I was starting to think we were having an endless summer this year (albeit a wet one) as today is the first day of April and yet the forecast was for 30 degrees in western suburbs and 28 on the coast. Well time for mother nature to catch me out for 2012, it just reached 26 mid afternoon and all morning was a very Autumn low 20’s. Guess who left home in his summer jacket thinking it was going to
More about → Endless Summer
Advance Auto Parts Still Has Lowest Prices On Auto Parts and Accessories!
Posted by Unknown
Advance Auto Parts
The One Day Sale is over, but, you can still take advantage of Advance Auto Parts low, low prices!
April is National Car Care Month!
To help you find everything you need to get your vehicles ready for Summer, LDJ's Online Store has put everthing you need in one convenient space, to make it easier than ever to do your vehicle parts, maintenance and accessory shopping.
Buy direct from Advance Auto Parts and save big money! As always, LDJ's Online Auto Parts Store offers you "direct to the supplier savings"! No mark-ups, no middle man. You get the great prices you deserve and we put it all right here, so you can shop in the comfort of knowing that LDJ Auto has found the absolute, lowest prices and the very best deals out there, to make sure you get the lowest prices on the Internet.
Click on a link to go directly to the Advance Auto Parts Store, or, we've even listed the entire store inventory right here, so you don't even have to leave the page! Use the promo codes listed and get the most unbelievalbe savings on everything automotive. Use the search box below to find your parts by name, brand, or category! It doesn't get any easier than this! AND, you can order your parts online, and, have them ready for pick-up at your local Advance Auto Parts, so you don't have to wait for them to ship! That's right! Order today! Pick up today! Install today!
Have questions about your parts or accessories? Mobile phone users, simply click on the link here to call and speak directly to one of Advance Auto's friendly AND knowledgeable staff to ensure you get exactly what you need! Then simply have them get it ready for you to pick up at one of Advance Auto's 3,400 convenient local stores!
So, what are you waiting for? Start shopping and start saving NOW!
Advance Auto Parts Still Has Lowest Prices On Auto Parts and Accessories!
Posted by Unknown
Advance Auto Parts
The One Day Sale is over, but, you can still take advantage of Advance Auto Parts low, low prices!
April is National Car Care Month!
To help you find everything you need to get your vehicles ready for Summer, LDJ's Online Store has put everthing you need in one convenient space, to make it easier than ever to do your vehicle parts, maintenance and accessory shopping.
Buy direct from Advance Auto Parts and save big money! As always, LDJ's Online Auto Parts Store offers you "direct to the supplier savings"! No mark-ups, no middle man. You get the great prices you deserve and we put it all right here, so you can shop in the comfort of knowing that LDJ Auto has found the absolute, lowest prices and the very best deals out there, to make sure you get the lowest prices on the Internet.
Click on a link to go directly to the Advance Auto Parts Store, or, we've even listed the entire store inventory right here, so you don't even have to leave the page! Use the promo codes listed and get the most unbelievalbe savings on everything automotive. Use the search box below to find your parts by name, brand, or category! It doesn't get any easier than this! AND, you can order your parts online, and, have them ready for pick-up at your local Advance Auto Parts, so you don't have to wait for them to ship! That's right! Order today! Pick up today! Install today! Have questions about your parts or accessories? Mobile phone users, simply click on the link here to call and speak directly to one of Advance Auto's friendly AND knowledgeable staff to ensure you get exactly what you need! Then simply have them get it ready for you to pick up at one of Advance Auto's 3,400 convenient local stores!
So, what are you waiting for? Start shopping and start saving NOW!
To Fix or Not To Fix - That Is The Question. When to Repair A Severely Damaged Vehicle
Posted by Unknown
Accidents happen. And, they are never pretty. Most of the time, they look much worse than they really are. However, there are those times when you have to take into consideration the cost of the repairs versus the value of the vehicle and determine just when too much is too much!If you are going through your insurance company, you won't have to make that decision. The insurance company will do it for you. When the cost of repairing the vehicle is more that they determine the value of the vehicle to be, the car is considered to be a "total loss". The insurance company will write you a check for the value of the vehicle and send you on your merry way.
When an insurance company is not involved, however, and you get a great deal on a car that you can fix up and make useful, you simply need to find an expert body man that will take on the job.
Now, there are times when even WE can't believe what we can do! This 1999 Acura TL's owner came to us after being told by numerous body shops that this car could not be repaired! Now, one thing Larry can't stand is the word "CAN'T". Tell him he "can't" do something, and well, he's on a mission.....
 |
| There is definitely "frame" damage to the A and B pillars |
The car had been hit "hard" in the driver's door and the "a-pillar" and "b-pillar" had been severely twisted and pushed in.
