A car with an excellent paint job is one of life's true joys. It's like being the kid with the best bike in the neighbourhood or the biggest piece of birthday cake. Whether you drive a '47 Eldorado, a '66 Beetle or an '07 fortwo, a great paint job will take your vehicle from ho-hum to headturner.

Actually creating a great automotive paint job takes skill and finesse. Automotive painting is one of the most arduous and painstaking tasks in crafting an automobile. It can also be one of the most costly. If you are on a budget, there are options for you. Some paint shops can deliver a good paint job for a fair price. Your other option is to take on the task yourself. If the paint job is a success, you'll have even more to brag about: a hot set of wheels AND a "do it yourself" tale to tell.

Achieving a great paint job is a step-by-step process. You simply can't rush automotive painting. Follow the basic steps of preparation, primer application, blocking, final paint coat and detail application. This can seem like a daunting task for any beginner, but the entire job can be completed in just a few days.

Prepare
Before you begin, check with local bylaws and regulations regarding the use of spray paint in homes and enclosed areas. The last thing you need is a legal holdup delaying your painting job.

Cleaning the car is your next crucial step. The car must be spotlessly clean and free of dirt. Use detergents to clean the car top to bottom, and then follow up with grease removers. After the car has been cleaned, it's time to begin sanding. An air sander (preferably a dual-action sander) should be used to remove the old paint from the car. This kind of sander will not cause body damage because it removes paint without digging like other sanders and grinders. Every trace of paint must be removed to create a perfect palette for your new paint job. Automotive detailing tape or even duct tape can be used to cover and protect other parts of the car, including plastic moldings and windows. In addition to removing the old paint, all traces of rust have to be sanded off. Rust will spread if ignored or untreated, and the last thing you want is body rot happening beneath your spiffy new paint. You can repair minor body flaws on the car's surface using fillers. Shape the compound with care using a sanding board, then follow up with a glazing compound. This step will help to ensure a smooth-as-glass finish on your ride.

Mask
After the whole car has been initially cleaned, then sanded, a final cleaning takes place and the vehicle is ready to be masked. In this step, every part of the car that shouldn't be touched by paint is covered and protected. Remember, you will be using high-grade automotive paint that doesn't wash off with water. Cover your windows, every light and reflector, all window rubbers, all chrome, tires, wheels, door handles, wipers.. take a good look and what needs to be masked. If you don't want even the tiniest bit of over spray on it, cover it up! The tools and materials needed for masking are available at automotive supply warehouses and hardware stores.

Prime
Priming is an essential step to providing a good foundation for your new paint. A flawless prime coat will help you to achieve a perfect paint job. Valspar epoxy is a good primer choice, combining dependable filling capabilities with minimal shrinking. After the primer has been applied, a second coat in a contrasting colour should be applied on top of the first layer. This will serve as a sanding guide. The primer should be sanded to a smooth finish, but don't sand too vigorously or you could actually damage the body of the car. When the priming is complete, a sealer is applied and a final sanding takes place.

Finishing off
In finishing off the automotive painting, it is essential to achieve uniform colour. The spray gun should be held ten to twelve inches away from the body to avoid streaks and runs. This is necessary when applying the basecoat, final coat and clear coat.

Regardless of the type of car you drive, a new paint job can turn it into a real showstopper. Automotive painting can be a time consuming task, but you can do it if you take it step by step. The creative energy will be good for your soul, and the compliments you receive will be great for your confidence.

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Environmental issues have never been in the spotlight as much as they are today. Consumers are becoming much more environmentally conscious and companies are scrambling to appease them. This is also very true of automobile companies and this trend has lead to the development of hybrid cars.

As the name suggests, hybrid cars are just that ñ hybrids. They do not run on one specific type of propulsion or fuel system. Rather, hybrid cars can typically use at least two propulsion systems. While many systems have been investigated, the most common hybrid cars are those that can run on either gasoline or electricity in the form of a battery. Most recently, hybrid cars have been manufactured which can use an ethanol derivative, commonly termed Flex Fuel.

Inventors have long been conducting experiments to create hybrid cars, without success. In fact, the first experiments were conducted in the 19th century when manufacturers were attempting to phase out steam-driven vehicles. The first successful hybrid car wasnít created until the turn of the 20th century, but it was more than 90 years before the hybrid car was released for public sale.

Typically, hybrid cars contain the main components of an everyday gasoline-driven car. There is a fuel tank, a transmission and a gasoline engine. However, todayís hybrid car also contains electric mechanisms such as a battery and an electric motor. In some cases, the battery of the hybrid car is powered by solar energy. That way, the battery can recharge itself during the day. Some owners of hybrid cars prefer to switch propulsion systems depending on whether it is day or night. Amazingly, recent developments in hybrid cars have allowed for the kinetic energy created by the gasoline engine to be used to recharge the battery.

Hybrid cars are riding a wave of popularity. Most of the major car companies, including Toyota, Honda, and even Lexus, have introduced their own hybrid cars to the automobile market. With their smaller gasoline engines and reduced output of emissions, hybrid cars appeal to any socially responsible individual. The decreased size of the engines in hybrid cars have also led to new, sleeker designs and the incorporation of much lighter materials. So, the efficiency and power are quite satisfactory for the typical user, with hybrid cars reaching a horsepower of as much as 90. With the advancements in modern technology, it can only be expected that the hybrid cars of the future will be more efficient, cheaper and in great demand.

