Car Care Magazine

Car Care Magazine March 2013

To Love And Protect

Inside This Months Issue…

• • • •

The Devil’s In The Detail A Smart Choice Matte Paint Care Take Your Seat In The Paintwork Classroom

The X1 Effect

Waxstock 2013

Inside This Months Car Care Magazine…

Page: • • • • • • • • • •

Four – The Devils In The Detail Six – The Importance Of Tyre Safety Eight – To Love & Protect Ten – Caring For Matte Paint Fourteen – Reasons To Go Waterless Sixteen – DryValet Waterless Car Wash Review Eighteen – A Smart Choice Twenty – X1 Paintwork Protection Twenty Two – Alloy Wheel Care Twenty Six – Take Your Seats In The Classroom

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We feel a bit like we're pulling the covers off a new model at the motor show.

There's been a big build up and now we're waiting nervously to see your first reaction.

A lot of time and effort has gone into making sure our new baby looks good and brings something new. We hope you love it.

We've aimed this new magazine squarely at you, a real car lover. It's packed full of new ideas, tips and exciting product news, all aimed at helping you make the most of your car.

FEEL GOOD FACTOR The idea is to help you protect your investment and to maximise your enjoyment. We both know that when your car looks great you feel great too.

So we've included articles on smart repairs, tyre and alloy wheel care, waterless cleaning, and this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed. Then there's the matte paint conundrum, how do you clean and care for it without ruining the finish? We've gone to an expert in the field to find out.

That's just a selection of the content this time round, and if you have something you'd like to see us cover next time we're listening.

Let's make this our magazine together, the space where we talk about caring for our great cars.

WIN WIN WIN The good news is that if you do enjoy reading Car Care Magazine as much as we hope you will, it won't cost you a penny to subscribe to future editions. And that will give you the chance to win a track day in the next issue.

Ok, like a red light on an empty road we're holding you back when you really need to get on. So let's just quickly point you in the direction of what you could win for your car this time round.

LET�S ROAD TEST HER That's it, the designing and the planning are over and it's time for the road test.

Let us know how she handles for you, and what you think of the looks. We'd like this to be a long and happy relationship.

We're very excited to welcome you to our new magazine, and to invite you back for more.

When you stand in front of a well detailed car it says more than just "look how clean I am". It says "I've been loved and well cared for, and you can bet I've been properly serviced and well driven too".

The Devils In The Detail

When you stand in front of a well detailed car it says more than just "look how clean I am". It says "I've been loved and well cared for, and you can bet I've been properly serviced and well driven too".

For a buyer that makes this car stand out from the crowd, it makes it more desirable, and most importantly it makes it worth spending more money, first impressions really do count.

ADDED VALUE We're not just talking super-cars here. What works for a Ferrari is good for a Fiesta too. Good detailing will add value to any car, The paintwork isn't just cleaned, it's gleaming in all the places that even a great wash normally misses. Those swirly scratches in the paintwork that you notice each time you wash the car yourself are gone with detailing, and the paint job looks fresh and often as good as new., Tar, grease and break dust have gone from the wheels, and they sparkle. Plastic trims give off that just fitted look.

EASY CLEAN It's not all about impressing new buyers though. A well detailed car doesn't just look great, it's actually easier to keep properly clean in the future.

The protective coats which are applied by the detailer will help to make your ordinary wash more effective.

PROTECTION It really is a protective coat, it'll help to keep the sun's rays from damaging and fading the paintwork. And it'll help keep the rain and the salt on winter roads from rusting and tarnishing the bodywork, your car stays looking great longer. Your car holds its value better.

FOR BODY AND SOUL Detailing is an investment in much more than metal and rubber, it's not just a make-over for your wheels. It's a tonic for you too.

Be honest, how much better do you feel getting into a car that really looks the business?

The Importance Of Tyre Safety The importance of having good tyres on your car can hardly be over emphasized.

