Easy Ways to Improve the Value of Your Car for Sale

October 23, 2018Max Treverton

If you are looking to sell a secondhand car it makes sense to take care of small repair jobs which can affect the value of your car. However, if your car isn't worth that much to start with, you need to carefully select fixes that don't cost too much. Here are some cheap ideas to help you improve the saleability of your car.

Give the car a good wash and buff

While it makes sense to wash a car that you are going to sell, it can help to spend some extra time on car cleaning. Not only can this remove dirt and help to return shine to all parts of the car, it can also help you to see any small scratches or paint issues which can be easily fixed with a paint pen. Be sure to use a specific auto paint product, as the high shine of auto paint can make patches from a duller paint stand out on the car body.

Brighten the headlights and brake lights

One of the things drivers quickly notice on a test drive is how clearly their headlights and brake lights operate - they will stand in front of the car and get someone to turn on the brake lights and indicators. Headlights can easily get dirty and discoloured after normal usage, but these can make the car appear older and less safe to drive. Using headlight restoration wipes is an easy and cheap way to restore your headlights to a brighter and newer appearance which is attractive to car buyers.

Repair broken or cracked mirrors

Many mirrors can be purchased relatively cheaply for secondhand cars, and replacement is an easy DIY job. Buyers often overestimate the cost and time required to replace side and internal mirrors, and will turn away from cars with lightly damaged mirrors due to perceived safety issues. Check all your mirrors to repair anything that seems cracked or scratched.

These are just some of the simple steps you can take to make your secondhand car more desirable to potential buyers. Most buyers are concerned about their car looking clean and safe, so spending a little time to make sure your car is visually well maintained can help you to land a sale. Why not buy a pack of our Headlight Restoration Wipes now and start getting your car ready for sale?

Car safety warning signs you should never ignore

October 23, 2018Ella Mazzon

Keeping your car in top shape is important, but even if you’re committed to its upkeep there are some warning signs that are almost always bad news. For the safest driving experience possible, remember to slow down and take a breath if you notice any of these things:

1. Lit indicators

These days technology is smart enough to let us know there’s a problem with our car without us having to check for it ourselves. Although it might be tempting to ignore the little blinking red lights by the steering wheel, it’s important that you address the issue as soon as you can. The indicators could be warning you of a range of problems, from oil pressure issues to failing breaks, a battery malfunction or an overheated engine.

2. Brake noises

Everyone knows how important brakes are from an incident in childhood where their bike didn’t quite stop in time before they crashed into someone. When driving a car, it’s even more essential that you can make those emergency stops. Hearing any kind of squeaking or grating is a cause for concern and not an issue you should ignore for long. Changing your brake pads is a simple enough procedure and worth the extra time added on to your day if it means saving lives.

3. Smoke and smells

You’ll be used to the typical kind of emissions from your vehicle, but noticing something different could be a bad sign. Lots of smoke that’s dense or black in colour might mean something is burning or in danger of exploding. In this scenario, it’s a good idea to stop somewhere safe while you figure out exactly what’s going wrong.

4. Engine sounds

Similarly to the last point, you’ll know what your engine sounds like most of the time. If it’s suddenly much louder or making a grinding sound, then anything from parts coming loose to a punctured tire could be wrong. The engine is the heart of your vehicle, so if something’s wrong, you’re unlikely to be going anywhere anytime soon.

Car safety should always be your priority and by paying attention to these four signs, you can protect both yourself and other drivers on the road.

Headlight Restoration Wipes Vs Home Remedies

October 08, 2018Max Treverton

How To Clean Foggy Headlights

October 08, 2018Max Treverton

If your headlights are dirty, you shouldn't ignore them. Foggy headlights can dramatically reduce visibility. To ensure car safety, take care of headlight cleaning with this efficient, step-by-step process.

What do you need?

There's a variety of substances you can use for headlight cleaning, from toothpaste to baking soda, but for the best results, use headlight restoration wipes. These are the easiest, quickest solution. In fact, most headlights can be cleaned within just a few minutes.

1. Park in a safe place, away from traffic

This might seem obvious, but every year, people are injured and killed by parking in dangerous places. The best place for headlight cleaning is well away from traffic.

