in some rare instances, there are very successful retail businesses in remote areas, but this is the exception to rule and is a very risky play. Always find a location (even in a rural area) that has some type of shopping district. Having other retail nearby including shopping centers is up there among the most important factors to consider when evaluating a proposed location. A modern, up-to-date strip center nearby will also be more advantageous than an older shopping center. A nearby shopping center will drive business to your car wash. Offering a wide variety of car wash products, professional detail training, and a comprehensive customer loyalty program to car wash businesses.

Neighborhood Play vs. Regional Play

Now that you know how important a shopping district is to your business let me discuss some other factors about shopping districts. Some shopping districts are what I call “Neighborhood Plays” and others I refer to as “Regional Plays”. The best way to describe this is by describing two communities that are nearby in the east suburbs of Pittsburgh (one that I eventually built my wash in). The “neighborhood” shopping district has the following attributes, a traffic count of 14,000 cars a day, a rather large supermarket chain, a McDonald’s, a Pizza Huts, a local restaurant, a national pharmacy, a large Pittsburgh bank branch, a Dollar General, a Subway, a Exxon gas station (with car wash), a Kinder Care and a few other local family owned businesses. The “regional” shopping district that is also nearby, has a four lane highway with a traffic count of 35,000 cars a day, a large regional mall, a Lowes, a Home Depot, a Target, a Sam’s Club, four large shopping centers, many car dealerships, and pretty much every franchise, bank, pharmacy you can think of. Now, you might automatically think that the regional play is always going to provide a better location and in many cases this is true, but with land cost factors, ease of entry and exit, and a few other factors can sometimes make the regional play less attractive in some instances. A self-serve car wash on a $1,000,000 + piece of land in a regional shopping district is not a “best use” when it comes to commercial real estate development in my estimation. You might wash a bunch of cars but the revenues could probably not support the expense of the land. As mentioned, there are exceptions to any rule but “rolling the dice” on one of these high priced locations would be too risky for me.

Traffic Count

Traffic count on your prospective site is usually one of the major factors for deciding on a good retail location. How can you determine what constitutes a good traffic count though? Is there a magic formula for what amount of traffic will allow you to be successful in the car wash business? Really, there is not a minimum traffic count that will determine your overall success. However, traffic count along with other location factors will be a major factor in your overall success. A good indication of how traffic effects the overall success of location is shown by how many franchise operations will determine where or where they will not allow their retail stores to be located. If you research the real estate requirements of many of these retail operations a specific traffic count minimum will be disclosed. While I was working with a leading a local commercial real estate developer, I learned very quickly that traffic count was always a high priority on every retailers list for obvious reasons. When you contact the real estate department of any major retailer, and send them a prospectus on a location, the traffic count is always prominently displayed up front and personal. In my experience, the minimum benchmark was usually around 20,000 average vehicle count daily traffic before they would consider a location. This does not mean that lower traffic counts will not work. You should however have strong reasons to locate on a road that the traffic count is lower than 20,000 though. Also, keep in mind that traffic count is only one factor in traffic equation. You also need to evaluate speed limits, turning lanes, nearby traffic signals, ease of ingress and egress, etc. We will talk about all of these factors in more depth later in this section. I would rank traffic count as one of the most important factors to choosing a good location. My location currently has an approximate 14,000 traffic count which in many retailers considerations would be a light traffic count. But there are other reasons that still make it perform well that I felt compensated for the light traffic count including being in a good shopping district, a high density of population nearby, little to no competition, good ingress and egress, and a few other factors. However, my location would probably perform much better if it had the 20K+ traffic count. (As a side note, a Walmart is being built about a quarter of a mile away, and this should increase traffic to almost 20k!)

Speed Limit

One of the first things I learned when evaluating locations as a commercial real estate professional was that the speed limit in front of a prospective location was almost as important as the amount of traffic that went by. I would look at a prospective site and say “wow” this location has 30,000 vehicles a day but my mentor would not be as enthusiastic about the prospective location. Many of the sites that I initially thought were enticing were not that great after all because a high speed limit did not allow for easy entry and exit into the prospective location. These locations were on a well traveled highway between good retail shopping locations. The speed limit detracted from prospective customers from being enticed to stop at the location. That does not mean that all higher speed limits should kill a prospective location from being evaluated if it has other positive location indicators going for it. Speed limits that exceed 35 MPH make a location less enticing in many retailers minds, 45 mph while still somewhat acceptable should have other strong factors for moving forward, 55 mph, in my estimation is almost a deal killer in my mind. Slower 25 mph and 35 mph speed limits, in strong shopping district are always the most desirable.

Divided Highways, Turning Lanes, and other road factors.

Much of what you review in choosing a location is common sense. If a vehicle has trouble entering or exiting your proposed location because of current factors or proposed factors it will effect the overall success of your business. If your location is on a busy four lane highway that has median strip or is limited in the ability to turn into the property from either direction you should consider this in your assessment of the property. On a divided highway, I would take the a closer look at the traffic counts as to what the actual traffic counts are on the side of the road you will be located on. If a vehicle needs to do a U turn or some other special maneuver to enter your location, it will negatively effect the overall success of the location. While many of your customers will treat your business as a destination point for cleaning their vehicle, just as many customers will be impulse buyers and if their impulse cannot be easily fulfilled because of road conditions they will lose the impulse. Here are some considerations as to the road conditions:

1. Can traffic turn into my proposed location from either direction? If not, what is the count for the traffic that can easily enter or exit the property.

