Pickup Trucks

Torque spec comes into play after a fastener has been chosen. Bolt torquing is very important. When you thread and tighten a bolt the melt stretches a little, but the metal doesn?t want to be stretched so it resists the stretches and this is where you get the holding power from. This is why when you over tighten it can?t hold the load because it can?t return to its normal shape. Further to this in time the bolt continues to stretch and will end up snapping.

Torque-to-Yield Bolts

A torque to yield fastener is a one-time use that is based on this torque principal we just talked about. The torque spec usually have a 25% safety feature giving you a 25 per cent over tightening leniency. The torque to yield bolts don?t have this safety buffer. They are not meant to stretch the metal. This may sound like a disadvantage but it?s not really. They are extremely strong as they afford the whole 100% of their strength whereas the basic bolt only gives you about 75%.The one disadvantage they do have though is they can only be used once. So if you remove them you have to replace them with a TTY (torque to yield) bold. You are going to end up with 25% less strength with the basic fastener.

The TTY are used in many cases so it?s important for the technician to be aware of this during the estimation process of the procedure.

Tightening Sequence A tightening sequence can also be specified in conjunction with torque specs. A crises cross pattern is use to install wheels and now some installation patterns are being suggested for body panel fasteners. There is a certain amount of expanding and contracting during temperature fluctuations with composite panels. This means the fasteners have to adjust to these changes and must be designed to allow for this.

Shop Tips Whenever possible replace the fastener with the same type as the one your remove. Check the manual however to ensure it is the correct part and you are doing the proper procedure. Every part is specific because there is a reason for it.

Keeping track of what you are removing is important and time saving so tossing them in a pile is not the answer. Just use some small plastic bags, put them in and then mark what they are on the outside of the bag.

If you do not have a manual, you can ask a dealership to show you their service manual.

Use all the parts that come with your replacement parts.

If you are not sure about the label, compare height, thread pitch and diameter to the new piece and this will help you choose the right replacement fastener.

Make sure to use coated materials to prevent corrosion. A classic example of making this mistake is using a non-coated steel boat with an aluminum panel. If the coated items you require are not available then use a plastic or fiber gasket, a washer or even a layer of paint to produce a barrier between the materials.

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Technorati Tags: auto, auto bodywork, Automotive, car painting, car repair, cars, Hobbies, recreation, self help, spray paint

If you are performing, auto body finishing your work area has to be almost sterile unless of course you enjoy having to strip, sand, repaint and buff repeatedly on the same car because something got into the paint or finish or you left some residue and went onto the next step. If there is anything present that could ruin your finishing work then it probably will.

One of the most valuable assets you can have is a quality wax and grease remover. Most often the to the job at home guy ends up with an inferior finish if all due to not removing the residue of anything from the car like old wax and dirt build up or airborne debris.

There are solvents that can be used but you are taking a chance when you use these. Many novice auto body finishers are devastated when the mistakes made before the primer application start to appear. The key to being successful is to know the right materials for the job. Then it?s knowing how to use them. Finally when and where should they used.

What You will Need -There are lots of products that will remove grease and wax but you need to remove silicone. -You will need about 3 gallons – Solvent and lint free rags actually cheesecloth or tough quality paper towels are the best -detail scrubbing brush to get at hard to get spots where there may be silicone

Do Not Use -regular lacquer thinner (can create havoc with paint systems) -enamel reduced (same reason) -cheap rags (Note: if you really have to use lacquer thinner work quick and don?t let it soak into the prime coat too much or too long)

Degreasing Times: It certainly is not a one-time operation. At least not when you consider that if you were to even leave one print smudge on the car it will likely show up as discoloration in the finish. It is imperative that you remove any and all of grease, wax and silicone? -prior to touchups -prior to the bare metal conversion coating -prior to filling and glazing -prior to primers -prior to basecoat -prior to finishing coats

The Right Spots to Degrease: The areas that you are going to be working on such as the body and panel.