Now, for every action, there is an "equal and opposite re-action" and straightening a bent vehicle frame is a perfect example of that rule! It simply requires that the metal come back by undoing the damage the way it happened! A trained eye can see exactly the manner in which the damage was incurred and by undoing each part of the damage, piece by piece, the metal can be straightened. It is a difficult task since there is no margin for error as metal can only be twisted and bent so many times before it either breaks or becomes "work hardened" and impossible to straighten.
 |
| Photo of the push ram as the A pillar is pushed out. |
It just goes to show you, that, almost any damage can be repaired! Finding the right technician to do the work is key to the success of the repair. Once again, Larry and our crew managed to work their "magic"! But, years of expertise went into fixing this vehicle.
 |
| The door was carefully hung and aligned. |
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| Notice the body lines and door alignment in this "after" shot. |
The result of careful straightening of the frame allowed for flawless alignment of the door and fender. A test drive showed no air leakage in the cabin area or window seals. This is the kind of work we're proud of here at LDJ. Check back soon for the "finished" project when this car returns for painting!
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| Another great job by Larry and the boys! |
Here at LDJ Auto Body, we like "happy endings". These are just a few of our success stories. There are hundreds more. Check back often as, like I said, we like to brag a little every now and then......
Drive safely!
The Team at LDJ Auto Body and Mechanical
South East Asia
Posted by Unknown
Been thinking for some time if I should write up this ride or not… you see it was on a scooter… I seem to be visiting or passing by parts of Asia every year however with the exception of Japan have not got around to doing much riding. There are 3 rides I have been thinking of in the region. The highly rated riding in the Genting and Cameron Highlands of Malaysia. The Mae Hong Son loop in
More about → South East Asia
Time To Maintain Your Brake System
Posted by Unknown
Timing is everything in determining when to replace your brake pads. The wrong time is after you have attempted to stop, but were aided by whatever it was that actually brought the vehicle to a complete stop!
The first thing you will notice is an extremely high pitched squeal when you are coming to a stop. The manufacturers of brake pads include an indicator, which is a little piece of metal on the pad. When the pad wears down to less than 1/4” of material, the indicator touches the vehicle's rotor, making a noise that will make your teeth ache, much like when the class bully would run his fingernails on the chalkboard on his way out of the room with the teacher as she took him to the principle's office. What this is telling you is that you need to get the brakes serviced, preferably within the month, depending on your driving schedule. But regardless of how much you drive, the sooner, the safer.
Now, some bad news, sometimes many aftermarket and lower priced pads don't come with a wear indicator. But, an informed person can be watchful of other signs that it is time to replace those pads. One way, if it takes you longer than normal to stop, or if the brake pedal has more travel in it than before, it's a good bet that you need to inspect your pads. This can be achieved by removing the wheel and knowing what to look for.
Rotors can be a little harder, as they will last through two or three sets of brake pads. A wiggly steering when stopping is a good indication that the rotors are probably warped and it is time to replace.
Another option is 'turning' your rotors, which is an option in some cases. This is done at your mechanics, where they will shave off enough of the metal from the rotors to make them smooth. Most newer vehicles are equipped with thinner, lighter rotors to save on costs and increase fuel economy. If you find that you are replacing the rotors often, you might consider switching to a slotted version. While more expensive, the slots disperse heat better than the standard stock rotors. For most drivers, this added expense isn't necessary.
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| For you convenience, Advance Auto Parts lets you order your parts on line at home, and then pick them up in your local store an hour later, how cool is that! |
To paraphrase my father (and whoever he stole it from) “An ounce of preventive maintenance, is worth a pound of towing bills!”
April is “National Car Care Month”, so regardless if you are going to do it yourself, or take it to your trusted local mechanic, take a weekend in April to checkout your ride. Check those fluids, topping off the ones that need it. Don't forget the windshield fluid, radiator coolant (check your vehicle maintenance book to see what type of coolant your radiator uses), brake fluid, power steering fluid. Now is a good time to change your engine oil. Check those brake pads, inspect your tires for tread, wear and weather damage (dry rot). Lube the chassis. And it would not hurt to get inside that car and rub some type of protectant on your dash, console, side panels, etc.... the inside of the vehicle needs maintenance too you know. Take care of your ride, it will take you places that others can only get to in their minds....... (LOL).
Advance Auto Parts stocks everything you need to do your maintenance and repairs. They also offer the convenience of shopping on line and picking up an hour later at your local store, so you are in and out and on your way to completing your project that much faster, and by clicking below, and use the promotion code, you get a great discount to boot!!