2. Is there a turning lane that facilitates turning into the location.

3. Is the location on the same side of the road as other anchor type businesses, i.e. grocery store, bank, etc..

4. How many lanes is the road that you will be located on.

5. Is there a traffic light or stop sign nearby

Corner Properties

Corner properties have many advantages for obvious reasons. Mainly that it gains traffics from two roads rather than one. It also makes access much easier. Corner properties on two busy roads are most sought after by many retail businesses. Take a look in any given city and you will see gas stations, pharmacies, banks, fast-food, and other high rent tenants located on the corner. When, I built my wash (not on a corner), there was a location nearby that had a closed gas station on the corner. It was about 2.5 times more expensive than the property I ended up developing and it also needed some remediation work (gas tanks removed, etc). I still kick myself for not purchasing the property. A year later a pharmacy bought the property and two additional properties and now enjoys a wonderful presence on two well traveled highways. Some of the problems with corner properties are that they are usually more expensive and in some cases will not be large enough for ample stacking room for your wash. Do not rule out a corner property because of expense or limited room until you do the proper research. You can do an “assemblage” much like the pharmacy in my area did if the lot is not large enough and combine two properties. Obviously you will need to negotiate terms with two land owners to do an assemblage. Corner properties also offer benefits for multiple ingress and egress to the property.

Traffic Lights

You will see on the site analysis form that we rate a site higher if it is closer to a traffic light. This is because traffic lights are located where there is a lot of traffic and it slows traffic down or stops it in front of your location. You should drive the market during peak car wash hours (in my case it is late afternoon and evenings, Saturday and Sunday from 9AM to 6PM) and analyze the traffic at these times.

Curb Cuts

It is more preferable if your location can allow you to have two curb cuts. One for entering and one for exiting (ingress and egress). The more accessible the location the more traffic you will get to your location.

Property has room for ample parking (stacking room)

Your property must show that you will be able to handle a generous amount of vehicles that use your services. In my part of the country, after a snowfall and thaw, I will have about 20 days a year where my lot is completely full with many of my patrons waiting to use various services. The ability to stack vehicles on these days adds to your ability to generate a larger gross income. I would allow for a minimum of at least 4 cars per automatic bay offering and at least 1 to 2 cars for self serve bays and vacuums. Some local authorities will require some stacking capabilities in lieu of their parking requirements for a car wash.

Visibility

Your ability to be visible and to be identified out of a large cluster of retail business is important. I have first-hand knowledge on how this can effect the overall performance of a location. I have one location that is highly visible and one that blends in with the retail surroundings. The visible location outperforms the non-visible location by 4 or 5 times. While other factors are also involved in the overall performance, it is obvious that your visibility contributes greatly to the overall success of your car wash. Ideally the property will have visibility from both directions of the road you are located on and will allow you to segregate you from other businesses in the area. Visibility of your signage as well as your structure is ideal. Preferably, your location will provide a line of site 500 ft in either direction while traveling on the road in front of your business.

Building can be built parallel to street vs. perpendicular

I learned very early in the development process that it was important to situate the building on the property parallel to the street vs. perpendicular to the street. The additional presence that this gives your business gives you an additional advantage in being noticed. The first wash I developed had land that was more prone to placing the building perpendicular to the road. The flow of the wash and the stacking probably would have made more sense this way. I decided against it because it would not give me the same presence in the retail community that I am now enjoying. Since learning this I have noticed a number of washes that were built perpendicular to the street. They do not have near the presence that I have. This is a very common practice for most retail shopping centers as well.

No parking allowed in front of building

Some communities will not allow you to park or stack cars in front of your building. This can create problems in the overall site lay-out and detracts from the overall effectiveness of the site. In my site evaluation form we take points away from the overall site rating because of this. One of the washes that I built, the cars enter from the street and drive around to the back of the building to enter the bays. The vacuums are located in front of the building that make for a nice presence with their bright, colorful canopies. The second wash I built had restrictions on where vehicles could enter and exit the property making access to the property much more restrictive. I feel that his ease of entrance and exit is somewhat detrimental to the overall success of the wash.

Lot uphill or downhill from street

If the proposed site is located at a different elevation than the line of site from the street you are located on it could effect the performance of the location. My first wash had a slight downhill topography requiring that the lot be cut and filled about 10 feet below the road surface. While I do not think this had too much of a negative effect on the performance of the location, I feel that if it was much lower it would have detracted from the visibility for prospective patrons. This same effect will occur if the elevation of your proposed location is much higher than ten feet above the road surface. There is local supermarket that is about thirty to forty feet above the heavily traveled street it is located on. I feel that it is a horrible location. Unless you know that it is up there, you would never see it. You must consider this if your location has a topography that creates challenges.

