Monthly Archives: June 2009

Author : Janet Ashby

Chrome rims and other chrome parts are often used to improve the appearance of vehicles The bright decorative finish of chrome plating is very familiar and enhances the appearance as no other method of customising your ride can Chrome plating is used on exhausts, handles, mirrors and trims as well as on the very popular chrome rims Chrome plating is not just used for decoration however The protective coating of the chrome makes the technique of chrome plating useful for other applications Chrome plating can be used to protect pistons and other engine parts

Chrome plating consists of applying a thin layer of chromium on to an iron, copper or other base metal to give a protective and decorative finish Chromium itself is a reactive metal that reacts readily with the oxygen in the air Unlike iron which forms a very unstable oxide that flakes and falls apart chromium oxide is hard and stable and forms a protective layer which prevents the underlying metal from corroding

Different electroplating techniques are used to produce different effects The shiny highly decorative finish that we are all familiar with on chrome rims and other auto parts is known as bright chrome Other variations are black chrome and hard chrome

Bright chrome is used when a decorative finish is required, on car rims for instance, and is applied fairly thinly Decorative chrome is applied after a nickel coating is plated to a base of steel, copper alloys, steel and aluminum alloys and plastic The nickel provides the luster and the chrome provides the hardness and protection This kind of process is used for auto parts, jewelry, hardware, hand tools and appliances

Black Chrome

For black chrome an underlying base of metal is plated with bright or mate nickel then the chromium plating applied over this Black chrome is not as hard as bright chrome and not so long lasting It is often oiled or waxed to improve the appearance Black chrome is used in some auto parts, solar panels and some gun sights and other optical components

Hard Chrome

Unlike the other types hard chrome is not used to give a decorative finish but to give a very long lasting protective coating for pistons, hydraulic rods, cylinders and other engine parts The chrome is plated more thickly than for the decorative finishes to make a strong protective layer

The Electroplating Procedure

Before the object can be plated it must be cleaned thoroughly by degreasing the cleaning manually to remove any debris and impurities Sulphuric acid or other strong acids are also used Other pre treatments may also be used Once cleaned the object is suspended in the plating solution For bright chrome a solution of sulphuric acid and chromic acid is used and for black chrome, chromic acid with acetic acid and barium acetate The temperature of the bath must be kept within 45C to 50C for bright chrome and 32C to 46C for black chrome The thickness of the plating is controlled by the current used

For more information and some good deals on cheap, new and used chrome rims, chrome exhausts and other chrome auto parts check out http://www.chromeinc.com/chrome-car-wheels or http://www.chromeinc.com/chrome-car-wheels/black-chrome-wheels

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Author : Alex Baumm

While car auctions are definitely great places where you can get good deals and amazing bargains, it is however advisable that before you go to such places you should equip yourself with relevant knowledge to protect your money and your peace of mind

There are many people who think that car auctions are places that are melting pot of good cars and great deals And I am telling you they are right but that is only true if you know what to do

Here are some of the many tips availabe that can guide you in making purchases at car auctions

1 Be sure you study the history of the car or cars you are bidding on and trace the reputation of the car auctions dealer or dealers you are dealing with Your knowledge about these simple things is basically your best shield against any type of auto auctions fraud and machinations

2 Have somebody who is very knowledgeable in cars and auctions accompany you especially if the truth of the matter is that it is your first time to make a purchase

3 Check the car quality inside out just to make sure that you are not exchanging your money for nothing This is true even if you are purchasing a new car or a used car But the need to check quality becomes even more necessary when you are making purchases at auctions because most likely what they have there are second hand cars

4 Have the money Sometimes when you get to auto auctions you bring enough money for a car you have already chosen to buy prior to the bidding but sometimes also there are cases when you discover that there are better cars but they cost higher than your first choice In this case, bringing some extra will prove very much beneficial so that you get what you really want

5 Read car auctions reviews This will give you some vital information as to the background of the auctions dealers and dealership Reviews also give you helpful insights that will be advantageous for you

6 Go there as early as possible This is to afford you more time to walk around, inspect and see for yourself the wide array of cars available and their strengths and weaknesses

So these are some helpful tips that may lend you some guide in making your first car purchase at a car auctions You can also check out the Internet to get more information

Buying cars from car auctions is really a challenging task It takes some preparation and strategizing so that what you bring home is the right car you really need Auctions are indeed great places where you can have the chance to choose from a wide variety of cars with affordable prices Car auctions are places for great car purchases but definitely you&amp #8217;ll have to do a little work to be able to acquire the car of your dream So, what are you waiting for? Visit car auctions web sites now and see for yourself all the great deals in store just for you

Alex Baumm. Feel free to join the largest online Car Club – http://CarClubTalk.com, get more tips and share your thoughts on Car Auctions, Auto Purchase.