Save $20 Off Purchases of $75 or more at AdvanceAutoParts.com with code BIG20!Advance Auto Parts stocks everything you need to do your maintenance and repairs. They also offer the convenience of shopping on line and picking up an hour later at your local store, so you are in and out and on your way to completing your project that much faster, and by clicking below, and use the promotion code, you get a great discount to boot!!
Remember to check back to our blog often, as Dee, Larry and I will be posting more on vehicle maintenance and repairs. Leave us a comment on our posts, make suggestions for future stories, or tell us about your projects. And like us on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/LDJAutoBody
Til next time - Betty
1964 1/2 Mustang Project - Our Newest Project Has a Great Story Too!
Posted by Unknown
1964 1/2 Mustang Project...A "Labor" of Love
Every now and then, I come across a story, that not only warms my heart, but, also carries with it, a glimpse of not only "the way things were", but, the way things should still be....
A couple of weeks ago, we received a phone call from a man who told me he had 1964 1/2 mustang that he was restoring and had run into a few problems that needed Larry's attention. He had heard about us from a friend that we had done some work for, and wanted to get some prices on putting new quarter panels on the car. Now, he already had my full attention, as the "original" 1964 1/2 Mustang is one of my favorite classic vehicles! As all of our Ford Fans out there know, the era of the Mustang actually made it's debut that year. And, well, the rest is just classic car history.....
I told him he'd have to bring the car in, as we'd have to see it in order to quote him a price on replacing the quarters and the next weekend, the car arrived at the shop. As you can see from the pic, the car was in pretty good shape, considering it was manufactured in 1964!
As with most vehicles of it's age, there was some weathering and some light rust, but, for the most part she was in great condition for a vehicle that was almost 50 years old! The majority of the rust damage was contained in the quarter panels which had several rust holes in the usual places. Primarily in the lower quarter and around the windows. Her owner had purchased new, aftermarket quarter panels to replace the originals and wanted a price on cutting off the original quarters and welding on the new ones, a job that my husband, Larry, has done many, many times in his almost 40 years of doing body work.
The man then explained that he and his son were doing the restoration together and that the car, when finished, would become his son's 16th birthday gift. The owner is also a bodyman and painter and the project was a joint effort of him and his son's and they were trying to put this car together by August. He and his son have been working on this project, together, from the beginning. They had already completely redone the motor, which is a real thing of beauty I might add, and they had all the parts ready for the interior too! They had well over a year of locating parts, wrenching, wiring and, well, you all know the labor that goes into a restoration like this. The man, an excellent bodyman, and a great painter too based on the pics he sent us of some of the work he's done, only needed help with the quarter panels as that is a job that requires an expert welder and the expertise of someone who is experienced in doing that particular type of work. He also knew the job needed to be done properly to ensure the vehicle was safe. The quarter panel section is one of the hardest panels to replace and requires cutting into the integral structure pieces of the vehicle and there's not a lot of room for error, especially on a vintage vehicle like this one.
As with most vehicles of it's age, there was some weathering and some light rust, but, for the most part she was in great condition for a vehicle that was almost 50 years old! The majority of the rust damage was contained in the quarter panels which had several rust holes in the usual places. Primarily in the lower quarter and around the windows. Her owner had purchased new, aftermarket quarter panels to replace the originals and wanted a price on cutting off the original quarters and welding on the new ones, a job that my husband, Larry, has done many, many times in his almost 40 years of doing body work.
The man then explained that he and his son were doing the restoration together and that the car, when finished, would become his son's 16th birthday gift. The owner is also a bodyman and painter and the project was a joint effort of him and his son's and they were trying to put this car together by August. He and his son have been working on this project, together, from the beginning. They had already completely redone the motor, which is a real thing of beauty I might add, and they had all the parts ready for the interior too! They had well over a year of locating parts, wrenching, wiring and, well, you all know the labor that goes into a restoration like this. The man, an excellent bodyman, and a great painter too based on the pics he sent us of some of the work he's done, only needed help with the quarter panels as that is a job that requires an expert welder and the expertise of someone who is experienced in doing that particular type of work. He also knew the job needed to be done properly to ensure the vehicle was safe. The quarter panel section is one of the hardest panels to replace and requires cutting into the integral structure pieces of the vehicle and there's not a lot of room for error, especially on a vintage vehicle like this one.
Larry began the job, cutting off and removing the original quarter on the driver's side of the vehicle. As with all 48 yr. old vehicle's, we found some hidden damage. The rust had eaten away the brackets that hold the window regulator and there was more damage to the wheel housing than expected. So he fabricated the bracket for the regulator and began the work of repairing the wheel housing, shown below. |
| The broken bracket needed repair. |
 |
| The wheel housing was repaired. |
After re-working the wheel housing and welding the new regulator bracket into place, undercoating was used to ensure the rust would be containted.
