A professionals guide to choosing the best quality window film for your car


Before you just dive in and rush off to the nearest tint shop to get your car windows tinted, just sit down for a moment and think about what sort of job you want this window tinting to do for you and your car.

Many people have different needs and wants when it comes to getting their car windows tinted, for some it’s simply one thing..Black..they want Black windows, nothing else matters, they want that look that window tinting adds to the car and the darker the better. For others, they might purely just want to stop the heat, maybe they live in a hotter of the country, so heat rejection is the prime mover in their decision to buy.
I will just run a few points by you and give my opinion on the subject, for the record I have been installing window film on cars for over 10 years in the UK so i know a bit about the subject and I have used at least 5 big branded films, and a few of the smaller ones, so I have real field knowledge of what products work for what requirements.

Reason for purchase = Looks.
So, these types of customers are not really brand aware in my eyes, they want a dark or medium film but as long as the product looks good from the outside of the car then they are happy, they tend to go for low end products and keener pricing.

Reason for purchase = Heat Rejection.
The customers that seek the comfort of window film are generally happy to spend a little more money and will go for a high end window film, these customers are often happy to tint the windshield with a product like the Llumar Air 80 Blue film, this is a new film with a very slight blue hue that looks great and provides extra comfort. there are some new IR or anti Infrared films which are expensive but again, to keep it cool you gotta pay the price.

Reason for purchase = Privacy
Their is a split with these type of customers, they both want a 5% Limo film but their is a great difference between a cheap and high end film. On the cheap films, a lot of dye is added to obtain the colour, when installed on the vehicle, the inside of the vehicle will become very dark and the heavy die can make the vehicle almost claustrophobic.
The higher end customer realises that a better film will give a better outlook, thats the look from the inside out, and with a high end film like Llumar or Global, you get a really nice Black look from the outside but a great outlook from the inside, in fact, in normal daylight hours you will hardly tell a film is applied at all.

I hope you can see the validity of the points I make here, car window tinting is something you should seek advice on from a professional tint shop, spends as much as you can afford and you will walk away with a better product.

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Selling Your Car Online: Three Key Factors to Keep in Mind

Motorists are savvier than ever before when it comes to getting a good deal on their new car and like to drive a hard bargain, especially in the currently challenging economic environment. For every buyer there is of course a seller and if you are trying to sell your current vehicle in order to be able to finance your next purchase, then you will want to maximise the amount you get.

Many vehicles are now bought and sold online and it is a popular channel for motorists to use, so here are three key factors that you need to keep in mind when you decide to sell online.

Get the maximum value

Proper preparation of your car before you put it up for sale is critical if you want to achieve the best possible sale price. Take a good look at your car and cast a critical eye as though you were a buyer, which means that you have to go beyond the obvious tricks of giving it thorough wash and clean both inside and out.

Minor repairs

Get any minor scratches, chips, cracks and dents professionally repaired as the cost of these repairs should be outweighed by the amount you can charge for a car that is in near showroom condition. Look to replace any worn tyres and also address any problems with damage to the alloy wheels; also replace any missing trim or cracked light casing. These things should not cost too much to do but will make a substantial difference to the final sale price you manage to achieve.

Paperwork

Buyers love to see lots of paperwork so make sure you keep copies of all your repair bills and an up-to-date service book. Also aim to have as long as possible left on the MOT, which reduces any element of doubt or worries that a buyer might have about repairs needed.

Buy the right car in the first place

It might be too late if you already own a quirky or not so loved brand of car which you got at a good price, but when it comes to selling you will find that any savings you think you made might look insignificant when you discover how much you can ask for it now. There are certainly brands and models that hold their value better than others and it is worth considering this point when it comes to resale values.

Ford Focus

Family friendly, reliable, spacious and affordable to run are all phrases that you will regularly see in adverts and descriptions for this hugely popular model. All of these attributes help to keep the resale value of the Ford Focus higher than a lot of other models and not many cars can boast to be worth up to 94% of their original price 12 months into their first year of ownership. You may pay more for a Ford Focus in the second-hand market that many other models but you should also retain more of your cash in the car when it comes to selling.

Fiat 500

This iconic model has won over a new generation of car buyers, bags of style and a distinctive look help to keep the resale price high and this model only loses about 7% of its original value in the first year.

BMW 1 Series

Buyers looking for a luxury brand often turn to BMW and one million are sold every year, so buying a BMW 1 Series means that when it comes to selling, you will retain a good percentage of your investment and probably have no shortage of willing buyers, which also helps to keep the price reasonably high.

Time of the year

Another important aspect to consider is the time of year that you look to sell your car. Car buying certainly has its seasons and there are also times of the year when certain models will sell better than ever.

Winter

Trying to sell a soft-top convertible in the depths of winter is hardly likely to be a winning idea if you want to get the best possible price for your desirable looking sports car but it is a good time to sell a 4×4, when wet roads and wintry conditions have buyers thinking of safety more than other time of the year.

Spring and summer

The Easter period when people are looking forward to the summer months is normally a busy time for car sales and it is the time of the year when most buyers start searching online and deciding what to buy. July and August are the months when many people are away of holiday or perhaps not thinking of buying a car so much, so think about the timing of your car sale to ensure that you generate the most interest and also the best possible price.

Joel Freedman has extensive experience as a used car salesman. He enjoys sharing his insights through blogging. Visit The Car Buying Service site for more information and ideas.

Harley Davidson: The History of a Legendary Bike

When you think “motorcycle,” it’s hard not to think of Harley-Davidson. Founded in Milwaukee Wisconsin, of all places, it’s the one of two motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression. In a way, Harleys are the father of modern choppers since they were initially built to be heavily customizable.

