DIY Car Scratch Repairs

Time takes it’s toll on everything, whether it be the grey in your hair, the bags wrinkles on your forehead or the scratches on your vehicle.  So what do you do?  Dye your hair?  Get botox?  Thankfully no drastic measures are needed to get your car back to showroom condition.  Just a little basic maintenance can go a long way!

The following can help you deal with dents and scratches.

Chamois and wash:

These are used to get rid of the faint scratch marks that are easily removable. Wash the scratched portion with soap and water, then use a chamois to get the scratch marks off it. Eventually the light scratches will vanish after repeated scrubbing of the surface.

Scratch Remover:

Scratch remover can be used.. It is made from ingredients that are very strong. It is gentle on the paint and very harsh on the scratches. It can be applied on the scratches or the scratch marks and after that the surface of the car can be rubbed with the help of a car chamois.

Car Wax:

Car wax is also very often used for polishing vehicles and fixing scratches. Some amount of wax is applied on the scratch surface and then has to be rubbed firmly so that the scratch vanishes. Polishing the car after that will give it a very attractive look.

Sandpaper and Paint:

When there are rough edges on the paint due to scratches, sandpaper can be used to make the rough edges smooth. Once smooth the area can be painted to give it a new look removing all traces of the scratch that was there earlier.

There are a number of other methods used to remove scratches from cars, but these basic and easy to master techniques should allow you to keep your vehicle looking in top condition.

Alternatively, for a professional opinion call JOE WOODHOUSE @ SCUFFS ‘N’ SCRATCHES 0151 493 2600 OR 07802 348096 OR VISIT www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

SCUFFS ‘N’ SCRATCHES 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

FOR HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

How to avoid buying a lemon

Many people watch out for local car deals that they find in the newspaper classified ads section, then go out and spend a small fortune without carrying out even the most basic of checks. It is very important to have some technical knowledge about cars before buying a used (or new!) car. This article will give you some of the most important things to look for before you decide to spend your hard earned cash on a piece of junk.

Key considerations

1. Take a good look at the vehicle exterior and look for any tell-tale signs of damaged paint or deeply embedded scratches. If the paint is new, ask when the car was painted last. Pay close attention and beware of ‘fixer uppers’.  This practice often distracts used car buyers from larger problems such as underlying rust that will rear it’s ugly head in the near future.
2. Check the back of the vehicle and bumper. Look at the wheel wells for signs of rust, dents or body filler, then search the rest of the vehicle for rust. Most importantly always remember to scan the underside of the vehicle for any hidden problems. Also look for dimples, dents, or scuffs in the paint job.
3. Inspect both sides of the car including beneath the vehicle for any signs of more major body repair. Look for inconsistencies.  For example check to see that edges of the hood and door panels line up correctly with the bumpers and other side panels. Check the frames are precisely aligned. Such inconsistencies may be clues to previous wrecks that can cost you big in repairs bills down the road.
4. Inspect all the tyres of the vehicle. Look for signs of irregular wear and tear like feathering, cupping, one edge wearing, center or both edges worn down. Also make sure that the wheels are not pointed inward which may indicate an alignment problem. Check to see if the vehicle is at the manufacturers recommended tyre pressure levels to ensure safety driving.
5. Open the door, check the interior for tears in upholstery, sun damage and general appearance. Make sure that all important things that you will need while driving work properly, e.g. headlights, sidelights, signals, rear brake lights, reverse lights, hazard warning lights, etc. Also check the basic car amenities like the radio, air conditioner, heater, windscreen wipers, odometer, fuel guage, and the interior lights.
6. Possibly the most important thing you should check, but one which many people ignore completely.  Check under the bonnet. Look at the engine’s overall cleanliness. Look for signs of wear and tear on components.  Make sure that the battery cables and connectors are not worn down and the battery itself is in good running condition. Inspect the engine for any signs of leaking oil around the valve cover and head gasket. Check all attached holes for signs of busting and wear and tear. Inspect underneath the vehicle to see is there any rusted out holes in the exhaust pipe manifold and muffler.
7. Check the oil (make sure the engine is cool). The oil level should be in between the two level marks. If you find it below the bottom level mark then this could indicate an oil leak, or the engine is in a critical need for oil. Also look to see whether it’s been changed recently by looking for a smooth texture and yellow-brown colour. You will definitely know that the vehicle needs an maintenance oil change if the oil comes out looking burnt dark black. Then place your hands on the dipstick and rub it against your thumb.  If you feel small particles in the oil the engine may be worn or damaged causing you costly repair problems.
8. Next test the car transmission for slippage.  Set the handbrake, depress the clutch pedal and shift through the gears to see if they easy fall in place while shifting. Also listen for any grinding sounds that may be coming from the transmission.
9. Start up the engine. It should practically start up immediately. Listen closely for accurate start up ability and listen out for any sound of engine knocking or any other irregularities sounds that you do not normally hear when starting up a car. Be sure to ask questions about any sounds you are not familiar with to the car salesman.  Also check to see that there or not any engine indicator lights that comes on after starting up the engine.
10. Take the car for a test drive. Check the brakes in normal driving traffic conditions. They shouldn’t squeal and should bring the car to a stop in a sufficiently short distance. Make sure you do not have to press the brake pedal all the way down to come at a complete stop. This is a good sign that the vehicle may have worn down brakes pads or even a serious brake problem.

