Car Tools You’ll Want And Need In Your Garage

Car repair is not a job to take lightly. So whether you’re a seasoned mechanic or a regular car owner who wants to take charge in his own car troubles, you need to invest in tools that you can rely on through thick and thin. Here are the top tools that you want and need in your garage.

Milwaukee Cordless Impact Wrench, 18.0 V    

When trying to grip or apply torque on things like nuts and bolts, you need a reliable tool like this especially when a compressor or air tank and hose aren’t available. But since this is a rechargeable cordless impact wrench do not expect it to apply the same kind of torque a pneumatic model can. However, it has enough energy to handle axle shaft nuts.

Proto Sealed Head Air Ratchet, 3/8” Drive

An air ratchet wrench is more powerful version of your trusty handheld socket set. But the best thing about this is that it’s lightweight and compact that you can get it into tight places in your car and get those tough nuts loosened.

Mac Tools Spinflex Flex Head Ratchet

This rugged 30-tooth design is for maximum durability, it has a low-profile switch, and its design allows users to slide comfortable grip on its handle so that when released from locked position it converts ratchet to a speed handle. No more struggle when reaching for tight nooks and crannies in the car’s engine bay when you’re in the middle of car repair.

Steelman STE97202 Wireless Chassisear Kit

The problem with a traditional stethoscope is that you can't use it while you're taking a car for a test drive. This is why having Steelman is such an ease to have when you’re trying to diagnose certain problems in your car. This one comes with a transmitter that you can attach to the problem area which allows you to hear noise changes better even when you’re driving the car.

Craftsman 17-Piece Standard & Metric Flex Socket Set

Once you’re faced with a car repair that requires you to get into tight spaces without disassembling other parts to get there, you’d be thankful you decided to invest in this set. This is especially known for nickel-chrome plated socket and precision machine which is perfect for loosening or tightening bolts or nuts. 

Chicago Pneumatic CPT-7748 Air Impact Wrench

With a maximum of 922 ft-lbs of torque and 1200 blows per minute, this impact wrench can do even the toughest rusted bolt there is. No wonder this is known for its quality and reliability.

Mityvac MITMV8500 Hand Vacuum & Pressure Pump Kit

For those who are determined to take on car repairs on their own, this kit is a must buy. It will make your life easier when dealing with brake bleeds or vacuum tests. It comes with all the necessary attachments and accessories that will allow you to handle any type of vehicle or components, and can quickly switch between applying vacuum and pressure too.

Gearwrench 81229 3-Piece Offset-Handle Ratchet

Mechanic’s knuckles often take a beating when getting into odd spaces under the hood. If you want to avoid looking like you beat people for a living because of your knuckles this bent-handle ratchet is your new best friend. Reaching spark plugs became easier too because of this guy’s deep-well sockets. 

SK Hand Tools 1/4-In.-Drive Thumbwheel Ratchet

Trying to get to a connector under the dash with a big-handled tool is a surefire way to lose your patience and get nothing done because there’s just no way it’s gonna happen. This SK Hand Tools have a knurled rim that's easy to grip and can fit almost anywhere. Goodbye frustrating attempts to take on this task with the wrong tool.

Torin T82040 Trolley Jack With Jack Stand And Creeper

When you’re faced with a car repair which calls for going under the car, the most important thing is to have a secure tool that will hold the car in place. This guy right here includes a comfortable creeper to get you around while you’re under there and trolley jack and jack stands which are all rated to two tons and are easy to adjust. This jack stand and creeper is definitely a keeper!

How to Maintain Long-Term Paint Protection to Your Car?

Paint Protection Film (Clear Bra) or Ceramic Coating is a familiar term among car owners these days. If you're wondering, Ceramic Coating is a clear coat that includes a liquid polymer that forms a chemical bonding with the factory paint. While PPF is a thin layer of flexible material places over a car. Both are a genius low-maintenance way of keeping your car's exterior in top condition!

Which one suits you the “best”?

