Windshield Repair Can Be Economical

By Kiel Johnson

One of the joys of owning a new car is enjoying the view of the road from a new, clean windshield. Over time, though, debris such as rocks or other items thrown from traffic can cause a chip in the glass. Although a small chip or crack does not seem to be a reason for concern, a broken windshield can eventually lead to a potentially dangerous situation.

That's why it's critical for vehicle owners to quickly tackle windshield repairs before a crack turns into a more dangerous problem.

Glass technicians can easily repair small cracks or chips in windshields. Using a clear adhesive resin, many windshield cracks can be repaired for less than $100, and can be done with the help of a professional or, in some cases, by the car's owner.

Many glass repair technicians will even come to the home or office of a client to determine the best solutions for repairing a chipped or cracked windshield. Most windshields with small cracks or chips, for instance, do not need to be replaced. This, of course, can save car owners several hundreds of dollars.

Before taking any action, though, a car owner should first check with their auto insurance provider. Many insurance agencies will offer to have your windshield fix with no deductible, thereby saving car owners hundreds of dollars down the road in future repair costs.

There are several factors that car owners should consider while determining whether a chip or crack can be repaired with a simple resin treatment. The damage cannot be in the driver's line of sight. The damage must also be relatively minor. Most cracks can be repaired if they are less than 24 inches in length. Cracks longer than 24 inches, though, are not repairable. In these situations, the car owner must have the windshield replaced.

The cost of replacing a car windshield varies depending on the brand and size of the car. Additional costs may occur if the windshield has attached wipers or is held in place with specialized rubber moldings. The cost of replacing a car windshield includes the replacement glass, installation, adhesive to hold the glass onto the car and a thorough cleaning.

Car owners should ask for at least two written bids from glass repair shops before paying to fix a cracked or chipped windshield. Disreputable shops will recommend that owners replace their windshields even when such a move is unnecessary. Owners should also get a written guarantee for any work that a repair shop does. They should also regularly check their windshield for air leaks. - 21393

About the Author:

Looking for some more info on las vegas windshield repair? Check out my site for las vegas windshield replacement ideas!

Texas Artist Creates His Work the Dirty Way

By Sam Shaw

Dust is something no one can avoid. It builds up anywhere that is not regularly cleaned and this definitely includes your car. When you do not wash your car, it just keeps accumulating and getting thicker and thicker.

Cars with dirty windshields often attract messages such as wash me from other car owners, pedestrians and children and so on. Unknown to them these windshields can become canvases for exemplary pieces of art that have the ability to impress people that enjoy art as well as some of the worst art cynics.

Scott Wade, a San Marcos, Texas based artist saw waiting canvases where others just saw a dirty windshield. He began to explore the possibilities of dust and dirt to make his art " work which has generated a lot of interest.

Scotts area of residence is on the Roadrunner Road, on the northern part of the town of San Marcos. The area is hilly and dusty, which is an added advantage to him as his car accumulates dirt within no time and provides a canvas, which he soon puts to good use.

Unlike a lot of working artists, Wade does not rely on a lot of equipment to make his creations come to life. Along with brushes, he uses Popsicle sticks and his fingers to turn dirt into something beautiful. Scott Wade uses paintbrushes to add detail to his artwork.

Dust of course, is a unique medium which is also somewhat transitory. Eventually, a dirty car will be washed clean by a heavy rain " but until then, Wade's work endures and in a light rain, striking visual effects like patterns and streaks are added to the image. Wade draws on a wide range of subjects in his art " he has made reproductions of some well known work by Da Vinci, Van Gogh and other artists and has even reproduced the faces of the presidents on Mt. Rushmore in dust! He even does portraits of animals and people.

One of the most interesting attributes of the art pieces created by Scott is that they change over time. This happens when more dust gathers on them as the car drives along dusty roads. Patinas are created when due which always comes up early in the morning dots and streaks the image on the car. The changes brought on the images bring them to life as they now have a bigger collection of values.

Scott Wade has an online gallery where you can view his previous work and if you are lucky, you may even have the opportunity to see him in person. The artist occasionally tours the country exhibiting his work and demonstrating how it is created to always-eager audiences. His work is becoming increasingly popular and there is a national level of buzz about this Texas artist and his work. - 21393

About the Author:

Protecting your investment in your art car is just as important as the design work. Make sure you purchase the proper insurance if you are thinking of putting your car in the car art gallery!

Motor Home Repos sold at Auction

By Spencer Arnold

Buying a motor home at a rv repo auction can be a great idea if you are looking to save 50-80% on the purchase of you next motorhome or RV. The recent economic recession has made this an even better time to buy. With unemployment on the rise, bank motorhome and RV repos have been on a steady rise for the last 2 years. As a rv buyer, this is great news for you because this makes it a great time for you to get a discount and a large selection of inventory in any price range.

Motorhomes sold at repo auctions are typically sold at a discount, 50 to 80% below their suggested retail values. For the most part, these motorhome repos have been well maintained and are in good condition. When buying at auction, it is best to avoid buying motor homes with pre-existing problems or ones that have been lived in for a long amount of time.

Repo motorhomes are sold at auctions on a regular basis, such weekly, bi- weekly, monthly or seasonally.

There are 3 places you can go to find out when and where these rv repo auctions are occurring. First, you can try asking local dealers of dealership owners. Be friendly and see how far that gets you. Second, sometimes rv auctions are advertised in rev classifieds or in local newspapers. Thirdly, you could check with banks or local credit unions. This may be a little harder either because the bank is large and you are not talking to the right person or because they have a hard time admitting they issue bad loans.

Sales are usually final and the motor home is sold in as is condition. Find out as much as possible before you go to the auction. Find out how the RVs are usually purchased, if registration is required, and whether or not you have to pay with cash or are allowed to get financing.

