Necessity of a Cheap Windshield Replacement

The term windshield means the front window. It is also called as the windscreen. It is generally made with laminated glass, which is a type of treated glass. The main function of the windshield or the windscreen is to shield the driver from the wind especially the driver of the car. But the windshield of the motorcycles is to improve the drag coefficient and doesn't shield rider from the wind when sit upright. In other words, it is mainly used to protect the occupants of the vehicle from wind, temperature, dust, insects etc., as also it provides the aerodynamically designed window in the front. Earlier, it was made of ordinary glass but now it is laminated safety glass. Today, it has become a safety device.

It is dangerous to have a cracked or broken front window. When damaged, it affects the driver's vision and it may lead to an accident. It is the most important safety component of a vehicle. Although, it is made of tough glass, the severity of the accident or serious jarring of the car can cause it to crack. The safety of the driver and the co-passengers cannot be compromised for want of a good front window. The auto glass is one of the components used in repairing the windscreen that helps a person of safe journey.

The main object of the technician is to see that the crack or chip in the front window disappears in such a way that one would not be able to tell that there was ever a cracked or broken window. The expenditure incurred should be minimal. The repairman or the mechanic has to replace it in such a way that nobody should know that it is replaced. After, the replacement the dents wherever they appear should be removed neatly and then painted properly and evenly. The estimation should be detailed in such a way that it must be cost effective and not expensive. The companies which would replace, fix, paint etc., should be genuine and renowned companies, the addresses of which could be ascertained by references and by searching the yellow pages. The parties should be assured that the experts of these companies, who quote the lowest prices, provide guaranteed and good quality materials and they would come anywhere whenever required and do the needful. The companies should not cheat or try to exploit the customers availing the services. The agencies or the companies involved in the same should guide the customers reasonably.

There is also auto glass repair service which when needed, the technician takes care of the crack very quickly by fixing or repairing the windshield using simple tools and repair equipment which does not require the window to be removed. The parties should also take cover under the insurance. The payments should be easy and flexible. The repair or replacement should be cost effective. Precautionary measures should be taken in advance for a quality replacement which would hold good for years.

How to Increase Car Counts for Your Auto Repair Shop - Use Mobile or Text Message Marketing

Mobile Marketing or Text Message Marketing has truly become an incredibly powerful marketing strategy, but only if it's done right.

Also understand why mobile or text message marketing is so powerful. It's powerful because your ads or offers are targeted specifically for the user. They opt-in to get your messages and basically tell you that they want to hear from you. Let me explain.

In order to get started and set up a mobile marketing campaign, you will require:

1) A Text Messaging Platform: This is the system that runs all of your campaigns. Platforms are typically hosted online and (depending on the service you choose) will run all of your mobile campaigns. There are a variety of platforms available and each one of them boasts specific features. Some are just basic text messaging; others include Text-to-Vote, Text-to-Win and countless other features. The platforms also provide your 'keywords' and the 'short code'

2) The Short Code is the specific number that people will text to. A short code is really a shortened phone number that's provided to you by the Text Messaging platform.

3) Keywords: Those are the words or terms that people will 'text' to get your offer. Keywords can be any combination of letters and numbers that you want. As an example, you might have customers or prospects 'text the word myautoshop to 54321 to get (your offer - like to save $10 on your next oil change' The term 'myautoshop' would be your keyword; the number 54321 would be the short code.

4) When people text to your short code, they will get an instant response that should direct them to your mobile website to view a coupon for the savings.

To really be successful and increase your car counts dramatically, you must have a mobile website. That's because they are a much smaller, stripped down version of your regular site and will load much faster on visitor's mobile devices.

What makes this strategy so powerful is that it's been proven that prospects and customers who receive text message marketing and coupons (also referred to as m-coupons) from local businesses are 'hyper-responsive'. The statistics are overwhelming. Some recent studies show that mobile coupons and offers get 10X the redemption rate as opposed to any other coupon format. Today, Mobile Marketing or Text Message Marketing is one of the best methods you can use to Increase Car Counts and market your business to make more money. Above that, you'll build a better list of loyal customers.

Fastest Way to Strip Paint Off Your Car Bodywork - Bare Metal and Paint Repair

If you are going to do a job then the motto is "do it right" and this most certainly applies when it comes to stripping paint. Most professionals when stripping the paint from panels for example will depend on a chemical process to assist them. The chemical is specifically designed for stripping paint for the most part, though these are not cheap so learning to work with them properly can save you time and money. It's still a time consuming project. You have to apply the stripper, leave it while it does its job, then come back and scrape of the stripper, then start the process all over again.

