In the groove

Seems every week recently is mostly fine except Sunday which is forecast chance of rain or occasional showers. So I shifted gear and went for a Saturday ride.

Wasn’t the best of weeks for me so a good ride was needed. I decided to do the tried and proven loop to Kyogle riding down via Mt Lindsey and the Summerland Way and returning via UKi and Currumbin valley. There are two perfect radius

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We Do Motorcycle Accessories Too!

Our last post here was for our car, truck and suv customers to accessorize.  But, our bike customers shouldn't worry!  We've got you covered too!


Denney's is your one stop shop for ALL your accessories too!  Our custom fabrication shop can literally create anything you need for your custom cruiser or chopper when it comes to the basics.  But, with all the bolt on accessories out there, why make it when you can buy it?  Custom tanks and fenders are one thing, but, when it comes to bike accessories, our affiliates at Cruiser Customizing have EVERYTHING we can think of, and then some!


After you're done having your "purrrrrrfect" cruiser painted, why not check out some of the most interesting and useful accessories we can recommend!  From bars to foot pegs, Cruiser Customizing has your part, whether it be a luxury or a necessity, you can find it here!


Building that perfect chopper was no picnic.  You started out picking out frames, then a motor. You tuned it, ported it, bored it and it is puuuuurfect! The hard part is done!  Now it's time to have some fun!  Reward yourself with a little "chrome".  From bars to footpegs, everything looks better in chrome!  Chrome nuts, chrome screws, chrome headlight shrouds......did we mention chrome???


Just like everyone else, we are addicted to the shiny stuff too!  So we talked to Cruiser Customizing and they let us be an affiliate!  And THEY SELL CHROME EVERYTHING!  And we MEAN everything!  AND they sell it cheap!  Click on the banner below.....



  




Then call HERE (813) 644-4497..........LDJ Auto Body and Customs to have it installed.

We're LDJ Auto, we're in Tampa, FL, we'll do the best job at the lowest price....and.......we'll leave the light on for ya!

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Car, Trucks and SUV Accessories for Every Look AND Every Budget!

Ground effects, spoilers, hoods and hood scoops, bumpers and fender flares are just some of the many accessories available today for just about every make and model of vehicle out there! From full body kits to lambo doors, these accessories can give even a "plain jane" a make-over to rival the look of some of the best cafe' racers at prices anyone can afford.


At Denney's, we offer professional installation of every accessory available. With over 11,000 body kit applications out there, our technicians can help you design exactly the look you want and make it fit your budget. We can match any factory or custom paint too, so your new body panels and accessories will look like they've always been a part of your car! We can also mold those panels in and fill the gaps so there is no gap between your car and it's new accessories!

LDJ's Auto Body and Custom Shop is affiliated with Andy's Auto Sport. One of the premier body kit suppliers in the world. Andy's offers 11,000 body kit applications including 40 manufacturers at prices that will definitely "make you look"! From full body kits, ground effects, carbon fiber hoods, Euro tail lights, lambo doors and racing seats, and so much more, Andy's Auto Sport has the parts you need at a price you can afford!

Click the banner below and see everything Andy's has to offer!



Once you have decided what accessories are right for you, our professional technicians will help you with everything you need to get your kit parts painted and/or installed. We offer the most affordable paint and installation rates in the area and we'll get you scheduled as soon as your parts arrive. Have your parts shipped to our shop and we can have them painted and ready for you before you get there! Most kits can be installed in one day!

If you need help finding the right parts for your vehicle or have any questions, please give us a call at (813) 644-4497 and one of our experienced professionals will help you choose exacty the parts you need for exactly the look you want, the first time you order avoiding the need for costly, time consuming returns.

Andy's Auto Sport and LDJ Auto Body and Custom Shop, the perfect combination for all you customizing needs!

More about → Car, Trucks and SUV Accessories for Every Look AND Every Budget!

Selling Your Vehicle? How To Cost Effectively Increase It's Value!

