Fall Car Care Protect Your Car ’ s Carpet
with Your Tire Headquarters for over 30 years
2C Monday , October 3 , 2016
Fall Car Care Protect Your Car ’ s Carpet
Adamaged interior can greatly reduce the value of your vehicle , and your carpet can take the brunt of the abuse . There are several ways to protect it from life ’ s inevitable messes . Muddy feet , young children and spills are just a few hazards that may damage your carpet . Vehicle after-market retailers offer many kinds of protection for your vehicle ’ s carpet .
Floor Mats
Many companies offer laser-cut floor mats that are intended to fit your specific vehicle . Using a universal floor mat may provide some protection , but a custom-fit mat will cover practically every inch of your carpet , from door to door and footwell to trunk .
Look for all-weather floor mats . Made of a durable material and designed with high side walls , they will contain water , mud and other hazards that are bound to make it into your vehicle .
Removing Stains
The key to eradicating any stain is to
attack it as soon as possible . This isn ’ t always feasible if you ’ re in a vehicle . Luckily , with a little elbow grease and helpful products , you can usually take care of it later .
Pick a carpet cleaner that you feel confident will remove your stain . Then find a good brush . ( One with soft-bristles will work best .) Apply the solution and allow it to soak into your carpet for about 10 minutes before working your brush in a circular motion . Allowing the cleaner to soak will help break down the stain and make brushing it out much easier .
Avoiding Stains
While it ’ s not always possible to avoid stains , there are several different ways to prevent them .
If you have small children , it ’ s a good idea to ban eating or drinking on short rides . If snacks and drinks are required for longer rides , buy spill-proof cups . These containers are good at preventing spills that may wind up in your carpet .
Be aware of the weather conditions . If you ’ re expecting rain , plan to park in areas that avoid having to get your shoes wet or muddy . With some ground rules and a little preparation , you can ensure your carpet stays in great shape .
Touch Up Your Paint Job
You have likely incurred one or several scratches or dings on your vehicle . Imperfections come with daily driving and are oftentimes unavoidable . An overloaded semi-truck or trailer can chew up the highway and spit out fragments that eat up your paint job if you ’ re following too closely .
Luckily , there are many different ways to fix up the inevitable flaws to your vehicle ’ s paint job . There are a few different factors to consider before deciding how to go about repairing your dings and scratches .
Choosing the Right Color
Touch-up paint is your best friend if you only have small scratches or dings to correct . A bottle of touch-up paint is relatively inexpensive and can be applied at home . Before purchasing a bottle of paint , it is crucial to find the correct paint code for your vehicle .
Look for this code on the tag located in the door jamb . This will tell your dealer or local parts store which paint you need . Even a plain white car will have a unique blend of colors ( and code ) to obtain the exact hue of white . Buying the paint from the dealer will ensure the best match .
Getting Help
from a Professional
Your dealership or local body shop has likely seen the exact kind of damage you are experiencing with your paint job . If the damage seems too overwhelming to fix yourself , take it to a local professional . There , they can recommend the best remedy for your problem .
It may cost a little more than a do-it-yourself job , but the end result will be more than worth the frustration and special tools you may need to attain your vehicle ’ s original perfection .
Choosing the Right Style of Paint
Chances are , if you ’ re driving a car that was manufactured since 1985 , your vehicle uses a clear coat . A clear coat works as a protective layer to the initial coat of color .
It is a UV protector and makes it easier to temporarily repair individual areas of a vehicle ’ s body .
If you ’ re restoring a classic and want to keep it original , go with a single-stage paint . A single-stage paint is generally easier to permanently repair because you can usually correct heavily damaged areas without painting the entire affected piece of the body .
To Wax or Not to Wax ?
Waxing your vehicle not only gives it a “ like new ” shine but also will protect your paint job . While it might be monotonous , waxing is an important part of your vehicle ’ s cosmetic maintenance . Today ’ s vehicles use a clear coat to protect the original paint job . Think of wax as an extra layer of clear coat that you are able to apply yourself . It ’ s a good idea to wax , because if the initial clear coat fails , your paint has no protection .