Do not miss around all these areas? Trim, weather stripping, cowel louver, panel joints and air intakes Inside the head and taillight apertures, only necessary if you have removed the trim or bezels. Also around the door areas, inside of hood and the lid of the trunk and the wheels

Be absolutely sure that you remove all the cleaner and then wipe with a clean rag. If in doubt do it again.

Reasons for Degreasing -To know you are going to get the best results – its yours and the business reputation at stake -the cost of the materials such as primer surfacer, primer, metallic, clear coats -labor of yours and what you pay in wages

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Technorati Tags: auto, auto bodywork, Automotive, car painting, car repair, cars, Hobbies, recreation, self help, spray paint

Spray paint could end up on your car several different ways. One it can be an over-spray from another area that you’re painting on the car. 2 it could be an accident that someway the spray got on it. Or you decided to spray paint the car yourself, then didnt like it or made a mistake.

How tricky a job it is going to be to remove it would depend on alot of factors. First, you require to determine the kind of paint. Hopefully it will be a water based paint which’s much simpler to deal with. All you will most likely have to do here’s wash the region down well with soapy water. Presently if it’s an oil based paint then it causes things a little more tricky. Then the other dilemma would be you do not even recognize what kind of paint it is.

First of all, there’re a few kinds of paint. It could be lacquer or acrylic. It could even be enamel but this isn’t as favorite as it used to be. If your basic paint on your car happens to be enamel then if the accidental spray paint is lacquer or acrylic would make the enamel paint look creased. Unfortunately, the exclusive solution in this case will be to scrape the area clean and then re-paint it to match the motorcars primary colour.

If you’re fortunate enough to have an original finish of acrylic or lacquer and enamel paint has been sprayed on top of it, there won’t be any wrinkles to the basic. You want to check if the paint is enamel, so here’s what you do.

Take any paint thinner, kerosene, gasoline or turpentine and apply a reasonable amount to a clean white cloth. Now very softly rub over the paint you want to remove. If you see the paint color being transferred to the cloth, then its enamel. If the cloth continues to stay clear then it is acrylic or lacquer. If it did turn out to be enamel then merely continue to gently clean off the residue of the paint.

Hence if you have ended up with either lacquer or acrylic being the culprit then you’ll require to go and purchase the finest grade of rubbing compound on the market for car finishes. Take a hand sized white cloth and gently moisten it with some kerosene or turpentine. Just enough to moisten the cloth, as it keeps the compound from caking, and makes the abrasive finer, which results in a greater finish. Patience would be the virtue here, as you must carry on inspecting the area youre working on so you dont remove or spoil the introductory finish of the car. Work in reasonable circular motions with gentle pressure. Carry on checking the colour of the paint on the cloth. Keep utilizing different parts of the cloth, so your cloth remains jolly clean, and you are not simply putting the paint back on over again.

Of course, the best answer of all would be not to get the paint on the car at all. Accidents do take place though and as luck would have it for this peculiar one there’s a solution.

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Technorati Tags: auto, auto bodywork, Automotive, car painting, car repair, cars, Hobbies, recreation, self help, spray paint

With money being tight at present, perhaps the answer to giving your car a fresh look would be to indulge in some car spray painting. If the mechanics of it are in good shape, but the body is not so hot, then painting it may be the ideal solution.

Its a outstanding money saver, but even more so if you do it yourself as opposed to having it professionally done. You could do it if you study the basics and follow the instructions for car spray painting. It’s fundamental though if you decide you are going to undertake this project that you are prepared to see it through till the end.

First off, you need a few supplies. These consist of:

-coverings to secure the unpainted regions and masking tape to hold these at the right place -a good car-wash detergent and brush and also a wax/grease remover. -various grits of sand-paper -primers and paint that is urethane base for the car spray painting -paint sprayer -safety tools such as masks, goggles and protective clothing -knife and putty for fill-ins.

