Time For A New Car, Truck, or Motorcycle? Consider An Auction!

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!

Is it Time For A New Car, Truck, or Motorcycle? Consider An Auction.

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.

WELCOME ABOARD! A Big Welcome to Our Newest Affiliate!

It's Christmas Time again!  AND...we want to take a moment to introduce you to our newest affiliate! 

AutoSport Automotive

    Outfitters

These guys have got it all when it comes to automotive accessories! With the Christmas Holidays upon us right now....this is the time to take advantage of their awesome deals!  From floor mats, seat covers, car covers and so much more...AutoSport Automotive Outfitters will help you find the perfect gift for that special car enthusiast on your gift list!  If you're really having a hard time for the "someone who really does have everything", simply go to their site and click on "new outlet items" to see some truly unique items.

Of course, they also have the usual items, like electronic rear-view mirrors, all kinds of interior organizers, automotive stereo systems, electronics and navigation items and even clothing and personal items. 

Don't forget, they also carry actual "car parts" like oil filters and air filters at really great prices.

And lastly, make sure to check out the "WeatherTech Store", "Covercraft Store", "Thule and Yakima Stores" for greatly reduced prices on some of the most popular automotive brands out there!

WELCOME ABOARD AUTOSPORT!  AND...WELCOME TO ALL OUR NEW SHOPPERS HERE AT LDJ NEWS!  TO ALL OF YOU A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!!

More about → WELCOME ABOARD! A Big Welcome to Our Newest Affiliate!

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!

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!