Benefits of Waxing
A quality wax job leaves your vehicle shining and gives it an attractive appearance . The shine is caused by the wax reflecting the sunlight . This gives it that showroom shine and also reduces sun damage to your paint .
Using wax regularly keeps dirt from sticking to the surface of your vehicle , making it easier to clean and less likely to obtain scratches left from dirt .
Best Wax for You
When spray wax hit the market several years ago , car enthusiasts and professionals didn ’ t take it seriously . However , today ’ s spray wax is comparable to most traditional waxes that have been used for decades .
You are likely to get the similar results from either type of wax . The traditional wax requires more time but may help you catch small problem spots that you would miss by using a quick spray .
How and When to Wax
When it comes to how often to wax your vehicle , many experts recommend doing it as the seasons change . A fresh coat of wax right before the temperature begins to rise will add a fresh level of protection against the sun ’ s UV rays . Also , applying wax right before winter to protect from snow and salt on
It ’ s a good idea to wax , because if the initial clear coat fails , your paint has no protection .
the roads is a smart preventive practice .
Waxing will be less effective if not done properly . Be sure to thoroughly wash and dry your vehicle prior to waxing . Also , choose a shady spot , as sunlight may cause the wax to dry instantly . Evenly apply the wax with the included applicator in small circular motions . Refer to your product ’ s directions on how long the wax should sit . Finally , wipe off any residue with a microfiber towel . You now have a greater level of protection and an attractive shine .
This FALL CAR CARE edition is brought to you by the following busnesses :
ANYTIME AUTO ( 320 ) 327-0125 ; 19908 Falcon Ave N , Silver Lake , MN 55381
BIG DON ’ S CARTHEDRAL ( 320 ) 395-2214 ; 601 Central Ave , Lester Prairie , MN 55354 ; bigdonscarthedral . com
CAR SHOP , INC . ( 320 ) 587-1006 ; 700 Airport Rd ., Hutchinson , MN 55350 ; carshopinc . net
FARMERS INSURANCE
- STEVEN HAUER ( 763 ) 227-6958 ; 14525 Highway 7 , Ste 325 , Minnetonka , MN 55345 ; agents . farmers . com / mn / minnetonka / steven-hauer
FLIPPIN BILL ’ S ( 763 ) 972-2868 ; 8045 County Line Rd SE , Delano , MN 55328
JAUNICH TIRE COMPANY ( 763 ) 972-6130 ; 423 Kelsey St , Delano , MN 55328
KINGSTON AUTO COKATO : ( 320 ) 286-0100 ; 450 Cokato St . W . Cokato , MN 55321 ; DASSEL : ( 320 ) 275-0100 ; 71062 Hwy 12 Dassel , MN 55325 www . kingstonauto . net
PARTS CITY AUTO PARTS ( 320 ) 286-6776 ; 500 Cokato St W , Cokato , MN 55321 ; partscitycokato . com
STATE FARM - LARRY
ANDERSON ( 320 ) 864-5515 ; 806 10th St E , Suite 102 , Glencoe , MN 55336 ; www . statefarm . com / agent / US / MN / Glencoe / Larry-Anderson
STATE FARM - PETER
BORTNEM ( 320 ) 286-5529 ; 245 Broadway Ave . S , PO Box 310 , Cokato , MN 55321 ; www . statefarm . com / agent / US / MN / Cokato / Peter- Bortnem
$
10 OFF a set of 4 tires
Turn up the fun on Playground Earth TM
with Your Tire Headquarters for over 30 years
JAUNICH TIRE
COMPANY
Hours : M-F 8am-6pm • Sa 8am-1pm
423 Kelsey St ., Delano ( Just off Hwy 12 ) ( 763 ) 972-6130