Buying windshield repair kits, even if you don’t have a crack right now, is always a good idea. You always want to have one handy just in case, to help make a quick repair. Believe me, if you drive as much as I do, your chances of getting your windshield smacked by a rock or something of that nature is pretty high. I usually keep a kit in my glove box – just in case.
So what is a good wind shield repair kit?
I have come across both good and bad kits in my day, but a few stand out and I always seem to go back to them again and again. I always go with a resin or silicone brand that seals quickly and isn’t visible. This way you can get more mileage out of your windshield before getting it replaced.
I have listed them below for your convenience.
Fix-A-Windshield Windshield Repair Kit (Fix-A-Flat) – this is probably one of the better kits on the market for its price. It is a trusted brand, which always makes me feel more confident in the product. If you get a chip, just fill it with the resin material and in about 30 minute you will barely notice it. You can use this kit a half dozen times or more, depending on the size of the cracks you filled previously.
Permatex Silicone Windshield Sealer – this sealer is made of silicone, which is one of my favourite products to work with. It isn’t messy and it seals quickly. Not only that, but it is extremely waterproof as well. This sealant is resistant in extreme heat and cold, so it holds up well no matter what season it is. It can also be used in a pinch to repair sunroofs, headlights etc.
Both of these kits are quite inexpensive and they are small enough to fit in your glovebox. I would replace each kit after 2-3 years. Also be sure to seal them up after each use, so the sealant doesn’t dry out.
Car paint scratch products have been around forever. I’m sure you have seen a number of infomercials on TV proclaiming that someone can drop a brick on your car, but with their product, no one will ever know! While some of these auto scratch remover products make wild claims, there are some that do a nice job and do actually work.
Of course the best thing to do is to take your car to a body man, but they can be quite expensive. This is obviously why there is such a big market for auto scratch repair kits. It is also why I receive so many questions asking for recommendations on these products. So I have finally put a list together of kits that have been highly recommended by consumers:
Quixx Paint Scratch Remover – this product continually receives high marks from everyone who buys it. Keep in mind that no kit can remove a big scratch or deep mark on any vehicle. But this scratch remover does a great job of covering up and small and unsightly scratches. Once applied it will last for a long time, through all weather conditions and a number of washes and waxes. To boot it is also friendly to the environment.
Turtle Was Scratch Removal Kit – when in doubt, always go with a trusted brand. Since Turtle Wax has long been one of the most trusted brands in the auto industry, you can never go wrong with any of their products. This kit is designed to help remove slight imperfections and scratches. It comes with grit sandpaper to help polish down the scratched, but I urge you to be careful with these pads. Go easy and don’t rush.
I know how frustrating it is to find a scratch on your car, and the insane costs for body work. I have been there and done that many times. So hopefully this post will help you save a few hundred dollars in body repair costs!
Car shampoo is an often overlooked way to really give your vehicle that extra long gleam that you can be proud of. Far too many people just buy any old product and wonder why their car has water spots and ugly residue left over. Well, cheap products create cheap looking finishes.
When you are picking out a car shampoo product, you want to be sure that it not only does what it is suppose to, but that it also doesn’t stain or discolour your vehicle’s paint as well. Many cheap car shampoos have been known to do this, and in some cases, expensive ones as well. I have used a number of products, but here are a few of my favourite brands:
Meguiar’s G7101 Gold Class – this car shampoo always gets five star reviews from anyone who uses it. It is made of rich conditioning oils that rejuvenate the paint of your vehicle and helps to bring out it’s natural glow. Your vehicle will look just like the day you drove it off the lot (minus all the dents!).
P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo – this is a great environmentally friendly car shampoo that contains ingredients such as wheat germ and sugar extracts. It is one of the few products that doesn’t leave any water marks (I suspect because of the ingredients). One bottle can last a really long time!
Einszett Perls Premium Car Wash Shampoo – this is another phosphate free product that you can feel good about using. It will gently clean your car and leave it with a glossy shine for at least 3-4 weeks. A really great product.
Even though these are high quality products, I still suggest doing spot testing before you wash your car. Sometimes a good product just may not agree with your paint!
A car vacuum cleaner can be your best friend, or your worst enemy. If you have ever used a cheap car vacuum, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. When you try to vacuum your car, it clogs up, doesn’t have enough suction, and overheats and shuts off. It is extremely frustrating and one of the reasons I finally invested in a high end vacuum for my car.
If you are tired of dealing with the exact scenario above, then I have a few suggestions for you below. All of these car vacs received high praise and top end reviews from consumers. If you are looking for a vac that actually gets the job done, these are my recommendations:
Metro Vacuum Vac N’Blo Car Vacuum – this is one powerful little puppy. It has a whopping 4hp of suction power, which is guaranteed to suck up even that piece of gum that has been on your car floor for the last three months. It comes with a number of extensions to help clean upholstery and get into those little crevices.
Powerworks 12 V Wet/Dry Auto Vacuum – if you are looking for something a little more cost effective, this may be your car vac of choice. It can be plugged directly into your lighter outlet and it can easily clean up any mess with its wide array of attachments.
Oreck XLAuot Car Vacuum – this has constantly been rated the #1 car vac for years, and since it is made by Oreck, is it any surprise? This is one powerful handheld vac, and it even has a headlight to help you see in those dark little spaces (or maybe you don’t want to see what’s there!)
All of the Vacs above are very powerful and won’t leave you frustrated and fed up. They are all durable and built to last as well, so you don’t have to worry about buying a new one in a year or two.
Black hubcaps are a fast and simple ways to hop up the looks of any vehicle. Black goes with almost any shade, from purple to green and back down the colors of the rainbow. Of course there are some hubcaps that are too ugly for any car, no matter the color. Which is why you want to look for sleek designs and stay away from the generic ones.
Earning each dime isn’t easy, so most people don’t want to spend a great deal of money on their hubcaps, which I can fully understand. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t find a smoking pair for a decent price. Which is why I have recommended a few black hubcaps below that will amplify the looks of any vehicle:
Pilot WH522 Black Chrome Hubcaps – these hubcaps have a rugged and aggressive look to them. They will fit almost any vehicle that has a 16 in tire. They are made from hard plastic and will obviously never rust. I have seen them in stores from anywhere between $30-25.
Kai Tai Black Hubcaps – these have a sleek and stylish design as well. They have a universal fit and will fit any standard tire size (they come in all standard sizes). They tend to look better on foreign autos such as Nissans and Toyotas, but I feel they would look pretty classy on any US made vehicles as well.
Pilot WH521 All Black Hubcaps – this is a step up from Pilot’s other model above. They have more spokes which give them a more classic look. They will look good on a vehicle such as a Cadillac, more so than on a sports car. You can usually find these for right around $40 or so.
The black hubcaps above all come in under $50 for a set of 4 and easily enhance the looks of your vehicle well beyond such a paltry value.
