Learn About Sports Cars Before You Buy One

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Nothing beats the exhilaration brought about by speed. Anyone who has ever driven an automobile has at least dreamt of taking the role of Steve McQueen in "Bullitt", getting into a high-speed car chase. If not Bullitt, each driver has dreamt playing Michael Caine's Charlie Cosker in "The Italian Job", driving that gorgeous convertible into the very heart of the gold heist.. Anyone who has ever taken control of the wheel has at least once dreamt of driving not just to get from point A to point B but to go from point A to B in flair. And driving a fantastic sports car fulfills this dream.

In making an automobile or any land vehicle for that matter, a lot of factors are being considered: cost of material, safety, efficiency, and performance are only some of these at play on the drawing board of a car maker. A sports car however, in definition gives priority to performance above all other factors. By performance, speed is usually the first thing that comes to mind. Speed relies heavily on the power of the car's engine.

Most sports cars do have muscle engines which can outrun even the fastest sedans easily. A sports car engineer therefore puts it first on the list of factors that he has to consider: how to travel the distance with the least amount of time possible.

But of course, even if performance is a cut above every other consideration, the other factors are never neglected. Safety cannot be compromised, because even the fastest sports car needs a driver on the wheel at all times, and safe at all times. Besides, everyone wants to drive from start to finish in one piece, after all. So a performance-oriented vehicle must pay attention to the other factors and not rely solely on the car engine's power.

A number of sports cars compensate for a not-so-powerful engine with a light body, paying due respect to the laws of physics: the lighter the mass, the smaller amount of force required to move this mass. This is also the reason why a sports cars usually are smaller, and do not have backseats. If these cars do have backseats, these are not as convenient as a sedan's and is only a throwaway to please the insurance companies. One may also notice that a sports car quite often only has two doors, and it shares the same reason as that of the backseat.

Because it can outperform any of the regular four-seater cars out in the market, sports cars are sold obviously at a higher price. Another reason is because quality materials are almost always being used to withstand the heavier wear and tear in this type of vehicle.
This also explains why purchasing a sports car remains a pipe dream to most car enthusiasts. But it doesn't have to be that way anymore. It is easier to get one's hands on the steering wheel of a sports car than most people think. One just has to have the imagination and acumen to do so.

Buying a sports car does not have to mean going to your nearest car dealer and getting a brand new vehicle off the rack. There are quite a handful of these vehicles beyond the dealer's garage, in very good condition and sold at a lower price. You can always check out car auctions and watch out of sports car models being sold at pancake rates. Pre-owned sports cars are always available on your local car magazine or website; sometimes it just requires you to pay more attention to these ad placements; you'll never know when the sports car of your dreams is right under your nose.

Buying second-hand sports cars maybe the best way to go if one is facing monetary constraints. If a pre-owned sports car is taken cared of properly, it will give one the same excitement that a new one can provide.

There are also private sellers particularly of sports cars. More often than not, owners of these sports cars found themselves short of cash and are willing to dispose of their sports cars at considerably low prices, much to their resistance. Desperation is in a way good for buyers on the look-out: they get their dream vehicles at bargain prices.

And once you have spotted the car of your dreams, it is wise to exercise routine vehicle inspection, the way one does when buying a regular car. Do not forget to visually inspect the engine, the interior and the body. It is a folly to disregard these simple reminders, especially when buying a pre-owned sports car. You as a buyer can easily assess the condition of the car, how well it was maintained by the owner, simply by looking at it. Then, the proof of the pudding is in the eating: do not forget to test-drive your prospect sports vehicle before closing the purchase. Give it a go and see how it feels. If it feels good – and you feel like Steve McQueen in Bullitt – it is time to call that sports car your own.

Lee Dobbins writes for sportscars.unique-articles.com where you can learn more about the sports care and get tips on buying a sports car

Clear Coat Thoughts for Modern Automobiles

Friday, June 20, 2008

Sunlight problems from ultra violet are getting worse now due to lessening of the Ionisphere from natural pollution, green house or so we have been warned. These UV rays can easily be protected with clear coats, ceramic coatings and a good wax job you car. If you were out in the sun and the skin on your nose started to peel or your eyes were becoming white blinded by the sun you would no doubt put on some sunglasses, a hat and perhaps some sun block. Today’s automobile is ready and able to prevent this thru its clear coating, but it must be cared for to do its job.

Swirl marks are caused by car washes or untrained auto detailers, which are too aggressive for the paint. Such swirl marks are etchings in your cars clear coat. They reveal damage to the paint. If you are waxing a car and wonder if you have damaged the paint there are ways to tell. How can you tell when you have accomplished the task in waxing your car correctly thus saving the paint and creating a mirror finish? Take your watch and tilt it sideways and then upside down and it should look like a movie clip and then a mirror as you spin your watch with no distortion. You should be able to read the time in your paint by the reflection. Another way is to take a fluorescent light and see if it is crisp or if you have any weird wave patterns coming off of the paint in the form of distortion or refraction of the light in any other direction except directly into your line of sight. Before going hog wild on the clear coat with Clay Magic or any other materials, Check the clear coat width. These units are from the old plating industry and used in industry to test thickness of substances. There are small units used by art consultants and engineers;

http://www.qualitest-inc.com/positector6000.htm

but in the auto detailing industry they use little hand hold units to check the number of mils thick a clear coat has left on it after battling elements for sometime. You can find them on eBay cheap. Only serious auto detailers carry these. A good clear coat is 5 mils or more, but most manufacturers use 2-4 mils and the substances are better than before. Color coats are usually 3-5 mils and primer coats are 1-3 mils. Aircraft use more one step paints to save weight and many manufacturers use less paint to save cost and save steps by using multi-step paints, some good and some not. Minor oxidation can decay paint about 1-1.8 mils. Surface scratches and shopping carts can cut through clear coat and half way into color coats, thus a filler wax is needed after treatment is rendered and do not take a buffer with a short wool pad to it either. I hope you learned something here today.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

The Brand New Lexus ES 350

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The brand new 2007 Lexus ES 350 offers a sleek interior design and serves up an exterior to match. Standard 16 inch alloy wheels, with the option of 17 inch alloy or chrome wheels, add to the eye appeal of the new 2007 Lexus ES 350. A power moonroof is also an appealing feature, which is included in select models.