2. Wipe the headlights

In your headlight restoration kit, you'll find two wipes. Take the first – marked #1 – tear open the packet and unfold the wipe. Use it to wipe over each headlight. Be sure to exert a small amount of pressure and be thorough, reaching every corner and edge.

3. Dry the headlights with a cloth or paper towel

Do not allow the headlights to dry on their own. Immediately after wiping, apply a dry cloth or paper towel. Again, be exceptionally thorough: not a single drop of moisture should be left on either headlight. If you accidentally allow the headlights to dry, use a damp cloth to remove any residue left by the first wipe.

4. Protect the headlights

In your headlight restoration kit, there's a second wipe, marked #2. When you tear open the packet, you'll notice that it's folded. Do not unfold the wipe. Leaving it as it is, wipe over the headlights, thereby applying a protective layer to the headlights. Leave it to dry for 30 minutes.

What not to do

After your foggy headlights have been restored, they should be left for at least 24 hours. It's fine to drive your car, but it's important that you don't expose it to any water or any car cleaning processes. Also, be careful not to touch the headlights. After 24 hours have passed, you'll be amazed by the restored appearance of your once foggy headlights.

Deciding whether you need a headlight restoration wipe? Consider this!

October 08, 2018Max Treverton

Headlights are critical parts of vehicles, especially during dark nights when you want a clear view of the road.

However, over time fading and oxidation will occur, which can seriously dampen the amount of light your headlights give out. When this happens you need a solution - and fast! - which is where headlight restoration wipes come in.

To restore your headlights, you have to clean away any pollutants and oxidation agents. This gives you a much stronger beam of light, as well as clearing away that foggy, murky look ruining your vehicle's aesthetic. Keeping up with the condition of your headlights yourself saves you money in the long run, as professional cleaning can sport a hefty price tag, as can replacing your lights all together.

Although there different types of wipes you can choose from, three features will help you make the best decision:

Speed and convenience

Headlight restore wipes should always be quick and convenient, which is the main reason many people choose them over leaving their car in. Look for wipes take take 30 minutes or less to take action. This way you can get on with your day much sooner with less hassle.

Variation in application

Different wipes are made for different jobs, so you need to make sure the one you pick is up to tackling your headlights. Some wipes might handle scratches, but could struggle with oxidation and haze. Save yourself the trouble of buying multiple packs and make sure yours has all the features you need. Because fading headlights can be due to multiple causes, it's often best to go for wipes with multi-action properties if you're not sure what's causing the problem.

Fully kitted out?

Many people find it useful to buy their wipes as part of a complete headlight restoration kit, especially if it's the first time they've attempted it themselves. You can find wipes that come pre-packaged to include protective items like gloves. Although these might seem easy enough to source yourself, you can make sure you have everything you need of the appropriate quality by opting for this option.

Browse our selection of wipes today and see clearly on those dark nights again.

3 Simple Headlight Maintenance Tips

September 18, 2018Max Treverton

Just like you need a pair of healthy eyes for clear sight, your car also requires bright headlights for improved visibility on the road.

Dimmed headlights compromise your safety on the road because they reduce your night-driving vision and they also prevent other drivers from seeing you clearly. You are also likely to get into trouble with the local authorities if your headlights are not in the best condition.

For these reasons, you need to ensure that your headlights are always in great shape, and you can do so with these three simple tips.

1. Have your headlights replaced regularly

You need to ensure that both of your headlights are in perfect shape for a clear, even, and consistent field-of-vision on the road. Inadequate or yellow lighting means that the headlight bulbs are fading or have burned out, and they should be replaced immediately. It is advisable that you replace both headlight bulbs at the same time because if one fails, the other one won’t be far behind.

2. Clean the headlights to remove grime and film from the lenses

Replacing your headlight bulbs is not enough to save you from night-time driving hazards if the lenses are dirty and cloudy. Grime from the road and other contaminants from the air form a film of dirt on your headlight lenses naturally over time, making them look clouded and hence diminishing their brightness. Cleaning your headlights is something that you can easily do on your own with our headlight restoration wipes, and the lenses will be good as new in less than an hour. The wipes are very effective even on very dirty headlights, and doing-it-yourself will save you a bigger bill from your mechanic.