Both are ideal for your car. However, if you want optimal protection for your car against scratches and rock chip damages, you should get a PPF. For cleaning ease, glossiness and hydrophobicity, a Ceramic Coating will work! For maximum protection, applying Ceramic Coating on top of your Paint Protection Film is advisable!

Even though we say that these are "low-maintenance", there are still some guidelines which you need to do if you want your Permanent Protection Film and Ceramic Coating to last a lifetime!

Guidelines to Follow for Long-Term Paint Protection of Car

If you follow these guidelines, you're investing not just on Ceramic Coating and PPF but to lifetime commitment as well!

Refrain from washing your car within 7 days of application

Allow the Pain Protection Film and Ceramic Coating to fully cure your vehicle otherwise, washing your vehicle may inhibit the curing process.

Keep a safe distance from film edges when using a pressure washer

Always keep a safe distance of 8-12 inches away from your vehicle when using a pressure washer (or, it depends upon your preference). It is also safe to note that you should avoid at all costs washing the edges of the film as it may cause the edges to lift which can damage your car and shorten the span of your coating.

Hydration is a must

When wiping your vehicle, make sure that the surface is hydrated. This could prevent your car from scratches or dirt residue.

Thou shall not use a powered buffer on paint protection film

This is one of the commandments of car cleaning that many people still try to commit. Please, avoid it. Or better yet, do not even dare try using it.

Be gentle with films and coatings

Prohibit using aggressive chemicals like bug and tar removers off your film coating to avoid damages. Always be gentle with your film or coating just like how you'd be gentle with factory paint.

Keep a keen eye with bug-spatter, bird dropping, or tree sap

Always keep a keen eye with dirt such as bird-dropping, bug-splatter, or even tree sap. The quicker you remove these stains the safer it is for your PFF or coating. In addition, always bring a quick detailer with you in case of dirt emergencies to minimize scratches and swirls.

Noteworthy Proper Car Washing Techniques

Even if you coat your car with PPF and Ceramic Coating it will not guarantee to keep your car well-protected and shiny for a long period of time if you don't know the proper washing techniques!

Regular Washing

Yes, regular washing is still needed and a must even if your car is now covered with Paint Protection Film, Ceramic Coating, or BOTH. Make it a point to frequently wash your paint exterior!

Do not wash your vehicle under direct sunlight

It is highly advisable to wash your car under a shed and not under direct sunlight to avoid water-spotting and reduce the effectiveness of the car wash chemicals.

Use only car wash product

Household detergents and other cleaning agents can possibly damage your finish. It is best to use products dedicated to car washing to loosen debris.

Premium wash media

This depends on your choice. You can either use a microfiber mitt or anything you can find on the market as long as you make sure it is CLEAN before using it.

The two-bucket method

The two-bucket method comes with two buckets one with car wash soap, and one with pure rinse water. This idea keeps the dirt on your mitt off the car wash solution by rinsing your mitt using pure water.

First, the wheels

The wheels are usually the dirtiest part of your vehicle! Cleaning them first is essential.

Wash one section at a time

To wash your car thoroughly, make it one section at a time. This will also reduce the possibility of getting debris in your mitt.

Avoid dry air

Air dry will result in water-spotting. Choose other alternatives in drying your cars such as a waffle-weave towel or an air-blower.

5 Steps To Clean Your Car Using A Power Washer

Back in the day, washing a vehicle involves jacking it up, taking off the wheels and manually scrubbing every surface and crannies of your car. Although pressure washers are already available then, not many car owners have one since they’re way too pricey to buy. The closest thing a car owner can probably get is to borrow if he knows someone who has it or use a typical garden hose and make do with that.

But nowadays, it has become a typical home garage tool for most households not only because of its usefulness but as well as it’s relatively cheaper price compared to before. If you’ve ever had to deal with manual scrubbing of stubborn dirt and grime on your car, you understand how much of a pain that is. But with power washers, the pressurized water does the job for you without as much struggle.

If you’re still not fully convinced why you should get your hands on one, here’s what sets a power washer apart from the typical garden hose as well as the bucket and sponge combo.