There's an old saying, "you have to spend money to make money". This statement is especially true in the the automotive industry. However, it doesn't have to cost you an "arm and a leg". Taking some simple steps to increase the value of your vehicle can drastically add to the price someone is willing to pay for your car, truck, suv, or motorcycle. Here are some ideas to help you get the most money when selling yours....



Looks are everything! You can have the most reliable vehicle in the world, but, if it looks like it's been neglected, that is exactly what your prospective buyers will think! Improving the overall appearance of your vehicle will gain you mega dollars in your bottom line. Dull, oxidized paint, peeling clear coats, and cracked mirrors and light lenses are the first things your buyer will see! Repairing these "sale killers" doesnt' have to be expensive. Plastic light lenses are inexpensive and are easily obtainable for most vehicles. Shop around for the "best price" when replacing these as the prices fluctuate from supplier to supplier. Check out the suppliers right here on this page to see the best prices for these and other "appearance enhancing" accessories before you list your vehicle for sale. Cracked mirrors, missing weather stripping, and other seemingly minor items scream "I don't care" to the potential new owner. Unlike picking out a puppy from the shelter, you car's new owner isn't going to feel sorry for it and want to give it a new home!

Another big, price lowering fault, is dull, oxidized paint and peeling clear coats Even though these things don't affect the performance of the vehicle in any way, the way a person's car looks makes a big statement about the owner! Especially with a younger, inexperienced buyer or first time car-buyer. Young people like to look good in their cars and dull paint and peeling clear coats take away from the overall look of the car. An inexpensive way to improve dull paint is to have the car professionally buffed. Hand buffing is sometimes acceptable for minor oxidation on newer paint. But, machine buffing with a good quality compound is always the best way to go! LDJ offers a detail package that includes compound machine buffing that will run somewhere around $100 or less for most average sized vehicles (larger vehicles and suv's and trucks may run slighly more and motorcycles slightly less) and will gain you much, much more than that on the sale of your vehicle. That $100 dollars can get you up to $300 to $500 on your sale! A small price to pay for a 3x return on your investment!

Peeling clear coats are a little more expensive to repair. Depending on the age of your vehicle, repairing the clear coat is one way of drastically improving the bottom line on a newer vehicle. LDJ Auto Body and Custom Shop's certified painters can repair your clear coat without having to paint the whole vehicle! Our 100% color matching system and experienced professionals will strip off the peeled areas and blend the newly painted areas to accurately match even the most sun-faded paint job!


Interior detailing is also important. Make sure your vehicle's interior looks "inviting"! You know yourself how much better you feel when driving your car right after your give it a good interior vacuuming and cleaning. Your potential buyer feels the same! Professional detailing can save you a lot of time and really improve the look of your vehicle's interior. Most detail packages include shampooing of carpets and upholstery and the application of leather or vinyl dressing to give your interior that "brand new" look! Don't forget the little things like floor mats, ash trays, cigarette lighters and any other little items that might be missing or just need attention! Missing door lock knobs and window handle knobs or levers are a serious turn-off! Check out the ads right here on this page for links to our favorite car care products, accessories, and the suppliers that will give you the best prices if you want to do it yourself!


Motorcycle owners! Check out our complete cycle detailing packages! Whether you're selling your bike or just want to make her scream "look at me" at that weekend rally or poker run, LDJ's detail pro's will make her shine so bright you're gonna need shades! Bring your vehicle to us for a professional evaluation of how we can help you get the most money from the sale of your car, truck, suv, or motorcycle! The estimte is free! Check out our newest coupons and deals on our listing at Merchant Circle and save even more money on all of our services!

Good Luck and Happy Selling!


Larry and Dee
LDJ Auto Body and Custom Shop
Gibsonton, FL
(813) 644-4497

More about → Selling Your Vehicle? How To Cost Effectively Increase It's Value!

Our Store is NOW OPEN!

Check out our on-line store for some great deals!  Everything you need for your car or motorcycle project is available at http://customcarandmotorcyclemaintenance.blogspot.com/p/recommended-products-buy-online.html

Our "finish care" line of products will help keep your car or bikes paint looking new for years to come.  We recommend ALL the products on our pages.  But, if you require any further information, please don't hesitate to call one of our technicians for help in choosing the best product for your special needs.