3. Protect your headlight lenses from harsh weather elements

Australia is a great place but our prevalent harsh weather can be a menace to headlights. When exposed to weather elements like the scorching sun, UV rays break down the exterior coating on the outer side of headlight lenses leaving them foggy, damaged, and unsightly. Newer car models with plastic lenses are particularly affected by this factor. To keep your headlight lenses from this damage, you should always ensure that you park your car in the shade with the headlights facing away from the sun or in an undercover parking space.

We sell affordable headlight restoration wipes online to consumers from all parts of Australia. If you’re looking for the best DIY solution to bring back that sparkle on your headlight lenses, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

Important reasons to keep your car clean

September 11, 2018Ella Mazzon

Car cleaning may seem like a purely aesthetic pursuit to most owners. This is true to some degree, in that a dirty car can look shabby and is not particularly pleasant visually. However, there are reasons to keep your car clean that stretch beyond cosmetics:

1. Dirty cars cause accidents

This is undoubtedly the most important reason why you should keep your car clean and clear. Dirty windows, for example, reduce visibility and can increase the car's chances of being involved in a collision. A similar thing can be said for headlights which, when foggy and obscured, emit a weaker and less intense light. To rectify this, consider investing in effective cleaning products such as headlight restoration wipes and paint cleaners. According to statistics collected a few years ago, car owners are likely to be involved in some sort of accident once every 18 years [link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/moneybuilder/2011/07/27/how-many-times-will-you-crash-your-car/#50e689b44e62]. By cleaning your car and keeping visibility as clear as possible, you will reduce this risk.

2. Dirt can erode your car’s paintwork

Keeping a car’s exterior clean is fundamental to preserving it. Dirt, salt and grime are all capable of eroding a vehicle’s exterior, thereby destroying not only the paint but the metal underneath. In this respect, washing and waxing your car regularly will help extend its lifespan, as well as preserve its value.

3. Cleaning your car saves money

Following on from the previous point, cleaning your car can save you from having to pay for extensive repairs. Dirt is truly the enemy of your car’s paint and body, often causing irreversible damage and requiring complete replacement of certain parts.

4. Keeping the inside of your car clean is good for your health

Many of us know that the interiors of our cars are a little muckier than may be desirable, but we often lack the motivation to do anything about it. Being aware of the health implications of a dirty car, however, may change this. Harmful bacteria can accumulate on various elements of a car’s interior such as the upholstery, steering wheel and dashboard, potentially leading to illnesses and long term health conditions. As a rule of thumb, make sure you keep your car as clean as your house.

The Causes and Dangers of Foggy Headlights

August 31, 2018Max Treverton

When it comes to car cleaning, how often do you consider your headlights?

Many drivers don't realise that dirty, foggy headlights can seriously compromise car safety. Here, we take a look at why foggy headlights occur and why they're dangerous.

What are foggy headlights?

Take a look at your headlights. Are they crystal clear, allowing you to see the bulb inside? Or are they covered in a thin fog – like a film or haze? If you answered yes to the latter, you have foggy headlights on your hands. It could be time to consider headlight cleaning.

What causes foggy headlights?

Several factors cause foggy headlights. Firstly, oxidation might have occurred. In most modern cars, headlights are made of polycarbonate. Over time, exposure to UV radiation causes cracks, which create a cloudy appearance.

That said, UV is far from the only element that can do damage to polycarbonate headlights. Other culprits include rocks, stones and debris. When you drive on damaged or unsealed roads, these can flick up into the headlights, creating teeny-tiny dents. Their accumulation often results in foggy headlights.

Another factor you might not have considered is water vapour, which becomes a problem during periods of high humidity or heavy rainfall. If the air contains high levels of moisture, it can enter your headlights and stay there. Enough of it and the moisture can diffuse light, reducing visibility.

However, the most common cause of foggy headlights is far less complicated. It simply involves plain, old dirt. Whether you drive in the city or country, your headlights can gather dirt, dust and grime, which create a cloudy film.

What are the dangers of foggy headlights?

The biggest danger of foggy headlights is reduced visibility. If a pedestrian, animal or vehicle crosses your path, you are less likely to see it clearly. This can pose a serious threat to both your car's safety and that of others.

The good news is that, in most cases, foggy headlights can be solved easily. All you need to do is a little headlight cleaning. To find out about our headlight restoration wipes, please click here to get some!