The next step was to fit the quarter panel to the vehicle and ensure proper alignment with the car's original lines. The early Mustang has a beautiful, well defined body line that gives the car it's signature design and also gives the beefy, muscle car that sleek, go fast look that made it one of the best selling vehicles of all time. Lining up an aftermarket quarter panel to match the lines of the original body requires engineering skill and expertise that comes only with years of experience. And, once again, Larry's skills paid off as the quarter panels were fitted flawlessly and welded into place.
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| The quarter is fitted and welded. |
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| Undercoated and ready for the quarter. |
You can find great deals on all your aftermarket parts needs at Andy's Auto Sport. Check out their great deals by clicking on one of the links in this blog. Andy's Auto Sport handles only the highest quality parts and accessories. 
You can find more great deals at Advance Auto Parts! Advance Auto Parts has over 3,400 locations nationwide. You'll always find the best deals on replacement parts and accessories. Check out their entire inventory at our online store! 
This job was a special job here at LDJ Auto Body and Custom Shop because it was special to the people that brought it here. We take pride in all of the work we do, but, we love to see families working together. The special bond that comes from helping our kids learn and experience the satisfaction of taking something into their own hands and making something that they will love and cherish for years to come is something that we'd love to see more people experience. The bond we create with our children and the things we teach them about life are more important now than ever before. This man and his son will cherish the time they spent together on this project and hopefully, someday, his son will take the time to pass that on. Today's world is a rough place and we only get one chance to motivate our kids to be the people we want them to grow up to be. Watching this family work together and seeing the proud look on this kid's face as he saw his dream car getting closer to being finished was priceless. 
I can't wait to see the pictures of this car when it's completed and the owner has promised to send them to us. We wish them the best of luck and I'll be sure to share those pics with you when we get them!Working on projects like this one are a great way to spend time with our kids. Whether you spend time fixing up their first car or just teach them the basics of how to maintain their own vehicle. The size of the project isn't important. It's the time spent with our kids that makes the differnce.
Remember, April is National Car Care Month! Check back soon for some great car care tips here and at our sister blog, LDJ Auto Body's Car, Truck, and Motorcycle News! And don't forget to check out the great deals and specials at our Parts and Accessories Store. You'll find the latest deals and coupons to save lots of money at Advance Auto Parts! You can check out the best accessories for your truck at our Truck Owner's Only page.
Till next time, happy motoring!
Larry and Dee Blackman
LDJ Auto Body and Custom Shop
The "HEART" of Custom Car Maintenance
Posted by Unknown
1964 1/2 Mustang Project...A "Labor" of Love
Every now and then, I come across a story, that not only warms my heart, but, also carries with it, a glimpse of not only "the way things were", but, the way things should still be....
A couple of weeks ago, we received a phone call from a man who told me he had 1964 1/2 mustang that he was restoring and had run into a few problems that needed Larry's attention. He had heard about us from a friend that we had done some work for, and wanted to get some prices on putting new quarter panels on the car. Now, he already had my full attention, as the "original" 1964 1/2 Mustang is one of my favorite classic vehicles! As all of our Ford Fans out there know, the era of the Mustang actually made it's debut that year. And, well, the rest is just classic car history.....
I told him he'd have to bring the car in, as we'd have to see it in order to quote him a price on replacing the quarters and the next weekend, the car arrived at the shop. As you can see from the pic, the car was in pretty good shape, considering it was manufactured in 1964! As with most vehicles of it's age, there was some weathering and some light rust, but, for the most part she was in great condition for a vehicle that was almost 50 years old! The majority of the rust damage was contained in the quarter panels which had several rust holes in the usual places. Primarily in the lower quarter and around the windows. Her owner had purchased new, aftermarket quarter panels to replace the originals and wanted a price on cutting off the original quarters and welding on the new ones, a job that my husband, Larry, has done many, many times in his almost 40 years of doing body work. The man then explained that he and his son were doing the restoration together and that the car, when finished, would become his son's 16th birthday gift. The owner is also a bodyman and painter and the project was a joint effort of him and his son's and they were trying to put this car together by August. He and his son have been working on this project, together, from the beginning. They had already completely redone the motor, which is a real thing of beauty I might add, and they had all the parts ready for the interior too! They had well over a year of locating parts, wrenching, wiring and, well, you all know the labor that goes into a restoration like this. The man, an excellent bodyman, and a great painter too based on the pics he sent us of some of the work he's done, only needed help with the quarter panels as that is a job that requires an expert welder and the expertise of someone who is experienced in doing that particular type of work. He also knew the job needed to be done properly to ensure the vehicle was safe. The quarter panel section is one of the hardest panels to replace and requires cutting into the integral structure pieces of the vehicle and there's not a lot of room for error, especially on a vintage vehicle like this one.