Tyres are the one area where you should not skimp in relation to your car's maintenance, because tyres are your only direct contact with the road and can make the difference between you staying on the road or going into the ditch in tricky circumstances. A good quality tyre with plenty of tread on it will maintain its grip on the road if you have to swerve suddenly to avoid a dog or child running into the road, or take a sharp corner in the wet. Wet weather reduces the friction between tyres and road and you are more likely to lose grip and slide or skid with your steering ability consequently much less than normal. Good tyres will also enable you to brake and stop within the minimum distance, whereas partly worn tyres will mean longer distances before you come to a complete halt and this could make a real difference in an emergency situation.

Tyres are much better now at gripping the road than they used to be since manufacturers have spent time and money on improving their products for maximum safety. All tyres however, are something of a compromise to meet the conflicting needs of good grip and long life. To last well tyres tend to be made of a harder rubber which resists wear better, but for maximum grip you need a softer basic rubber compound. Traditionally certain manufacturers like Michelin have preferred to offer tyres that last well, whilst others, like Pirelli put more emphasis on performance, using softer rubber, with the consequence of a shorter usable life.

Having said that, there are not many bad tyres out there these days, unless you go for the cheapest budget tyre or remoulds, or part worn tyres. These should all be avoided like the plague since they can put your life at risk.

Your owner's handbook will tell you what sort of tyres are recommended for your particular car, and you can find a good guide to buying tyres online at UK Net Guide so that you can decide on your best choice of tyre.

Having checked your wheel and tyre size you can search and compare tyre brands and prices online, although you will need probably to go to a local tyre dealer or garage for them to order and fit the tyres for you. If you quote the specification and the best online price you have found they will usually be prepared to match that for you. This can give you a considerable saving over just going straight to your local garage without any idea of what the price should be, because they will charge top dollar, i.e. the recommended retail price.

Buy the best tyres you can afford for your car since it is a potentially life saving investment. You will need to have the wheels balanced whilst you're at it, and it is also a good idea to have the tracking checked and adjusted if it has not been done for a while. Poor tracking leads to uneven tyre wear which shortens the usable life of your tyres because they may well wear down below the legal limit over a certain area much quicker than they should if the wheels are not properly in alignment.

Article Courtesy of TyreSafety.co.uk

The 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed (5-7 July)theme will celebrate the best of the first 20 years of this, the world’s most popular motor sport and car culture event.

This summer’s Festival of Speed will focus on highlights from the Goodwood event’s glittering history. The biggest, best, fastest, loudest and most outrageous vehicles of all time will be invited back to West Sussex in early July 2013 for a weekend not to be missed.

Star cars and motorcycles, plus drivers and riders from each of the world’s major motor sport disciplines, past and present, will be featured at Goodwood, including champions from Formula 1,Indycar, the World Rally Championship, Superbikes, NASCAR, World Sports Cars and Touring Cars.

Goodwood plans to recapture many of the outstanding Festival of Speed moments from the 1993-2012 era, whether that’s great cars from the USA and elsewhere making a rare return to the UK for famous car/driver pairings reunited.

11 - 14 JULY 2013

The Festival will see all manner of memorable - and often outrageous - contraptions on the 1.16-mile hill climb. Expect to see truly diverse range of vehicles, from pioneering steam cars to Dakar trucks – and perhaps even a Soapbox racer or two– in additional to historic dragsters doing burn-outs outside Goodwood House. Goodwood also hopes to have the newly-completed and running Bloodhound Land Speed Record car on display just days before its trip to South Africa for the land speed record attempt.

You knew when you fell in love you'd need to pamper and spoil her. You had no doubt you'd want to care for her, and let her have all the special creams and lotions she needs to look beautiful day after day, her beauty regime is inside and out, cleansing and protecting. Smoothing and moisturising, you know your car deserves it.

TO LOVE AND PROTECT Only the owner of a well loved car will understand the pleasure of a luxury Leather Care Kit, the satisfaction of cleaning, feeding and sealing the hide, there's a joy in knowing that you've nourished the leather and sealed it to protect your good work, that you've made it look great and extended its life.

You can try to protect your leather-work by shading it from the sun, or leaving the windows open slightly in the summer to keep the heat down. But in the end we all need a bit of love and attention, there's something about good leather seats that gives a car a feel of luxury and it's worth the effort to keep the magic alive.

GOOD LOOKING Looking after your leather won't just keep it clean, it will keep the luxurious good looks and softness. That suppleness that you're keeping prevents cracking and the look of old age, and when it's clean, adding a special protective coat will keep the good looks lasting longer. Think of it as skin care for cars.

SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP Some car cleaners reckon they will clean just about anything. Others are specially formulated with a particular job in mind, when you find the right one, it's a bit like finding the right car, you can feel that it's right. It does the job and does it well. It's better than the rest, don't be surprised if you find you've stopped for a moment to admire the curves and the shine of the aluminium bottles the Luxury Wax products are served in.

You're not alone.

And don't be surprised if you're tempted to spread the love to the rest of your car too. Other people may never understand the feeling that sparkling alloys can give you, or the satisfaction of the discovering a cleaner which actually does remove the dirt and brake dust. But then other people haven't got your car.

COMMITMENT Luxury car care is about more than getting the dirt off. It's about a long term commitment to each other, giving the best to your pride and joy and getting the best out of her.

It's about making the most of your investment, and making it look its best too. Cleaning, protecting and preserving the beauty you first fell for.

FULFILMENT You can think of it as an investment in your pride and joy, or a reward for a good friend, you can try and tell yourself it's for the car, but in your heart you know you do it for you. It's a two way street, those good looks and sparkle reflect on you, you never realised cleaning could feel so good.

To Love And Protect

“Luxury car care is about more than getting the dirt off. It's about a long term commitment to each other, giving the best to your pride and joy and getting the best out of her.�

Caring For Matte Paint Cars

Written By: Martin from the Bears Wax FactoryAn online retailer of specialist products for matte paint finish cars.

With the ever increasing popularity of Matte and Satin paint finishes on top end cars from the likes of BMW and Mercedes the question is how, “How do I look after it�, is often as raised.

The reply often given is don't use anything on it and don't wash it.

Both of the above are incorrect because you do of course need to look after these finishes just as you would a modern gloss clear coated finish.

However using regular products is indeed a big no no.

It is important that we understand the difference between shiny and matte finishes before we continue.

This image shows an even clear coat which creates a flat reflective finish on glossy. This second diagram shows how the uneven matte paint diffuses light creating a visibly non reflective surface.

Think about it. The smoother your paint feels when you have prepared it the glossier it looks. So what does this mean?

Well conventional polishes, sealants and waxes are designed to smooth and fill imperfections to make the paint smooth and reflect light which means that conventional products will over time fill in the matte finish and gradually make it shiny. It won't become a nice gloss finish though, just look like a ruined matte finish. So now we understand why you shouldn't use conventional products we get back to where we started. How do I look after a matte finish?

Use products designed for matte paint of course. There are a few companies now making excellent products specifically designed for this purpose so rest assured you will be able to look after your paint.

The process: Wash your car with a MATTE body wash shampoo, these do not contain the normal glossing agents and waxes/fillers so won't start to fill in those rough edges we need.

Miss out what would normally be the next step, claying. DO NOT clay a matte finish. The clay will just try to smooth out the surface. Instead use a MATTE SPECIFIC paint cleanser. Your paint needs to be prepared before sealing it and a cleanser will removes stubborn marks. The cleanser will help make sure your paint is free of contaminants ready for sealing.

Next use a matte paint sealant. This is not a wax and so will not “fill in” your matte paint. It simply leaves a molecule thick layer of protection on the paint surface so that your matte paint is never without protection.

Another diagram demonstrates this and shows how the sealant follows the uneven lines of a matte finish.

That’s your paint washed prepared and protected. The only thing left is to maintain the finish in between washing. Do this with a MATTE SPECIFIC quick detailing spray. Just spray and wipe to get rid of bird droppings, finger marks etc.

This does not replace properly sealing your paint but does keep it looking fresh and removes minor marks. Obviously this shouldn't be used to scrub off big build ups of dirt, that will more than likely result sin damage to the paint but for in between washing and light soiling this is just the job and well worth keeping in the car as those pesky bird droppings can cause havoc if they are not quickly removed.

So there you go, matte paint care summed up. Easy really isn't it.

If you are still not sure have a look at these video tutorials.

Thanks to Dr Beasley's for the use of the diagrams and videos. More information here and matte products available in the UK here

Get Your Car Care Business Involved‌

Don’t miss this superb opportunity to get your company featured in the next issue of Car Care Magazine.

