DIY Archives

Car Mods – BMW Wagon Makeover w/ 3M 1080 Color Wrap & Tints

February 12, 2019November 12, 2018 by Tom Burkart

Quick: name the top three tweaks to make any car cooler overnight? The order is debatable but we’d say tinted glass, up-sized wheels and a fresh paint color. (Half points if you said to debadge and dechrome the beast from nose to tail:) We tackled all five of these mods to give new life to @thewanderingwheelman’s BMW 3 series wagon. The 2007 328Xi Touring is a fairly timeless q-car that still drives like a champ even a decade after it first hit the streets. This was back before turbos took over so the honey wagon runs the smooth and soulful BMW inline six and the rear-biased AWD system. Factory stance was pretty good from the start in terms of a racy lowness, but the stock rims barely filled the wheel arches. The factory paintwork is similarly inoffensive as a metallic dark grey – but was ripe for some color after …

How to Start a Successful Car Detailing Business

February 12, 2019October 11, 2018 by Scott Huntington

2014 GMC Sierra SLT Crew Cab in Iridium Metallic left rear three quarter shot doors open- on location

So, you’ve taken up car detailing. You’ve gotten good at it, you enjoy it and maybe you’ve even turned it into a profitable side hustle. Perhaps it’s time to take it to the next level. That’s right — what started as a hobby could become a full-fledged business. That’s not to say making the leap will be easy, but with careful planning and steadfast execution, it is possible to launch a successful car detailing business. Doing so requires knowledge of both auto detailing and business. Here are the basic steps you need to take to get started. Decide on the Specifics of Your Business Starting a business takes a lot of planning. To start, figure out what kind of detailing business you want to have. Some auto detailing companies are mobile and go to their customers instead of having a fixed location. Others rent or buy a building and operate …

LARTE Design Launches Carbon Kit for MASERATI LEVANTE

February 12, 2019June 1, 2017 by Tom Burkart

Larte Design has a new set of carbon-fiber goodies to dress up one of the world’s hottest new trucks: the Maserati Levante. These make perfect gifts – even to yourself! — for DIY car guys and gals. Why? No heavy lifting here or intense bodyshop skills needed to mount these properly. The extra CF bits and bobs (about nine in all) extend the factory spoilers just a touch deeper for added sporty coolness.Sounding like a fanboy here but nobody does stick-on carbon fiber as nicely as Larte Design. The chin spoiler, side spats and mirror caps are elegant and appear OEM in quality. They certainly add intensity to Levante’s inherently sporty design. Easily and installed in a half hour! LARTE Design Stage Two for MASERATI LEVANTE – Preproduction Teasers A stage two package is in development from Larte for the Levante. This will be more involed, with a full bodykit that …

How to Change the Exterior Color of Your Car with Plasti-Dip

February 12, 2019March 15, 2017 by Stephen Foreman

This how to Plasti-Dip your car guide will make changing of car color fast and easy. For those who are not familiar with Plasti-Dip, it is a new product being used to change the color of your car temporarily. It is usually in liquid form used to vinyl-wrap cars, and you can spray it on like regular paint. As it dries up it becomes flexible that protects the paint underneath. If applied properly, it can make your vehicle looks good on the outside and keep the finish of the car well-maintained (innovatecar.com). The Plasti-Dip can survive the harsh weather both hot and cold without melting or warping. Thus, it is very durable. You can easily remove the Plasti-Dip if needed. Things you need: Water Towels Spray gun and trigger Sponges Soap Rubber gloves Razor blade or box cutter Plasti-Dip Painter’s tape in a variety of widths Painter’s mask …