Located at middle or beginning/end of market

Your location within a market can also determine it’s effectiveness. If the traffic patterns in a market put you at the “end” of a retail market with most of the traffic entering and exiting from the other side of the market, it can detract from your performance. You should be aware of this as a factor. In growing markets, you can sometimes buy property at the end of a market and retail can continue to emerge around you. Properties in the middle of a market are usually more desirable.

Competition

When analyzing a property competition is a major concern in the car wash business. You must be able to truly analyze the property advantages along with your competition. You might have a perfect location but if the competition will be fierce because of what they are offering, you might want to rethink the decision to locate there. If a new competitor came close to me I would take great strides to make sure they failed. In my estimation, a new competitor who located within a mile of me would, at best only take 50% of my business. That means that the new owner would only enjoy 50% of what he might have received if he located near an older less formidable competitor or where there was no formidable competitors.

Community population (“Roof Tops”)

How densely populated the area around your proposed location will dictate your potential market. The immediate 2 to 3 mile radius would be most important if you are located in the city or suburbs. This radius can expand if you are in a rural area. It makes sense, the larger the market, the more likely you are to get customers in.

Community growth

Community growth should be taken into consideration when choosing your location. I have first hand experience with this topic. My first location is in a stable to declining area. While the location performs well, it is much harder to “grow” the sales due to the declining population in the area. The second wash I built was in a thriving, growing area of Pittsburgh. While the location did not have as many positive attributes as my first location, it continued to grow year after year because the community around it was continuing to grow in population. I would always prefer to locate in a growing area vs. a stable or declining area.

Apartments nearby

Apartment buildings and rentals are good for car washing. The inability of renters to “bucket” wash their cars in the driveway will push them to your car wash. Look at this demographic closely as a positive factor for a proposed location.

Small single family housing

A good density of single family housing is helpful in the car wash market. If the homes within your market area have on street parking with limited use of driveways and garages it will also be advantageous to your car wash business.

Upper, middle, lower income area

I have experience in both lower middle income markets and upper income areas. The first wash I built is in a lower middle class market area it performs well because of some of the other market factors that the location offers. The second wash I built is in a upper middle income to upper income area, and my belief is that it performs well because there is more disposable income for prospective customers to wash their cars. Some of the other market factors are not as advantageous at my second wash, but it has similar results because people have more money to spend in this market.

Easy road access from homes to proposed site

If the location you are looking at has a densely populated demographic, make sure that the location also has easy access for the population to get to your location. If there are obstacles for the population to travel to your wash it will be less desirable. A good example of this is a wash in the Pittsburgh area that seems to have everything going for it except that it is not easy to get to. Even though it can be seen from the road and it is in a good shopping district, there is long road that wraps behind some other businesses to finally get to the property. There are other geographical features of a location that might be adverse, including rivers, mountains, bridges, etc.. You should question these obstacles before you make any development decisions.

Total acreage

The total acreage available for your development can limit your business. In my estimation you need at least 1 acre to build any sizable, modern car wash. Smaller parcels will work if you are just going to build one or two automatic bays. Keep in mind that you need to look at the “useable” acreage based on the proposed location’s topography. If a lot is too small do not rule it out right away. You can propose buying the adjoining properties to do what they call an assemblage in commercial real estate. Much of this will be determined by the proposed structure you want to build. The size of the structure should be determined by the potential market.

While no location can achieve everything mentioned here, It should be your goal to evaluate your property on meeting as many of the criteria as possible.

Scott “Buzz” Glover has written what some call the most comprehensive book on getting started in the Car Wash Business. It is available on Amazon and also available at http://www.carwashbusiness101.com You can also read Buzzie’s blog on line as well. Happy Car Washing!

As an Internet car care specialist, with almost a half-dozen loyal readers — you can be assured that I get a ton of mail. Every day in my box is full – including lots of spam. I don’t mean my email box, I mean the postal box in front of my house — stuffed full of open, rancid cans of Spam. When using an automatic buffing machine to perform buffing and polishing, the position of the shaft and stack can make the difference between quick and easy. For a car washing kit is every car owner’s necessity.

Whoever is doing that, please stop.

Anyway, when I’m not scrubbing-out my mailbox with Chlorox, I write car care columns for people who care about their cars. I get a lot of questions about wax and polish. You’d think they never watched “The Karate Kid,” where Mr. Miagi explained the whole wax on – wax off thing in detail – with Daniel-San providing the demo. So, people who are too lazy to watch a movie write and ask me how and when to polish their cars.

In fact, Dwayne Hebert of Waldo, FL writes:

Yo Mac

Can you tell me when I should wax or polish my car? Thx, dude.

Dwayne Hebert – Waldo, FL

Naturally, I added the caps, punctuation and the correct spelling for “Waldo.”

The answer is: Yes, Dwayne, I can tell you when to wax or polish your car!

SWIRLS: The Curse that keeps coming back

Have you ever wondered why you have all those tiny swirl marks in your car’s paint? You take good care of your car, in fact, you don’t even use an automatic car wash, but nonetheless swirl marks appear on your hood, trunk, roof and sides of your car.