Safety is a large factor in today’s automobile industry, which is why the 2007 Lexus ES 350 features HID Headlamps to help illuminate additional space of the road ahead and also helps to reduce the glare to oncoming traffic. Integrated foglamps, as the name implies, will help to improve visibility when the driver encounters fog. Auto-dimming mirrors and rain-sensing wipers are added safety features found on the 2007 Lexus ES 350.

As passengers climb into the new 2007 Lexus ES 350, they will find wood and leather trim with a sleek metallic-finish instrument panel. The driver, who has audio and display controls located directly on the steering wheel, will be able to find the perfect driving music. Speaking of which, the Mark Levison Premium Audio System is available for those who desire a powerful sound and an experience to match.

As an added feature, the 2007 Lexus ES 350 features a voice-activated DVD navigation system that incorporates satellite technology to help pinpoint the location and provide verbal directions to thousands of destinations throughout the United States and Canada. The driver and passengers may select from up to three routes, including the shortest, the quickest and an alternative. In addition, the navigation system can help to locate specific points of interest, such as nearby hotels, ATM machines and restaurants. The control for this system is conveniently located on the steering wheel and has the capability to understand more than 100 commands.

Rounding out the popular features of the new 2007 Lexus ES 350 is dual climate control, power-adjustable seats, a rearview mirror compass, power rear sunshade and HomeLink remote control, which can open entry gates, a garage door and even turn on the front-door lights.

The new 2007 Lexus ES 350 is now available at local Lexus dealerships.

See more pictures and reviews of 2007 Lexus ES 350 or Lexus RX 2007 and read the latest Lexus news and cars reviews on http://www.autonews24h.com/Auto-Industry/Lexus/

Solar Powered Cars

Monday, June 16, 2008

The elements of nature have been created for man alone. Every single need can be acquired and it is present in nature around us. Man only needs to travel and explore the hidden treasures of nature and use them for the fulfillment of his basic needs of life. Something that doesn't need any searching shines up above in the sky. The sun is the basic source of life on earth. If there was no sun no life would have been possible.

Sun emits light which is known as the solar energy and you may have heard and studied about solar energy being used for thousands of purposes. This energy has been used for heating systems and thermal power plants are run through solar energy and so on. When you read or hear about these things you simply pass on because this is too common.

When it comes to solar powered cars it is very likely that you stop and think for a while. It is a promising future prospect and you wish you live long enough to see only solar powered cars racing down the streets, no running out gas, no waiting at the filling station, no more paying for the petrol. Imagine how quickly you would be able to increase your standard of living.

Solar powered cars have been in existence since the mid of the 19th century. They have been increasing in number year by year and organizations tend to hold solar powered car racing each year and thousands of people invest their money and bet on their solar powered cars. The mechanism of these cars is very simple. The batteries installed in these light bodied cars charge themselves from the solar energy. Then this energy is converted by them into electrical energy thus it helps the motor run.

Now this prospect is very simple or more likely it sounds very simple and trouble free. The sun shines everyday and there doesn't seem to be any such problem with these cars. But the fact is that the amount of energy stored at a time by these cars enables them to drive at a very slow pace. The road has to be leveled and not steep because that requires even more energy. It will need more powerful batteries and more storage capacity.

Have you never noticed that this is the reason why solar powered cars are small; light weighed, and can carry one person at a time? There are many technical facts that render the concept of these cars as vague.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Automotive, Shopping, and Recreation

Kia Amanti 2004 The Weekly Driver Review

Sunday, June 15, 2008

The reaction was immediate. One friend noticed the car in our driveway
and said unsolicited, "It looks like a Mercedes." A few days later, I drove
to a friend's home and his words were nearly identical: "Nice Mercedes.
Oh, wait. That's not a Mercedes. What is it?"

What it is and how it resembles a Mercedes-Benz is why the Kia Amanti,
the new 5-speed automatic, full-sized sedan from the Korean
manufacturer, is getting its share of attention.

I seemingly, yet unintentionally, also fooled a lot of other people with the
24-valve, 3.5 liter, V6, 200-horsepower five-passenger sedan I drove for
my weekly test. In fcact, Around town and on the freeway, I couldn't help
but notice the amount of stares I received.

And my friends and strangers are right. Inside and out, the Amanti looks
surprisingly similar to a Mercedes-Benz S-class sedan. The egg-shaped
headlight and headlamp pattern and the front grill, for example, are not-
too-distant cousins to the same features offered on the Amanti's high-
priced German relative.

And while Mercedes has had a long head start and decades to tweak its
refinement, some of the Amanti's interior features are equally
impressive. The woodgrain-accented dash is well-designed and
handsome. The driver and passenger front seat adjustment controls are
shaped like seats and contoured into the sides of the seat panels. Both
features are among many Mercedes signature offerings. But the Kia also
has several small but important quality nuances, like front seat, side
panel pullout map pockets.

Likewise, the Amanti is generously spacious with 105.6 cubic feet of
interior space, well-positioned seats, easy entry and exit and plenty of
room for five adults. Standard features and options are plentiful,
particularly for a vehicle well under $30,000 with every available option
included.

Consider the $2,750 added installed equipment option: sunroof,
individually heated front seats, leather-trimmed seats, automatic-
dimming inside mirror, two-position memory for driver's seat and outside
mirrors and Infinity AM/FM cassette with six-disc CD.

