How To Choose Custom Car Paint Urethane Vs. Acrylic Automotive Paint

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There are many factors to consider when choosing the best automotive paint for your everyday vehicle or classic car restoration project. To most car collectors, the look and color of a car paint is the most important factor. Other things to keep in mind include cost, application difficulty level, length of drying time, possible health hazards, and base-coat and finishing options. For simplicity’s sake, I’ll narrow them down to the top four most important differences: cost, difficulty level, durability and purpose. Acrylic and urethane are two of the most common automotive paints, yet they have very important distinctions. This article will help you choose the right car paint for your car project.

Cost

Cost is the only practical area in which acrylic enamel car paint has the clear advantage over urethane car paint, which costs more than twice as much. Acrylic lacquer paints cost up to $250 a gallon, and acrylic enamel costs only $100-$150 per gallon.

Difficulty Level

Application: If properly cut and polished, the finished appearance of acrylic car paint is unbeatable. Urethane paint will give your car a “fresh look,” and is easier to apply than acrylic enamel, which can only be applied with high-pressure spray guns. Urethane car paint can be applied with low-pressure, high-volume spray guns, which are easier to control and spray larger drops for better surface coverage, but are more prone to runs. Acrylic enamel automotive paint does not completely cover the primer, thus the primer color matters more when using it. On the other han, urethane paint covers the primer completely, so it does not require a similarly tinted primer. Acrylic paints can be done in a home garage, and applied in a slightly cooler ambient temperature, but no colder than 18’C (65’F).

Drying Time: Acrylic car paint has a much longer drying time, 1-2 days, as opposed to the short 2-3 hours required for most urethane paints, cutting down on time between coat applications accumulation of dust. For urethane car paint, most follow a base-coat with a clear coat. NOTE: some clear coats tint the color, especially if it is black or white. In this instance, one may prefer to use a single-stage urethane, and forgo the clear coat for the sake of the color. With urethane paint, wet-sand is also an option before applying a clear coat. Acrylic car paints require more coats (6-8), and must always be cut and polished, after letting it harden for several weeks. Single pack acrylic primers and fillers tend to shrink and sink back on repairs, so only use them on a final, even prime coat, and give it as long as possible to harden before wet sanding. Both acetone, thinners and fuel spillage damage acrylic paints, and they require more maintenance to keep your car finish shiny. In contrast, if a urethane paint job goes well, it needs no buffing, and un-buffed paint is the longest lasting and easiest to keep clean. If it is baked on, the car can be assembled the next day.

CAUTION: Urethane paints are toxic, as they contain isocyanate, airborne compounds that enter the body through the lungs and skin. Always use safety gear (goggles, mask and gloves) and proper ventilation when working with urethane paint. Acrylic automotive paints are less toxic because they are water-based, so the resin adheres using water as its primary agent, whereas urethane depends on a solvent.

Durability

Urethane finishes are much more durable than acrylic enamel finishes. There are many factors that vary the exact length of time a finish lasts, but urethane finishes, when properly maintained, generally last 5-10 years longer than acrylic enamel finishes. Urethane paints are activated by hardeners, so after they are mixed, they must be used promptly or the product is wasted. Acrylic enamel paint is prone to more chipping, cracking and general wear and tear, since it does not feature the hardeners.

Purpose

Acrylic enamel car paint is typically used by professional car restorers who want to paint a classic car to exactly the original specifications, which requires acrylic enamel paint on many antique cars. For example, acrylic enamel automotive paint is better for replicating factory orange-peel paint jobs, a bumpy surface finish. Both auto manufacturers and car restoration professionals have now switched to urethane paint for most auto body work, due to it’s practical advantages over acrylic enamel. It has become the standard in the auto industry because urethane car paint provides a quicker and better looking finish.

Headed For Transmission Repair Read The Signs!

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Transmissions are complex machines buried deep in the chassis of our vehicles. Regular transmission service will help post-pone or eliminate some problems, but when a transmission begins to malfunction, there are specific signs that the average vehicle owner can recognize.