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Author : Ray La Foy

Getting a great deal on an automobile purchase is nearly impossible, but there are places to turn for good buys and even better cars One such place is a repo auction But, many people don’t quite understand what repo auctions are and they don’t seem to realize what hidden treasures can be found at them

Let’s look at some of the top questions and answers surrounding repo auctions:

What is a repo auction?

A repo auction is one that’s held on behalf of banks and other lenders to help liquidate merchandise that’s been defaulted back into the bank’s ownership Everything from houses and cars to boats and trucks can be had at repo auctions In the automotive market, a repo auction can be a very good place to get a good deal on a vehicle that’s newer and generally in pretty good shape

Why do banks take part in repo auctions?

Banks that write car loans or mortgages don’t want to own a fleet of vehicles or a neighborhood of homes They want the interest earned on the loan, not the merchandise To help them recover the financial loss experienced in a default, they often host auctions to recoup their money This doesn’t mean the bank will necessarily let a car go for thousands and thousands less than its value, but since it really is only interested in covering its loss, savings likely will be realized Sometimes the savings can be great

What kind of cars can be found at repo auctions?

Just about any type of car, truck or van that a bank will write a loan for can be found at a repo auction Typically these are newer model vehicles that are worth the “risk” to the bank

What is the condition of vehicles at these auctions?

That will vary from vehicle to vehicle quite honestly Most vehicles are in very good shape, but that doesn’t mean all of them are It’s important to ask questions about items you might bid on Don’t take it for granted the car is in perfect working order

Are their warranties on purchases from auctions?

Sometimes Generally, the banks themselves auction the cars off “as is,” but it’s possible manufacturer warranties will extend to the purchase It will all depend on the banks, the cars in question and who made them

What kind of deals can be had?

Again that will depend on the car in question and the loan that was outstanding on it, but generally you can pick up newer cars for a fraction of the sticker price by going to auction Of course, you have to place the winning bid to do so

How do you find these auctions?

They are generally listed in newspapers, magazines, on television and there are even special computer programs that know exactly where to look to find upcoming auctions Some of these programs can sort auctions by those that have particular cars, too

A repo auction is a different way to buy a car, but the truth is it can be a great way to do so There’s no reason to pay full price, but it is a good idea to exercise judgment and look carefully before bidding

Reviews of the Top 3 Car and Truck Auction Services
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Author : Shaun Parker

Today more than ever before, reliability is the single most important factor when buying a car, after all, consumers never expect to have to fork out on repair fees for a car that they have just bought, and this has been emphasised during these difficult financial times

There are a number of car manufacturers who pride themselves on major factors, be it build quality, aesthetic beauty, eco-friendliness or indeed reliability It is general knowledge in the car industry that Japanese manufacturers are the forerunners in the reliability stakes, and none more so than Honda

Honda have had their fair share of negative Press of late, what with Honda dealerships struggling, like most other dealerships, to sell and having to shut down their factories in the UK for four months, starting in February, and also with the Honda Formula One team having to go under unless they can find a buyer before the F1 season begins This has been brought on by no fault of Honda, more so the dreaded credit crunch

Of course people are reluctant to upgrade their car at this moment in time given the unpredictability of the economy, and rightly so, but for those fortunate enough to be in a position to buy a new car then reliability remains at the top of priorities as a prospective buyer searches for the car that ticks all the boxes

In 2007 Honda came out on top of the manufacturers’ league of reliability as well as having a staggering six of the top ten most reliable cars The Honda HR-V, Honda Accord, Honda HR-V, Honda S2000 and two different models of the Honda Civic all featured in the top ten

Last year, Which?, the consumer experts, conducted a reliability survey and Honda again came out at the top of the tree This would lead you to believe that surely the most reliable car manufacturers would not suffer as much as other manufacturers during these difficult global economic problems but Honda dealerships have been hit, as sales figures have dropped along with the rest of the market

But for those consumers looking to upgrade their car, Honda will be hopeful that their continued success in the reliability league tables will entice buyers to opt for a Honda With the Japanese manufacturer continuing to develop, design and offer cars that are eco-friendly, economic and reliable, when the economy eventually begins to resemble something similar to normality and buyers regain confidence in the global economy then surely those manufacturers producing the most reliable vehicles will begin to prosper once again

It really would be a shame for the motor industry if innovative companies’ such as Honda struggle for survival given their continued pursuit to produce cars with low CO2 emissions Honda will undoubtedly pull through this recession though purely because of the strength of the brand: Honda and reliability are now synonymous terms