Standard equipment includes: dual-zone automatic climate control,
eight-way driver seats and four-way passenger seats, cruise control,
three 12V power outlets, leather steering wheel with audio and cruise
remote functions, front fog lamps and front windshield de-icer.

Beyond its comfort, Mercedes-Benz has honed its enduring legacy with
superior handling and driving performance. It's hard to beat at any price.
But the Amanti's refined looks its and generous features are also
complemented by a fine drive. The Kia flagship accelerates well in traffic
and cruises with a nice, quiet ride in highway situations. The power
steering is near effortless and the car maneuvers in and of tight
situations without hesitation.

Kia is owned by Hyundai, and within the two brands, the Amanti is the
most luxurious and most expensive Korean vehicle available.

And while Mercedes has earned its reputation and status in the
marketplace, for a first-year vehicle, the Amanti has done well in its
debut. Its rich cousin would do well to keep a close eye on its half-priced
Korean relative.

2004 Kia Amanti

Safety features -- Dual front, front and rear-mounted and curtain
side airbags.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 17 mpg (city), 25 mpg (highway).

Warranty -- Bumper to bumper (5 years/60,000 miles),
Powertrain (10 years/100,000 miles), corrosion (5 years/100,000 miles),
24-hour roadside assistance (5 years/unlimited miles).

Base price -- $24,995 - $28,260.

James Raia is a syndicated journalist in Sacramento, California, who
writes about sports, fitness, travel and lifestyle topics as well as the car
review colum, The Weekly Driver.

To read more car reviews, visit: The Weekly Driver

Non-Surgical Liposuction for Engines

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Classic symptoms of engine liposuction candidates:

ท Sluggish response

ท Diminished engine performance

ท Decreased mileage per gallon

ท Increased fuel requirements

ท Increased toxic emissions

Perhaps you have faithfully and religiously tried to keep your engine healthy by:

ท Habitual feedings on quality gasoline or diesel fuel

ท Changing oil regularly

ท Meticulously replacing spark plugs

Yet your engine still manifests foreboding symptoms.

Don’t blame yourself! The Fuel Doctor has ferreted out the source and formulated a non-surgical cure!

The source is water and sulfur. I know you would never intentionally feed your engine water, but unfortunately water is always present in both gasoline and diesel fuel. The nature of fuel also has an affinity to solicit water from the atmosphere. Sulfur also intentionally lurks in both gasoline and diesel fuel. When water and sulfur meet, sulfuric acid is conceived. Acidic engines form carbon deposits when not burned off during combustion.

A critical condition evolves when unsightly carbon deposits appear on spark plugs, valves, etc., or are forced into your oil. These lethal carbon deposits progressively obstruct your engine’s ability to properly function. Inevitably, symptoms rear their ugly head, and your engine becomes listed as a prime candidate for liposuction.

When your engine does not function efficiently, toxic exhaust emissions are spewed into the environment. Failed emission test inspections elicit an emergency room visit for immediate engine liposuction.

But don’t despair! Drastic measures are no longer compulsory to eliminate those unsightly carbon deposits in your engine. The Fuel Doctor has formulated a prescription cure called the UBiee Power Pill Fe-3.

Tests performed on this non-surgical liposuction procedure showed:

ท Improved engine performance

ท Increased mileage

ท Reduction in carbon deposits

ท Decreased octane requirements

ท Reduction of harmful carbon monoxide exhaust emissions by 78%

ท Reduction of smoke pollutants by 73%

ท Reduction of hydrocarbon emissions by 23%

The UBiee PowerPill Fe-3 translates into substantial savings and avoidance of expensive engine liposuction surgical procedures.

**Attn Ezine editors / Site owners **

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include the resource box as listed above.

Dee Scrip is a well known and respected published expert author of numerous articles on Home Business, Business Opportunities, Fundraising, VoIP, VoIP Security, and other related VoIP issues.

http://www.ubpill.com

http://www.free-pc-phone.com

Security Release Important Tips For Your Vehicle

Thursday, June 12, 2008

You car is probably one of the most expensive items you have ever purchased. Therefore you must protect it well to help you keep your car and belongings from being stolen or vandalized.

Here are some important tips for the security of your vehicle:

Tip 1: Park in a Well Lit Area

Places which are well lit and have a lot of traffic are the best place to park your car. No sensible thief will steal a vehicle where there are a lot of people around.

Tip 2: Don’t Attract Attention

Attracting attention tells people that you have something valuable in your car. Don’t attract attention by placing high valued items in full view. Hide them away or risk losing the whole vehicle!

Tip 3: Take your Belongings with You

Take everything out of your car. Anything that can call attention probably will, and thieves love to hotwire cars that have expensive things inside. Don't leave in plain view any money, electronic items or expensive items.

Tip 4: Thieves Love Audio Equipment as Much as You do

A good snatch-and-grab man can get a stereo out of a car in seconds, often before passers-by even notice. So to make sure that your equipment is safe, you should make it difficult for the thief. Some companies make accessory frames that bolt your head unit securely to the car's body.

Tip 5: Get an Alarm System

Although an alarm system will not get the police rushing to your vehicle or get passer-bys restraining the thief, it will however lessen the time a thief can work your vehicle. Furthermore, many theirs will not even attempt your vehicle if they see that you have a security system installed.

Tip 6: If You can Help it, Don’t Customize

Tinted windows, custom wheels, fog lights, all these accessories attract thieves. You car will of course look like a powerful vehicle, but that means more thieves would want your car as well. If you really want to add performance accessories to your vehicle, don't tell the whole world about it. Install them where no one can see them. Have your car look like something fresh out of the factory.

Tip 7: Lock at All Times

Last but not least, no matter how long (or how short) you are going to be away from your vehicle, lock your vehicle. Make sure there is no way for anybody to get in, be it passenger doors, the boot or even the sun-roof. That short 2 minutes you don’t lock your vehicle can be costly.