Here are some steps to help you get the job done fast and efficiently.

Step One:
Get the surface ready. You do this by masking off the areas you don't want stripped. Make sure you use a good quality masking tape, as you don't want the stripper to seep under the tape. Also, be sure to mask well any openings or crevices that the stripper could get into. If this were to happen and go unnoticed then you could run into a problem later on. Stripper could easily surface up into the new paint you just recently applied.

Step Two:
There are many good chemical strippers on the market today. Make sure you read and follow all of the manufacturer's directions exactly. Don't just assume that the one you are using now is going to be the same as the one you used last time. Some strippers are in liquid form while others are in a paste form. One common brand that is quite good is Aircraft Remover that is specifically made for auto body use. You need to pour some of the stripper from its original contain into a disposable container. Make sure you use a chemical resistant paintbrush to apply it with otherwise you could end up with a melted brush.

Step three:
When you are applying the chemical, apply it in one direction only and don't work too much with it. Working it too much only reduces its activity.

Step Four:
This is an important step. Once you have your stripper on then cover it with polyethylene about 2-4ml thickness. Then secure this all around the edges. The reason for doing this is that the chemical components in the stripper that are responsible for softening up the paint evaporate quickly. Whereas if you cover it then it will work for a much longer period of time. You can leave it up to two hours for tough jobs. This little technique makes that expensive stripper go a little bit further. Another hint as well is with a 40-60 grade sandpaper just rough up the surface of the paint just enough to break through the paint film then apply the stripper.

Step Five:
Remove the polyethylene, scrape, and then use steel wool to get into the crevices. Make sure all of the stripper residue is removed before proceeding. Some strippers you can rinse with water, but read the manufacturers directions according to the product you are using.

Tips For Painting A Car Yourself

There is a lot of work that goes into painting a car. However, with all of the television shows, such as, Overhaulin', West Coast Customs, and Powerblock, it appears to be much easier than it really is. In this article, I will give you a few tips for painting a car that will make it easier for you, but it still requires effort on your part.

First, you must realize that this type of work is not for everyone. In fact, I have students that enroll into my auto body class that are surprised to learn the amount of effort it takes to properly repair and paint a car. Of course, I said to properly repair a car. I have watched several YouTube videos where someone is demonstrating how produce results using Rustoleum and a paint brush. Well, maybe that method will work for a farm truck or tractor....that is not going to cut it in the real world. It does take effort and time to do this correctly...more than 1 or 2 hours for sure.

With that said, for the other gear heads out there, like me, the effort is not painful. If you love this type of work, the effort is fun and gets into your blood. So if this is not a hobby you enjoy doing, you may want to find something else that is.

Painting A Car

The first thing you want to keep in mind when painting a car is to clean the car. Over time, the car collects contamination from the environment and from waxing. These contaminates can cause a lot of problems for us in the refinish world. Contaminates such as silicone and oil is on the top of the painters bad list. To assure we eliminate this problem, an old fashion hand wash will do the trick. Remember, since wax and silicone are our enemy, don't use a car soap with wax in it. We want to strip the wax, not protect and add to it. Dish soap will also work if it does not have added ingredients for keeping your hand soft. Once washed, wipe the car down with wax and grease remover to assure all traces of contamination are off the paint surface.

What Condition Is The Paint In

If you are lucky you can sand and paint the painted surface. However, there are a few reason that will cause you additional work. If the surface is peeling, you will need to strip the paint off and start over. If it is just the clear coat peeling, you may get by with just sanding all of the clear coat off and starting the paint process from there. Another thing to keep in mind is how thick the paint is. If the coatings are over 12 mils thick, you will need to strip some of the coatings off so you do not keep building up the mil thickness. Ask the paint store where you buy your paint to check it for you. They should have a mil thickness gauge. If the car is a factory paint job, or if it does not have any paint problems, you are safe to prep and paint.

Sand and Paint

To paint a car I am going to give you a wet sanding method, as you are probably a DIY car enthusiast without every tool under the sun. To do this all you need is some 400 grit wet or dry sandpaper, a squirt bottle with water and some genuine elbow action. Sand the entire surface you are painting with 400 grit sandpaper. Be certain to sand edges extremely well, as this is where paint will peel if not sanded properly. Once the entire car has been sanded, wash again to assure it is completely clean. Allow to air dry or use compressed air to speed up the process, and now you are ready for paint.