One : You must make sure that you wash the car thoroughly to remove all grime and debris. If you don’t then these things would be set in with your paint, giving a very daunting look to the completed job. Follow up with a wax/grease remover so the paint you utilize for the car spray painting would adhere the right way.

2 : Remove whatever rough spots by sanding. Once this has been done be sure to rinse off whatsoever of the loose sandings. This is where you’ll want to utilise the putty to fill in any minor pit marks, that’re have been caused from stones for illustration.

Three : Do not get in too much of a hurry to start your car spray painting. The car must be wholly dry so it’s best to leave it to do so for several hours. You can go ahead and cover whatsoever of the areas that your do not want to get paint on.

Four : At present you are ready to set out with the primer. Don’t skip this step, as it will give a much better look to the finished project. It helps the paint to adhere properly and provides for a more even finish. Next, once the primer is dry you’ll need to gently sand it down.

Five : You are finally at the step you have been waiting for. It’s time to apply the color for your car spray painting. Whether you have preferred to use aerosol paints or a spray gun, the premise remains the same. Only apply thin coats. A couple would probably be necessary. Numerous light coats are much better than 1 thick coat. You will be able to tell just by looking at the car how many more coats of paint it’ll require. A couple will just need two whereas several others will need 3 or 4.

Six : Finally, down to the last step and thats applying the clear coat. This is done exactly the same as the colored coats.

Now you could clean up, take a step back and look up to the masterpiece you’ve created.

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Auto body Repairs Using Sand Blasting Equipment: A restoration requires you to make a choice as to which method you are going to use. In order to do this you really need to categorize the levels of restoration.

Category One – Light to Medium fix ups Mechanical repairs and repainting The basic mechanical work is done first to ensure safety of the vehicle components. This followed by minor body works and refinishing touch ups.

Mechanical repairs with replacements and refinishing Some mechanical parts are replaced as needed. Little more detail is required in the bodywork.

Category Two – In Depth Restoration Similar to the mechanical repairs with replacements with the refinishing more in depth. Some taking apart of the vehicle is required to attend to rust and corrosion of key parts. Items have to cleaned, refurbished or replaced such as drive train parts, suspension and underbody parts. Close color match of body is required and trim may need replacing. Cars restored under this category are often pampered and not used on a daily basis.

Category Three – Just off the Assembly Line Restoration here entails making the car look like it?s just been manufactured. Showroom quality. No body fill can be used in these restorations as well as fiberglass body panels except for some Corvettes.

Category Four – Show Piece This is the museum category and is really not applicable because they are those that are only found in the Museums.

Getting Down to Sandblasting Sandblasters work off of compressed air and are either pressure feed or suction feed which are the cheaper of the two. The only drawback is that part of their energy goes into drawing up the material however; they don?t require an expensive pressure tank. Pressure feeds do require a pressurized tank, but they work extremely well.

Sandblasting is effective cost saving and messy. Should only be done outdoors. With the right grade of sand the results taking it right down to the metal and removing the rust pits. It works effectively on other parts as well. Make sure you apply a flash rust treatment to prevent rust till you get the primer on.

The one thing to remember about sandblasting is do not over do it. As soon as you hit the bare metal stop.

You can use silica sand for various other grades just be sure to be careful with what you use. For light touches, you can use the ground or English walnut shells.

The siphon blasters are a lot less expensive than the pressure blasters. Remember to remove the hardware and trim before blasting and make sure you wear the proper body protection as well ensuring you have a proper hood and gloves. Preferably, a supplied air hood would be ideal.

Sandblasting can be extremely effective provided the right techniques, tools and materials are used in a safe environment. Many individuals are against sand blasting because of the damage it can cause. They are right it can work against you but only if you go beyond what is required. The whole key to success is stopping when you hit the bare metal.