Larry began the job, cutting off and removing the original quarter on the driver's side of the vehicle. As with all 48 yr. old vehicle's, we found some hidden damage. The rust had eaten away the brackets that hold the window regulator and there was more damage to the wheel housing than expected. So he fabricated the bracket for the regulator and began the work of repairing the wheel housing, shown below. |
| The broken bracket needed repair. |
|
| The wheel housing was repaired. |
After re-working the wheel housing and welding the new regulator bracket into place, undercoating was used to ensure the rust would be containted.
The next step was to fit the quarter panel to the vehicle and ensure proper alignment with the car's original lines. The early Mustang has a beautiful, well defined body line that gives the car it's signature design and also gives the beefy, muscle car that sleek, go fast look that made it one of the best selling vehicles of all time. Lining up an aftermarket quarter panel to match the lines of the original body requires engineering skill and expertise that comes only with years of experience. And, once again, Larry's skills paid off as the quarter panels were fitted flawlessly and welded into place.
|
| The quarter is fitted and welded. |
|
| Undercoated and ready for the quarter. |
You can find great deals on all your aftermarket parts needs at Andy's Auto Sport. Check out their great deals by clicking on one of the links in this blog. Andy's Auto Sport handles only the highest quality parts and accessories. You can find more great deals at Advance Auto Parts! Advance Auto Parts has over 3,400 locations nationwide. You'll always find the best deals on replacement parts and accessories. Check out their entire inventory at our online store! This job was a special job here at LDJ Auto Body & Custom Shop because it was special to the people that brought it here. We take pride in all of the work we do, but, we love to see families working together. The special bond that comes from helping our kids learn and experience the satisfaction of taking something into their own hands and making something that they will love and cherish for years to come is something that we'd love to see more people experience. The bond we create with our children and the things we teach them about life are more important now than ever before. This man and his son will cherish the time they spent together on this project and hopefully, someday, his son will take the time to pass that on. Today's world is a rough place and we only get one chance to motivate our kids to be the people we want them to grow up to be. Watching this family work together and seeing the proud look on this kid's face as he saw his dream car getting closer to being finished was priceless. I can't wait to see the pictures of this car when it's completed and the owner has promised to send them to us. We wish them the best of luck and I'll be sure to share those pics with you when we get them!Working on projects like this one are a great way to spend time with our kids. Whether you spend time fixing up their first car or just teach them the basics of how to maintain their own vehicle. The size of the project isn't important. It's the time spent with our kids that makes the differnce.
Remember, April is National Car Care Month! Check back soon for some great car care tips here and at our sister blog, LDJ Auto Body's Car, Truck, and Motorcycle News! And don't forget to check out the great deals and specials at our Parts and Accessories Store. You'll find the latest deals and coupons to save lots of money at Advance Auto Parts! You can check out the best accessories for your truck at our Truck Owner's Only page.
Till next time, happy motoring!
Larry and Dee Blackman
LDJ Auto Body and Custom Shop
LDJ's Car, Truck, and Motorcycle News Announces New Feature Writer / Editor!
Posted by Unknown
Betty, like the rest of us here, is a big custom car and motorcycle enthusiast. We're happy to have her shed some new light here! She's a great journalist and will be doing weekly articles at both of our blogs, so make sure to sign up for email updates so you don't miss any of her great humor and well researched articles. Our women readers will enjoy her advice on "do-it-yourself" projects that would make any of our men proud!
I'm going to try and convince Betty to tell you the story of how her ex-husband helped her "choose" the bike he bought for her, but, I know I certainly would never be able to tell it like she does! I'm sure she'll share that and many more of her great stories with you! All kidding aside, Betty is a great asset here and we're all very proud to have her on the staff.
Betty's first article here on cleaning that awful oxydation off your headlights is a great example of some of the things you can look forward to. Toothpaste Betty?? Who would have ever thought!
Make sure to send your comments and suggestions! As always, we love to hear from our readers. Let us know what's on your mind and we'll do our best to accomodate any requests.
Don't forget to check out the latest article at, LDJ Auto Body's Car, Truck, and Motorcycle News for some great information on auctions. Spring is a great time to add to your collection of toys and auctions are a fantastic and fun way to find some unbelievable deals!
Also, don't forget to check out our brand new Parts and Accessories Store and our new Truck Owner's Only page! Here you'll find the best deals in auto parts, truck parts, and accessories. We do our homework so you don't have to! We'll post the latest, greatest offers and coupons to help you save on all your auto parts and accessory shopping!
Check back often for the latest news from Betty, Dee, Larry and the crew! Till next time, we'll leave the light on for ya!