Spraying Primer Sealer, Base Coat and Clear Coat

If you did not do any body work and there is no bare metal, you do not have to use primer sealer. However, if there are spots where you sanded through leaving the car different colors, I would use a coat of primer sealer to get a uniform color before spraying base coat. If you can any bare metal, I would hit it with self etch primer in a rattle can before painting as well. Oh, and of course, don't forget to mask before spraying! Now you are ready to spray base coat and clear coat.

Each brand uses slight different methods and flash times. The best thing to do, is to ask for technical data sheets from the place you buy the paint. They will be able to provide these for you and it will tell you exactly how to spray their specific products.

That is it, now it's time to go out to the garage and get started painting a car yourself.

Auto Glass Cleaning - Tips for Sparkling Clean Windows and Mirrors

The windows of your car take a beating from dirt, bugs, bird droppings and other debris. But with a few simple techniques and a little know-how, you can make even the dirtiest windows sparkle. Here's a list of helpful glass cleaning tips to get your windows brilliantly clean - and without leaving behind streaks, scratches, residue or lint.

1. The first step is to choose an auto glass cleaner. Make sure your glass cleaner does NOT contain ammonia, alcohol or any ingredient that could produce toxic fumes. Beyond the obvious health concerns of inhaling these fumes, consider the impact your automotive cleaning products have on the environment. There are car care products on the market that are 100% biodegradable, non-toxic and recyclable that have the same great cleaning power as traditional cleaning products.

2. Any product containing ammonia is a definite no-no when it comes to auto detailing. Ammonia and ammonia fumes cause plastic, rubber, vinyl and leather to dry out, and will damage any tint your windows may have. Do your homework and you won't end up destroying your vehicle's interior while you're trying to clean it!

3. The type of towel you choose to clean your windows with can make all the difference. Choose a high-quality, glass cleaning microfiber towel of at least 300 GSM. Microfiber towels can hold up to eight times their weight in water, are lint-free and will not cause scratches. An electrostatic charge causes dirt and debris to be lifted up and away from the surface, rather than dragged across it. Old t-shirts, towels, socks and newspaper are not the best choice when cleaning your car's glass, and will likely cause scratches, streaks and missed spots.

4. If you are cleaning the entire interior of your car, save your windows and rear-view mirror for last to avoid getting stray spray from other cleaning products on your freshly cleaned glass. You can also avoid stray spray by spraying your window cleaner (and other applicable interior auto detailing products) onto the microfiber towel - not directly on the surface.

5. Another factor to keep in mind is the motion you buff with your microfiber towel. While a circular motion may appear to be actively buffing away any streaks from your windows, a straight back-and-forth and then up-and-down motion will ensure that the entire surface has been cleaned and wiped down thoroughly.

6. Remember when cleaning your windows or mirrors to use one towel (or one side of a towel) to wipe the surface clean, and a second to buff the surface to a residue-free shine. Not only do you need two clean towel surfaces per swipe, but per window. The last thing you want to do is spread the dirt and dead bugs that you wiped off of your windshield onto the next window you clean. Make sure you have enough clean towels to avoid contaminating one window with the last one's mess.

7. Avoid cleaning your vehicle's windows in direct sunlight or very hot conditions, if possible. This is especially important if you are using a window cleaner containing harsh chemicals. When the liquid evaporates, the fumes left behind could easily be inhaled, posing a serious health risk. Even with non-toxic window cleaners, evaporation can also mean a spotty residue before your towel even hits the glass.

8. The easiest place to overlook when cleaning your vehicle's windows is the small edging area at the top of the window. Often, this area is especially dirty from build up in the rubber lip. Be sure you roll each window down several inches to clean this area on both the interior and exterior of the glass.

9. Ever get a build up on the edges of your windshield wipers that causes blurry areas on your windshield? Wipe down your blades with a damp cloth and a bit of white vinegar. The vinegar will remove the debris that's stuck on the blades and allow them to make full contact with the windshield again. If after a wipe down, your windshield wipers haven't improved any, you may be due for a new pair. And don't forget to clean out your wiper cowl once in a while! The wiper cowl is the area at the base of the windshield where your wipers lay when not in use. Keeping this area free of grime will greatly reduce the amount of debris on your wipers.

