www.absolutedetailingchicago.com

The Check Engine Light, What Does It Really Mean?

admin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Most of us have experienced a check engine light on the dashboard that will not go away. This is cause for concern or is it? What do the light really mean? It could be on due to a number of reasons. The engine could be low on oil and needs to be replenished. It this is the case, the light will go away once the oil is inside the engine. The light could also indicate that the engine is running hot. Now the water in the radiator has to be checked, because the water from the raditor circulates through the engine to keep it cool. Therefore, when the engine overheats the light will on come.

Another possible cause could be a valve problem, or something simple. However, vehcicle engines need to be tuned up. This means changing spark plug wires, replacing old spark plugs, and putting in a new rotor button and distributor cap. Some cars may not have all of these features, depending on the model and new of the car. The check engine light should not be ignored. Before spending money on unnecessary repairs, perform minor checks first. This will help to eliminate possible causes and save hundreds of dollars.

If You’re Going to Eat In The Car…

admin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you and your family seem to always end up eating in the car, keep reading further. If grabbing breakfast and eating it on the run or stopping for a bite to eat is something that fits your lifestyle, there are things you can do to protect the interior of your car.

Car seats are generally pretty durable, but that’s not to say that they couldn’t use a little help in looking their best.Confused? Here ‘s a little help . It is desirable to be able to sit in a car and not have something stick to your clothing that was previously dropped on the seat.

The best way to keep your car’s interior free from stains is by having the seats treated for stain resistance. This type of treatment can prolong the life of the seats and not make them undesirable to sit on. The same type of treatment is available for you car’s carpeting.

However, sometimes spilling accidents will happen, and when they do, some of them may require more than a quick wiping up. Sometimes, you may need the services of someone who can detail your car’s interior and make it look presentable again. If that should happen to you, seek help immediately!

When The Going Gets Rough: Buffing Out Scuffs

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Getting a scuff or scratched spot on your paint job can ruin any car owner’s day.
But in many cases these spots can be removed or at least made to look a lot better with a little work. To begin you will need the right chemicals, car wash liquid (not dish detergent), white compound for light scratches and scuffs or red compound for deeper problems. A combination cleaner and wax is helpful also.
You will need some good cotton cloths, or even better are the micro-fiber polishing cloths. If you own a polisher or buffer it will be a big help, but a lot can be done by hand.
Start with washing the area, to remove any dirt and other contaminants that you may rub into the scratches, which might make them look worse.
Once clean, it is ok to leave the area wet. Use your compound, try the white colored first as this is less abrasive then the red will be. With a dampened cloth, work the compound around the area carefully without pressing too hard. If you see an improvement you are using the right pressure. A buffer or polisher can do this but be careful with the speed and amount pressure you use as these can be dangerous in the hands of a beginner.
Once you are satisfied with the results, you should clean off all compound and use cleaner wax or sealer to finish the job. Any scratches that are too deep to buff out will require touch up paint at the least, or a complete repaint of the area.

Tagging Your Ride?

admin — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you’re considering getting your car tattooed and you’re not sure what to get don’t leave the ideas up to the old episodes of Pimp My Ride on direct star tv ! Here in the Windy City there are only a few options for your car tag so follow our lead.

Sports Teams: Whether you’re a cubs fan or a Bulls believer you’ve got to show the love you have for your time on your fly ride. Keep the colors understated but feel free to embellish with your favorite player’s number or likeness.

Neighborhood: A lot of people choose to get their neighborhood added to their car and we love that idea. Showing regional pride is a good way to ride clean in Chi-town and whether you’re from Downtown or Grant Park you should say so and be proud.

Skyline: If you’re really into the Windy City consider getting an artistic version of the skyline painted on your ride. It’s clean and sophisticated and it will transfer well in case you ever want to sell.

How To Keep Your Vinyl Car Top Looking New

admin — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The vinyl car top is a cool look for classic cars, and many have added this feature to their newer rides as well. That same vinyl top that can look so good can look so bad without regular maintenance. Similarly a convertible top needs the attention to keep the vinyl pliable and clean.
When you wash your car you should pay special attention to that vinyl top. You can use car wash to clean it, but if you wash your car with dish detergent, which is not a great idea to begin with; do not wash the vinyl with it. The chemicals in dish soaps dry out the vinyl more quickly and can cause it to streak.
Use a good liquid car wash, cleaning the top with a soft bristle brush which will get all the grime out of the material. After it is dry, you will want to coat with a preservative to keep it shiny and make it last longer. Although many choose a silicone based product for this part of the job, there are better choices. Silicone will attract dirt and make the top look dull quickly. Their shine is only temporary. Find a non silicone based product that will give the level of shine you want, and stick with it.

To Wax Or To Not Wax?

admin — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you drive your car at all, it is going to get dirty. Not just plain dirty, but it will get grit, bird droppings, road tar, and an assortment of other mess coming from just driving on the streets.
These things all try to ruin your paint. They grind into it, eat through it and generally make it dull and possibly chipped.
Waxing the car will help protect it from all the above and more. Waxes have always made a great difference in the life and look of the paint, no matter whether it is clear coated or not.Never heard of this before? Get up to speed here. As the technology has improved in paints, they have actually gotten put on in thinner layers, making the pretty surface more susceptible to damage.
Technology in wax has kept up though, and there are some very easy to apply waxes out there today that will give the protection your paint needs and keep it shining on for years..
Newer polymer sealants can be applied simply by hand, just a few times a year or more if you like. These will effectively seal the finish, protect it from the daily abuse it may get, and keep the color and shine as nice as it can be.
After all who wants to cruise with dull, flaky, or chipped paint?

Auto Detailing For Fun and Profit

admin — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you love cars, you may enjoy keeping them looking as good as they can. For many car owners there is a fun factor in the work of detailing.
Each step in the process of detailing has many methods to perfect it. Just a simple wash can be done in so many ways using a variety of products and techniques, that is becomes a highly personalized process.
Getting the most out of a car finish with a buffer is an art in itself. Knowing the secret to a high speed buff or random orbital is a key to the success of any detailer.
You also have to know how to properly clean and dress an interior. Making the seats and dash look like new or better than new, without a fake looking gloss is important.
Does this sound like something you enjoy? If so you might be the right person to turn this hobby into a money making pastime or even a full time career.
There are many ways to do this, for example; working for an auto dealer can get you a lot of experience. Working as a mobile or on call detailer is another way to jump in. There are also places that do paintless dent repair and hire detailers to finish out the job or as another service to offer their clients.
Detailing can be a fun and profitable part time or full time job for you to consider. You can turn a hobby into a great career or extra money maker.

Six Things You Can Do To Save Gas

admin — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The cost of gas has become one of the major drawbacks to travelling, or doing a road trip over the summer. The cost of gas has made many people reconsider vacationing this summer; however, here are six things you can do to save gas, and in turn, save money this summer (and during the year).

First, tighten your gas cap. When the cap isn’t tightened, gas is being leaked out of your car, in turn causing you to fill up more often. Second, make sure your tires are filled up to the appropriate level. When tire pressure is low, your car will require more fuel to make it run; however, if tires are properly inflated you can save up to 3 on gas. Third, change the oil at proper levels. Using synthetic oil can help with gas mileage, in turn add up to 2 MPG you are currently getting.

Fourth, replace your spark plugs. This reduces emissions and can help save on gas. Fifth, check air filters. Any build up will affect ultimate gas mileage. Lastly, change driving habits; higher accelerations equals higher gas costs.

There are many other tips to save on gas, these are just a few all drivers can use.Want to know more? Go ahead: Summer Cruisin…