The Art of Custom Car and Motorcycle Maintenance Welcomes Our Newest Writer!
Posted by Unknown
I am really excited to tell you all about our new, feature writer! I'd like to introduce you all to Betty Skidmore. Betty is our new feature writer and editor here at The Art of Custom Car and Motorcycle Maintenance AND LDJ Auto Body's Car, Truck, and Motorcycle News!Betty, like the rest of us here, is a big custom car and motorcycle enthusiast. We're happy to have her shed some new light here! She's a great journalist and will be doing weekly articles at both of our blogs, so make sure to sign up for email updates so you don't miss any of her great humor and well researched articles. Our women readers will enjoy her advice on "do-it-yourself" projects that would make any of our men proud!
Betty's first article here on cleaning that awful oxydation off of headlights is a great example of some of the things you can look forward to. Toothpaste Betty?? Who would have ever thought!
Make sure to send your comments and suggestions! As always, we love to hear from our readers. Let us know what's on your mind and we'll do our best to accomodate any requests.
Don't forget to check out the latest article at our news blog, LDJ Auto Body's Car, Truck, and Motorcycle News for some great information on auctions. Spring is a great time to add to your collection of toys and auctions are a good way to find some unbelievable deals!
Also, don't forget to check out our new Parts and Accessories Store and our new Truck Owner's Only page! Here you'll find the best deals in auto parts, truck parts, and accessories. We do our homework so you don't have to! We'll post the latest, greatest offers and coupons to help you save on all your auto parts and accessory shopping!
Check back often for the latest news from Betty, Dee, Larry and the crew!
Removing Oxidation From Headlights
Posted by Unknown
This week's DIY projectRemoving the oxidation (grime, yellowing) from headlights
Oh boy, the headlights on my 2003 Chevy Impala were looking pretty bad... and were dimming the candlepower that the headlamps were suppose to be projecting. I knew that they looked bad, but I did not realize just how much the lights were dimmed because of this pretty common problem on vehicles that sit in the sunlight the majority of the time. So, I decided to clean them myself. I Googled, I You-tubed and I Wikipediaed (yep, I made two of those words all by myself!). And I came up with lots of options for the Do-It-Yourself'er to use.
So, I decided to try the toothpaste method. First, you want to use regular white toothpaste. Whitening or other pastes with additives such as mint or other flavors contain ingredients that can actually damage the polymer lens. Apply the toothpaste with a soft dry cloth in a small, circular patterns, cleaning about a 4-5 square inch area at a time, overlapping until you have the entire lens area grime (oxidation) free. Don't add a big glob of toothpaste to begin with. I began with a line about 3 inches long, then added about 1 inch ribbons to the cloth when I could feel that there was a drag to the cloth. When you think you have the lens clean (and you can feel the difference in the drag of the cloth, the oxidized lens will feel really rough), rinse thoroughly with water, and wipe with a damp cloth.
There were methods that used things you have at home (toothpaste, a clean cloth, and water), kits to buy at the auto parts store (3M and Turtlewax to name a few), Aluminum polish and sandpaper, all the way to $500.00 plus kits that include a high speed drill. You can find and purchase any of the headlight cleaning kits at our online Auto Parts and Accessories store. Simply go to the search bar and look up the products available by brand or just type in what you're looking for! You'll also find some unbelievable Spring specials there like the link below! At LDJ's Auto Parts and Accessories store you'll find this deal and many more ways to save money. These great deals won't last long, so shop early and save some big dollars on all your auto parts needs!
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| Find great deals like this and many more at LDJ's Auto Parts and Accessories Store! |
So, I decided to try the toothpaste method. First, you want to use regular white toothpaste. Whitening or other pastes with additives such as mint or other flavors contain ingredients that can actually damage the polymer lens. Apply the toothpaste with a soft dry cloth in a small, circular patterns, cleaning about a 4-5 square inch area at a time, overlapping until you have the entire lens area grime (oxidation) free. Don't add a big glob of toothpaste to begin with. I began with a line about 3 inches long, then added about 1 inch ribbons to the cloth when I could feel that there was a drag to the cloth. When you think you have the lens clean (and you can feel the difference in the drag of the cloth, the oxidized lens will feel really rough), rinse thoroughly with water, and wipe with a damp cloth.
I could see a big difference immediately, but think I need to repeat this method one more time to get a 100% clear lens. I am an impatient person, and I had other things I wanted to do that morning, or I would have spent a bit more time on it so I would not have to repeat myself! It only took me 12 minutes to do the left lens. I left the right lens hazy, and that evening, I took the car for a drive down a back road with no streetlights. WOW – big difference between the light from the left and right lens! So tomorrow I am going to clean the right lens and redo the left one.