But what the global economic downturn has shown us is that no one is safe until banks begin to start lending once again Doubts will remain in the minds of many in consumer markets, the motor industry is no different

Honda dealerships will be hopeful that sales do pick up as soon as possible though, as do many other car manufacturers as these testing times look to test even the very best

Shaun Parker is car expert with many years of experience in the car sales industry. Find out more about Honda dealerships at http://www.hondainchcape.co.uk

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Author : Gregg Hall

Car clubs are one of the best places to learn some tips and tricks from the professionals who are quite knowledgeable in car related issues Have you ever had a problem with the bodywork on your car and wished you knew someone you could talk to about it, without having to pay a fortune to take it to a shop? Collector’s car clubs offer a great opportunity to network with people who are involved in various aspects of cars and make it so simple to tap into the knowledge that they have to offer

If you have ever been part of a car club then you know that all the members come from every where You can have members that are auto parts dealers, car dealers, or even as far out as a race car driver This is because everyone is brought together by their love for cars if nobody loved cars then there wouldn’t be any car shows or car clubs to be in so that is why you need to get into a car club if you love cars so that you can learn from everyone that is in the same car club as you

You can learn from a lot of people in your car club You might even meet some people within your car club that can get you cheap new parts for wholesale prices so that way if you are building a ride it won’t cost you as much money as it would have full price You will meet all kinds of people and people that will want to help you out You might even meet someone that wants to help you build your car just for the experience and so they can say they helped you

You should always attend a car meeting at your car club whenever it is called it might be for an important notice or something along those lines Of course there will be people that are more helpful the others but you may not have that option all of the time so you will need to listen the first time you ask so you don’t have to ask again you will already know how and what to do in your type of situation that you may have

You should also always take any help that is offered even if you don’t need it they could say something that will flip the switch in your brain and make you realize how to do what you are wondering Just remember to always take offered help and never let down your fellow members They will probably always want to help you just don’t take advantage of their help too often You will want to learn not cheat and make other people do it for you if you don’t do it yourself with a little help you will never learn and be able to do it on your own So go out and start learning how to do things yourself

Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about cars as well as car polish at http://www.5starshine.com

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Author : Gregg Hall

Alloy wheels have been manufactured for almost all brands of cars They are used to improve performance and give a stylish look to your car It is very easy to clean and maintain them as there are a lot of cleaners available in the market There are many third party companies that manufacture a wide variety of alloy wheels

Some of the most common alloy wheel manufacturers include BBS, Volk, Zigen and Konig Many sites on the internet offer the new, used and refurbished alloy wheels

The most popular wheels made and provided by some of the larger automakers are from BMW, Ford, Toyota Hilux, VW, and Genuine Mitsubishi VR4 Alloy Wheels with Yokohama tyre They are available in a variety of different sizes and shapes

Before buying alloy wheels for your car, you need to do some research online and find a set of wheels that perfectly suits your car You need to know your car make, model and style They are available in different sizes like 15″, 16″, 17″ and 18″ etc They are made up of aluminum or magnesium metals or by the combination of both Most of the products you will find will be aluminum as the magnesium rims are much more expensive

Aluminum is a light weight metal and alloy wheels provide the best performance and appearance to the car owners Great care is required to get the optimized performance from alloy wheels You need to regularly wash your car and use a good cleaner to give your car a stylish and bright look The wheels can be restored to their original beauty using a good wheel cleaner

Some of the best alloy wheel cleaners include Wynn’s Fast Action Wheel Cleaner, Decosol Wheel Cleaner, Turtle Wax Platinum Wheel Cleaner, Gunk Smart Wheels, Mer Alloy & Steel Wheel Cleaner, CarPlan Wheel Slik, Turtle Wax Extreme Nano-Tech Cleaner and Simoniz Alloy Wheel Cleaner

In some cases the cleaners are not enough to make your wheels look good If yours are damaged rather than just dirty then you may need to have a refurb Avoid using products with chemicals that can deteriorate the finish and shine of your wheels

There is a common misconception that repairing damaged wheels is impossible, but they can actually be repaired with some care and effort Many professional wheel repair companies can do this job efficiently and you just need to find that company The internet is the best place to start your search to find a good alloy wheel repair company

Gregg Hall is an author living on the Treasure Coast of Florida. Now that you know more about alloy wheels be sure that you have quality Goodyear tires for your car by going to http://www.Nsearch.com