One Golden Rule: is to ask to see a record of the vehicle maintenance and car report. Look to see that the car had regular oil changes and checkups (maintenance schedules will vary by model etc.). Also, inquire about additional work that may have been done on the vehicle and ask to see receipts.

FOR ANY CAR BODY REPAIRS, CAR DENT REPAIRS, ALLOY WHEEL REPAIRS, CAR BUMPER REPAIRS CALL JOE FOR ADVICE & QUOTATION ON 07802348096 OR 0151 4932600 OR VISIT www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

SCUFFS ‘N’ SCRATCHES LTD 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

ALL WORK FULLY GUARANTEED

FOR HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

Car scratch repair

Frustrating as they may be, no matter how careful you are when it comes to your car scratches are largely unavoidable.  However, when it comes to car abrasions, there are so many things you can do. There are various car scratch repair options that you can choose from.

Provided the graze is not too deep then using a touch up paint can readily eliminate the scratch. If there are deep scratches it is best to contact a car body repair shop and let the experts do the job for you.  Using their specialist knowledge they will skilfully apply paint to conceal all the scratches and make them disappear completely. Advanced colour blending techniques ensure the right colour for your car and make it look as if there are no scratches at all.

With an expert car body repair shop you can rest assured that all your car needs will be taken care of.  You do not have to wait for weeks and months before repairing your vehicle. You will be glad to see your car looking as good as new again. Scuffs N Scratches are experts in the car repair industry and guarantee total customer satisfaction. Additionally, they offer a variety of other services that you might need in the future such as dent repairs, bumper repairs, alloy wheel repairs, interior upholstery repairs (including leather), and windscreen repairs.

For all your car repair needs, contact Scuffs N Scratches.

0151 493 2600 or 07802 348096 or visit www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

SCUFFS ‘N’ SCRATCHES LTD – 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

How Do You Remove Spray Paint From Your Car?

Finding your car vandalized with a can of spray pain is one sure way to put a damper on your day. This is specially true if, like any proud car owner, you take pains to maintain its appearance. More so if the car that happens to have been victimized is your weekend toy or project car.

Depending on the toughness of your car’s paint (urethane paint is extremely hardy), the amount of paint that has been sprayed on and where, and the time the spray paint has been left on your car’s paint, the time you will need to restore your car’s finish will take from an hour or so to up to half a day. If you have discovered the vandalism pretty early, the spray paint may still be drying and a wash and soap job may be all you need to solve your problem quickly.

If this is not the case, there are many solvents or materials that can be used.  If the car’s finish is a bit sensitive or the spray paint has been left to dry for some time, extra care must be taken to make sure that you don’t take off your car’s paint too. Various chemicals like WD-40, nail polish remover, acetone, rubbing compound, gasoline or spray-on brake parts cleaner can all be used. For car show type paint jobs or finishes, Meguiar’s Clay is oftentimes used to make sure that only the spray paint is taken off. However, use of this specialty product is best left to the hands of experts who are familiar with its use. Fine rubbing compound can also be used but, again, care must be exercised as this is an abrasive compound that can take off the car’s paint if used improperly.

Remember that all cars have clear coats to protect the actual paint and the chemicals that were mentioned can remove all but the most stubborn or thickly laid-on spray paint. The basic method is to apply a small amount of the compound of your choice (say, acetone) on a clean rag and use a rubbing motion to try to remove the paint. If it is working, the rag will begin to show signs of the color of the spray paint that was used. If your car’s paint color starts rubbing off on the rag, this is a clear indicator that you have gone through your car’s top coat and are already taking off the car’s paint.