Auto Body Repairs Work For Budgets

Many, if not most of us are on a budget today. We are watching where we spend each and every dollar. We are also making sure that we get the best deal for the money that we do spend. There is nothing wrong with that. However, sometimes things come up that we do not always plan for and we need to spend some money that we really weren't planning to. One such thing is when our vehicle needs repair. If your vehicle has auto body damage you should find out about auto body repairs. This is something that can be done, even on a budget.

Many people put off getting their vehicle repaired because they think it will cost too much money. Sometimes the repairs can be costly. But that really depends on a few things. For example, what needs to be repaired, where will you take your vehicle for repair and will you get the existing materials repaired or will you have them replaced? All of these things will have an effect on your bill total.

The first thing you need to remember is to choose auto body repair! If you choose auto body replacement you will be paying a lot more money. It cost money to order the replacement part. You will not only get charged for the part but have to pay more since it will usually take longer than repairs. You may also have to get a rental car while you are waiting for the repair to be completed. That will cost you more money.

With auto body repairs, the auto reconditioning specialist will repair what materials are still on the vehicle. They have many advanced methods to repairing vehicles in a way that you can hardly tell that there was damage to begin with. Most repairs can be completed quickly in a few hours. Also you will not have to wait for any parts to come in so you will not have to rent a vehicle. Also to add to that many auto body shops offer a mobile service for some services they offer. So, they will come to you whether it be work, home or wherever and repair your vehicle for you. Since repairs can be completed quicker and there are no replacement parts you will not have to pay as much. So, if you are on a budget auto body repair is clearly the choice for you.

You may not think you need auto body repair, but it is best to get it done. You will prevent your vehicle from further damage, keep yourself and passengers safe, keep your vehicle looking nice, and maintain its resale value.

You just need to find an auto body shop that will complete the repairs for quickly. Also don't forget as much as you will want a qualified auto body specialist to work on your car, you want and need a good price. So, look around before choosing and find a shop that you feel comfortable with and that fits into your budget!

Mobile Car Washing Versus the Threat from Well Funded Dry Wash Smear On Products

The auto service business is alive and well, and we are a nation of cars. Because people care so much about their automobiles, and they spend so much to buy them, they also care very much about how they present themselves when driving. It is for this reason that folks spend a lot of money getting their cars washed and detailed. One of the services which has become very valuable to auto owners is that of mobile car washers who come to their office and wash their car.

However most of the mobile car washers have come under fire by environmental regulations, and competition. It seems that the fixed site car washers would rather not have the mobile car washing companies around. Why you ask? It's simple, every time a mobile operation cleans a car, well it is one less car that the carwash can clean. And there is another competitor - those waterless car washes, most of them are also mobile, they use a dry-wash smear on type product, which cleans the car without using any water.

Many of these companies are franchise based, or large business opportunities - and they are very much using the global warming and environmental movement to promote their products and services. Also in many parts of the world and in the United States there is a shortage of water. So, these companies say that carwashes and mobile carwashes use too much water.

However, the reality is that most mobile carwashes only use between three and 5 gallons for every car they wash, which is hardly anything compared to someone washing their car their driveway who might use 50 to 100 gallons.

Unfortunately for the mobile car washer that has a plastic water tank on the back of their pickup truck or on a small trailer, they do not have the wherewithal or the money to compete against the venture capital funded dry wash companies, who are busy lobbying local storm water regulators, and even using verbiage from the EPA site on their brochures, and company websites.

It's too bad that the dry wash type waterless carwashes cannot go about their business on their own and let the consumer decide which type of service they'd rather have. Using government regulators and the EPA to try to shut down mobile carwash operators makes some people wonder if the dry wash companies could compete without using the government to stop their competition. Additionally, the fixed site car wash owners are quite happy to see this little war going on, because it also means more business for them.

What we have now is a situation where "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" as the dry wash car wash companies and the fixed site carwashes gang up on the mobile operators and they are using their money and lobbying power to unbalance the level playing filled of the free market. This should be expected, and many entrepreneurs believe the only reason that regulators exist in the United States is simply to provide barriers to entry so one greedy business owner can hog all the business.

Yes, that's a cynical way to look at it, but I do also understand why people often say that, especially as they observe how some businesses get all the juice, and other businesses are forced out of business with new laws and regulations. Don't get me wrong, I am all for helping the environment, but the way that our environmental regulations are being used and enforced does pose a problem for mobile carwash operators who use water rather than smear on dry wash products. Please consider all this.