· It lessens aggressive and damaging contact with the car that often leads to scuffing of dirt and debris onto the pain finish which we all know causes unsightly scratches.

· It saves you the time and effort of doing the tedious manual scrubbing since the pressurized water will simply blast the caked dirt away.

· You no longer have to figure out how to bend your body in weird ways and fit into tight spaces around your vehicle because power washers can effortlessly reach those nooks and crannies.

· In general, you’ll be able to do the cleaning so much faster and easier which makes this task less of a drag.

All that points makes it clear that a power washer is a better option in terms of cleaning your car. However, since we’re dealing with a tool that generates power, we cannot deny that it can also cause damage if not used the right way. You will need to learn how to go about it with care and precision if you want to accomplish the task effectively without accidentally damaging your paint. There are even pressure washers that are designed to take off paint from cars, so it’s reasonable to be careful when handling such tools because you can potentially cause damage even with one that is intended for cleaning.

To be on the safe side, before using this on your car, make sure that the pressure that it puts out is less than 2,000psi. That should be safe enough for your paint. And if you have chipped paint, common sense says not to concentrate the water blast on those damaged areas. Otherwise, you could make the damaged area worse. Make sure you’re always careful to not concentrate on the door handles and the bottom edge of the windows. This is to avoid water getting into the doors, window mechanisms, and door locks where it can get trapped and cause rust. 

For the step to step instructions, here they are:

Step 1: Begin By Rinsing Your Car Thoroughly

You need to get rid of loose dust and dirt off your car first. Make sure you go from top to bottom and not the other way around.

Step 2: Use The Pressure Washer To Shampoo Your Car

Now you can grab your power washer. Take your favorite car shampoo and pour it onto the detergent tank of the washer. Attach that to your power washer and use that to shampoo your vehicle.

Step 3: Make Sure You Spray The Wheels

Once you’re done shampooing the entire body, time to focus on the wheel wells and wheels. Dirt is usually really caked up and stuck in there so you may have to check and work those areas more.

Step 4: Soap Down The Car

Take a soft sponge soaked in your soapy solution and soap down the car, being careful not to put too much pressure but getting as far into the nooks and crannies as you can. Use a different sponge for the bottom part of the car, wheel wells, and wheels.

Step 5: Finish Cleaning With Another Thorough Rinse

After shampooing everything, time to rinse it all down. You can use the pressure water to do this thoroughly. Just be careful around the door handles and window bottoms.

There are car owners who wash their car as often as they can while others drag it as long as possible. But is there really a schedule that you should keep up to when it comes to getting a car wash and grooming? Well, it would have to depend on a lot of factors. Do you drive all day every day? Are you a very busy person? Have you been out on a rainy day lately? All cars accumulate dust, dirt, grime, and all sorts of impurities that can affect your car’s exterior as well as interior, but those questions above make all the difference on how frequently you should avail car grooming services.

It’s understandable that it’d be hard to squeeze in car washing everyday if you’re busy, but you should at least do it once a week or every time you get a day off and if you really can’t do it yourself then take advantage of  the car grooming service that is widely available in Singapore. If you drive on poor conditions a lot, like when it’s rainy or on rough roads you have to get it done more often than once a week.

Things You Should Know To Remove Water Spots On Your Car

Swirl marks and scratches are the results of improper methods of removing water stain. While swirl marks happen during cleaning and detailing, it’s actually the products and tools used that does the damage. For example, using dirty wash mitts or sponge is one culprit since even the tiniest dirt trapped in those can cause fine scratches. Another reason behind swirl marks are dirty wax or polish applicator or dirty microfiber cloth.

If you’re very meticulous when it comes to cleaning or detailing your automobile, you may want to at least do the washing yourself. This way, you can be sure that everything you’re using isn't dirty which can be hard to do for car washing stations since they’re handling a lot of cars and changing cleaning materials for each car would be a bit impractical.