Pete Lance is the founder of http://www.USGasTracker.org, a premier company which helps the consumer save money on gasoline. Thousands or gas stations across the nation are tracked daily to guarantee the lowest prices on gasoline anywhere in the United States.

Researching Vehicles Online

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

The purchase of a new car is a serious investment. It is best that you do your homework before purchasing a new vehicle, to avoid ending up with a vehicle thats overpriced or just not right for your needs. Luckily, with the help of the internet, you can do all of your research directly online from the comfort of your home.

Your first goal should be to figure out what type of vehicle is right for your family. Are you looking for a sports car, or do you have children and need a sedan, minivan or SUV? You need to consider how many seats you need and how much storage space for cargo.

With todays rising gas prices, you may want to opt for the most fuel efficient type of vehicle. In other words, carefully compare the difference in gas mileage between two types of vehicles before choosing the one thats right for you. A sedan will likely use much less gas than a minivan, and if you dont need the extra seats or cargo room, you can save a significant ammount of fuel cost over the lifetime of a vehicle. Minivans and SUV's use similar ammounts of gas, depending on the size of the vehicle. A mini SUV may be a good choice over a full size SUV, saving you money every time you fill up at the pumps.

After you know what type of vehicle you are shopping for, you can focus on a make and model. Be sure to read reviews from existing owners, they often times can save you from purchasing something that isnt going to make you happy.

There are many excellent consumer review sites on the internet that have a wealth of information on what owners like and dislike about their vehicles.

Here are a couple of sites to get you started:

http://auto.consumerguide.com

http://www.edmunds.com

Many auto review sites also offer price guides so that you can know in advance what the vehicle of your choice is likely to cost you. Also, auto makers often offer price quotes directly from their sites. You can also find additional information, pictures, and sometimes video at the auto makers sites.

Once you have done all of your research, selected the make an model of the vehicles you are interested in, you can then go to your local dealership armed with all of the information necessary to make an informed buying decision. By researching vehicles online, you can save time, money and gain piece of mind.

Amber Lowery is an online publisher and is responsible for maintaining a network of consumer related sites. For more articles and information on purchasing a new car, visit: New Car Buying, and New Car Resources

Safe Driving Tips For The Holiday Season

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

It’s the Holiday party season and Precision Tune Auto Care’s driving ambition is to keep Americans safe on the roads with their 25th annual Safe Driving Tips for the Holidays.

1. Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol and never permit someone else who has been drinking to drive. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the number of unrestrained and/or alcohol-related traffic deaths from Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve increased in 2004 from more than 2,100 in 2003 to 2,237.

2. Wear a seat belt. It’s more than a law; it’s proven to reduce fatalities. Research by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that lap/shoulder safety belts, when used, reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50 percent. For light truck occupants, safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 60 percent and moderate-to-critical injury by 65 percent.

3. Avoid driving while you are fatigued or taking medication that will make you drowsy. The NHTSA conservatively estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year. This results in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in monetary losses. According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2005 Sleep in America poll, 60% of adult drivers – about 168 million people – say they have driven a vehicle while feeling drowsy in the past year, and more than one-third, (37% or 103 million people), have actually fallen asleep at the wheel! In fact, of those who have nodded off, 13% say they have done so at least once a month. Four percent – approximately eleven million drivers – admit they have had an accident or near accident because they dozed off or were too tired to drive.

4. Drive defensively and maintain the speed limit. According to NHTSA, speeding-related crashes resulted in 13,192 fatalities in 2004. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, 2005)

5. Anticipate problems before they happen. On the highway, be alert to potential acts that may cause crashes and adjust driving and speed accordingly.

6. Keep an emergency kit in your car, including a call-for-help sign, a flare and a first-aid kit.

7. Practice routine car maintenance to avoid highway breakdowns, including a check on brakes, hoses, belts, horn, windshield solvent, wipers and headlights. Keep your vehicle properly lubricated, tuned and oiled. Never mix radial tires with other types of tires, and make sure your tires, including your spare, are properly inflated as recommended in your owner’s manual.

8. Emergencies occur. Be ready with a charged operable cellular phone, but don’t use the phone while you are driving. According to the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, drivers talking on their phones are responsible for about 6 percent of U.S. auto accidents each year, killing an estimated 2,600 people and injuring 330,000.

9. For front-wheel skids, wait for the front wheels to grip the road before straightening the car; for rear-wheel skids, just before the rear wheels stop skidding, counter steer until you regain the desired direction.

10. Maintain safe following distance in relation to existing weather conditions. Drive defensively and reduce speed to a safe pace.

Leni Kass has been in marketing and public relations for over 15 years. Previously, she worked with teens, and facilitated a therapy group for adolescents with eating disorders. She is cofounder and CEO of Hey U.G.L.Y., Inc. NFP, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that empowers teens with self-esteem building tools, to help them counter challenges such as eating disorders, bullying, violence, substance abuse and suicide. U.G.L.Y. is an acronym that stands for meaning Unique Gifted Lovable You.

Presentations and Sales Automotive Detailers

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Many auto detailers fall short in their sales presentations. I have often shopped the competition to see what their knowledge base was to gage their worthiness as a formidable competitor in the market place. What I have found is that many auto detailers lack the specific knowledge needed to help their business grow and to present themselves as experienced in their work to the customers.

When a customer asks you about the wax you are using or the best type of wax for their particular car, Shouldn't you know the right and true answer? Well apparently many professional auto detailers do not know the right answer. They just lack the knowledge. In a recent competitor survey, which was done without their knowing it, we casually asked hundreds of detailers while in incognito over a period of six months about the wax they used. Less than 1 in five were able to give us the straight answer without BS'ing their way through it. From the Dry Wash, kerosene like product, to the Teflon save the world crowd all we got was a little memorized line of sales brochures and a trial closes. In my company the Detail Guys, our team does have the knowledge of such things and we really have no desire to BS a customer, especially one which will be with us for years. Two reasons; (1) It is called lying and (2) Double Talk later will be found out.