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Technorati Tags: auto, auto bodywork, Automotive, car painting, car repair, cars, Hobbies, recreation, self help, spray paint

Almost everyone over the age of consent (18 or 21) has or wants a credit card nowadays and they are accepted in almost every establishment. There are three major kinds of credit card common in America. The first major type of credit card is travel and entertainment cards such as American Express or Diners Card. These have to be paid in full at the end of the month and are generous on spending limits.

The second major sort of credit card is the bank card such as Master Cards, Visa, GM, and Ford cards sponsored mainly by the banks. The bank defines the spending limits, which in bank parlance, is known as the credit line and each offers different terms and conditions. Banks offer a choice of payment methods: either pay the balance in full with no interest or pay the minimum or some part of the balance with a finance charge.

The other major sort of card is the retail store card, such as Sears, J.C. Penney, Shell or Mobil. These store cards and those from gas companies, widely known as fuel cards, are only taken in specific countries. They usually do not have annual fees. There is a wide disparity in the terms and conditions for these cards.

Different types of credit cards offer different options. Some are designed for individual consumers, while others are set up in ways that work best for small business needs. To know what kind of credit card fits your requirements, you should look over a few options.

How to Choose your Credit Card.

Credit cards are a part of everyday life for most people living in the western countries. It’s becoming increasingly impossible to avoid them, especially for business men. So, if it is the first time you are about to enter into the realm of credit cards, here are some of the basics you ought to look out for.

First, compare the interest chargeable on all the credit cards for which you are eligible. While the rate may not remain fixed indefinitely, it’s always advisable for first timers to go for the one charging the lowest rates.

Read the small print carefully, especially on the other charges that can be applied, like late-payment fees, annual fees, and whether there is a grace period which is normally given before the finance charges are applied.

Decide which spending limit is most appropriate for a person of your income. Also the fewer credit cards you have, the better placed you are to track your spending.

You ought to compare the services such as the cash back incentives, guarantees, rebates and such like and check whether the card is accepted broadly enough to fit in with your requirements.

You will help yourself by acquainting yourself with the following terms: 1] Annual Percentage Rate: this is the yearly cost of the credit. 2] Finance Charges: these are the total charges involving the transaction. 3] Period of Grace: This is the length of time the card issuer allows you before they begin charging you interest on new purchases. (NB: not all credit card issuers allow a grace period).

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You’ll be stunned to see merely how to spray car paint really could be elementary. That doesnt signify that you can just grab a tin of paint and go at it. There are some basics you require to know. Both in the preparation and application.

Step A: Start by gathering every thing that you’re going to utilise. Be certain your surrounding area is well-kept against whatever possible over spray. Whatever parts that do not require to be sprayed and that could be removed then do so. For some other areas cover properly with paper and masking tape.

Step B: You would have to examine the car properly for whatsoever rough spots. These’ll need to be sanded with three hundred grit sand paper. This’ll smooth out the rough spots. It also permits the spray car paint to adhere better. Once youve completeed sanding, be certain all of the dust dirt and debris are removed from the car. It is imperative that the car be utterly clean.

Step C: You will require to apply a primer. This’ll make sure that you get an overall even coat of your colored paint plus helps the paint to adhere well. When you spray the primer, be sure you apply light coats and allow for drying in between. How to spray car paint takes a little getting used to.

Step D: Now you are pretty well to the point where you are about ready to spray the color. You will have decided to utilise the spray car paint that comes in aerosol cans, or perhaps you have choose the spray gun. In either case, make a couple of practice strokes on an object before you start with the car. Once you’re ready, start the passes with the paint without hesitation. If you hold the spray can or gun in one spot, you’ll end up with irregular coverage and possibly the paint would run. If this takes place you have a large repair job on your hand. You’ll most probably have instructions as to how to spray car paint using the equipment or spray cans.

Step E: Its up to you whether you want to wet sand between coats of primer and color paints. You will want to research this option on the net, or check with somebody that’s familiar with how to spray car paint

Step F: Once youre totally satisfied with the colour, you are down to the finishing touches. You will now want to apply several clear coats. This will give the gloss and completeed look to the car as well as protect the finish. Likely 2 coats will be sufficient but it’ll be up to you. Make utterly sure it’s dry in between coats.