With so many ways to get involved, including articles, quizzes, competitions, product reviews and launch news plus many more, The only magazine 100% dedicated to all areas of car care is waiting to hear from you now !

100 Years Of Aston Martin…

A Wonderful Article Celebrating Aston Martin’s 100th Year From An Award Winning Writer In the Next Issue

Reasons To Go Waterless Each and every day, more and more people are moving away from washing their cars the traditional way of using soap and water and moving to the waterless car wash. There are many reasons that people would want to do that, some of them practical and some of them being quite noble. When it comes down to it there are so many advantages and reasons to use the waterless car wash that it would be hard for people to pick just one reason. That is quite alright though as there is definitely no real reason to have to only choose one.

One of the biggest reasons that people choose to use the waterless car wash is that it is just easier than all of the options. Think about it – to perform a traditional wash you have to go and get a bucket as well as the soap and water.

Then you have to find the hose and more than likely untangle it from the twisted mess that hoses tend to find themselves in more often than not. Once you have done all of that, if you still have any energy it is time to do the actual washing of the car.

You will be spraying water all over the place which may not be an option depending on where you live or who is around. Also it will be very uncomfortable for you if it is the least bit cold out. Then you need to get in there with the soapy sponge and really go to work. You often have to scrub very hard just to get off all of the dirt and grime.

Soap, while good at cleaning things from germs, is not that great at actually helping to lift off dirt and grime from a car. Once you have actually gotten all of that dirt and grime off, you need to make sure that you haven’t left any streaks behind which can be a lot harder than it seems.

After all of that you need to spray your car off and wipe it down dry, again making sure you don’t leave any streaks. If you are capable of pulling off that miraculous task then you have to take care of all of your equipment and put it all away neatly for the next time that you want to perform a wash. If it rains or anything else the least bit dirty happens after washing then you will be taking all of that equipment out sooner rather than later.

On the other hand you could just go ahead and opt for the waterless car wash. The only equipment that you will need is 2 micro fibre towels and a bottle of waterless car wash solution. You will use the first micro fibre towel to apply the waterless car solution directly to your car to pull the dirt and grime off easily. Once you have covered the entire area, you will use the second micro fibre towel to wipe everything off and leave behind a great shine. That’s it

The process itself is so much easier, requires less equipment, is not messy and you don’t need to play around with that annoying hose. As an added bonus the waterless car wash will add a protective layer to your car that will make it so that no matter what happens after you are finished washing, your car will still be protected for weeks to come.

Some people say that they don’t even wash their car on their own anyways, and wonder how the waterless car wash could make things easier. Think about what happens though when you try to bring your car to the traditional car wash. If you aren’t going to the type that uses a machine which can literally damage your paint job severely, then you are probably going to the type where you hand over your keys and wait for your car to come back clean. Aside from obvious personal security issues of handing over the keys to your car to a group of people that you don’t even know, you are still going to have to wait quite a while for it to be finished. It can often take up to an hour for your car to come back clean and even then, the slightest bit of dirt will have your car looking dirty again.

What most people don’t realize though is that there are many waterless car wash dealers that will also wash your car for you. Unlike the traditional car wash which usually needs to happen in a specified place, the waterless car wash can be performed anywhere. Because of this, the waterless car wash is normally done as a house call at a time that is convenient to you. You won’t even need to come out of your house and you definitely won’t have to hand over your keys. You could even have a technician come out and clean your car that is sitting in the parking lot while you are at work. It is that easy.

All of that and we haven’t touched on the environmental advantages. By not having to use so much water you can save yourself hundreds of gallons of water each and every time you wash. We probably don’t even have to tell you why that is a good thing. With many areas around the world having hosepipe bans during the summer months, you could probably be the only person in your neighbourhood with a clean car if your neighbours have yet to discover the magic of waterless.

People go to great lengths to try and save water around the home without even realize how much water they are just throwing away by washing their car. The amount that is saved by taking shorter showers and other techniques is nothing compared to how much you can save by washing waterlessly. Point blank – if you are an environmentally conscious person and you are still washing your car with water then you might want to think about just how environmentally friendly that actually is.

