So you've decided that you need some car interior paint, but you just aren't sure what would be best.  Guess what, there are more options than good choices and the cost skyrockets if you consider having to repaint a screw up, chipping, cracking, etc..  This article will help you make the best decisions on buying car interior paint and what questions you need to answer before you tape off.

Not all paint is created equal and in my own experiences the most expensive was not always the best.  I spent a lot of time a  few years ago buyin used plastic interior pieces, like door panels and center consoles, painted them, and then resold them on eBay.  The paints which are advertised as being good for plastic, just didn't seem to work properly on the interior car parts.

Krylon was a name that stands out, which was more expensive than typical paint, and was supposed to bond with the plastic parts.  Well, all it ever ended up doing was clogging when spraying and the paint that did make it to the part actually ended up bubbling something fierce.  It was extremely difficult to lay down an even spray of Krylon, so I abandoned that as an interior paint option.

Duplicolor brand paint was the type that I ended up sticking with.  After careful prep of the item, which included a rubbing alcohol bath after a detailed cleaning, I simply laid a couple coats down of the Duplicolor interior paint.  On most items this seemed to do the job and I only added a few steps if the item was going to be exposed to wear and tear.

On items like the door handles, where they would constantly be under use, I'd add a few steps to ensure that the color lasted.  I would do the regular prep work, with cleaning, then rubbing alcohol wipe down.  Then I would use a fine grit sand paper to rough up the smooth plastic surfaces.  Afterward I would rub the item down with rubbing alcohol again, let it dry, and then add a gray or primer coat of Duplicolor paint.  In my experience either one, primer or dark gray, seemed to work really well.

By painting a few interior pieces, you can add a lot of character to the inside of your car.  A few accents the color of the outside of your car can add a nice show quality appearance.  Just make sure and take your time, if you rush at all, it will show and you'll just have to start all over again with sanding.

Flat Black Professional Lacquer Spray Paint 12 Oz Can    US $2.99

Duplicolor DPE108 Paint Professional Stop Sign Red    US $5.95

Duplicolor DPE109 Paint Professional Gloss Light Blue    US $5.95

The aftermarket auto parts industry is supported by enthusiasts and help shape what becomes standard on future vehicles.  Customers need better than OEM components, because they push their vehicles to the limit, they want more bang for their buck.  Of course, every industry has it's pitfalls and the automotive aftermarket is no exception.  Scams, lies, and faulty aftermarket auto parts litter the internet, so below are some of my tips on buying smart.

Buy From A Trusted Aftermarket Auto Parts Manufacturer

Just because you aren't buying OEM products doesn't mean there aren't known companies to trust.  Generally speaking when thinking of cold-air intakes, I think of BBK, and when I think of drag suspension I think of Eibach.  The point being that when buying brand name components, you are protecting your investment, and reducing the risk of getting faulty components.

Furthermore, buying from quality manufacturers in the after market auto parts industry, a warranty is generally included.  Aftermarket components are not cheap, so a warranty can help you sleep at nigt, after you place that charge on your card.

Buy From A Trusted Aftermarket Auto Parts Website

Not all aftermarket auto parts website are created equal.  It's very easy for people to throw up a website, that looks like official, but may be a fly by night company.  If the deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is, so stay away from websites offering a product for $100's less than everywhere else.  If in doubt, look for a contact phone number, reputable companies in the aftermarket auto industry will offer a way to speak directly to customer service, not just a static web page.

Stay Away From Promises That Sound Crazy

Yes, I'm looking at you 'Tornado', or super charge your car with Home Depot components manuals.  This is absurd, won't work, and will most likely destroy your car, at best.  If you just have money burning a hole in your pocket, send it my way, don't waste your time with over promised goods that are hair brained.

Speaking of over promises and under delivering, eBay is a haven for such predators of the aftermarket auto industry.  Individuals hide behind good feedback for other products and the try to sell you junk, make their money, and move on.  A few years ago, one of the hottest selling items on eBay was a chip to increase horsepower in your car.  Turns out, it was just a resistor that did nothing for your vehicle, except maybe cause lower gas mileage.  Didn't stop people from buying them by the truck loads though, just because it was on eBay and cheap.