What causes those swirls?

Why… you do!

You see, when you wash your car, the brushes at the automatic car wash are holding onto dirt and other hard particles that work – like a team of filthy, little scoundrels – to swirl your paint as those brushes work their magic. So, while you car looks clean and bright, there are more swirls happenin’ than a Saturday night at Dairy Queen.

If you wash your car by hand, you’ll tend to use a swirling motion with your wash cloth, washing mitt or even with a soft car brush. Tiny particles of dirt, grime, dried bug parts and bird poop are in that wash cloth or mitt and you are basically using those particles as abrasives to swirl the paint! The same thing happens when you dry the car.

Nasty, huh?

The best way to help avoid those swirls is to use a back & forth motion as you wash and dry, Pro detailers also use a 2nd rinse bucket. They dip their wash mitts into a rinse bucket and squeeze it out before dipping it back into the soap bucket. This leaves the dirt out of the soap and keeps that soapy water sparkling clean. Pretty smart — those detail guys.

But let’s say you already have swirls in your paint and you want them gone faster than a cheating spouse. What are the best products to use? Here are a few simple tips:

Check the label on waxes first

Many waxes have a light abrasive that will help remove bugs and tar from your paint, these are normally solvent-based products, because they use mineral spirits to soften the paint ever-so-slightly. (If you’ve ever used baby oil to remove paint or grease from your skin, you get the idea.) These waxes might have enough buffing capacity to remove some swirling, while the wax itself will fill-in the remainer of the swirls.

Remember that those remaining swirls are only masked by the wax. As your wax wears off, they’ll return like an unwanted ex. Using a carnauba-based spray wax to refresh your wax job is an excellent way to keep those scratches from coming home. (Why do I choose carnauba-based sprays? Because carnuaba wax is a harder, deeper wax coating that will build on top of your first coat.)

Use a light-duty polish

If your swirls seem deep and you’d prefer to knock ’em down a bit before waxing, there are a myriad of good polishes available on the Web that will do the job. Surprisingly, I have not seen a decent polishing compound available at the big chain auto stores or big box stores. The polishes I’ve observed are either too harsh or too expensive, while others require professional application with machine-buffing only.

Do a little research and find a polish that is abrasive enough to remove the swirls yet light enough to be used by a Weekend Warrior like yourself. Yes, you can remove most swirls by hand with a little elbow grease and persistence. Do not expect to remove the swirls in one application. If you want your car to sparkle better than the day it rolled-off the assembly line, then take the time to apply a 2nd, or even 3rd coat, of polish. This will guarantee results and make you and your car happier than Brad and Angelina at a fertility clinic.

How to polish

Very briefly, you should closely follow the manufacturer’s recommended procedure for applying and removing polish, however the basics are quite simple:

Shake the bottle of polish very well. Park your car in the shade or in a garage — never in direct sunlight. Apply a quarter-sized dollop of polish to a clean, folded cotton cloth or polishing pad. Apply to a 2-foot by 2-foot area in a back and forth motion. Try not to use circular motion! (The reason for this is simple: swirls reflect light from all angles, back and forth scratches only reflects from two angles. Any scratches you might create while polishing will only be visible from two perspective angles.)

After rubbing the area for approximately one minute, use a soft terry cloth or microfiber towel to buff out the dried (or semi-dried) polish. Use back and forth motions again. Don’t be afraid to buff at a 90-degree angle to your application process.

Be absolutely certain to aggressively snap the towel in the air after every buffing operation, (away from your car), to remove the trapped, dried polish. Dried polish on a towel can create – you guested it – swirl marks!

Repeat this process on the same area once or twice for best results, then move to the next area. Be sure to overlap slightly into the area(s) that have already been buffed.

Buffing a mid-sized car, like a Camry or a Malibu should require about 1.5 – 2 hours of work. This is why I recommend that you buff on Day #1 and wax on Day #2. However, if you purchase a good polish with a wax-base or containing man-made polymers, you will be waxing as you go. Naturally, this wax will not be as deep or long-lasting as a full wax application, but it will protect your car very nicely until you have the time to wax it.

You will be extremely pleased with your results once you have polished your car and applied a deep, warm carnauba wax coating. Your car will stand-out and attract some positive attention and comments.

Be proud of your car – and yourself!

© Keith MacDonald/Mac’s Wax 2009

Keith MacDonald is the owner of Mac’s Wax Car care of Vero Beach, FL. He is an automotive writer and author of two published car books.

He recommends his purple-colored Laser Buff car polish for removing light swirl marks and scratches. Laser Buff is an aggressive polish that begins working like a compound and will remove many moderate to heavy surface imperfections. As buffing continues its unique abrasive system breaks down into finer and finer tiny particles that eventually become a super fine polish! This metamorphosis enables the professional user to compound, polish and protect in one easy step. Click here if you need a polishing products for your car.