Step G: Again, you have the selection of wet sanding if you choose. Once more, I suggest you ask the advice of individuals that are familiar with how to spray paint a car. Say you decide to follow this step then you need to wet sand with the following grits in this order. Utilize eight hundred, 1000, one thousand two hundred, one thousand five hundred and finally the 2000. This’ll remove spots that would be too heavy in the clear coat application.

Step H: Presently you’ll need to using a rubbing compound to buff the surface so you can utilise a 2000 grit to get rid of whatsoever scratches.

Step I: You should now buff the surface. To do this simply utilise a reasonable cut polish. Once you’ve done this, you should have a complete glassy look to the finish.

Step J: Finally, you might want to apply a couple of coats of wax.

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Technorati Tags: auto, auto bodywork, Automotive, car painting, car repair, cars, Hobbies, recreation, self help, spray paint

There seem to be more new drivers on the road daily and we all want to be sure that our car insurance will cover us if we are involved in an accident. Many of us are particularly concerned about the cost of having good coverage for the teens in our home who are new drivers. This often gets us to look at the options for comparable coverage from different insurance companies. We are interested i getting the best possible coverage to meet our needs at the lowest cost we can find. Some people simply believe the advertising and choose Geico’s claim of providing the best deal but doesn’t it make sense to take the time to get quotes from competing auto insurance providers to be sure?

In order to make a good rate comparison you need to get several rate quotes from competing companies. It is the only way to find out if there is a better price available with a different insurer. Geico advertising the best rate does not make it so. If you want to find out if another plan that offers the same coverage for less money is available you have to comparison shop the same as you would for any other item. No one wants to pay more than they have to or feel they are being taken advantage of, especially when it comes to paying for vehicle repairs after an accident.

You want to make sure that when you get a quote you look at all the features and coverage they will give you for that price. You don’t want to get just liability because it is less than full coverage and loose out on the perks like rental cars. Also you have to consider that you need a decent minimum. I mean if your insurance doesn’t kick in until you have thousands of dollars of damage you might want to lower that minimum.

Yet another reason for multiple quotes is to see who gives better discount rates too. Sometimes you get a discount for having multiple cars on the account or for having a certain age group too. That is a great plus when it comes to the economy today, we could all use the extra savings couldn’t we? Also you need to check to see if you can choose the garage you can go to or if you have to go to one of theirs.

Most insurance companies do have their own specific mechanics that they work with and don’t really want you to go to another one. This is something you should really look into because if you live in an area where there are few mechanics you might have to go a long way to get to theirs. That’s the part that is somewhat difficult because most companies will send you to the most expensive ones when you could find a better one for you.

Some insurance companies will try to send you to very expensive mechanics at which you will have to pay a very high deductible before they cover anything. It is very important to get multiple rate quotes when purchasing automobile insurance to see what your choices really are. If you are a pet lover, you can even find rates that include the family pet.

For the right consumer, this is a great option because the vet bills will be covered if they are injured in an accident just like the medical bills for the human family members. There are a great variety of additional coverages available in the marketplace and most of us would like to have extra coverage and benefits that are right for our specific needs.

Perhaps the best reason for comparing rates getting the best coverage for the best price. You have to have good coverage for all the drivers in the family and since there is no way to avoid it,it is worth it to spend a little time to avoid overpaying for the coverage you need.

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Security is a major concern with the current ecomonic problems in the United States. Job security is of utmost importance to many people right now. But what about security for the vehicle that takes you to and from that all-important job? Car insurance provides a measure of security for your transportation.

But which insurance is right for your car? This is why it is so critical to have multiple quotes on your car insurance. Just checking with Allstate isn’t enough. It is best to compare the rates of many companies before you decide on the one that is best for you.