When a professional detailer embellishes the performance, longevity, finished look before the job, he will have an unhappy customer later on. Perhaps when he is done when the customer is under whelmed for the amount paid or perhaps a month in the future when the "Teflon" Sealant, which was suppose to last 3-years is worn off and was supposedly guaranteed by DuPont? Well maybe on pots and pans baked on at 450 degrees, but there is no such guarantee for their product when used as automotive wax. Dry Wash also is interesting in that the operators say it does not scratch? Maybe if the car is in the garage with dust, but a dirty car, well it really needs a washing first and we have seen where Dry Wash tends to attract dust easily compared to hard shell waxes, of course no one ever tells the customer that. It is important to know your vendors, their products, what those products can do, what they cannot do and which is the best solution for the individual car you are working on.

So what are the types of waxes available and which ones do the best in the professional auto detailing industry use?
Most plants have a thin protective coating of wax.. Most fruit trees and vegetables plants have wax on the fruit and vegetables they produce that we eat. Waxes are also produced by animals, even man makes wax for his ears. Other wax components are found in minerals and petroleum. And the are Polymer or synthetic, manufactured by man waxes. We get waxes from a variety of sources really.

Carnuba wax is on the leaves of the carnuba palm trees. The best Carnuba wax comes from in my opinion the Palm Tress of Brazil. You can tell a good carnuba wax by the water beads. Candelilla wax comes from a plant that grows in parts of Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala and sometimes in the southwestern United States. It is a brown wax and not only have people used it on cars it is used in phonograph records, floor dressings, and candles. Although it is the major component of candle wax, it is mixed in with other waxes normally in the candles we use in our homes.

Polymer wax includes the very popular Teflon, yes a polymer brand Name used by DuPont. Polymer wax is a chain of compounds made of petroleum sources and now a days from Corn products. Polymers which are strung together are generally applied in specific thick nesses to clear coats on cars and depending on the mixture can be quite incredible indeed. So good in fact that they are often called sealants and some last as long as a year when applied in the right mixtures and thick nesses. The word Polymer is a very vague in this regard since polymers are used to make plastics, coatings and many other products. Generally short chains of ethlenic polymers are the type that are used by professional automotive detailers and auto detailers a like. Many in the aviation industry use it when doing specialized aircraft cleaning. We estimate that 80% of all automotive detailing and aviation aircraft cleaning commercial wax is petroleum based wax. Petroleum wax is chemically inactive in a sense and probably why it is so widely preferred. It is also cheaper to make than to harvest and has tons of uses. You cannot smell it unless cleaners are added which is often the case, but still it will not react to cause odor.

Petroleum wax can also be made hard and then we get a new type of wax. Paraffin; used in paper products, graffiti, petroleum jelly. All Synthetic waxes are compounds of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and/or chlorine. Chemists will forever be trying to make the perfect wax for cars, boats, aircraft to protect us from the harsh climates on the surface of this little blue planet. And these chemists are driven by desire and need and the possibilities are endless as new compounds are adding to existing ones to bring up whole new blending ideas, some will revolutionize our industry but most will simply be duds. Some will be hyped even though they do not really solve a problem or fix a need. Never the less, the race goes on to find the best and we should be thinking about what is in that product before we put it on a customers car, boat, aircraft or prize possession. This is what the professional detailer does, this is why we are experts in car care and call our selves auto detailers, rejuvenation specialists and professional auto detailers.

There are so many types of waxes that we know of really. From the organic waxes discussed containing carbon materials, which melt at fairly low temperatures. The chemical and biological make-up of waxes is so diverse and complex as well as consideration for grades, properties, surface uses and life spans that to really understand waxes in depth as they apply to the automotive detailing industry, also to aircraft cleaning, that this short essay may need to be supplemented by proper training.

Remember Knowledge is power. Where can you get training? Check around the Internet to find Auto Detailing Training Centers and companies who sell videos and manuals, this is a good place to start. Most likely you have some practical knowledge, enhance this by learning and knowing your products; what they are and how they work. Think on this.

Lance Winslow

SEMA 2005 Coverage

Friday, June 6, 2008

Leave it to the city of Las Vegas to draw some of the flashiest vehicles, aftermarket parts, and accessories together for the 2005 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show.

SEMA is an organization that specializes in aftermarket parts, vehicles, and accessories in the automotive industry and has morphed, over time, into a behemoth of an international trade organization with over 6,466 member companies contributing to a $31 billion a year industry.

The crown jewel of SEMA is, of course, the annual convention that showcases some of the newest, best, and most innovative cars, parts, and accessories in the world. 2005 offered an array of automotive goodness that was so massive in size that not even the gargantuan halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center could contain it. The show boasted over 2 million square feet of exhibit space, two temporary exhibit halls, and numerous outdoor setups.

Every available space was packed full of some of the most beautiful and innovative examples of aftermarket brilliance around. However, the show was so large it almost bordered on chaos. There are random cars scattered throughout the entire show that aren’t always in any particular order or marked with any information about what you’re actually viewing.

But having said that, the SEMA show truly is a unique experience that offers so much stuff to look at it is nearly impossible to see everything. Unfortunately for most of you, the SEMA show is an industry only event, meaning it’s not open to the general public. So we’ll do our best to convey some of the amazing things that went on to you.

Where to begin… There were so many different things to look at that the SEMA show had to be divided into numerous categories including, Vehicle Manufacturers, Performance Tires & Wheels, Racing & Performance, Restoration Marketplace, Restyling & Accessories, Hot Rod Alley, Tools & Equipment, Trucks, SUV’s & Off-Road, and Mobile Electronics & Technology, in an attempt to keep things organized.