You can get Laser Buff and other fine wax products at [http://www.macs-wax.com]

The first thing I always say to people when stickering up for Le Mans is that it’s the overall effect you are after. Don’t worry if the application isn’t 100% perfect. For most people the stickers are only going to be on their car for a few weeks, and they aren’t going to be closely inspected by 99% of the people who see them, so it doesn’t really matter it there are one or two small air bubbles or if the “Ear protection required” sticker is slightly skew whiff. Stickering up is meant to be fun, so enjoy it! Stickers Sydney are a great way to promote your business or special event.

There are however a few tips that can be used to make the stickering up experience a lot more stress free!! Here’s our top 10…

1.) Planning. Don’t leave it too late to get your stickers ordered. Bear in mind that with so many cars getting stickered up it is a busy time of year for any company who specialise in Le Mans stickers and graphics. If you have a special custom theme in mind then get it designed and ordered now! The cars with the best graphics usually plan ahead and it’s not unusual for us to be supplying graphics in December for the next year’s race.

2.) Make sure your paintwork is in sound condition. If you still have your showroom paintjob and it’s less than 10 years old then you shouldn’t have any problems at all. If however you’ve just been resprayed then think twice about applying stickers. A bit of common sense is all that’s needed! Also, don’t apply stickers on top of Armourfend or any other paint protection coatings as the removal of the sticker will more than likely remove the protection coating at the same time.

3.) Make sure your car is very clean before you attempt to apply your stickers. Some people like to wax beforehand so there is a layer of wax between the adhesive of the sticker and the paint for extra protection and to make removal afterwards a little easier. This is fine if the stickers are only going to be on the car for a few weeks. If however they’re going to be on for longer then we would recommend that the surface is clean and wax free so that the sticker adhesive doesn’t react with the wax (unlikely but possible). If in doubt, clean your car in the usual way and remove any contaminants by wiping over with Isopropyl alcohol.

4.) Don’t apply your stickers if it’s really hot! A hot sunny day can get you into all sorts of trouble! Your stickers will be printed to a self adhesive vinyl with is about 80microns thick (that’s less than 1/10th of a mm). As soon as it is subjected to a heat source (your bodywork gets very hot when it’s out in the sun) the sticker will appear to melt. It will go very flimsy and it will be almost impossible to apply. If you have no choice but to apply on a hot sunny day then run a hose with cold water over the panel to cool it down first and make sure you use the “wet application” method described below.

5.) Have someone on standby to help. An extra pair of hands will make life so much easier, especially if you are applying viper stripes.

6.) Have the right tools on hand. Ideally you will need a household spray bottle filled with water and a couple of drops of washing up liquid (or baby oil for the more adventurous!!), a squeegee (either a plastic one with a soft edge or a felt one), a small sharp blade for trimming any loose ends and some isopropyl alcohol for cleaning bodywork, removing tar spots and removing any adhesive when you remove the stickers. It’s also a good idea to have some masking tape and/or a chinagraph pencil to hand. With the masking tape you can temporarily hold the stickers in place while you stand back to check positioning and alignment. You can then mark where the edges of the sticker will be using the chinagraph pencil. Remove the sticker from the backing paper and apply, aligning with the marks you made. Perfect!

7.) Use the wet application method. For the inexperienced the wet application method makes the art of applying stickers a lot easier and the only real downside is that you have to wait a little while before driving around at speed. All you need to do is to spray a fine mist of water onto the panel where you are applying the sticker and then spray the sticky side of the sticker (yes, the sticky side). Don’t be afraid, you can be quite liberal with the spray. Place the sticker onto the panel and you will be able to slide it around until it is in the perfect position. Working from the centre of the sticker carefully squeegee out the excess water. If you have any bubbles remaining then you can prick them with a pin and squeeze the air out.

8.) TAKE YOUR TIME! Don’t rush the application of your stickers. Stickering up for Le Mans is for many one of the key elements of the Le Mans experience. If a group of you are going then have a stickering up party! Light the BBQ, have a few beers and then set to work.

9.) Stand back and admire your handiwork. Enjoy what you have achieved. Don’t worry if you can see small bubbles when you look really closely, no one else will notice (except if it’s really bad!!!).

10.) Removal… follow the instructions that should be supplied with your stickers. The easiest way to remove your stickers is to apply some heat to soften the adhesive slightly. You may want to test a small sticker first to get an idea of how much heat is required. Too little heat and the sticker might tear. Too much heat and you will soften the adhesive too much and some will get left behind. Get it right and you should be able to lift a corner and peel the sticker away without leaving any adhesive behind. Don’t worry if there is a bit of adhesive left behind as that isopropyl alcohol you bought (!!) will easily remove it.

This article was featured in TVR Sprint magazine April 2010

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4812569

Best car wash products is essential in recovering your vehicle paint to its previous splendor. It likewise protects it so you vehicle has great look for many years ahead. Several vehicle treatment products exist in the marketplace today and all of them claim to supply defense to your car paint. The fact is that not all of these products are the same, the very same method not all motor vehicles are similar. While every car can generally get you from point X to Y, there is still a significant distinction in between car versions. The exact same applies to automobile wax, paint protection and polishes. All these items offer specific amount of luster, however that is as comparable as they could get.