There are so many reasons that people choose to use the waterless car wash that it can actually be difficult to figure out why exactly people would want to use any other method. After using the waterless car wash you will probably never want to go back to washing with water again. With companies like Freedom Waterless Car Wash offering all types of waterless car wash products across the country and world, availability is not a problem either. So if you have yet to give it a try, then order a bottle today and see the difference for yourself.

Product: Dry Valet; Waterless Car Wash & Wax

Waterless Car Wash Product Review

Tester: Simon Houghton (aka @CarCapture) Date: 5/8/1202

The ease of use and ability to work almost anywhere are the best qualities of this product. It's ability to remove bugs and grime is good and requires no more effort than a wash and polish, in fact, probably less on this vehicle. The final finish is a deep glossy shine with effective water beading but lacks the smooth paint finish of a polishing session. However, as this vehicle is predominantly gel coat but with chrome, carbon fibre, steel and plastics, the ability to do a good job on all these surfaces is impressive and would require multiple polishing products to better the result. Combine this with the positive environmental qualities of a waterless systems and the benefits of using a product like this become clear.

Detail: The vehicle is a 2002 Westfield SEiGHT with 10'000 miles on the clock. The last time out the vehicle covered a few hundred miles and since then, 6 weeks, it has been left uncovered in the garage. So the challenge was to remove a modicum of road grime, some bugs from the forward facing surfaces and an accumulation of dust.

The bodywork is all Gel coat and scratches very easily, so while it is actually well protected by wax, using just a cloth and a spray bottle straight onto the dusty surface is not something I took lightly.

In addition, the other exposed surfaces of chrome, steel, carbon fibre, glass and plastic would normally require different cleaning products and it is my intention to test this dry valet product on them all.

Water Free Car Cleaning

I started off on the windscreen. The bugs came off with relative ease and the finish after using the second polishing cloth was very clear with no obvious signs of residue., next, on to the bonnet. This was mainly dust which lifted nicely into the cloth and again, with the polishing off came a deep shine. Next onto the cycle wings and nose cone. The bugs that can be a real pain on this vehicle came off relatively easily.

The beauty of this product is that you're working at the finger detail level from the get-go so focused attention on any stubborn bugs or marks is done straight away. It was at this point that I observed one small niggle that would continue to niggle throughout the job. The spray from the bottle covers a very wide area. This makes it almost impossible not to overlap onto panels that have previously been finished. This means that you find yourself going back to polish off earlier panels all the time. Not a big issue but if not spotted it can result in a spotty overspray like finish where it's missed.

Continuing around the car I was impressed with the ease of use and on the gel coat surfaces that are waxed it was very quick to produce an impressive shine. On the steel exhausts the water stains from a previous wash were pretty much all removed with a fair degree of shine. Not as good as a metal polish, as you'd expect, but better than a simple wash.

Equally, the carbon wing protectors came up well, as did the rear light clusters and number plates. The chrome headlight bowls and roll bar were easy to lift bugs and finger marks.

I didn't bother with the wheels on this vehicle as the open style of them and relative lack of braking meant that they were already clean. However, I anticipate that the product would work well on this style of wheel.

Conclusion: The overall result was effective cleaning with a noticeable shine on all surfaces. No apparent scratching of the soft gel coat surface and an easy product to use. The time and effort was less than a wash, dry and polish with comparable results.

Would I use it again on this vehicle? Yes, almost certainly.

A Smart Choice “Who wants a car which tells everyone it comes across “my driver needs glasses”.

We've all had a cringe moment or two. That fraction of a second when you do something rally daft and damage your car.

Did you just screw up your face and remember one? Sorry.

DUMB MOMENTS The fact is it's really easy to be a bit dumb behind the wheel and clip the kerb, damaging the alloys. It's simple for one silly misjudgement to end up with the bumper scuffed on the garage wall., and it's not unlikely that a dippy moment will have a shopping trolley bang into the side of the car. Knowing that it's not uncommon doesn't really help to ease the pain, or fix the damage.

Dumb, silly and dippy moments do find their match though, in smart. Smart repairs.

SMART REPAIRS We're talking mobile car repairs using the sort of supplies and equipment you find in traditional garages. A body-shop in a van, which does repairs on your doorstep. Well, not actually ON the doorstep, but you get the idea.