Another cause would be removing missed patches with a drying cloth. It happens to the best of us: you rinse your car, only to find you’ve missed a bit. But, instead of reaching for the cleaning cloth (the recommended solution), you attack the spot with your drying cloth – a big no-no. By rubbing a mucky mark with a dry cloth, you’ll effectively work the dirt into the paint, or at the very least cause a stubborn swirl mark. Remember – never clean your car with a dry cloth.

Now, if you’re still getting those swirl marks even when you’ve made sure the cleaning cloths and applicators are clean, the problem could be your car’s surface itself. If your paintwork has embedded contaminants, polishing the surface and waxing it will only drag those harmful particles round and round, thereby creating those nasty swirls. This is where prepping your paintwork prior to waxing and polishing becomes very crucial. Start by running your fingers along the body of the car, if it’s smooth all throughout then you’re good to go. If not, grab a clay bar and special lubricant and then move the bar in a back-and-forth motion (without exerting pressure) to remove embedded particles. When the clay gets dirty, you fold it to reveal the clean surface and continue. After your vehicle is done, the paintwork should feel as smooth as glass.

Causes Of Water Stains

· Mineral And Dirt Deposits

Mineral and dirt deposits comprise the first category of water stains. These are mostly a result of trace minerals present in rain, sprinkler systems or in the car cleaning water, which remains on your vehicle exterior surface when it is washed but not dried off.

· Corrosive Liquids

This type of water stains refers to etchings or craters that appear in the paint due to some corrosive liquids such as air con water discharge coming in contact with the car surface, which can lead to deterioration of the car paint and even the lacquer.

Ways To Remove Water Stain Properly

· Wash It Thoroughly

People don’t just seek car servicing in Singapore due to engine problems, more often than not it’s due to exterior damage or imperfections like swirl marks from different kinds of dirt like grease, grime, bird poop and water. When left unattended for an extended period of time, they can cause serious paint damage on your car. Avoid the stress and unnecessary expenses by keeping your vehicle clean. 

· Seek Car Polishing

Polishing is one of the most misunderstood paint care procedures and as a result many individuals skip this important step. Polish is an abrasive compound, which, when worked into the paint using the hand or a polisher, shaves off imperfections of the paint. It levels out the surface and makes it smooth, thereby preparing it for the next step of applying wax or paint sealant. If you wax without polishing the surface first, not only will the paint look dull, but you will also notice that the wax layer will wear off quicker than usual. So ultimately it is a huge waste of your time and resources. Because polish is abrasive as mentioned above, it is important to master polishing techniques especially if you are using a rotary buffer, or you risk burning right through the paint.

· Apply Wax

Once you’ve polished all the areas you need to and you’re happy that you’ve removed all the polish, you can wax your car. This will protect the paintwork against water stain and future damage and give you a beautiful shiny finish which can last up to 12 months. It takes time to apply as you need to apply in small amounts and buff but your patience will be rewarded with a brand new and shiny looking car.

· Vinegar

White vinegar is a mild acid, and the minerals and pollutants in water spots can be broken down by this mild acid. To apply, simply follow these steps:

1. Mix white vinegar and distilled water in equal parts in a bucket.

2. Soak a sponge or a microfiber cloth in the solution.

3. Apply the solution to the water spots, allowing the solution to soak into the stains for about a minute or two. The key is to allow the vinegar to break down and loosen the contaminants’ grip on the surface so they can be wiped off gently.

4. After the waiting period, try to gently wipe off the spot. Avoid the tendency to wipe vigorously as you will be merely grinding the minerals and the pollutants onto the paint finish, creating scratches.

· Clay Bar

Detailing clay is a synthetic resin compound designed to pick up minerals and pollutants on your car’s finish as you glide it on a car’s well-lubricated paint finish. Use this if white vinegar wasn’t enough to get rid of the stains. Check out the following instructions:

1. Get some detailing clay and clay lubricant.

2. Spray lubricant onto the paint finish.

3. Glide the clay over the lubricated surface gently, with light pressure. It may take several passes to remove the water spots.