In this blog post, we teach you, whether you are a new vehicle proprietor or a not-so-new one, on the essential facts concerning paint protection items that are readily available in the market. This way, our company believe you could make the ideal selection when picking the best protection for your cherished vehicle.

Are all car paint protection items the same?

Of course they are not. There are a number of types of paint protection products and they have differing quality and price. When purchasing car paint protection Melbourne folks should not make the blunder of basing their decision totally on the rate of that defense product. Instead, your decision on the kind of protection you select need to be notified by just what it is that you intend to attain. A product that supplies protection against UV rays, bird falling road salt, acid rainfall and bug residue all rolled into one is absolutely more costly than an item that just provides short-lived luster.

An additional point is that various items give differing degrees of shine. If you wish to acquire an item that gives you a much longer shine however needs much less upkeep, be prepared to pay a few additional dollars for it. Bulk of protectants that are offered available presently offer just minimal amount of protection versus the components pointed out above. Additionally, the majority of them do not offer long-term shine and need reapplication. It is really important that you be cautious of exactly what you select for your auto.

Can car paint protection assistance maintain your car s value along with resale value?

The paint work and appearance of an automobile will certainly assist in keeping not just its worth however likewise resale value. An automobile that is well maintained with a mirror finish paint, has actually an improved resale value. It likewise saves you money and time now. With a good paint protection, a bunch of time is minimized washing it because grime and dirt are conveniently removed. It succeeded t need waxing to maintain its look.

What are several of the things you can get out of an excellent car paint protection?

Among the major advantages of car paint protection is that it adds real value to the car. An appropriate paint protection application can offer your auto astounding glass luster in addition to maintain its worth. For these reasons, individuals are typically ready to component with $1000 just to obtain excellent paint protection. When done properly, there will certainly be less waxing and the cleansing will certainly be much easier in instance your automobile obtain dirty and has to be cleaned. This means more cost savings in future.

Can your vehicle s paintwork be ruined by merely bird falling?

The answer is yes. Possibilities that your vehicle is obtaining ruined daily without you probably discovering are very real. Most people just assume that the greatest threat to their automobile s paintwork is UV rays. While this holds true, the harm comes after numerous years. Bird droppings are however a lot more immediate danger. They trigger damage in simply an issue of days.

Bird droppings, as you know, are the item of a bird s digestion system. Without going way too much into biology, droppings could have high levels of acids which could harm the paintwork.

Most people are surprised by the quantity of harm that could arise from a bird going down. While it can go undetected to an untrained eye, a specialist that knows exactly what he desires in vehicle will effortlessly view it.

Is car waxing the most effective option?

Car waxing is beinged aware to supply instant shine, it is not the ideal option. The factor it is called wax is due to the fact that it is made from wax. And as you know, polish will certainly thaw when exposed to warmth. When waxed paint is utilized on your car, it comes to be soft when subjected to heat. This loosens shine and also makes your car much more vulnerable to alluring impurities. It is remarkable for show automobiles given that these do not rest in the sunlight for a whole day daily.

Also, by its extremely attributes, wax seldom adheres to the auto surface. Wax can not adhere well to any kind of surface. Simply attempt sticking wax to any kind of surface area and you will certainly see this. Similarly, wax inevitably washes off of your auto, which will certainly leave your auto with much less or no defense at all.

Just what are the many others ordeals that you have to learn about car paint protection?

The should effectively care for your vehicle, that is, describing and washing, could not be overemphasised. Picking reputable car clean electrical outlets and detailers is not simply important yet likewise secures your auto from damage. Basically, manage the paintwork of your car similarly you would certainly care for your skin. Anything that won t damages your skin succeeded t damages your car s paintwork.

An additional essential thing is a first class automobile hair shampoo. This minimises surface area scratching that results from rubbing when the car is being cleaned. You likewise need a soft heap clean mitt or sponge and it have to be of first class. If you want a streak-free drying out, you have no choice however to demand a terry towel or a leather chamois to dry your vehicle.

Verdict

Just like anything else, you simply get exactly what you have actually spent for with car paint protection. It is essential to pick the right area to clean or detail your automobile. This need to be assisted by the period of time it takes to clean your vehicle safely and correctly.

Many people dread car shopping. This could be because of the time investment, or simply all the options. The purpose of this piece is to simplify car buying. Keep reading for more information. Wheel woolies are the safest and most effect way to clean vehicle wheels for the detailing enthusiast. Whether you wax your car yourself or pay someone to do it, it is important to understand the benefits of car wash wax.

Have a mechanic look over any used car you are considering. If they say no, leave. A mechanic will help you identify issues and recognize signs of a wreck if you are purchasing a used car.

Call the bank to see if you can get the financing you need for the vehicle you are interested in. This is for your own good. Sometimes you can get a better interest rate through the dealership, but it’s best to check through your bank too.

Avoid discussing incentives, down payments or trade-ins until you know how much you are going to pay for the vehicle. They should come out of the lowest price available. You are sure to do better if you negotiate the price first, then throw in the other factors.