Do not be easily moved to purchase insurance by signing with the company that has the lowest premium. You must consider a few other factors before making your decision. Think about how many drivers are going to be legally driving your car and their ages. Does the car have any safety features that will discount the premium? Will the insurance cover the cost of the loan for the car if it is totaled? Do you want full coverage or only partial liabilities? You also need to know the your specific stateas insurance regulations concerning automobile insurance.

If the insurance company is covering only one driver, a middle-aged person, any insurance company will have numerous rates for that. But what if there is an 18 year-old wanting to drive the car? Multiple drivers with different ages can be more costly. Exploring multiple quotes is essential here. What do the different companies have as far as rates for a teen-ager? It is necessary to cover all possible drivers, which can make the rates higher with some companies.

In most cases, discounts are offered for vehicles that have supplemental safety features such as multiple airbags, theft deterrent devices, and driver assistance systems. The modern car comes standard with seat belts, but check with the insurance carrier if they offer a discount for seat belts. A vehicleas safety discounts are usually inconsistent from company to company.

If the car is being financed as opposed to leased, pay attention to the terms of the insurance plan when it comes to accidents. If the vehicle is totaled, a good insurance plan will cover the remaining debt of the loan for the vehicle. Be sure to shop around for this option as many insurance companies do not offer this.

As an insurance customer, be mindful of the available coverages and limits of liability. Make sure that the amount you will pay in the case of an accident is one that you can afford. Additionally, your state may require a certain liability minimum for the customer. Your insurance company may not necessarily know your specific stateas regulations.

In summation, you must be sure to shop multiple insurance companies and their quotes before you make your decision. In the end, you will be rewarded when you get the best value for your money. Look over what is included in each quote thoroughly. But again, donat make any rash decisions before you compare quotes. Opting to not be insured is not wise when there are so many companies that have great offers. Your car insurance is one security that you can be sure to count on in an unsure economy.

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Being an avid Lionel Enthusiast for many years, needless to say, has added up to a vast collection of these trains. Some of my replicas go back a good many years. I would have to say my only frustration with this hobby, has been the lack of good material regarding the trains themselves, that is available. I am not referring to the History of the specific trains, but to the maintenance and repair of the various pieces. For years I have always had to find a good Lionel technician to do my technical work for me.

Unfortunately there are fewer and fewer reliable repairmen around, and they are getting harder to find, not to mention the cost involved. After having a very valuable piece of my Lionel collection in need of repair, out of desperation I began to search the internet for any help possible. That’s when I found the “Lionel Trains Service & Operational Manual CD”. I had not come across this before and with reservations I began to review it a little closer.

What I Like About It
Over the years I had stumbled upon various instructions and guides concerning the repairs but they were always incomplete. They would offer the very basics but there just never seemed to be enough to complete the job I needed to do. The very first thing on this advertisement that impressed me was, that first it was the same one the technicians were using. Those guys I was telling you about that are hard to find.

Secondly, it covered the periods right from 1902-1986. This covered my complete collection. The real bonus was, it was all on two CDs. Not a separate package for each year which would have ended up being very costly. An additional bonus was it came with Parts and Accessories manuals as well.

Thirdly, I love for the fact that it also provides vintage classic catalogs. I’m a collector and I would love to print them out for my collection.

There really wasn’t anything that was left out that I would need. I was really impressed with the completeness of what The Lionel Manuals were offering.

What I Didn’t Like About It.
The overall information in the advertisement was not over done. It explained exactly what was being offered. I was a bit concerned about the few spelling errors that were found in the content of the advertisement. Would this also be reflected in the manuals, hurting their accuracy? Then I realized that it was most unlikely that the authors of the manual wrote their own advertisements. So I didn’t give it much more thought.

Conclusion:
After reading all that the Lionel Manuals had to offer I was convinced that I wanted to purchase them. It is a great investment and a small price to pay to learn how to repair and restore my own model trains

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