The information I got from the internet says that they will remain clear for 6 to 12 months, but since this was so cheap and easy, that is okay with me. I am going to do more research on applying a clear coat to the lens after cleaning, since this was mentioned in one of the other methods... more on this later.
Now on the other hand, if you don't want to do this yourself, call Larry or Dee at LDJ Auto Body and Custom Shop for an appointment to let the professionals take care of it for you. Their phone number is 813-644-4497 or email ldjautobody@yahoo.com They charge only $20 per headlight. I think that is a great deal and I would have had Larry polish mine, but then I would not have gotten to experience this and give you my “first hand” view!
Items needed: Small tube regular white toothpaste
Soft, clean dry cloth (I used an old wash cloth) Water
Time: 10-20 minutes per headlight depending on the degree of oxidation
Cost: Less than $5.00
Results: PRICELESS (LOL)
Author: Betty Skidmore, Technical Writer/Editor/Custom Car and Motorcycle Fanatic!
Time For A New Car, Truck, or Motorcycle? Consider An Auction!
Posted by Unknown
Ahhh! Spring is in the air! You can feel it and even see it! And, Spring is the time for everything "new"! At least, that's my husband's excuse for new toys! LOL
But, on a more serious note, Spring can be a very good time to look for that new car, truck, or motorcycle! Most people use Spring as a time to clean out the garage and that can be a very good time to pick up on some great deals. However, buying directly from a seller can also be very tricky business. If you don't know what you're doing, you can end up with someone else's problem. And, most sellers are not going to guarantee anything, so, what you buy is what you get.
Auctions can be a great way to find some great deals too! I love a good auction. They're exciting and you can really save some money if you apply some good, common sense to your auction dealings. Also, buying at auction can be done online too, meaning you can get your hands on some great deals that aren't right there in your backyard!
Iron Planet Motors is a great auction house that is very reputable and offers a wonderful buying experience for even a first time buyer! Iron Planet sells anything that "rocks, rolls, stops and goes". From farm and earth moving equipment to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and motor sport and specialty vehicles, you'll find it here. AND, they go out of their way to make the buying procedure simple and easy.
All items auctioned at Iron Planet are inspected by them personally! They phyically go out to the vehicle and do a full inspection and report that you can view and, more importantly, trust. Knowing what you're getting when buying online is half the battle and Iron Planet has a flawless reputation for being one fo the best! They will even help buyers and sellers hook up after a sale with recommendations on transportation of vehicles and financing! It doesn't get any easier than that!
Sign up at Iron Planet today and get email updates on all their upcomming online auctions. You can preview items and even priority bid on them. On auction day, view the auction online. The highest bidder wins. What could be simpler than that?
So whether you're in the market for a new car
Or a new motorcycle,
Or anything else you can think of, you can rest assured that your online auction purchase is protected by one of the best auction houses around. Choose one of the links on this page to sign up or get more information on their service.
Now, it's Spring time....hmmmm, what new toy sounds good? We guarantee you'll find it there.....and.....you'll have a good time doing it!
Enjoy and have fun.
Larry and Dee Blackman
LDJ Auto Body & Custom Shop
ldjautobody@yahoo.com
More about → Time For A New Car, Truck, or Motorcycle? Consider An Auction!
But, on a more serious note, Spring can be a very good time to look for that new car, truck, or motorcycle! Most people use Spring as a time to clean out the garage and that can be a very good time to pick up on some great deals. However, buying directly from a seller can also be very tricky business. If you don't know what you're doing, you can end up with someone else's problem. And, most sellers are not going to guarantee anything, so, what you buy is what you get.
Auctions can be a great way to find some great deals too! I love a good auction. They're exciting and you can really save some money if you apply some good, common sense to your auction dealings. Also, buying at auction can be done online too, meaning you can get your hands on some great deals that aren't right there in your backyard!
Iron Planet Motors is a great auction house that is very reputable and offers a wonderful buying experience for even a first time buyer! Iron Planet sells anything that "rocks, rolls, stops and goes". From farm and earth moving equipment to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and motor sport and specialty vehicles, you'll find it here. AND, they go out of their way to make the buying procedure simple and easy.
All items auctioned at Iron Planet are inspected by them personally! They phyically go out to the vehicle and do a full inspection and report that you can view and, more importantly, trust. Knowing what you're getting when buying online is half the battle and Iron Planet has a flawless reputation for being one fo the best! They will even help buyers and sellers hook up after a sale with recommendations on transportation of vehicles and financing! It doesn't get any easier than that!
Sign up at Iron Planet today and get email updates on all their upcomming online auctions. You can preview items and even priority bid on them. On auction day, view the auction online. The highest bidder wins. What could be simpler than that?