We could spend days covering the different types of products, cars, and interesting things that had to be seen to be believed, but for your sake, and because I’d rather not get carpal tunnel syndrome writing this article, we’ll just stick to the highlights:

Some of the major car manufacturers had a huge presence at SEMA. DaimlerChrysler made a its presence known with the not so subtle inclusion of Mopar Alley, a covered walkway connecting two exhibit halls where dozens of modified Vipers, Mustangs, and classic Detroit steel were prominently on display.

Ford also made its mark with a huge display that spanned the width of one of the convention center’s massive buildings. After covering the backdrop of their exhibit with an eye-catching blue fa็ade, the folks at Ford populated the area with plenty of custom versions of some of the company’s most popular models, including the GTX1 and Ford ’40 GT.

The GTX1, in case you were wondering, is the brainchild of Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) engineering supervisor Kip Ewing. Basically a roadster version of Fords already stellar Ford GT, the GTX1 relies on a unique four panel system that allows it to morph from a coupe, into a targa configuration, to an actual convertible. Top down, the GTX1 is a beautiful car. But it’ll cost you. In addition to the $150,000 Ford GT, the GTX1 conversion will require an additional $38,000. But, given what we’ve seen, it’s worth it.

Ford’s other eye catcher is a beautifully manufactured copper bodied automobile that has been dubbed the Ford ’40 GT. The pristine copper panels, etched with a cool flame pattern, were created in a former Soviet aircraft factory in Poland and then shipped to the United States where they were assembled on a Ford GT frame. Not surprisingly, the ’40 GT shares the same engine as the “real” GT.

Also on display at the Ford exhibit was the new Shelby GT 500, a Ford GT that was sliced down the middle to allow prying eyes inside, and a yellow Mustang used for dynamometer drag runs within the convention center itself.

But wait, there’s more to the SEMA convention than just the cars…

Absurd Items: If we happened to win the jackpot during our time in Las Vegas we’d buy these decadent examples of blatant consumerism. The ultimate in bling, these Asanti wheels aren’t just huge, they’re encrusted with jewels. That’s right, each wheel has 1,100 karats of diamonds and sapphires set in the five spokes and center crest. Price - $1,000,000 for a set of four.

Automotive Icons: All the influential people of the aftermarket world made the journey to Las Vegas to attend SEMA 2005, including Boyd Coddington, Chip Foose, Phillip McGuire, Carol Shelby and many more.

Swag: Webster’s defines “swag” as slang for stolen property or loot. Well it’s not stolen if everyone in sight is giving it away for free. And if it wasn’t free… we’d steal it anyway, because there’s some cool stuff to be had. In a marketing ploy that is widely adopted by almost everyone at SEMA, companies give away tons of free stuff in an effort to attract people to their exhibit booths. After a few days at the SEMA show, we left Las Vegas with bags full of free posters, stickers, key chains, hats and much more.

Models: Aside from swag, it seems that the best way to attract attention to an otherwise boring or useless product seems to be: A) Hire attractive women. B) Dress them in skimpy attire with your company’s name on it. C) Let them stand around your booth and smile at potential customers. This technique, by the way, is also widely adopted.

In-Car TVs: A wise man once said, “You can never have too many TVs.” Okay, so we probably just made that up. But that seems to be the sentiment at SEMA. These guys can cram multiple LCD screens into any vehicle, sometimes with awe-inspiring efficiency and attention to detail that borders on art, and sometimes with ham-fisted brutality to create a sight even Antoni Gaudi would say is, “a bit over the top.” For an example of the former see the Scion xA below.

Honda and Acura were present with the usual slew of tricked out and heavily modified versions of their base models. Acura decided to throw in a new twist however, by creating the first ever RSX Challenge, in which Acura volunteered new RSXs to six different magazines to see who could come up with the best modifications. Final results were tallied after every Acura had completed a series of trials. Kudos goes to Car and Driver for taking top honors.

The Mazdaspeed division of the Japanese manufacturer of the same name also made an appearance featuring some impressively styled versions of the MX-5, Mazda 6, and assorted performance oriented parts.

Volkswagen, Hummer, and others also reared their heads for the SEMA show, though with somewhat less of a presence. Each, as you might expect, sported some sort of aftermarket inspired accessories and special modifications.

With all the speed oriented vehicles littering the Las Vegas Convention Center we probably could have made a killing with an armful of copies of the Nuts for Cars best selling e-book, “How to Fight a Speeding Ticket – And Win Every Time.”

Aside from the major manufacturers were a number of stellar customizations from the minds of well known customizers and other aspiring mechanics looking to make a name for themselves, such as this 1939 Lincoln Zephyr, or “Lead Zephyr,” created and signed by Boyd Coddington that will be featured at the 35th annual Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, AZ.

There were other highlights too, such as the all-new Volvo roadster concept, a Pagini Zonda, a Saleen S7, dozens of custom bikes and trucks, superchargers, electronics packages, more scissor doors than you can shake a stick at, a simulated off-road proving ground in the convention center parking lot, speedboats, and countless other things to occupy our dreams for nights to come.

But we digress. As stated earlier we could spend days writing about the SEMA show (hell, it took us that long just to see it all), but there’s just too much stuff to cover in one article. Or in two, or three, or four, or… well you get the idea.

Well, that’s about all we have to share with you, the general public, about SEMA 2005. At this point you’ve pretty much read about all the highlights. Okay, that was a lie… there’s still so much more for you to see. But we can’t possibly convey it all to you, not even the best writer in the world could do that.

If you want to see SEMA first hand, just do what we did. Drum up a little ambition and start your own automotive business (for details see the Nuts for Cars best selling e-book 1001 Ways to Make Money with Your Car Hobby). Then you’ll be considered “in the industry” and a ticket to next years SEMA event is only $50 away, plus airfare. We’ll see you there.

Zack Engel is the Lead Automotive Event Correspondent for The Driver's Seat, the bi-weekly e-zine produced by Nuts for Cars.