Don't be stupid.

Return Policies On Aftermarket Auto Parts

Find out the return policy for the website that you are buying your aftermarket components from.  It's real easy when buying aftermarket parts to buy the wrong thing, say for the wrong year car, different model, etc.  Mistakes happen and knowing if the website you buy from will support you and take the product back can make or break a deal in my book.  Expect a restocking fee, but a reputable company should accept returns and help make sure you are happy with your purchase.

Conclusion

Enthusiasts help drive the automotive industry and thanks to the internet it's easier than ever to add aftermarket components to your vehicles.  Some parts are real easy to change, especially with all the information on do-it-yourself manuals that can be found the net over.  Follow some of these simple tips and buying aftermarket auto parts online should be a rewarding and money saving experience for that next project.  And it's worth repeating, dont' be stupid, if it's too good to be true, it's a lie.

67 68 Chevy Suburban Exhaust Manifold 327 4X4 LH    US $19.90

NEW AFTERMARKET CATALYTIC CONVERTER DODGE JEEP CHRYSLER    US $20.00

91 92 93 Chevy Truck Exhaust Manifold 350 57L Gasket L    US $24.40

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Mitsubishi is making a statement, 'Technology is Awesome!".  Today they announced that they will be offering a Blu-Ray Player for automotive applications.

Now, there are all kinds of techno mumbo jumo explaining how they have accomplished this, but just know, this isn't your mom and dads sack of TV and DVD player hanging on the back seat.  Furthermore, adding a Blu-Ray player to a vehicle is the only logical step, considering how cheap LCD's are getting, which are easily attached to almost any car surface.

Then, the step after that, we need a PS3 installed in a car.

Article Source: Techon

Blu-Ray

The wintery season is not behind us and the slippery stuff makes us  take a closer look at our tires.  Tire Rack is willing to help you out by offering a $75 gift card for buying a set of Continental Tires.

Continental is a great company that manufacturers quality tires for almost every time of vehicle.  Their current tire offerings cover car, truck, suv, and commercial tires with a variety of differnet rubber compounds and styles.  Furthermore, as a company Continental is moving forward in these uncertain times, by completing a new acquisition as frequent as January 09.

On January 8, 2009 Continental completed their acquisition of Schaeffler KG.  The Schaeffler company manufacturers ball bearing components and has focused it's attention on commercial and heavy duty applications.  The Continental take over will most likely translate into Continental developing more products and technology focused on the service sector.  Point being, Continental Tires are not going away anytime soon and you can buy their tires knowing it's not a company that will be going the way of the DoDo anytime soon.

For this exclusive offer for a $75 Gift Card for TireRack.com please click on the banner below.

What's the point of having a big jacked up vehicle if you can't enjoy a little off road trail riding?    I'm always amazed when I see a lifted 2WD truck, with monster tires, huge lift kit, but wouldn't make it 10 ft off the pavement.  What's the point?  I guess if your goal is to get lower gas mileage, wasting money on offroad mods for an onroad truck is ok.

But what about the rest of us, looking to spread our wings, and hit the biggest offroad trails in the US?  I've been doing some searching on YouTube for what would be the best offroad trails to hit and generally it looks like self made local trails are the most fun.  Of course, if you've got a big enough vehicle the world is your trail, just make sure you obey all the trespassing laws.

This is damn near someone's monster truck being taken onto an offroad trail, obviously showing off for the spectators.  I would hate to think how much money this guy has loaded into this old Chevy.

Truck tires vary greatly in size, shape, and grip depending on what purpose you use your truck for.  The same truck tire that would be equipped for towing would not necessarily be the best choice truck tire if you plan on doing off road driving.  This article will help cover the differences in truck tires when buying a new site for your vehicle.

Truck Tire Ratings

The first difference between truck tires is the type of truck you intend on mounting them to.  A light truck, like a Ford Ranger, will have a different tire than say an SUV will.  Not to mention each OEM rim will require different sizes, but the composition of the tire will actually be different as well.

