Self Improvement

If you’re like me, you cannot stand it when people get in your car with fast food or some other messy item like muddy shoes- you know- things that are going to make it a headache for you if you end up having to clean it off of the upholstery. Most people care about their cars. After all, they more than likely spent a ton of money. For most people, buying a car is the first major purchase that they’ll make. Buying a house is usually the second major purchase. So, it’s no wonder that after buying your first car that you’d want to work hard to keep it clean. For some of us, keeping our vehicles clean is a little more difficult because life throws us many distractions such as children, odd or long work schedules, business trips, etc. However, you should always make time to take care of the vehicle that gets you around.

It’s in the Details!

Detailing your car is exactly what it sounds like. You are basically taking your car and paying close attention to every detail. Typically taking care of the exterior of your car will include things like:

- Washing and waxing your car

- Checking the tire pressure as well as tire tread wear

- Making sure all fluids (ex: windshield washing fluid, brake fluid, etc.) is filled

- Changing your oil (if necessary)

Interior Details

Not to discount the exterior of your vehicle, but the outside of your car will inevitably get dirty and scratched over time. It is still good to keep it as clean as you can, though. However, since the interior of your vehicle is where you will typically spend the majority of your time, this is where you’ll want to focus the most attention. You’ll need to get some cleaning supplies first such as car wipes, a microfiber cloth, a vacuum, a garbage bag, glass cleaner, upholstery cleaner, and an air freshener (optional). Next, there are some general steps that you should try to follow:

1. Throw it Out- Take everything out of your vehicle. This includes everything that is buried in your glove box. Put it somewhere (preferably in a bucket beside the car) where you’ll be able to access. After you’ve finished emptying all of the junk out of your car, go through each item and determine whether or not you really need it. This can be decided simply by thinking about the last time you actually used it. If you don’t need it, chuck it.

2. Windows- Using the glass cleaner, spray the solution on the windows, and using the microfiber cloth, go over the window so that it is streak free. Typically, you’ll want to start with the front windshield and work your way to the back.

3. Wipe it Down- Using your cleaning wipes now, wipe down all the plastic or vinyl areas of the car such as the dashboard, steering wheel and door handles, etc.

4. Vacuum it Out- After everything has been wiped down, go ahead and vacuum everything out.

5. Remove Stains- After you’ve vacuumed, examine your vehicle for any stains. If there are any, use the stain remover to remove them.

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What happens every time there is a U. S. Presidential election? The bumper stickers come out and all of a sudden you can see what party people belong to as they pepper their vehicles and other pieces of property with bumper stickers. Bumper stickers are stickers that usually contain some sort of brief message. These stickers are usually place on the bumpers of vehicles, as the name so implies. The thought behind putting bumper stickers on the bumper of a vehicle is so that the occupants in the vehicle that is following behind on the road can read what the bumper sticker says. Most bumper stickers are no more than twelve inches long and three inches wide. There actually a lot of bumper stickers out there that many people find amusing. Some of these bumper stickers have messages that make us smile, while other bumper stickers make us want to scream. Bumper stickers are excellent at one thing above all else: evoking emotions from whoever reads them.

A Brief History

When vehicles were first manufactured, most of them didn’t have bumpers, so it would only make sense that bumper stickers would’ve been created after vehicles had bumpers. According to Wikipedia, the first Ford Model T lacked bumpers to which bumper stickers could be attached. However, in 1927, when the Ford Model A was introduced, it had bumper stickers on it. Some speculate that the first bumper sticker to ever be created was done so by a man named Forest P. Gill, who was a silkscreen printer from Kansas City.

Appearing shortly before World War II, the first “bumper stickers” were attached to the bumpers of vehicles using wires. Gill later replaced the wire attachments with his adhesive bumper stickers, which grew in popularity due to their practicality.

Bumper Stickers Today

The original idea behind bumper stickers all those years ago hasn’t changed that much. Today, bumper stickers are still used to convey messages to other drivers. Some bumper stickers are religious, some are political, some are sad, some are happy, and still others are being created with all sorts of other agendas in mind. Just because “bumper stickers” are named to go on the bumpers of vehicles, this doesn’t mean that they have to be placed on the bumpers of vehicles. Many people purchase bumper stickers and place them in the windows of their homes, on furniture, notebooks, backpacks and anything else that they can think of to stick them on.

A lot of people today place bumper stickers wherever they want to on their vehicles. Some people put them in the middle of the rear windows of their vehicles. The only thing that bumper stickers can’t do is block the view of the driver while they’re driving. So, if for example, you covered your entire rear window of your car in bumper stickers, you could get penalized for obstructing your view. Despite this minor limitation, bumper stickers stand for many things besides the simple messages that they convey to bored drivers on roadways. They are symbolic in American of our right to freedom of speech.

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If you just bought your first car, chances are that it means a great deal to you and you’ll probably be obsessed (at least for the first few months or so) with keeping it clean. There’s nothing wrong with this; it’s perfectly normal (as the car doctor would say). However, when you go to clean your car, there are certain things you’ll need to know. After all, certain vehicles require extra special attention to remain looking as nice as they do! This goes way beyond the realm of good old soap and water.

Driver Beware

We’ve all heard rumors about car washes. If you’re thinking of taking your vehicle to one of those automatic car washes, you should exercise caution. While they may seem harmless, machines aren’t perfect and can sometimes damage your vehicle. Don’t get me wrong, cars are meant to be driven and therefore, they’ll probably be on the receiving end of a nick or two from road debris flying up at high speeds and hitting your car. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do about that type of damage. However, there are things you can do to prevent other types of unnecessary damage from occurring.

When you bring your car to an automatic car wash, which is usually located at a gas station, you can always feel free to go inside the station and ask the attendant how recently they had the automatic car wash inspected. There’s a good chance that they won’t have a clue; but hey, it’s worth a shot. Sometimes the brushes and other machinery in these types of car washes can be a little rough on your vehicle, leaving unnecessary scratches. After all, there’s a reason they only charge you like five bucks!

You’ve probably heard the saying, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” Well, it’s true. The best way to most effectively get the results you want for your vehicle is to do it yourself. Now, if you’re willing to spend a ton of money, your next best option would be to pay a dealership or other professional company to have your vehicle detailed. When your car is detailed, it is returned to you as if you had just bought it yesterday. It’s typically that good. But if you’re going to do it yourself, you should make sure that you’re informed of the right way to clean your car. Some things that you’ll need to get started include:

- Auto cleaning wipes (ex: Armor All wipes are great)

- Vacuum cleaner or portable vacuum

- Glass cleaner

- Auto microfiber cloths

- Garbage bag

- Stain remover

- Interior spray or wipes

- Bucket

- Soft sponge (specifically for cars)

- Car cleaning solution

Cleaning your car should be something you enjoy doing. It’s also something that’s great for your car to help maintain the exterior life of the vehicle. Depending on where you live, cleaning your vehicle might be an essential part of your life. For example, if you live near the ocean, you’ll want to clean your vehicle fairly regularly to avoid having salt damage done to the paint.

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