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There are a number of myths and misrepresentations about hybrid cars but there are also a number of clear facts. Certain hybrid cars produce a significant amount less pollutants than conventional cars although the amount depends on the model. The United States Government offers a number of incentives so that citizens will turn to hybrid cars and these include a valuable tax rebate. The cost of hybrid cars can be high initially but the truth about it is that it is an investment as the parts have warranties that provide free replacements. They keep their value as they are so much in demand. They tend to last longer than conventional gasoline cars and do not require more maintenance than other cars. The facts about hybrid cars technology is that they are always improving and becoming more efficient offering faster and more economic versions as time goes by. Hybrid cars are environmentally and economically friendly and provide an advanced form of travel.

There is a lot of information that car owners need to know about hybrid cars in order to make the right choice. Some people are confused about how hybrid cars work but they need to know a few basic details. Hybrid cars use small gasoline engines and electric motors that need to be recharged in order to function properly. The battery that supplies the power is generated by the energy used when the car is braking but it is not necessary to use the brakes more than normal. The average amount of brake use should provide more than enough power to the electric motor.

Hybrid cars use less gas because of the smaller engine and the use of the electric motor for assistance and save on further gas emissions and fuel use by automatically switching off the engine when the car is stopped in traffic only to switch on again when the car is put in gear and accelerated. They are quietly run cars and economically friendly and most manufacturers even produce these cars or else plan to. They have a good resale value and sell for about the same amount as they are bought for as their value does not depreciate as much as conventional vehicles. Advances in technology include powering up the battery by using a plug in method and these technologies are constantly being improved.

For information on buying and selling new and second hand cars and bikes visit

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All modern car tires are now radial. Car tires are a tremendous blight on the environment, and there are about a billion car tires stockpiled in our country. Re-treaded passenger car tires are manufactured according to standards. Today's passenger-car tires are safer at much higher speeds than 80 mph. While passenger-car tires are nearly all radials these days, ST tires are still available in bias-belted construction. We all know that our car tires are filled with air and that at certain times the air pressure in them decreases. The sport car tires are built to provide excellent traction and handling.

This standard specifies performance, labeling, and certification requirements for retreaded pneumatic passenger car tires. Higher-performance tires have softer, grip pier rubber with shorter tread life. There are quite a few levels of performance tires available on the market, from full-on race tires to general use passenger car tires. There are various types of performance tires that are sold in the market. Performance and luxury touring tires are quiet and handle incredibly well, sometimes it is hard to believe that these types of tires are having the ability to produce results like this. When using performance tires they tend to wear out quicker than usual everyday car tires that you would put on family cars. The largest accelerations that most high-performance car tires can withstand without breaking static friction are on the order of 0.

In the simplest of operations you can determine your chosen car or off-road vehicle and subsequently mount the rims of your choice visually on the vehicle. Plus-sizing is an option that allows vehicle owners to customize their vehicle by installing lower aspect ratio tires on wider- and larger-diameter rims. Lightweight metal rims are also available on the market.

The speed ratings of Goodyear passenger car tires are listed on the "Sizes Specifications" pages in the Car/Light Truck Tire Catalog. The materials and tooling Goodyear has developed to build its race tires help it build better passenger car tires.

All passenger car tires are all made from the same radial base so there is no need to sell in "balanced" sets as you put it. Car tires are cheap; you can pick up a used one just about anywhere. Your speedometer won't read the correct speed if your car tires are not the right size. One important fact is that many automobile passenger tires are not intended to maneuver the car out of problem with speeds in excess of 75-80 mph. Make sure your car tires are in good condition and maintain a full tank of gas. Today's car tires are built from steel and rubber which gives the tires the ability to last longer. Everyone knows car tires are inflated with air at high pressure to maintain their shape and will deflate when punctured.

When choosing a car tire it is best to speak to the dealership or auto mechanics to get their opinions on which tires are good for you type of car.

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With more and more car manufacturers designing hybrid vehicles, itís getting easier to find a vehicle that both meets your needs and has the money saving and environmental benefits that you want. While itís easier to find vehicles, it may be hard to decipher the various aspects of each mass market hybrid, so hereís a quick and simple guide to finding the best hybrid cars for your familyís needs.

When many people think of the best hybrid cars, they immediately think of the first two hybrids to be released on the market: the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight. Of these, and really of all the hybrids widely available, the Insight gets the best gas mileage at 57-60 mpg for city driving and 56-66 on the highway. This two seater is also the cheapest of the group and makes an excellent commuter car for those who drive long distances, but is not very practical for grocery shopping or family vacations. The Prius on the other hand, probably ranks among the best hybrid cars available overall. A little pricier than the Insight, this vehicle gets around 60 mpg in the city but only about 51 miles per gallon for highway driving. With a roomy interior that seats five, and its standard hatchback, this car is much more practical than the Insight for most peopleís useage. Sedans and Family Vehicles.

While the Prius is able to seat five, many people are looking for something with a more traditional look and a little bit more cabin space. The best hybrid cars in this category are manufactured by Honda, who has made a commitment to manufacturing hybrid versions of their regular cars; as of now hybrid versions are available of both the Civic and the Accord. You will pay a bit more for these, and the gas mileage is not quite as good as it is for the classics, but they will fit the needs of most families. A hybrid version of Toyotaís Camry may also be available, but costs a little bit more and gets mileage that is not quite as good as the comparable Honda Sedans.

For those who would like an SUV or truck, the best of the hybrid cars available for you is probably the Ford Escape. At 28 miles per gallon, this SUV nearly doubles the mileage of traditional SUVs. While options are also available from some luxury car companies, the Escape is a much better value with a reasonable price tag and standard features like AWD and ABS. The best hybrid cars for you will depend on your familyís needs and usage, but with a little research chances are youíll find one that completely fits the bill.

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