Codes help to determine what type of tire should be matched with what vehicle.  For example, a light truck tire will have an 'LT' imprinted into the tire code on the tire.  Along with denoting what type of tire classification a truck tire will also include a number code indicating the width of the tire, tread depth, construction type, and load range.  The load range is typically accompanied by PSI ratings, which change depending on how much weight is hauled.

Tires for Safety

Having the proper tires on the vehicle can make all the difference, safety wise, if evasive action is required.  Luckily, in the US, there are organizations that monitor and rate tires based on their recommended speed and use.  The DOT (Department of Transportation) and the NHTSA (National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration) are both companies that help regulate what kind of tires are allowed on public roads and what type of tire is recommended for your truck.

After selecting the proper truck tire it's also important to perform routine maintenance on your tires.  For example, having the recommended inflation pressure can keep the tire operating at it's peak performance level.  Furthermore, having the proper tread level on a used tire can insure that your truck maintains it's proper braking and steering functions.

To test if the tread on a tire is sufficient, place a US Penny upside down into the grove of the tread.  If part of Lincoln's head is below the grove level, then you are driving on sufficient tread for typical on road driving applications.  However, if all of Lincoln's head is exposed, then it's time to replace those truck tires.  Large grove treads, typical on off road truck tires, will typically wear down much faster during high way driving.  Keep an eye on your tread levels, especially if you live in an area prone to bad weather.

Tread Wear

Tread wear is the most important factor when deciding on a proper truck tire.  Buying a truck tire based on looks alone, without consideration for tread wear, could result in a very short life span for the tire.  However, there are ways to prevent premature tire wear on a truck or any vehicle.

Proper inflation will insure that the tire always has the maximum amount of tread on the road, to prevent uneven wearing.  Having a wheel alignment will also help keep even wear, as opposed to noticing lower tread on the outside or inside of the tire.  TKPH is a measurement used to gauge the work load of tires or also known as TMPH in the United States.  Making sure your tire has the proper TMPH measurement, matched to the work being done like hauling heavy loads, will insure that your tire wears as designed.

Conclusion

Remember, safety first when selecting a new truck tire.  Buying a tire based on it's meatiness or looks underneath your truck should be a small consideration when buying tires.  Safety for yourself and others on the road should rely on you making an informed decision, based on what type of vehicle you drive, where you will be driving, and if you will be hauling any heavy loads.

Replacing the rear wiper blade is an important, although frequently overlooked, part of regular maintenance on a vehicle.   Typically only SUV's, vans, and minivans will have a rear wiper blade, because of the slope of the rear windshield.  Rain water and debris will typically not cascade properly off of this surface, so having a functioning rear wiper blade is important.

The past 2 days have been treacherous for me, due to all the freezing rain and snow we've received in the midwest.  Now, I always make sure that my front wipers are in top working condition, but blasted if I didnt' forget the rear wiper.  Although my rear defrost works like a charm, it couldn't keep up with the freezing rain and my rear wiper wasn't even good enough to wipe the snow away.

The predicament I was in could have easily been avoided, had I just remembered to routinely check and replace my rear wiper.  It's more important than you know, especially if ice is building up faster than your defrost can work.  It may be fine during just rain, but when snow and other things start building up you will appreciate that rear wiper a lot more.

Right now, holding the phone to my ear, hands sweaty, mind racing, what will my Mustang feel like with an all new crate motor this spring?  It's exciting and anxiety induscing trying to pick the perfect crate motor, I know, I've been there.  But don't let the potential for unlimited horsepower and a shiny new heart for your baby blind you from the truth.  The truth is that most cars are not ready for a new power plant, that souped up crate motor may just break more than the bank.

Crate Motor

Consider the following, your car can only perform as good as it's weakest link.  For example, having 500 horsepower under your foot doesn't do any good if you have bicycle tires.  And, having a great intake system will not get it's greatest benefit if you have restrictive exhaust.  The same goes for your motor, when buying a crate motor it's important to make sure your weakest link is replaced first.

If you have a worn out stock motor, then you probably have a worn out stock transmission system.  By just swapping out a new crate motor, with bigger horsepower numbers, you are now applying more stress on that tired transmission.  Probably just a matter of time before old faithful takes a dump on you, making that shiny new crate motor an expensive paper weight.