Things You Should Do To Protect Your Car From The Blazing Heat Of Summer

Road trips, longer days, and warmer weather are just a few of the joys of living in a tropical country like Singapore where it’s basically summer most of the time. But having the sun high in the sky most days can mean scorching car seats, muggy interiors, and potential damage to your vehicle's surfaces when it's exposed to hours of sunlight at a time. As much as the heat can take a toll on your car's interior, it's also rough on a vehicle's working parts. Aside from all these tips to help keep your car cool you should also head to your mechanic for routine summer maintenance, like a cooling system and fluid check, so that you'll not only stay cool, you'll stay safe.

Invest In Car Paint Protection

We can’t really help the kind of weather you’ll have in the place you live. Whether you have four seasons or two extreme weather, all you can do is take extra steps to protect your car from these. Paint protection in Singapore’s tropical weather will prevent your paint job from fading fast, it also keeps it from expanding and contracting which results in cracking where water or moist can seep through the cracks and create rust. Like most things, prevention is better than cure. A good paint protection system should protect your car long-term. Repainting can be costly, so if you can do something to avoid doing it too often, wouldn’t you do it and save yourself some cash and stress?

Apply A Silicone Protective Substance To  The Rubber Weather Stripping

All around the doors is rubber weather stripping that keeps air, water, dust, and debris from entering the nooks, crannies, and cabin of the car. Some of them are exposed to sun damage, but those that are not can also suffer from dry-rot. These can be protected by silicone protective substances that can be wiped on every few months to keep them lubricated and to keep them from rotting.

Tint Your Windows

Since glass allows sun to penetrate easily, the car gets hot in an instant especially during summer. This makes your entire car ride uncomfortable because of the heat and your air conditioning to work harder to keep the car cool which increases gasoline consumption. However, installing heat resistant window tint will solve this problem. Solar films for your car keep UV rays from penetrating your car windows. Aside from that, it can also protect your car’s upholstery from premature damage like color fading as well as cracking.

Charge Your Ac Unit

When you live in a tropical country, driving with your air condition unit running is a must. That is unless you like driving uncomfortable and drenched in your own sweat which I highly doubt applies to anyone. So if the hot days are coming up, check if your AC unit is in tip top condition or if it’s time to replace it. If you’re scheduled to visit your mechanic for maintenance anyway, don’t forget to get your guy to see if your AC needs some work. Whether it needs to be recharged, cleaned or completely replaced, it’s best to do this before summer time rolls in.

Top Up Your Coolant

Summer is an important time to regularly check your coolant is topped up - after all, you never know when your car will overheat! If you don't top up your coolant and allow your car to overheat, you risk vehicle damage that could cost you a pricey bill, with some moving metals melting together under the heat causing significant issues. Coolant should also be a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze during summer, but you don't have to worry too much about getting this ration exactly right with premixed coolant also available. 

Clean And Flush The Radiator

When dirt, bugs, or road grime gets stuck and accumulates in your radiator, it becomes harder for the air to flow through it. As a result, it’s harder to cool the engine especially when the vehicle is stopped and the radiator has to rely on just the fan to keep it cool which is why it overheats when idle. So aside from getting rid of anything that your radiator has accumulated, fill it up with coolant (preferably) too especially if it’s in the brink of overheating. But if you don’t have it on hand, water works too. While you’re at it, see if your car’s hose is still intact and undamaged. Otherwise, you need to replace it so that the car’s cooling system would go back and function to normal.

Check Your Tires

You’ll want to check to make sure that your tires are properly inflated during the summer months. You’ll save an average of $600 a year by not having to prematurely replace them. It’s important to check that your tires are properly inflated because hotter temperatures can increase tire pressure, leading to unnecessary wear and tear.

Check Battery

It’s easy to assume that car battery works better when the temperature is high, but in reality its strength actually decreases when it gets too hot out. Aside from the outside temperature, the temperature under the hood can also contribute to quickened corrosion of car batteries. So if you have been having trouble with your car battery often lately, and it’s been scorching hot as well take your car to the servicing shop to have it checked.