The majority of the salespeople have sales quotas to meet every month. They have to sell X number of cars monthly, and knowing this puts you in the proverbial driver’s seat. Salespeople that want to make the sale want to sell you that car! It will be easier to negotiate toward the end of the month.

Go to auto shows to learn more about different makes of car. Car shows are a great chance to compare a number of different models against each other, all in one place. It will also give you a chance to talk to many knowledgeable people all in one location. After the auto show, you should go home with a better idea as to what you would like to purchase.

Make sure you read everything before you sign it. Prior to putting your signature on a contract, carefully inspect the whole thing from beginning to end. Your signature binds you legally, meaning you’ll have to pay or suffer severe consequences. If reading contracts isn’t ideal at the dealership, bring it home and go over it. If they won’t let you, make a copy of it that you can take with you.

You need to make sure that you look over the car closely when you’ve made your choice. Look for external scratches and dents on the car. Search the interior for carpet stains or upholstery tears. Remember, once you make that purchase, the car is yours. This will include any necessary cosmetic repairs such as dents, scratches, and stains.

If you are looking for a particular model, call the dealership ahead of time to find out if they have one in stock. If you go without calling, the salesperson may try to sell you a car that you don’t want. If you are interested in a van but there are none there, you should not go. Make a quick call and find out the situation.

Never sign an As-is warranty when buying a used car. Doing so is a recipe for disaster. There should at least be a warranty for 30-90 days when purchasing a used car. If the transmission or engine blows the day after you drive off the lot, you will be responsible for the repair.

Think about gas mileage when car shopping. Economical cars often cost a bit more, but quickly save money on gas. Take this into consideration before deciding on the vehicle you want to really help your long term budget.

If you ever feel like a car salesman is bullying you into making a decision, walk away. Even if they try to get you to stay, leave. Say something came up if you must. You need to leave right away. A myriad of other dealers await you elsewhere.

Ask your dealer if you’re paying an advertising fee and, if he says yes, that you refuse. You should not have to pay this fee. If the salesperson is unwilling to work with you on this, inform them that you will take your business elsewhere. It is almost guaranteed that they won’t want you to walk on the deal over it.

If the salesperson takes your offer to their manager, they won’t come back with the lowest offer just yet. Give them another counter offer, and they’ll give it to their manager. The price should lower at this point. They should come back with a rock-bottom price at this point in the process.

If you are sure about buying the car, then ask about trade in values. You might not get a great deal on it, but remain flexible since you got a good sales price on your new vehicle. You need to seal the deal now that you’ve gone through all this effort.

Do not show up at the car dealership dressed to the nines. It’s not easy to get a dealer to give you all the things that come with an expensive car for free if you look rich.

Test driving is a must. Test driving is the only way to uncover mechanical problems that may exist. You need to drive as many cars that you are interested in as you can .

Look into the “hidden” expenses associated with buying that car. Fuel economy details, upkeep costs, and insurance costs are factors which can vary among different vehicles. Check out the miles per gallon and some of the maintenance charges you will have to face. All the things that are hidden in buying a car can make or break your decision to get that vehicle.

Find out what financing choices you have ahead of your car search. Then you know exactly what you can pay when looking at cars. This will also prevent you from making a purchase that could result in financial ruin, as the bank will not offer to loan you more than you should be able to afford, but a car dealer will.

With your knowledge at hand, you’re ready to shop. Use the tips provided in this article to help you feel more confident about your vehicle purchase. Don’t lose hope; you will soon have the perfect car for your needs.

When your car is having problems, you may feel at a loss when it comes to how you ought to proceed. If you are uneducated on auto repairs, you should do your homework. Luckily, the article below has helpful tips so that you can start right away. We have a variety of automotive paint protection products for areas of your vehicle that get scuffs and scraps.

Keeping a battery charger in your car is a good safety investment. Dead batteries happen a lot, and you can provide assistance to others if you keep a charger on hand. Be sure you know how to correctly connect the charger clamps to your battery and the battery you are charging.

You don’t always have to call a mechanic when your car is giving your problems. You can do a number of things on your own if you know how to. If you wish to take a shot at it yourself, get online and see if you’re able to figure out what’s going on. If the job is not too complicated, you will save money by attempting the repairs yourself.

When choosing a mechanic, ask if they’ve worked on your model of car before. If they have experience with your type of car, they are more likely able to correctly diagnose and fix the problems your vehicle is having.

Educate yourself on your car’s manual and bookmark important pages. Your mechanic will need the manual for certain information. You could even find the answer to a problem in your car manual and fix the problem yourself.

Check online reviews for any mechanic you’re considering. The Internet is a great resource to find out how people really feel about a certain garage. The information will help locate a local repair shop that you are comfortable with trusting with such an important job.

Keep your eye out for mechanics that do not measure up. If they are talking in circles and avoiding your questions, you should take your business elsewhere. It’s best to feel that you trust your repair person, so don’t hesitate to move on.

Make sure the mechanic can work on your particular car. There can be a lot of differences between vehicles, even though the base components are similar. If you don’t know, make sure you go to the dealer and pay them the extra money.