With newer motor homes, find out if their are any existing factory warranties that can be transferred to the new buyer. Most motor home sold for cheap at auctions do not come with warranties because they are sold in as- in condition. Find out before you bid whether or not the motorhome is still under factory warranty.

After going to a few auctions you will have a really good idea what you want and how much you have to bid to get it. Best Luck finding the motor home you want at a price you can afford! - 21393

About the Author:

Spencer Arnold is an expert on finding great deals. For more knowledge on buying RV Auctions come visit our site!

What Trunk bike Rack is Correct For You?

By Gary Lindsey

There are many companies that manufacture trunk-mounted bike rack systems for almost all cars. Among these bike rack system companies are Allen, Hollywood Racks, Thule, Saris, Yakima and a couple others.

All the various trunk bicycle rack work almost the same way. Most of them strap onto the trunk of a auto and secure your cycle to your car for secure transport. Nothing else to it.

Allen, Thule, Hollywood Racks and a few others have trunk mount bike rack systems that will hold more than one bike and can mount three bikes. This freedom is useful when bicycling as a group and ride sharing.

Some models that I would recommend are the Yakima King Joe, Saris Bones, Allen AL102A and a few others. All these trunk-mounted bike rack options are just a starting point.

The Allen AL-102A trunk bike rack weighs 9.5 pounds, fits on most SUV's. The single configuration design ensures no mistakes during set up and installation. The 12 long carry arms easily carries up to 2 bicycles. It sets up and installs within minutes.

Another well-liked trunk mount bike rack is the Saris Bones bicycle rack. The Saris Bones features injection-molded arms and legs. These parts are the most durable in the industry and produced with 100% recyclable, non-rusting material. Ratcheting anti-sway straps secure and stabilize bikes. The signature Arc-based design accommodates most spoilers and separates bikes on different levels. Plastic parts on Saris racks are injected during the manufacturing process with a UV stabilizer. Therefore, colors will not fade or crack; also fading and cracking are covered under the manufacturer's warranty program. Lastly, they come in a few different colors: blue, red, yellow, and black.

The Yakima King Joe trunk mount bike rack is best. This bike rack for your car comes with a Quick Trigger Hub System which makes for a simple installation process. The trunk mount bicycle rack can work with the broadest range of vehicles of any Yakima strap style rack. Narrow arm design is compatible with a most of bikes. Premium Tri-Padded feet and padded metal buckles protect your cars paint job. The Integrated StableCradles secure bikes in place. The folding arms on the Yakima King Joe make storage easy.

The Baja Rack by Hollywood features patented Micro-Adjust hubs which makes installation a snap. More that 5 straps solidly attach the Hollywood Baja Rack to the trunk of your sedan. Bike separators with anti-sway blocks makes sure that the bikes firmly attached to the trunk mount bicycle rack. A last point, the rack folds flat for user-friendly storage in a trunk or garage. - 21393

About the Author:

Read more articles by Gary and more specifications on trunk bike rack rigs for your car and other auto bike rack choices.

Why does your Car Insurance Quote Increase after an Accident?

By A Nutt

Car accidents usually result in an increase in insurance premiums. Even if you are not responsible, your insurance company will have to incur some costs. There is an increase in car premiums and policy quotes because the accident will be rated against your coverage. There are a number of types of insurance coverage that can include collision, personal injury protection, and medical coverage. If you are found at fault' for an accident, coverage such as personal liability and collision will cover you, your vehicle, and personal injury to the other driver. Often, if you have just one accident, you will see an increase in your car insurance quote.

Car insurance quotes will increase because you will be considered a high risk driver. The premium will reflect the nature of the accident and the costs associated with the accident. Insurance companies will usually charge 'points' to your policy. Depending on the insurance company, these points will be charged to your policy for a certain period of time that usually ranges from three to possibly seven years. If you are in an accident that was your fault, the insurance company will consider that you are a high risk of having accidents in the future and increase your rates. You will also receive higher insurance quotes. The length of time between an accident and your quote and premiums decreasing depends on a providers policies. As well, you may have to pay a higher deductible for the insurance.

Another reason why an accident can increase your premiums when you are 'at-fault' in an accident is that there are some companies who will not insure you. When there is less competition for your business, then there is less incentive to give you a good deal. As a result, your insurance quote will be higher. When you add the insurance 'points' into the mix, it is easy to see how an accident can become very expensive. If you have a faultless driving record, it is unlikely that your premiums will increase after an accident that was determined not to be your fault.

You can normally expect a rate increase of between 20-40%. This increase is based on the Insurance Services Office's (ISO) criteria of raising a premium after an accident. According to the ISO, for multi-car policies, the surcharge is 20 percent of the base rate, and for single-car policies it is 40 percent. It is important to remember that there are other factors taken into consideration after an accident such as your age, gender, and driving record. These factors will affect how high the percentage increase will be.

The increase in premiums is not done so that the insurance money can get their money back, but is based on the risk that you may be involved in another car accident. Each insurance company has different policies and standards, but they look at your chances of getting into another accident. The number of accidents that you are involved in also increases your insurance premiums.

Some companies will absolve past accidents after a set period of time has expired. This can be two years, or as much as five years, but the period will vary depending on the insurance provider. Basically, you have to show the insurance company that you are no longer a high risk driver.

The best way to avoid high car insurance quotes is to avoid an accident. You can do this by practicing safe driving. One car accident can seriously impact your car insurance quote and the premium that you will pay. - 21393

About the Author:

Canada's largest independent insurance brokerage firms delivering car insurance London, car insurance Waterloo, home insurance solutions in your community and around the world for over 70 years and offices in Cambridge, Waterloo and Toronto