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Author : Ben Franklin

With the advancement of technology and work pressure, life seems to have taken a dull and boring turn lately People are constantly in search of rejuvenation in their routine affairs So whatever free time one gets, there is a constant seeking for something new, something different With people spending a major portion of their lives traveling in a motor car, an idea that happened way back in 1915 by a wealthy New York couple is becoming the rage now The idea was to combine work with pleasure, traveling with resting and eventually cars with homes Lovingly coined ‘motor homes’ or more recently, Recreational Vehicles (RVs), this is a dream come true of a blend of the nomad and civilized world

Although devised in the early 1900s, RVs were developed and found their place in the market in the early 60s owing to the increasing influence of television and specifically, the television star – Charles Kuralt The evolution of RVs from its predecessor, the motor home resulted in a fully functional running home on wheels which boasts of designer interiors, restrooms, couches, mini kitchens, internet accessibility and televisions in the car – everything that a house consists of These hugely popular RVs find no dearth of buyers in today’s era The hip and happening crowd of today is continuously seeking freedom from the shackles of fixtures in life And the Internet revolution is fueling its growth There are scores of websites that provide listings of cars serving as recreational homes on the road These sites can provide detailed specifications of the cars which come in varied shapes and sizes and budgets depending on what you want

A site with a neat and catchy design – www lazydays com provides a number of search criteria useful in effective browsing The basic three types of searching options: Keyword, Brand Type and Advanced Search, helps in retrieving the data for each type of RV and its specifications Dealing in both new and second hand motors, this site has a slideshow of the cars and related anecdotes from owners Whether you want to buy or sell a motor home or you’re just collecting information, the site is a must-see

If you want a comprehensive price listing and comparisons, www theautochannel com is a site to watch for Guiding the potential buyer with all available options, pros and cons of the advertised item, this site displays a manual of troubleshooting of all possible hassles you can encounter with the product Other than buying the cars, one can also read the reviews, find links to specialized sites, locate and buy spare parts for their RVs

A great site for motor home reviews, www motorportal com is a dealer for both motor homes and plain vehicles Aided with a slick design and effective browsing facilities, this site is highly user friendly The listed vehicles are sorted by types and give a wide range of on-sale items to choose from A dedicated user forum provides an exact first-hand review of the cars Besides locating the spare parts for the cars, one also finds a listing of motels and hotels enroute in case you should need it With the renewed interest of people in Recreation Vehicles or motor homes, a huge database of related information is logged on the Internet It’s the “in” thing in the country today and it open the doors to what fun on wheels can be!

More information on RV mobile home sales

RV mobile homes

http://www.rvmobilehomesales.com

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Author : Everette Jamison

In most cases, you’ll probably never need to think about your vehicle’s speed sensor (VSS) Like most of the parts and systems under the hood, as long as it’s working properly, you can basically forget about it Plus, the VSS typically won’t wear out over time, so it won’t usually need to be replaced like a car battery, air filter, or spark plug That said, it can malfunction When it does, the failure will affect either your cruise control, speedometer, or anti-lock brake system (ABS)

Below, I’ll briefly describe what your vehicle’s speed sensor does and how it works After reading this article, you’ll understand why it’s a critical element that plays an important role in how your car preserves your safety on the road

What Does A VSS Do?

In a nutshell, it monitors how fast your car is moving It accomplishes this through the use of electrical pulses Specifically, the unit produces a series of pulses based upon the speed at which the wheels are turning Those pulses are delivered to a central computer The computer monitors the rate at which wheels are turning in order to adjust the output of the speedometer and cruise control system

Technically, the VSS is normally positioned on the transmission Separate monitors are attached directly to the wheels (referred to as “wheel speed sensors” or alternatively, WSS) It’s the WSS that monitors the rate of the tires and reports the data to the computer which controls the anti-lock brakes

Now, let’s focus on the anti-lock brakes for a moment The purpose of the system is to prevent the brakes from locking up The WSS helps the ABS by identifying variations in the individual wheel speeds If they’re spinning at different rates, that implies a lock-up With that data (delivered by pulses from the WSS), the computer can make modifications in order to compensate

What Happens When It Fails?

If the VSS or WSS malfunction, it can cause your car’s speedometer to output inaccurate data For example, you might be traveling at 55 mph, but your speedometer may only indicate 20 mph Also, your vehicle’s cruise control will likely malfunction Remember, the computer adjusts the cruise control in order to maintain how fast your car is moving If it is receiving inaccurate data (or no data at all), it won’t be able to make the necessary adjustments Finally, the anti-lock brakes won’t be able to perform their job as effectively since the WSS is outputting bad data

The first sign of a malfunctioning VSS will be your speedometer If you notice that it is implying speeds that are obviously inaccurate, ask your mechanic to check both the VSS and WSS As noted above, these components don’t normally malfunction But, when they do, it can impact your safety

Find your car parts and used engines from the leader in parts, http://www.everdrive.com

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