Know the three common signs of transmission problems:

*Fluid leaks under the car — If there is a persistent red leak under your vehicle, is it coming from the transmission or from the power steering system? It is difficult to determine, as most power steering systems also use transmission fluid. Thus, leaks can appear on the ground in roughly the same areas as transmission leaks. If the leak is fairly small, you may be able to postpone a transmission repair as long as the fluid level is checked regularly. However, when the fluid level falls below the minimum required level, a transmission repair is inevitable.
*Color and odor of fluid Check the fluid level when the vehicle is running and on level ground. The fluid should be red and transparent. If it is cloudy or muddy looking, or if it smells burnt, take your vehicle to a transmission repair technician. They may recommend a transmission service to drain and refill the fluid, as well as replace the filter. Some transmissions may require a computer program updating.
*Noises, vibrations and irregular shifting — Modern transmissions typically shift smoothly and quietly under light acceleration. Heavier acceleration should produce firmer shifts at higher speeds. If shifting points are erratic, if there are strange noises when shifting, or whining noises that come from underneath the car, are causes for concern.

Note: Look and Listen to your transmission. If problems are taken care of early, they can often be resolved without a costly major transmission repair.

** Did You Know? — With gas prices down to less than $2.00 a gallon around the country, a growing number of motorists have been flocking back to showrooms for pickups, SUVs and muscle cars. Yet, despite that sudden surge, the days of the classic V-8 and V-6 may be coming to an end. A new study suggests that less than half of the vehicles that will be sold around the world by 2017 will be powered by conventional gasoline engines. Alternative fuels (such as diesel, ethanol, and hydrogen), hybrid-electrified vehicles and more advanced internal combustion systems will make up the majority of the global mix, according to a new report from Navigant Research. Hybrids, plug-ins and pure battery-electric vehicles still account for less than 5% of the U.S. market, but demand is expected to grow exponentially. That said, a summary of the new Navigant report notes that, “gasoline is anticipated to remain the leading fuel in the coming years, albeit in unconventional vehicles that employ a range of fuel-efficiency technologies, such as smaller engines and turbo-charging.” A growing number of vehicle manufacturers will opt for either alternative fuels or advanced technologies designed to squeeze far more mileage out of every drop of gas.**

For expert advice on transmission repair, contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive by calling (608) 221-8321 or go on-line at http://clausenautomotive.com for more information about our transmission service. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

Winkler Automotive Wins Prestigious Customer Service Award

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George Winkler’s goal of providing the area with the most complete and trusted independent automotive repair shop when he opened the doors to Winkler Automotive in 1982 was validated once again with the recent awarding of the “Excellence In Customer Service Award” from the Washington, Maryland, Delaware Service Station and Automotive Repair Association (WMDA).

The prestigious honor, from the region’s primary trade association for the industry, was bestowed upon Winkler and his staff at the organization’s recent Annual Convention & Mega Show in Ocean City, Md.

“This is the biggest honor we have received since we opened 30 years ago, and we couldn’t be more thrilled and proud with the recognition,” said Winkler. “We know the type of customer service we provide, and this is our No. 1 mission, but to be recognized for it is very special, and a tribute to our magnificent staff.”

The honor even attracted interest from Maryland state comptroller Peter Franchot, who personally wrote Winkler a note of congratulations, which read in part “you must be pleased that your work and professionalism have been recognized with this prestigious award.”

Franchot went on to add “you are making a significant contribution to our great state of Maryland and I thank you. As Maryland’s chief regulator of motor fuel and tax collector, I understand the countless contributions that your industry provides to our state and its families.”

Winkler Automotive, located in Gaithersburg at 401 East Diamond Avenue, is AAA approved, and all its technicians exceed rigorous standards to be ASE certified. And Winkler Automotive performs maintenance and repair service on all makes and models, including European, American and Japanese cars, trucks, SUVs, vans and minivans, along with extended warranty work on all.

The Washington, Maryland, Delaware Service Station and Automotive Repair Association, (WMDA) was established in 1937 as a trade association serving independent business men and woman of service stations, repair facilities, convenience stores, and other related businesses. WMDA provides automotive and management educational training programs throughout the year for owners, managers and technicians with the primary objective of innovating and educating.

The WMDA award now hangs proudly in the waiting room of Winkler Automotive, and also serves as a reminder to the Winkler staff of its commitment to customer service.

“I always stress to my staff to put themselves in our customer’s shoes,” noted Winkler. “People trust us, and when it comes to having your car serviced, that’s most important.”

About Winkler Automotive
Winkler Automotive of Gaithersburg is an AAA approved and ASE certified auto repair shop now celebrating its 30th year. Since 1982, Winkler Automotive has been committed to providing the best, most honest and most reliable car care service in the area, offering customers complete satisfaction and one-stop shopping, as well as an alternative to expensive dealerships. Winkler Automotive performs maintenance and repair service on all makes and models, including European, American and Japanese cars, trucks, SUVs, vans and minivans, while extended warranty work is also accepted. For more information and web specials, visit www.WinklerAutomotive.com, or call (301) 258-2774 and ask for owner George Winkler.