Nuts for Cars is a membership organization dedicated to enhancing the automotive hobby by providing information to members about a variety of automotive topics. Nuts for Cars also features the world's largest online automotive event directory. Find a car event near you in just seconds!

For more information visit http://www.nutsforcars.com or e-mail your questions to info@nutsforcars.com.

Repairing Car Damage

Thursday, June 5, 2008

The business of repairing car damage grows as the number of cars grows. This is because of the likelihood of accidents on the road. Thus, if you want a blue-collar job that earns you like a company executive, you may opt to develop yourself from a novice car repairer to a skilled car repairer.

Skilled car damage repairers earn almost four folds of what novice repairer gets. Statistics show that of the 223,000 automotive repairers in 2004, 10% of them, the skilled automotive repairers earn more than $28.45 per hour. This is about four times what the less skilled repairer’s get, which is about $9.42 per hour.

If we then compare it to the median per hour rate of company executives which is about $29.75 per hour, you probably pair enough in take-home money because being in the business of repairing car damage, you do not need to wear a suit and tie, and get stressed to much thinking of how you will run the business. You may also need to worry about the life of all the people in your company. You thus sport a stressful lifestyle, although from a distance, you may look far better than blue-collar workers. You may have the power to command as a company executive but you do not have the coziness of a blue-collar job. You may be more stressed as compared to skilled car damage repairers.

On the other hand, as a skilled car damage repairer, you go to work in noisy body shops with clatters of hammering and whining of power tools. You also will be dirty at the end of the day. You are also working in a condition where there is great possibility of being hurt while repairing car damages.

In addition to this, you will need to have at least 3 to 4 years of hands-on experience in all the paces of automotive repairing before you reach a receive a handsome pay.

Therefore, to ensure that later on, your business of repairing car damages will go up to the level where you will earn like those handsomely dressed company executives, it may help to have yourself certified by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence. Once you are certified as an ASE Master Collision Repair and Refinishing Technician, you may already command your price.

However, before you get this far in your business of car damage repairing, you may need continuing education on the modern and technically advanced quality of cars that manufacturers introduce to the market.

Formal training will help you develop your skills and attending seminars sponsored by automotive manufacturers will keep you at the top of your business.

It may also help to understand the government requirements and that of insurance companies so that you will be able to assist your clients well enough.

Your business might be slapped by the total loss assessment of insurance companies. However, this may be masked by the fact that you can buy these total loss cars, study their parts, and even use some of them for your future repairs. Understanding the requirements and the logic behind these requirements will be able to give you an edge in assisting your customers, whether to have their cars repaired or ask the insurance company for a total loss assessment. Being an authority in all the paces of owning a car may help you in your business as well.

Keeping pace with the modernity of today’s automotive industry will keep your business of repairing car damage such a lucrative business.

You may be dirty at the end of the day, but if you are able to provide for the needs of your family, I think repairing car damage is not such a bad idea.

Start by having formal education on automotive repairing and slowly go up to the being skilled in collision repair, straightening bend bodies, removing dents and replacing crumpled parts. Later on, you will be one of the most sought-after Master Collision Repair and Refinishing Technicians, and a booming business, as well.

B.A. in Mathematics and Computer Science - Master in Business administration - Founded DingIT in 2004. dingIt.com The only service that lets car owners receiving detailed estimates for reparing the damage in their cars, over the Internet, from competing body shops in their area. This free online service saves them time and money, and the hassle of going to the body shops. The idea came from a personal experience.

Don't Crash The Car, Well Even If You Do The Car Will Save You

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Have you been drinking and driving? Or perhaps chatting on your mobile while driving? If you are a little careless while you drive and are prone to having a bump here and there you are better off getting your hands on a new set of wheels with active safety technologies. Car manufacturers such as Mercedes are incorporating space age technology into their cars to save lives or rather save us from crashing our buggies when we are simply too careless with our own lives. This might sound science fiction to you but these are some of the technologies Mercedes’s latest S Class has:

Auto cruise control warns you if you are getting too close to the car in front and if you don’t react it applies brakes on its own to maintain a safe driving distance.

Traction control sense when you steer too sharply or lose traction in the wet and cuts engine power and limits the power individually to each wheel to bring you back on track.

Anti Lock Braking System, this has been around for quite some time now. ABS helps in achieving best possible braking performance, it prevent jamming of the wheel which results in skids and loss of vehicle control. The computer senses when the wheels are about to lock and releases the brakes momentarily and then applies them again.

Airbags, as many as 8 airbags protect you in the unlikely event of a crash. Airbags exist for all passengers and are inflated in milliseconds when the care ‘senses’ a crash. Airbags can protect the occupant even at 100mph crashes.

Space Age Safety Technology

Now this is the most impressive of them all, the Mercedes S Class sense when the car is going to meet with a crash using it 360 degree radar and braces for impact. It rolls up windows if they are down, inflates the seat cushions to protect occupants and lowers the steering to save the driver from chest injuries and lowers pedals to prevent foot injuries.

Now that’s some technology, all to save our lives when we lose control. Maybe if Diana was riding this S Class she would have been amongst us. So lets not crash it, for if you do the car will save you but repairing the high tech car will burn your pockets for technology doesn’t come cheap. The fully loaded Mercedes S500 with all the safety features retails at over $1,25,000!

Anil Tandon is a reputed automotive journalist based in India. Anil has written columns for numerous Indian dailies and auto magazines. He is currently working as a consultant to the Indian automotive industry. Anil is also involved with India’s Leading Auto Classifieds Site Indimoto.com http://www.indimoto.com which is also India’s First Carpool Site.

Shopping For Used Cars

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

When shopping for used cars, it is important to understand the value for the automobile that you are considering purchasing. One way to determine an accurate value is through Kelly Blue Book (kbb.com) and their extensive pricing system. By entering select data about both new and used cars, consumers will receive instant value estimates. In order to get an accurate value, consumers must know the make and model of the automobile, current mileage, additional features and overall condition.