Make sure you have both a spare tire and a jack in your trunk. Most vehicles come with them, but you want to check anyway. The cost of a tow for a flat isn’t worth it! Changing your tire is a simple process that can save you an expensive visit from an auto service club.

Ask about prices and labor rates before you give your keys to a mechanic. Some shops have their rates in conspicuous places, so read carefully and ask questions if you don’t understand something. You will need to know what to expect on the final bill. Check to see the estimated times of the repair that you are having done. Repairs that seem minor may take all day long.

Remember that you don’t have to go to your dealer to get auto repair work done. Great mechanics abound in local garages. If you find one you like, you should hire him.

Don’t try to diagnose complicated issues. Remember, you’re not a professional. What may seem like a simple problem to fix can be quite complex, especially in newer computerized vehicles. Let the professionals diagnose your problem. Just tell them the symptoms you are experiencing, including noises or the “feel” of the car, but then let them do their job.

Some shops steal your tires and use old tires to replace them! Shops will do this to take advantage of those who are not wise enough to catch them. Before going in, mark up your tires with chalk. If you don’t have the chalk on your tires still when you pick the car up, then you know things aren’t right.

Some examples of things you can do on your own is adding windshield wiper fluid or oil to your vehicle. It’s only a myth that it takes a professional to get a maintenance job done. Figure out what you should be doing at first, but allow yourself to get things done on your own.

If the car must be in storage, avoid paying for repairs by putting it on some jack stands and keeping its tank filled. Do not use the parking brake. Also, store the car somewhere that is dry to prevent rust.

Ask for the old parts after your repair is complete. This helps you know whether the repairs have actually been done. A lot of repairs don’t need this to be done, like when the exhaust system gets repaired. It is easy to ascertain that your exhaust system has been replaced.

Ask someone you trust for referrals. This is a great way to locate a good mechanic because you know first hand that they have done good work in the past. Never use a mechanic who has not performed on any person’s vehicle that you know.

You should never put water in your windshield washer compartment. Water can clean the windshield, but your system is made for that special fluid and water could damage it. Monitor your windshield washer fluid container on a regular basis, and refill it when necessary. Keep a bottle in your car. The trunk is good place to keep a bottle.

When you are quoted by a mechanic, ensure he itemizes labor costs as well as cost of parts. This will allow you to compare different mechanics to each other. Most of the time there is little difference in the charge for parts, so it becomes simple to compare the cost of labor.

Vehicles today have sensors and warning lights to alert you to any problems. However, you should not just depend on these signals. Warning sensors can also fail so it’s important you are always aware of what is going on with your car.

No one wants their car to stop working. If you do not fully understand auto repairs, you could have difficulties knowing how to get your car repaired right. Use the tips you read to either handle the problem yourself or find a competent mechanic to handle the problem for you.

Best Auto Body Repair Services in Dallas, TX

Whether you have dents, dings, scratches, or any other collision damage, you require the help of a professional to fix your car and give it back its factory finish. Dallas Auto Paint is your best shot since they offer top notch services in Dallas. The team is qualified in providing the new paintless dent removal technique, which is quite fast and more efficient than its traditional counterpart. For shallow dents, PDR could give your car the perfect servicing you deserve. The process conducted is carried out systematically starting from assessment, locating the dent, using of special tools and finally pressure exertion to fix the dent. Scotch guarding the exterior of your car is a two-part opti coat interior protection system which comes with a 7-year manufacture’s guarantee.

When it comes to scratches, the repairers will not fail you because they have what it takes to handle any scratch whether it is just the color coat paint or it is the deep paint scratch. They will determine the size of the scratch and get to work. Small scratches get fixed with only high quality scratch removers while for deeper scratches, extensive repair is conducted.

For clients who have gone fiberglass, the repair shop offers exemplary services for repair as well as installation. Using the basic principles of fiber glass repair, your car will not only go back to its initial state but it will stay that way for a very long time. The experts offer their clients tips on taking care of their fiberglass auto body for sustainability.

On top of that, Dallas Auto Paint offer their clients custom paint refinishing services. The finishing touches always count since every client wants their automobile to look finer than when it first arrived at the shop. Your car will first be repaired from any slight imperfection it may have whether it is a scratch or dent. The surface is then prepared and finally, sealing is done only with the best paint products.

Clients who are thinking of an all-rounded auto body repair services and expert advice, they may want to consult with Dallas Auto Paint. For day to day at-home car care, regulars will benefit from products sold at the store ranging from abrasive products, adhesives as well as tools and equipment.

About Dallas Auto Paint

Dallas Auto Paint consists of a team of highly trained and experienced auto body repairers who offer an array of services to car owners of Dallas and its environs. They are specialized in conducting accident repair, mechanic repair, as well as hail damage. The team is highly qualified in:

• Dent repairs
• Scratch repairs
• Custom paint refinishing
• Fiber glass repair
• Paint color matching
• Don’t let a dent taint the good look of your car, reach out to Dallas Auto Paint and your auto body repair needs will be solved. The company has the technological advances to make every other kind of repair of your auto body whether a small dent or a deep scratch.