I would recommend making sure the following components are beefed up before going with a higher horsepower crate motor.

• Beefed Up Transmission - Nothing spells disaster for an old transmission than a big horsepower crate motor.
• Proper Suspension - Having the proper suspension setup can be more important than horsepower.  The suspension in your car, if tuned properly, will have a big impact on power transfer.  The goal is to get the power to the ground, not just at the flywheel.
• The Right Motor Mounts - If the place you are buying your crate motor from offers a mount kit, buy it, don't go flimsy chensy on this new investment.  A powerful motor can twist itself right out of the engine bay, the same goes for the rear end.
• Professional Installation - Sure it looks easy in all the car magazines, but actually installing a crate motor can be a big undertaking.  This can be especially true if this is the first time you've ever seen an engine not located snugly under a hood.

So, those are my tips on buying a crate motor, or what to prepare for when buying a new crate motor.  Consider this a checklist for buying a crate motor, to help save you money, and hardache down the road.  After all, we want the performance in our minds to reflect directly into the first time we plant the throttle on the road.

Crate Motors on eBay

502 CID AIR CLEANER DECAL for BBC crate motor    US $3.00

HONDA CBR1000RR CBR 1000RR ENGINE STARTER MOTOR 18    US $9.99

GMPP 350 330 HP CRATE MOTOR NODULAR IRON CRANKSHAFT    US $119.00

A part of the reason that Mustangs have endured so long as the top muscle car in America is that they are so customizable. Each Mustang owner can modify their car exactly the way they want, because there is such an endless supply of parts for them to choose from. It's this wide variety of ways to personalize your Pony that makes them such an alluring vehicle. And it's AmericanMuscle's wide variety of the best aftermarket Mustang parts that keeps people coming back time and time again.

When you want to talk selection, rims are a great place to start. And here at AmericanMuscle, we stock plenty of them. Even the famed Shelby wheels, inspired by the designs of possibly the most famous Mustang enthusiast and modder to ever live, Carol Shelby. These rims, styled after Shelby's high performance Mustang variants of the 60s and 70s, give you car a powerful, retro look.

Being able to sufficiently enjoy time in your Mustang is often dependent on how comfortable the ride is. You could have all the horsepower and torque in the world, but without a set of high-quality Mustang shocks, you're going to get bumped around like crazy. A smooth ride makes everyone in the Mustang happy. Especially the owner, when they think about how wear and tear they're preventing on the rest of their Pony.

And as any real Mustang fanatic will tell you, love of your Pony doesn't stop just because you're not driving it or working on it. With a couple Mustang t-shirts from AmericanMuscle, you can now satisfy your Mustang obsession anywhere you go. We stock a huge selection of both men's and women's Mustang shirts, including ones that help you express you love for Foxbodies, Cobras and 5.0s.

A simple upgrade that can increase safety and looks of a vehicle are projector head lights and in turn HID lights.  The difference between HID lights and Halogen lights is the way they burn, to light up.  An HID light will make an arc between two electrodes, while a Halogen light will heat up filament within a gas filled glass.  In most cases HID lighting is more efficient, brighter, and thus safer to use on vehicles to see better in the dark.

Projector Headlights

When buying projector headlights do not assume that you are getting HID lights.  Often times cheap projector head lights are made to use halogen bulbs, instead of the brighter, more intense HID.  The bulbs are generally not interchangable and require an actual kit to get HID lighting out of a traditional halogen bulb setup.  If HID bulbs are used, then melting of the lens and housing is possible.

Before buying projector headlights, for the HID upgrade, make sure that HID bulbs will work in the new headlights you are buying.

High End Vehicle Use

Generally just because headlights on a vehicle are bright, does not mean that they are HID.  High end vehicle manufacturers like Ferrari, Porsche, and Lexus are the only vehicles that have stock HID lighting.  Any other mas produced mid range vehicle will require a HID kit to replace the halogen stock head lamp assembly.

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This has been a post into a series of articles on explaining entry level questions to automotive enthusiasts.  There are greater details of differences that can be found on HID and Halogen lighting via Wikipedia.

Next What's The Difference Article: Automatic Vs. Manual Performance