If the spray paint is thick in a certain place, try using a plastic scraper to remove the stubborn paint and then use the chemical solution of your choice to remove the rest of the paint. If the spray paint has gotten to the window or windshield glass, acetone would be one of the best chemicals to use and you will be able to remove the paint from the glass easily.

Take care not to use acetone on moulding or rubber seals that have been spray painted as this will soften the rubber which might destroy it prematurely. Strong soap used with a stiff-bristled plastic brush would be a better choice in this case.

The finishing touch after all that work would be to wash your car, or at least the affected area, using car soap liberally on the area you have worked on. Take the car to a body shop to see if you need to have the affected area sprayed with clear coat to protect the underlying paint. By doing the hard work of removing the paint yourself, you will have saved yourself some considerable expense, instead of having the entire job worked on by the body shop.

For more help & advice on this, call Joe on 0151 4932600 or 07802348096 or visit www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

SCUFFS ‘N’ SCRATCHES LTD 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

EXPERT CAR BODY REPAIRS, CAR DENT REPAIRS, ALLOY WHEEL REPAIRS & CAR BUMPER REPAIRS IN LIVERPOOL

FOR HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

Had an accident? Find a good Car body repair shop.

Car Body Repair

When you’ve had an accident the first thing you must consider is how to find a good quality car body repair shop. Accidents can cause stress to your mind and your pocket. It is challenging to find a reliable and trustworthy car scratch repair centre. Therefore, it is essential that you conduct proper research prior to letting any car body repair centre take over your vehicle.

Car Body Repair Shops

The first factor you must consider when looking at a car body repair centre is the length of time it will take to repair your car. Typically, if you look around the area where the car body shop is situated, you can gauge their business from afar. If they are receiving ample support from their neighbors, then they are good enough to repair your car. Another way to find out if your car body repair centre is generating sales is by word of mouth. There is no better advertising than word of mouth. If you hear of an auto body shop receiving rave reviews, you can feel confident enough that your car will be well taken care of.

You must also review the condition of the car body repair centre. Is it well equipped with all the necessary technology required to address any car scratch repair problem? You can even request a tour of the centre in order to get a better look at what is going on inside. What is ultimately important is that you find a car body repair centre which will restore your vehicle to its prior condition.

Car Scratch Repair

You can use those car scratch repair kits you see on TV or sold in stores but the truth is they really don’t work. In order to get a deep scratch out of your cars paint, it has to be sanded down and repainted by a professional car body repair centre . If you are looking for a a car body shop, look no further than these people. They are dedicated to providing their customers with a reliable and competitive service

http://www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk/

Call Joe Woodhouse at Scuffs N Scratches on 0151 493 2600 or 07802 348096 for a free quotation

FOR HONEST, PROFESSIONAL, RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

Should I visit my dealership for car body repairs?

Many car dealerships will have a body shop but they are not part of the factory trained service technician group. They are just like other body shop out there.  They are perfectly capable of carrying out any work needed, but beware – there is a cost!

For a major repair, the canny customer we get a few estimates then ask a couple of questions to help decide which repair shop should carry out the work.  Two key questions to ask are:

• How long is the warranty?
• Does my insurance cover work carried out here?

Possibly the most important thing to remember is that most dealerships tend to use car body repair shops instead of their own staff as it tends to be easier (and cheaper) for them to have the car taken away.  In essence, by taking your car to the dealership you are actually getting the job done by the repair shop up the road and paying a premium to the dealership as a ‘handling fee’.

Why not cut out the middle man and contact the Liverpool’s leading auto-body repair shop direct?  At Scuffs N Scratches we have over 15 years experience carrying out repair work for Jaguar, Audi, BMW, Vauxhall, Ford and Toyota.  Save yourself some money and call us today.

FOR A FREE QUOTATION, CALL JOE ON 0151 493 2600 OR 07802 348096

Protect your car from rust

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside., oh we do like to be beside the sea… unless you want to protect your vehicle, that is.  Salt is an extremely damaging substance to vehicles and a major cause of rust, so if you live somewhere near the sea then you’re more susceptible to rust damage.  Similarly, during the winter the salt used to melt ice and snow has the same effect.

Small rusting which has not penetrated the whole panel but is to be found only on the surface can normally be dealt with at home. Just vigorously rub sandpaper about it and then coat it with epoxy primer. Epoxy has long been identified to have anti-corrosive properties. In fact, epoxy coating has been employed to avoid timber rot in boats. However, the more severe the rust problem the more likely you will need some professional help.

Despite advances made in technologies to produce corrosion resistant resources and undercoats, far more money is spent on rust management than collision fixes.  It is vital to go to the correct car body repair shop so that the car bodywork repairs carried out have a professional stamp.