Smart stands for Small or Medium Area Repair Techniques. It means that all those little jobs, which really aren't big enough to warrant the hassle of booking into the garage, can be fixed without fuss.

Because the smart repairs business has fewer overheads the work also costs less than a traditional body-shop. It's more affordable to put right those niggling scratches and dents which are making your car look unloved and knocking down its value.

LOOKING GOOD It's all about cosmetic repairs, and if you love your car they're as important as the mechanical ones.

Making alloy wheels sparkle again is one job you can expect to be done well. Getting rid of bumper scratches is another which is right up their street., A good smart repair expert will be able to match the exact colour of paint for your car and mix it on the spot. The chances are if there's a scratch confined to one panel they can handle it. They'll tackle light dents, but not bad damage where significant beating or replacement are needed.

Interiors get the treatment too, fixing some of the everyday knocks and bangs which age the car and take the edge of your enjoyment.

SMART CHOICE You wouldn't just drive your car into any old unit and leave them to work on it. The same goes for mobile car repairs. A recommendation from a friend is priceless, but otherwise you're going to want to do a bit of research. Making a smart choice means looking around a bit, comparing services and reviews.

It's worth looking at the sort of equipment and materials they're using, and whether they offer a guarantee. Mobile alloy wheel repairs are a good example of a service you should expect a guarantee for. If they don't offer one for a decent time period, look elsewhere. Price isn't everything if pretty soon you end up having to do it again.

FEELING BETTER So, if you're reminded of a moment of madness every time you go to get into you car, smart is just the fix you need. The cringe moment might still return every now and then, but the damage won't be there to taunt you.

Who wants a car which tells everyone it comes across “my driver needs glasses�.

“The easiest way to explain what it is, is to tell what it does rather than what it is, both are PTFE based car polish/sealants essentially performing the job of a car paint protection system, car polish and car wax all in one and protects your car paintwork for 3 to 5 years depending on the environment in which you live.�

Technology Proven In AeroSpace Industry X1 Shine and Seal comes from technology proven in the aerospace industry (i.e. radar systems where standards are extremely high). It is based on a new Advanced Nanotech technology with superior Acryloplexins whose premium ingredients mean ultimate protection.

With X1 Shine and Seal’s unique and powerful formula – you are effectively curing a protective film over your paintwork which will repel grime and dirt particles sticking to it.

This means only one thing – super protection from all the elements.

The ultra-hydrophobic PTFE properties of X1 Shine and Seal also means that any dirt and stubborn grime that does stick is so easy to wash off, meaning way easier maintenance.

Protect Your Paintwork From All The Corrosive Elements This 3 to 5 Year Paint Protection system, both will protect against UV, pollution, acid rain (sulphuric and nitric acid), bugs, salt, exhaust gases, and effectively halts your paintwork ageing and fading over time.

Alloy Wheel Care Whenever one offers advice about cars or car care, there will always be someone who will snort contemptuously and say ‘I knew that!’

So may I say right now that what I include here is the result of my own experience. My experiences have cost me money and caused some inconvenience and I feel it might be of value to others. I am not trying to teach grandmother to suck eggs – if you have better advice then stick to it!

A nice set of Alloy Wheels greatly enhances the appearance of your car, easy to keep clean, ensure you keep them free of brake dust, Lacquer layer over the surface of the wheel which protects the metal and maintains its shine.

After a few months the wheel will lose it’s sparkle. Grime, minor scratches and tar spots will be too stubborn for a wet sponge. After washing use a good quality wax car polish and a soft cloth and lightly polish the surface using the cloth wrapped over one or two fingers. This will remove spots of tar and minor surface scratches and help to throw off water, and does not take as long as you might think. Never try to polish a dirty wheel; the cloth will pick up tiny pieces of grit and score the surface.

Once a year in the autumn use a protective coating, This helps to prevent the brake dust from settling on the wheel.

Wash the wheels regularly to keep the lacquer coating free of brake dust. This dust can be corrosive, eating into the lacquer so that the appearance becomes blackened. Once the dust has eaten into the surface abrasives have to be used before the blackening is cleaned off and with the lacquer removed the metal becomes dulled and patchy. When washing use a wet sponge and plenty of fresh water, otherwise the brake dust can be picked up and could scour the surface.

