Archive for August, 2009
How To Remove An Aftermarket Wood Dash Kit From Your Car
You’re right to expect that this will be quite a bit of work but it’s something you can definitely do at home if you have some time and patience. Bottom line it can get messy and it is time consuming so there are a few ground rules that we need to set first before you begin this project.
Here’s what you’ll need
1. Plenty of time
2. Heat gun or hair dryer
3. Goof Off or similar glue remover
4. Lots of clean rags
5. Replacement dash trim kit maybe
First the big question. Are you absolutely sure its an aftermarket wood dash kit? These instructions only apply to an aftermarket installed wood dash kit. These type kits are overlays usually installed at the local car dealerships and can be removed with some persuasion. However if you have a factory installed dash kit and by factory I mean installed at the manufacturing plant level not the dealership you can not remove the kit without replacing the entire dash part. The wood will not separate from the dash in this instance. If you are sure its an addon aftermarket dash kit then we are good to go.
Second be sure to pick a day when you have a good block of time open because this is not something you can rush. So that means that you need to pick a day that you are off from work and no doctor or dentist appointments. Also you need to be prepared to more than likely reinstall a replacement dash kit to cover up any markings left by the old kit that you are removing. Sometimes you can get lucky and it wont leave any marks but most of the time there will be some type of markings such as outlines or discoloration of the dash.
To begin you’ll want to use a hair dryer and try to heat up the wood dash kit as much as possible. That will soften the glue to some extent and you can try to start pulling up a corner of the dash piece slowly and lifting it off. and it is important that you really warm it up good or it will be very hard and brittle making it tougher and more time consuming to remove. I wouldnt use any sharp tools here though you will be tempted to do so. Try just using your fingers to pull as anything sharp used will likely damage your dash.
Take your time! Once you get a piece off you will more than likely be left with some glue or adhesive. Warm that up again and try to remove that best as you can without any solvents just the first step. Then when you do need some solvent try a glue remover like goofoff available at home improvement stores such as Home Depot but be very careful where you wipe it. If you get that on any of your new surfaces you may get some discoloration. Just be careful and use it sparingly. A damp rag is much better in this case than a dripping wet one. If you need to use a soft rubber squeegee to agitate the adhesive with the solvent that is okay but steer clear of razors or metal objects. You will damage your interior with those.
If you are uncomfortable performing this task or find that you do not have enough experience we always recommend professionals to to this project. Call your local body shop and discuss further options with them so you dont damage your vehicle.
About the writer: Mike Briglia is the owner of Custom Auto Trim a car accessories company based out of San Diego CA. Find more information on dash kits at http://www.customautotrim.com/
How To Pick The Right Quad Trailer
Selecting the correct quad trailer for your needs is a complicated task. Often ATV owners underestimate the size of trailer they need. Consider all the options along with your needs before you purchase.
For those who intend on transporting their quads once or twice a year rental is sufficient. But most ATV owners enjoy going places other than their own backyard. To transport these vehicles to the desired location proper trailer is needed. The size and number of bikes you have determines the best choice of trailer.
Allterrain quads vary significantly in weight. They can weigh anywhere from 300 pounds to nearly half a ton. The weight of your ATV is important when considering the capacity of the trailer and the vehicle hauling the trailer. The dimensions of ATVs also vary. Carefully measure each vehicle you intend to haul before making a purchase. Guesswork only causes aggravation.
Trucks or vans that have enough room for one ATV are convenient. One quad fits in the back of most trucks and some vans. However purchase a second ATV and things change. What if someone wants to come along for the ride? Though you don’t own multiple ATVs yourself often you’ll be wishing you had the bigger trailer.
Single unit ATV trailers do come in a variety of sizes. Small tilt ATV haulers with ramps fit most hitches and fulfill basic hauling needs. Doityourselfers can enjoy kit trailers that you build yourself for a reduced price. The dimensions are 4′ or 5′ by 8′ and have a weight limit of less than 1000 pounds. Swivel wheel trailers often used with SUV’s reduce tongue weight and also the chance of jack knifing. However these often have a lower weight limit than larger trailers.