How to know when your headlights need cleaning

August 20, 2018Max Treverton

Although we're now largely through the worst of the winter months, we're still a way away from the clocks going forward. It's important, then, that you ensure your headlights are clean and visible, especially during your commute to and from work in the darker hours of the day.

Ideally, you should check all the lights on your car on a weekly basis. Here are some key things to look out for when conducting your headlight check:

Yellowing headlights

The headlights on your car have a clear protective coating to ensure that pollutants and salts don't come into contact with your bulbs. However, over time, these coatings can themselves degrade and start to 'yellow', reducing the effectiveness of the headlight bulb below. If this has happened to the headlights on your car, you can purchase a special headlight restoration solution to prolong the life of the plastic and ensure you're seen out on the roads.

Foggy headlights

Cloudy or foggy headlights are caused by a number of things, but two culprits are most to blame: excessive sunlight and build-up of grime. While some deterioration over time is to be expected, if you let the problem slide, it could soon affect the roadworthiness of your vehicle. Working at their optimum, headlights are designed to illuminate the road 45 to 60 metres in front of you. However, when dirty, the output of your headlights could by reduced by up to 90%, meaning you're actually only able to see 10% of the road in front of your vehicle. When travelling at fast speeds, this could have a real impact on your ability to react to obstacles in time. This is why it's important to get your foggy or cloudy headlights fixed. Problems with cloudy or foggy headlights are easily rectified: contact us for more details.

Contact us today

If you've noticed that your headlights aren't quite working as they used to, don't worry! We sell headlight restoration wipes to consumers across Australia. For a headlight cleaning solution that works for you, get in touch with us today.

4 Car Safety Checks You Need to Carry Out

August 03, 2018Max Treverton

Driving is for many a necessity, but also a privilege. Still, there are a few things we often neglect. Here are four car safety checks to brush up on:

Safety features

The roads can be dangerous, so it’s a good idea to inspect your car’s safety features. Checking seatbelt webbing and the buckle stalk for signs of damage, fraying or loose stitching, as well as the buckle connection (do this by trying to pull it out while it’s fastened), could help save a life. When the seatbelt is fastened in a vacant seat, all webbing should retract as far as possible for effective tension. While you’re at it, note any damage to areas where driver and passenger airbags are installed. If your car is second-hand, find out if its airbags were deployed and if it needs new ones. For a more comprehensive test, take your car to a local garage.

Tyres

Underinflated tyres could leave you with a serious blowout. Check the pressure yourself (when the tyres are cold) at least once a month, and always before a long-haul journey. Signs they’re underinflated include uneven wear, misalignment, cracks in the sidewall, difficulty handling and vibrations through the steering wheel. If they’re overinflated, your traction will be reduced so don’t inflate above the maximum pressure displayed on the tyre itself.

Maintenance

Brush up on the basics of car maintenance and, before setting off, always check your dashboard warning lights. A shuddering feeling through the pedal or a squeaking noise could indicate wear to the brakes. Delay when changing gears could suggest problems with the clutch. And slow cranking of the engine on ignition could mean your battery is about to go. From time to time, check your coolant to see if it needs replacing and always have windscreen chips dealt with as soon as they occur to avoid a bigger crack.

Headlights

Driving when it’s dark poses a number of risks – including dazzling others with excessively bright lights. High beams should be used at night on all roads, except when there’s a vehicle within 200 metres in front or oncoming – then you should switch to low beam. High beam headlights aren’t effective in poor weather though, such as heavy rain, mist and fog, as they can cause reflections. Your fog lights are designed for these conditions, but ensure you only use them in adverse weather, otherwise you can impede other motorists’ vision and land yourself with a <a href="https://www.motoring.com.au/when-should-i-use-my-fog-lights-108269/">hefty fine and demerit points</a>. Also check your headlights regularly for scratches and cracks, and get blown bulbs replaced quickly. If you have foggy headlights caused by UV rays, you can easily clear this up with headlight cleaning wipes.

1 2

News

Easy Ways to Improve the Value of Your Car for Sale

Car safety warning signs you should never ignore

Headlight Restoration Wipes Vs Home Remedies

How To Clean Foggy Headlights

Deciding whether you need a headlight restoration wipe? Consider this!