Plenty of water keeps the grit from marking the wheel. now working a small sponge round the rim and behind the spokes cleans these and prevents dust collecting there. This stops a run-off of dirt from the back of the wheel collecting in the corners of the spokes and starting to corrode.

Here are the three stages of cleaning: 1. Wet sponge and leather off (Weekly) 2. Polish, (Quarterly) 3. Surface protector, (Annually, in the autumn) Protect the Tyres, too.

Now don’t forget those tyres. To protect them tyre manufacturers actually recommend a light coating of wax, or tyre cleaners which you can buy. Buffed up lightly, the polish brings the tyre to a nice black shine which does full justice to the bright alloy wheel. It helps to keep the rubber clean by throwing off water and protecting it from road salt and UV from the sun.

Getting the Hump Take great care when driving over speed humps. The soft alloy is easily flattened if you hit a speed hump or other obstacle too fast. Or you could require alloy wheel refurbishment, The outer rim is well supported by the spokes For the same reason, I would advise against running up over a kerb for parking etc. Damage can be caused at a very low speed. Note: a flattened front wheel rim will show as a slight wobble on the steering at low speeds. On the rear, a flattened wheel will cause a drone at high speed, the loudness depending on how severe the flattening is, and may also make the CD-changer prone to skipping on uneven surfaces.

For the Perfectionist If you intend to show your car, for the very best effect consider removing the wheels and cleaning and lightly polishing the inside of the wheel. The reflection from the bright alloy behind the spokes and around the inside of the wheel rim dramatically improves the appearance of the wheel. (You normally see them only when the inside surface is covered with dirt and brake dust.) I noticed this effect when I fitted my new wheel and I was astonished at how dramatic the difference is.

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Choice of 11 Colour combinations and 5 piping options.

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Take Your Seats In The Classroom

“We provide technical assistance

to everyone in our shop and local area, people come to us for help on how to restore headlights or paint the grills on their car, suppliers such as Farecla come down and do demonstrations on polishing, so we thought why not replicate this online?”

Just launched is a new website dubbed the ‘Hub of Body and Paint’ which aims to be the one stop place for car enthusiasts looking to repair their own vehicle. Car Colour Services in Romford, which has been providing technical assistance for over 20 years, has created the site with training and information in mind.

“There was a lack of training, information or any online technical assistance body and paint related, people had to do all the searching online to find the answers which was varied and not always trusted, we created the site for people to be able to find the answers and obtain the right products and information they needed” says Bill from Car Colours.

The website consists of three key areas for people, an online shop, a Classroom and a forum for people to share projects, repairing and painting techniques. Many of the top manufacturers and experts in the industry have contributed in providing information for the site, PPG and Farecla two of the best when it comes to refinishing have provided lots of technical info, demonstrations and guides on the processes you need.

Take the Classroom for example, Fareclas videoand step by step guide on removing swirl marks along with the materials you need: PPG’s MaxMeyer complete guide on Colour Code locations, setting up a spray gun correctly, or how to repair scuffed bumpers, the site is packed full of tutorials with new lessons each week

What we really like about the site is the community aspect, how the technical assistance is all online and everyone can learn from each other. Bill from Car Colours explains ‘We provide technical assistance to everyone in our shop and local area, people come to us for help on how to restore headlights or paint the grills on their car, suppliers such as Farecla come down and do demonstrations on polishing, so we thought why not replicate this online? Now on the forum we can provide everyone across the UK technical assistance, Farecla have their own ask a question section and other professionals on the forum are sharing restoration projects and teaching others’.

There isn’t a UK forum dedicated to Body and Paint so this is the first for everyone to teach and learn from others, we all know the UK love their cars so we should see a thriving forum!

The shop on the site is very easy to use, providing all technical data sheets with the products so you know exactly what to do. Car Care Magazine readers will love the Finishing area, with all of Farecla and 3M finishing products such as the new G3 Premium system or the brilliant 3M Polish Rosa that not many know of.

All in all the site is there to help you, so if need car paint advice of any kind, then why not give there team a call, visit there forum or email them today!

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