If you have only one bike presently you will likely buy another one down the road. Think long term about the future of your quad trailer. It is inconvenient to sell what you already have to purchase a new trailer. This would be necessary to accommodate extra bikes only a year or two later. Make sure you are making the most realistic investment.
Multiple capacity trailers accommodate different configurations of quad vehicles. The dimensions of the trailer determine whether the ATVs will sit end to end or side by side. Double ATV trailers have an open construction and are built to handle two ATVs. Look closely at the construction of these trailers. Double haulers may not fit two fully sized ATVs. Smaller tires can sometimes indicate a weaker construction. Make sure you get the best quality for you money.
Triple and quadruple ATV trailers are designed to haul three to four ATVs. These open rack trailers are sufficient for most quad devotees. Triple ATV trailers measure around 7′ by 12′ or 8′ by 13′ and cost a couple thousand dollars or more. Quadruple quad trailers are a bit larger and follow closely in price.
Enclosed quad trailers are much larger and more expensive than some of the other options for ATV transport. However the extra protection and comfort are worth the expense. These easily contain several allterrain vehicles along with maintenance equipment. Available enclosed trailers range from single axle trailers for smaller tow jobs to nearly 40 feet. Enclosed trailers protect your vehicles from the weather during transport so they are rideready on arrival.
Recreational enthusiasts have the option of RVs with extra hauling space for ATVs in the back compartment. These are called toy haulers and can run anywhere from ten grand to upwards of 60000. While a double or quadruple trailer will suffice for most people this particular option provides an allinclusive option.
About the writer: Scott Sanders is a powersports enthusiast and staff member at Everything Powersports the largest nationwide directory of atv rentals boat rentals houseboat rentals jet ski rentals moped rentals motorcycle rentals rhino rentals snowmobile rentals toy hauler rentals and more.
How To Correctly Install Your Car Seat
The first step is to become familiar with the locations of the airbags within your vehicle. All new automobiles are installed with driver and passenger air bags for the front seats. With the combination of seats belts air bags are very effective in preventing major injury or even death from a car accident. However air bags can be very dangerous to little children especially those sitting in rearfacing car safety seats and to children who are not properly positioned within their seat belt. If your automobile with active front passenger air bags children riding in rearfacing car seats only should ride in the rear seat. Tests of shown that ven in a relatively lowspeed crash an air bag can deploy striking the car seat and causing brain and neck injury or even death for the child.
Automobiles without a rear seat are not the best choice for traveling with children in car seats. But some cars do have the option to deactivate the front passenger air bag for the use of car seats in the front seat of the automobile. It’s highly recommend to review your vehicle owner’s manual for complete information.
Additionally many new automobiles have side air bags for improved safely during a sideimpact crash. If you automobile has side air bags review both your vehicle owners manual and the car seat manual for instructions on proper car seat placement.
The second step is proper latching or attaching the car seat to the vehicle. Many vehicles have a LATCH system that eliminates the need to use seat belts to secure the car safety seat. Vehicles with a LATCH system have anchors located in the back seat. Car safety seats that come with LATCH have attachments that fasten to these anchors. Nearly all passenger vehicles and all car safety seats made on or after September 1 2002 come with LATCH. However unless both your vehicle and the car safety seat have this anchor system you will still need to use seat belts to install the car safety seat.
If you have questions or need help installing your car safety seat find a certified CPS Technician. A list of certified CPS Technicians is available by state or ZIP code on the NHTSA Web site. A list inspection stations where you can go to learn how to correctly install a car safety seat is available in English and Spanish at Seat Check’s Web Site.
It only takes a few minutes to properly install a car seat and only a few second to safely buckle up your child. It’s a small effort to ensure your child is safe.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Will Smith is an avid ecommerce strategist and promotes consumer awareness within the online market place. Increase your awareness of theTaby Tray by visiting http://www.tabytray.com