Getting Professionals to Build Deburring Equipment

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When metal acquires burrs after being cut and shaped, it can create friction and improperly aligned pieces, especially for precision metalworks like gears and parts. In the metal working industry, deburring has become increasingly important as professionals in this industry try to find ways to remove the burrs and debris from metal but while still keeping the deburring processes moving along efficiently. Some companies have found ways to build deburring equipment that is custom tailored specifically for a gear, part or other metal piece. Indeed, the availability of portable grinding and polishing applications processes has increased the efficiency of this process.

Deburring equipment can come in many different forms, but typically it uses certain types of abrasives and brushes to clean, smooth and polish the surface and edges of a metal piece as it goes through the process. The end result of smooth metal surfaces within seconds has created a window of opportunity for those in this industry, as they are able to build deburring equipment that can be adapted for a client’s specific metalworking needs.

It can be difficult to find affordable and efficient ways to deburr complex parts that are custom designed for a particular need. It is not such a difficult undertaking when dealing with batches of the same types of parts or gears, but for customized applications, it can be difficult to find economical ways for this service without losing out on profit. When companies can help by building deburring equipment, this allows for the high performance deburring in smaller quantities but still at an affordable price.

It is a fact that deburring is a field in growing demand, since the need for deburring applications for smaller and more intricate parts grows as well. From small companies and individuals to large metalworking corporations, there is a universal need for technologically advanced and custom designed deburring applications.

From aeronautics to the medical field to industrial automotive industries, there is no field that does not need good deburring applications. It is important to find a company that can help with the most delicate and precise components to the largest batches of industrial gears; versatility is the crucial element when considering whom to chose to build deburring equipment. This delicate process can be handed over to professionals who can effectively streamline both the equipment and the deburring production processes. From mass finishing to customized deburring, there are professionals who can get the job done with the right equipment.

The Uniqueness Of The Chevrolet Cruze In India

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Reliability, low maintenance, excellent mileage, and superb handling are the key features that a car buyer gives first preference when buying a car. And when the exterior looks automatically fit in with the said lineaments, the effort is further rewarded. General Motors, with its research on changing market trends and taking into account car lovers preferences, designs its cars incorporating all the aforesaid features. This is the reason why GM cars are so popular not only in India but also in some 200 countries. The latest cars by GM to hit the Indian market are the Chevrolet Cruze and the Beat. The Chevrolet Cruze in India is introduced in the diesel version, a lacking feature in the mid sedan category. And GM has filled the gap in the right time. No wonder the car will have many takers; it is just the launch and it has already registered good sales records. The future is yet to come!

The Cruze Chevrolet in India has been launched with a budget friendly price tag Rs 10.99 lakh for the Cruze LT variant and Rs 12.45 lakh for the LTZ variant as per Thane ex-showroom prices. The latter variant has additional features compared to the former model and hence the increased price. The 2-litre VCDi 1,991cc inline-4 diesel engine is operated by a single overhead cam. And the power and torque figures are well appreciated in many a car review. It delivers a remarkable 150PS @ 4,000rpm of maximum power and 327Nm @ 2,600rpm of maximum torque. It comes with a single 5-speed manual transmission option. What more can you ask for when you have no maintenance overhead costs for three years or 100,000 kms the warranty that it comes it. And as confirmed by the maintenance aspects of all other Chevrolet cars, you will hardly need to spend on maintenance on your Cruze even after the warranty period is over.

A keyless entry is one of the distinctive attributes in the Chevrolet Cruze. So, you need not use keys to get in the car. The door opening mechanism involves the use of sensors on the doors. If you have the keys in your pocket, a gentle touch on the door handle will let you experience the opening of the gate. Again locking is also as simple as opening; all you need to do is to pull the handle gently and the doors will automatically lock! Isnt the Cruze designed the smart way in sync with the up-to-the-minute technology? And there is no key hole for the ignition! A start/stop button is fitted towards the left of the steering column on the dash. Once you give a gentle push to the button at the same time pressing the clutch, the engine will instantly start. The insulation features inside the car wont even let you hear the roar of your Chevy Cruze.

An all-time electronic stability program and a standard ABS in the Chevy Cruze have generated rave reviews on web. Users speak volume about the said features including other aspects.