Call Joe Woodhouse for a free quotation on 0151 493 2600 or 07802 348096 or visit www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

SCUFFS ‘N’ SCRATCHES LTD 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

FOR HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

Guidelines for dealing with Car body repairs

Have you recently been in some type of an accident? Perhaps your vehicle has been neglected of late and requires a little attention. Whatever your reason for deciding to have some repair work carried out there are a number of factors you need to take into consideration.  Make use of the following guidelines to help you accomplish your goal.

1. Coordinate with your insurance company.

The first thing to do is coordinate with your insurance company regarding your policy and check whether or not it covers the damages to your vehicle. Also ask for the amount they can cover and your deductibles for the auto body repairs your vehicle needs.

2.  Consider your budget.

Before taking any further step, you need to consider your financial capacity and how much you are willing to spend on auto body repairs. Know how much you can afford in addition to the amount covered by your insurance company.

3.  Know what type of auto body repairs you need.

Having been recently involved in a car accident with either small or big damages, you might need more than one type of auto body repairs. Services for auto body repairs varies from scratches, stone chips, dents, cracked bumpers, bumper scuffs, mirror casings, scuffed auto paintwork, etc. Knowing the type of body repair you need can help you greatly in finding the company which best suits your auto body repairs needs.

4.  Find a reliable auto-body repairer

There are vast number of auto body repairs providers in any big city and without asking around you wouldn’t know which one is the best. Make sure you do the following:

• Do a background check, looking for reliable data which gives you detail of the services they offer as well as their reputation.
• Get information on their prices.
• Make sure you ask whether or not they accept insurance work – not all companies do!
• Get an estimate of the cost and timescale of the work to be done, and compare with other companies.
• Finally get a written quote for the work to be carried out

SCUFFS N SCRATCHES ARE LIVERPOOL-BASED CAR BODY REPAIR SPECIALISTS.

FOR A FREE QUOTATION CALL US TODAY ON 0151 493 2600 OR 07802 348096 OR VISIT www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

10% DISCOUNT VOUCHER AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE

SCUFFS ‘N’ SCRATCHES LTD 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

FOR HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

Classic car repairs

Classic cars are delicate things and need to be handled with care. If you are the proud owner of a classic car or a vintage car, you know that it needs to be cared for tenderly. And there is nothing more heartbreaking than to find a vandal or careless driver has inflicted scratches on it. So getting car scratch repairs done on it becomes imperative. Whether the requirement is for car bodywork repairs or car scratch repairs, it is best when one can get car mobile bodywork repairs done. Then one does not need to let one’s beloved car go out of sight.

There are companies which offer car mobile bodywork repairs and do their work very efficiently. It could be respraying the body to remove unsightly scratches or restoring the bodywork of a classic car – everything can be done at your convenience and at the site of your choice. Just look up the yellow pages of the local telephone directory or do an online search for a company offering car mobile bodywork repairs which is located near you.

Keep in mind, however, that car bodywork repairs are not the same as normal mechanical repairs performed on a car. Those who offer car bodywork repairs do not perform mechanical repairs or engine repairs normally. They might replace car tyres or windscreens, attend to dings and bangs with car panel beating and take care of insurance issues related to post-crash repairs on the body.

Their technicians will repair a wide range of bodywork damage including dents, scuffs, scratches, chips, dings, cracks and splits. Their car bodywork repairs extend to all areas of vehicle bodywork including wings, doors, wing mirrors, bumpers, boots, grills, spoilers, valances, sills, body kits, alloy wheels and wheel trims. So if that beloved car of yours – classic or exotic or modern – is looking a little worse for wear, don’t worry. Get in touch with those who offer car bodywork repairs or car scratch repairs and leave the rest in their expert hands to have your car looking like new again.

SCUFFS ‘N’ SCRATCHES LIVERPOOL offers dent and scratch repair, car bodywork repairs and alloy wheel repairs services in and around Merseyside & Liverpool.

CALL JOE: 0151 493 2600 OR 07802348096 OR VISIT www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

SCUFFS ‘N’ SCRATCHES LTD 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

Top 4 Reasons to Try Alloy Wheel Refurbishment For Your Car

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Alloy wheels are a fantastic feature on any car, but the demands of driving can soon mean that your car requires an alloy wheel refurbishment. Liverpool, as with other busy cities, is a particularly tough environment for alloy wheels as they can be easily damaged by city centre driving. Loose road surfaces, potholes, tight parking […]