Selecting from a lot of used cars can be an excellent way to own the automobile that you have always wanted, but could not afford a brand new model. Understandably so, new cars are more expensive than used cars. But, that doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with purchasing used cars. No matter whether new or used, any automobile can develop a problem at any given time. That means that buying a new car does not automatically guarantee the new owner will have a smooth trouble-free ride. In addition, automobile insurance is often less expensive than those for new cars and this is another reason for the ongoing popularity of used cars.

When shopping for used cars, consumers should always take a test drive and also request to take the automobile to a trusted mechanic for further inspection. Under no circumstances should a consumer accept the word of the individual, or company, selling used cars. The only way to make sure that the automobile is in the condition as stated is to take it to a mechanic, who can properly inspect used cars and determine any underlying problems. The majority of used cars are exactly as stated but, when auto safety and a large amount of money is involved, there is no room for error in judgment.

When purchasing used cars, it may be possible to purchase a warranty contract. Not everyone realizes this, but even used cars carry warranties if they are purchased from a licensed automobile dealer. An additional warranty will, however, not generally be included in the original purchase price and may be additional. However, depending on a future problem, the additional cost of a warranty contract may very well be worth the money. Typically, the cost of the extended warranty would be figured into the entire loan amount and would ultimately only affect the monthly payments by a minimal amount.

Used cars can be found at a variety of places, including a local dealership, the classifieds section of a local newspaper, the bulletin board at a local retail or grocery store, word of mouth or even online. In many instances, a licensed dealer can order used cars from another automobile dealer. For example, if a customer wants a specific model and color of a car and knows which out-of-state dealer has that car for sale, they may request that a local dealer obtain the car so that they have the convenience of purchasing locally. This is not at all uncommon and is actually a standard practice among many dealerships offering used cars.

Find more about Kelly Blue Book, NAPA auto parts, O’Reilly auto parts and many other new and used automotive resources on AutoNews24h.com

Selecting The Best Used Car For Your Lifestyle

Monday, June 2, 2008

When shopping for a used car, it is important to select one that best fits your lifestyle. For example, if you live in an area that is prone to harsh winters with a lot of snow, a 4-wheel-drive will likely be a good choice. However, these automobiles use more gasoline than a compact car. So, if gasoline consumption is at the top of your list for concerns, a smaller automobile may be the best option.

When you purchase a used car, it’s also important to understand the varying cost of insurance. Automobile coverage for an SUV, for example, is more expensive than a smaller vehicle. The same is true of a sports car, which will likely garner an increased cost of insurance.

The next thing to consider is the style of the used car. If you have children, a van or SUV may be the best way to accommodate everyone comfortably and still have plenty of storage space. If you are single and just want to have a reliable mode of transportation, a smaller car will more than suffice.

If you plan to travel often or will be adding a lot of mileage, your best bet would be to find a used car with the lowest mileage possible. Another selection will include the choice of either an automatic or manual transmission. What about doors? Do you a prefer two or four door automobile? This is an option that most people don’t really think about right away, but it is an important one nonetheless. A four door used car is very convenient for loading luggage or groceries and it also makes it really convenient for passengers to climb in and out of.

When it comes to interior, car owners will have the option of selecting from cloth and leather. Each has their benefits and drawbacks, so which one is right for you? Leather is excellent when it comes to cleaning up spills, but fabric interior is more susceptible to stains. Leather is often very hot to the touch on sunny days whereas fabric interior is comfortable even on the warmest day. Both will show tears and require their own method of maintenance.

When searching for the perfect used car to fit your lifestyle, carefully consider the cost before deciding to purchase. Monthly payments can be high even on a used car, so think about the budget and what you can afford prior to signing on the dotted line.

Find more about used cars value market and how to find it using KellyBlueBook as well as tips about how to find used cars in Hillsboro OR.

Selling Your Car - A Few Helpful Tips

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Selling a car one normally feels is a complicated task but the fact remains that what actually is required is proper guidance and a perfect deal. You can either opt to sell your car privately or by having a trade with a car dealer. Following step by step approach would be helpful to sell your car.

1) Place an Advertisement for your car: You need to tell the prospective buyers that you want to sell your car, so the very first step in this direction is to place an advertisement. By placing advertisements you will find more customers for your car and the advertisement should have information like car model, date of manufacture and so on.

2) Set car price: Setting the right price is very important and you need o evaluate so many parameters before setting a price such as condition of the car, region where it is being sold. Normally the approach should be to set a higher price than your asking price, in case even if the buyer bargains you will get the required amount.

3) Give your car curb appeal: To strike the best deal you need to make sure that your car is in proper condition before you sell it, like wash and color the car to make it look more attractive also you can enhance the look by cleaning the tires, mirrors, and brake dust with a special fluid called Armor All. And before placing an advertisement get a mechanic check of the car and issue a report about its functioning.

4) Show the car to your buyer: After placing an advertisement you will start getting the responses and once you start getting buyers you need to make the buyer feel comfortable and answer their questions firmly. Normally you should ask them to take a test-drive of your car. Show them the reports of the condition of the car. If they insist of getting it rechecked by a mechanic, allow them to do the same.

5) Negotiate for the best price: Buyer when convinced with the state of the car then the next thing is that you need to settle n the mutually agreed price and it is quite possible that the buyer puts forward a very low price. This is the time when you have to make yourself firm and try to get the best price. You need to tell him about the positive points of your car. Never make haste decisions as there may be a higher deal waiting just behind.

6) Finalizing the deal: Once the price is also negotiated and settled then you need to check the laws governing the sale of motor vehicles. Depending upon the laws of your state you need to finalize the deal. Once you get the cash from the buyer sign the title over to the buyer. You can also offer them with a sale bill.

Both the ways of selling cars have their own pros and cons. It is up to you to decide which one is the best for you.

To find out more information about selling and buying cars go to our information and resources website.