We try to keep our product listings up to date with the latest items.  If you require something you can't find, just give us a call and we'll locate it for you.

Our machine and custom fabricating shop can help you get that part you simply can't find anywhere else!  Your drawing or our's, we'll get the part done right at a cost you can afford.  We also do custom bike frames to your specs! 

Your satisfaction is important to us.  Let us know if we need to add some things or if you have any trouble with your order.  You can reach our Customer Service Center at (813) 644-4497.

We look forward to servicing your needs!

Larry and Dee Blackman

More about → Our Store is NOW OPEN!

Custom Cars, Custom Motorcycles and the How's and Why's of What We Do!

Hello and welcome to our new blog!  This post is to give everyone an overview of exactly who we are and what we do.  So let me find a place to start....

My name is Dee Blackman.  My husband Larry and I have been in the car industry for over 30 years now.  The purpose of this blog is to have a place to talk about our favorite passtime, show the world the cars and bikes we've worked on, provide a place to have all our friends gather, chat, and show off their rides, AND have a forum where people like us can find help with their projects, get great professional advice and share our pics!  And, of course, it is also a place to help us advertise our products and services too!

Here's a little background.  Larry and I have lived most of our lives in Illinois.  He has worked for and managed several multi-million dollar shops in Illinois and we've also owned our own shops too.  After the loss of both our mothers in 2009, we decided to make a new start, and after much thought and consideration decided to open our new shop here in the great state of Florida.  Lucky for us, the awesome climate here in Forida is perfect for what we do!

Larry is and has always been, one of the premier painters and custom frame technicians in Illinois.  He is ASE and I-CAR certified and honestly, has a list of credentials a mile long....lol.  However, he hates it when I "toot his horn" as they say, and so, with regret, I'll refrain from listing all of his great accomplishments.  He does, however, have several cars that have won and/or are still in the running for "best in paint" at "World of Wheels" in Chicago.  He has painted many cars for our numerous friends in the racing world, both NHRA and circle track.  But, our true love lies in the restoration and creation of custom modified cars and motorcycles.

This blog is to share all of our experiences with our fellow lovers of custom cars and bikes and help each other out with tips, pointers, how-to's and why nots so our collective information can both help people avoid issues and to make that project simpler by learning from others that have done this in the past.  We also want to share the stories that come with the projects and last, but definitely not least, share pictures of all those specials vehicles and special times and memories....

 Please feel free to send in any photos you have, we want to see them all!  Also, your comments and stories are what makes the car business so much fun!  Tell us about what you have done and what you dream of doing!  Ask questions...that's what we're here for.  And, don't forget to share those inevitable problems too!  You'll save someone else the grief of the mistake and maybe even get some suggestions from others who have made the same mistakes in the past.  The car business has always had a comaradie about it that makes it a great place to make new friends!

You'll also find some great shopping suggestions here!  We have been at this business for quite awhile and we've found some good deals and we have lists of places to get those hard to find parts.  We have a complete fabrication shop here too, so feel free to ask and find out about purchasing the items you need or having us fabricate that "impossible to find" accessory or body panel!  You can find many items in our on-line store.  We've used all of these products and you'll get straight shooting when it comes to hearing about all the items in our store. 

So make yourself at home and check back often.  We'll be updating regularly.  Make sure to sign up for our blog updates.  Don't forget to check out our services too!  We are a full service body shop.  We've got a state-of-the-art paint booth, a full service machine shop, and what I like to think, the best painters in the State of Florida!  (Sorry honey, sometimes I just gotta "toot that horn"!!!)

More about → Custom Cars, Custom Motorcycles and the How's and Why's of What We Do!

Scattered showers

That was the forecast and when I woke to blue sky I thought they had predicted the worst case as usual.

This time however it was true and by 8.30 refueling at Mudgerraba you could see the rain blowing in from the sea to the south. When my friend from Ballina way arrived he had ridden through some of those scattered showers and so I decided to ride up Springbrook and try Numinbah Valley.

They

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