TECHART Reveals 718 Boxster and Cayman w/ 50HP PnP Powerkit

February 12, 2019February 22, 2017 by Tom Burkart

How sexy are these? We love all Porsches in Miami blue but this TechArt Cayman and Boxster are extra special. Their gorgeous new LEDs and intake details are so sexy when paired with the bodykits and wheel/tire changes by the TechArt crew. TechArt has a plug-and-play Powerkit available for the 718 lineup now, too. 15 minutes adds 50HP! Sprint pace drops a third of a second into the high 3’s. Impressive. TECHART Reveals 718 Boxster and Cayman Leonberg, February 22nd, 2017 TECHART intensifies the sporty character of the Porsche 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster models. World Premiere of the TECHART program for the Porsche 718 Cayman at the 87th Geneva International Motor Show from March 9th until 19th, 2017. TECHART exterior design The TECHART aerokit for the new Porsche 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster models, boosts the dynamic appearance of these mid-engined sportscars. …

2017 Ford Ranger By MR Car Design Is Global Raptor Junior

February 12, 2019February 21, 2017 by Tom Burkart

Wow, it is hard to get used to saying Ford Ranger again! But we’ll need in a few years here in the USA. Global truck guys, of course, have never lost their Ranger. This upfit by MR Car Design is Germany is a fun Raptor Junior of a baja upgrade. 2017 Ford Ranger By MR Car Design A dazzling FORD RANGER by MR CAR DESIGN Photos: MR Car Design e. K. The experts of MR Car Design in Erftstadt, near the Rhine, are very well-respected for their exclusive tuning, as well as for the refinement of sports cars and luxurious limousines. The team surrounding the company’s director Marcel REIL spares no efforts in order to make any consumer’s wish – no matter how eccentric – come true. Since everything is consolidated under one roof – whether high-end software maximization, stunning wheel-tire-combinations, professional exhaust- or brake-systems and more – the MR …

2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class by BRABUS – First Look

February 12, 2019January 16, 2017 by Tom Burkart

Well that didn’t take long! Brabus has revealed their first steps at refining the W213 E-Class today, with upgrades to the aero, styling, power and sound. Mostly plug-and-play modules for the ride height and the engine power mods — which is great for overseas clients to do themselves. Also some design upgrades and added aggression via a new performance exhaust. 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class by BRABUS Red-hot: Exclusive BRABUS refinement for the new E-Class Mercedes-Benz continues the long success story of the E-Class with the W 213 model series, and BRABUS (Brabus-Allee, D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111, Internet www.brabus.com) presents an exclusive refinement program for the new sedan. The product lineup ranges from engine tuning for the various gasoline and diesel models to sporty-elegant aerodynamic-enhancement components for the different equipment variants. Of course, BRABUS also offers …

How to Use Powder Coating When Restoring Your Car

February 13, 2019January 11, 2017 by Scott Huntington

Protecting and preserving your car’s chassis and small parts is crucial to any good restoration. Paint has been the long-time favorite when it comes to protectants. It gives your undercarriage a uniform color pallet, defends against the elements and most importantly keeps damaging rust from setting in. Automotive paint isn’t the only option for the job. There are other choices. Spray paint is the most cost-effective alternative, but it sacrifices some of the protective qualities of paint and can look cheap. Plating metal parts in chrome, cadmium and other shiny metals can protect them, and the end results look good, but it requires equipment most DIYers can’t access at a reasonable price. This brings us to an option that is effective but often overlooked: powder coating. What Is Powder Coating? While it has only become popular in recent years, the process of powder coating dates back over forty years. The …

How to Fix Rust Spots on Your Car – By Scott Huntington

February 13, 2019January 4, 2017 by Scott Huntington

Finding a rust spot on your car might feel like the worst thing in the universe, but it isn’t the end of the world. In many parts of the country, especially colder climates where the roads are salted to protect against ice and snow, rust is simply a part of life no matter how well you take care of your car. Thankfully, rust spots or holes are easy to repair with a few tools you might already own, some components from your local auto parts store and a little bit of elbow grease. Figure out What You’re Dealing With The first step to fixing rust spots on your car is to determine the severity of the rust. Is it just a surface spot or has the rust begun to eat through the metal, forming a hole? While the techniques for repairing both types of rust spots are similar, the latter …