So whether you're in the market for a new car
Or a new motorcycle,
Or anything else you can think of, you can rest assured that your online auction purchase is protected by one of the best auction houses around. Choose one of the links on this page to sign up or get more information on their service.
Now, it's Spring time....hmmmm, what new toy sounds good? We guarantee you'll find it there.....and.....you'll have a good time doing it!
Enjoy and have fun.
Larry and Dee Blackman
LDJ Auto Body & Custom Shop
ldjautobody@yahoo.com
Is it Time For A New Car, Truck, or Motorcycle? Consider An Auction.
Posted by Unknown
Ahhh! Spring is in the air! You can feel it and even see it! And, Spring is the time for everything "new"! At least, that's my husband's excuse for new toys! LOL
But, on a more serious note, Spring can be a very good time to look for that new car, truck, or motorcycle! Most people use Spring as a time to clean out the garage and that can be a very good time to pick up on some great deals. However, buying directly from a seller can also be very tricky business. If you don't know what you're doing, you can end up with someone else's problem. And, most sellers are not going to guarantee anything, so, what you buy is what you get.
Auctions can be a great way to find some great deals too! I love a good auction. They're exciting and you can really save some money if you apply some good, common sense to your auction dealings. Also, buying at auction can be done online too, meaning you can get your hands on some great deals that aren't right there in your backyard!
Iron Planet Motors is a great auction house that is very reputable and offers a wonderful buying experience for even a first time buyer! Iron Planet sells anything that "rocks, rolls, stops and goes". From farm and earth moving equipment to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and motor sport and specialty vehicles, you'll find it here. AND, they go out of their way to make the buying procedure simple and easy.
All items auctioned at Iron Planet are inspected by them personally! They phyically go out to the vehicle and do a full inspection and report that you can view and, more importantly, trust. Knowing what you're getting when buying online is half the battle and Iron Planet has a flawless reputation for being one fo the best! They will even help buyers and sellers hook up after a sale with recommendations on transportation of vehicles and financing! It doesn't get any easier than that!
Sign up at Iron Planet today and get email updates on all their upcomming online auctions. You can preview items and even priority bid on them. On auction day, view the auction online. The highest bidder wins. What could be simpler than that?
So whether you're in the market for a new car
Or a new motorcycle,
Or anything else you can think of, you can rest assured that your online auction purchase is protected by one of the best auction houses around. Choose one of the links on this page to sign up or get more information on their service.
Now, it's Spring time....hmmmm, what new toy sounds good? We guarantee you'll find it there.....and.....you'll have a good time doing it!
Enjoy and have fun.
Larry and Dee Blackman
LDJ Auto Body & Custom Shop
ldjautobody@yahoo.com
More about → Is it Time For A New Car, Truck, or Motorcycle? Consider An Auction.
But, on a more serious note, Spring can be a very good time to look for that new car, truck, or motorcycle! Most people use Spring as a time to clean out the garage and that can be a very good time to pick up on some great deals. However, buying directly from a seller can also be very tricky business. If you don't know what you're doing, you can end up with someone else's problem. And, most sellers are not going to guarantee anything, so, what you buy is what you get.
Auctions can be a great way to find some great deals too! I love a good auction. They're exciting and you can really save some money if you apply some good, common sense to your auction dealings. Also, buying at auction can be done online too, meaning you can get your hands on some great deals that aren't right there in your backyard!
Iron Planet Motors is a great auction house that is very reputable and offers a wonderful buying experience for even a first time buyer! Iron Planet sells anything that "rocks, rolls, stops and goes". From farm and earth moving equipment to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and motor sport and specialty vehicles, you'll find it here. AND, they go out of their way to make the buying procedure simple and easy.
All items auctioned at Iron Planet are inspected by them personally! They phyically go out to the vehicle and do a full inspection and report that you can view and, more importantly, trust. Knowing what you're getting when buying online is half the battle and Iron Planet has a flawless reputation for being one fo the best! They will even help buyers and sellers hook up after a sale with recommendations on transportation of vehicles and financing! It doesn't get any easier than that!
Sign up at Iron Planet today and get email updates on all their upcomming online auctions. You can preview items and even priority bid on them. On auction day, view the auction online. The highest bidder wins. What could be simpler than that?
So whether you're in the market for a new car
Or a new motorcycle,Or anything else you can think of, you can rest assured that your online auction purchase is protected by one of the best auction houses around. Choose one of the links on this page to sign up or get more information on their service.
Now, it's Spring time....hmmmm, what new toy sounds good? We guarantee you'll find it there.....and.....you'll have a good time doing it!Enjoy and have fun.
Larry and Dee Blackman
LDJ Auto Body & Custom Shop
ldjautobody@yahoo.com
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