Harley Davidson

The Early Years

William S. Harley had the idea, at age 22, to build a small motor and attach it to a pedal-driven bicycle. His friend Arthur Davidson worked on their motor-bicycle in a Milwaukee machine shop at the home of a mutual friend – Henry Melk. In 1903, with the help of Arthur’s brother, the bike was finished.

It’s first test run proved to be somewhat of a failure – it couldn’t climb hills around Milwaukee without pedal-assistance. Undeterred, the team began designing a second-generation machine. The first “real”  Harley-Davidson had an engine of 24.74 ci, and was far too large for a pedal bike.

WWI

During World War I, the U.S. needed motorcycles for the war effort. Since Harleys had already been used by the military by this time, in the Pancho Villa Expedition, it was a natural choice for the war. However, this would be the first time that the motorcycle had been adopted for combat service.

Harley-Davidson produced 15,000 machines for the U.S.

The 1920s

By 1920,  Harley-Davidsonwas the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world, with over 28,000 bikes produced and dealers in 67 countries. It was during the 20s that Harley-Davidson came up with several important design concepts including a new 74 ci V-Twin engine, and the classic Teardrop gas tank. It also produced a flathead V-Twin to compete with the Indian 101 Scout and the Excelsior Super X.

Controversy

In 1969, American Machine and Foundry bought out the Harley-Davidson company and streamlined production. In the process, however, it laid off a lot of workers which resulted in a labor strike. This, in turn, diminished the quality of the bikes being produced and gave an edge to Japanese manufacturers looking to gain a foothold in the U.S.

Things got so bad that the company nearly went bankrupt. Being mocked as “Hardly Ableson,” “Hardly Driveable,” and “Hogly Ferguson,” the bikes became increasingly expensive but were not as good, performance-wise, as their foreign counterparts. To round out its controversial years, in 1976, Harley-Davidson produces its most controversial bike yet: the Confederate Edition which was painted with Confederate-specific paint and detailing.

Today

Harley-Davidson lives, but it’s still suffering in the wake of its restructuring post-2009. In 2010, it cut $54 million in manufacturing costs from its production facilities in Wisconsin. The company also eliminated roughly 25 percent of its workforce. Critics argue that foreign motorcycles are of better quality, more versatile, are cheaper and perform better. They also cite that Harley faces insurmountable competition, such as Customized Choppers UK, and that the company is no longer competitive.

Of course, Harley fans dispute this, citing that the bike has a classic feel and is still worthy of being ridden on the roads. As proof of that, fans cite a 5.9 per cent increase in sales in 2011 – a recovery from the financial crisis that left the company crippled.

Joe Dobson is a custom bike enthusiast. He enjoys blogging about custom choppers on various bike and riding websites online.

How to Stay Safe From an Accident in Your New Car

Learning to drive is an exciting time, and for many young people it is the first step on the road to becoming independent.  However, there are certain things that a new driver will need to be aware of whilst on the road.  This is why the driving theory test is so important, and candidates will learn everything there is to know about potential hazards and general road safety.  In the UK, people who want to drive must pass both the practical and theory tests before they are legally allowed to drive unsupervised on the road.  The theory test is designed to teach new drivers the rules of the road, and familiarise them with potential hazards, road signs, and everything else they need to know about driving safely.

theory test

Before You Get Behind The Wheel

New drivers can sit their theory test from the age of 17 as long as they have received their provisional driving licence.  The Driving Standards Agency advises people to read the Highway Code and practice their theory and hazard perception skills before beginning their driving lessons.  There are two parts to the driving theory test, and the first is the hazard test which consists of a series of videos taken from the driver´s perspective.  This involves the driver having to identify any potentially dangerous situations that may arise whilst on the road.  This is an essential part of the examination process as it can be intimidating for new drivers out on the road for the first time, and the skills they learn will enable them to react quickly in emergency situations.

Computer Based Testing

The second part of the test is a multiple-choice test performed on a computer.  The questions are selected randomly from a database of over 1000 questions on a variety of subjects, from road markings to engine parts.  There are hundreds of different road signs, and many people do not pay attention to them until they have to get behind the wheel of their very own car.  When a new driver enters a busy junction or highway, it is essential to know how to decipher each sign that is displayed on the side of the road to avoid any accidents.  Driving skills inevitably come with practice, but knowledge of road signs will prepare you for anything that comes up before you approach it.  The theory test has also been adapted to include questions regarding the engine and main parts of the car.  This will assist new drivers in performing basic maintenance on their car, and identifying any parts that may need attention or replacing.

Using Personal Initiative

As well as being fully prepared for the theory test, new drivers can take other steps to avoid accidents.  Prominently displaying ‘L plates’ on the car during lessons will warn other motorists to practice caution, and many test centres offer driving simulators for candidates to experience the practical side of driving.  Both parts of the theory test can be practised online completely free, and is a great way to prepare nervous drivers. This gives the learner plenty of time to become accustomed to the questions and format of the test.

Online theory tests provide a solid foundation of knowledge for people revising for their test, or for those learning the rules of the road before starting their practical driving lessons.  There are also a number of handbooks, pamphlets, and even interactive CDs that are available for learners, and all will ensure that new drivers avoid any accidents whilst on the road.

Gillian Kearney was extensive experience as a driving instructor. She also enjoys sharing her knowledge with new drivers through blogging.

Fast cars and casino games

Considering how popular car sports are, it is no wonder that there are other industries seeking to join in on the fun and profit. It is not the car manufacturers’ or even the drivers’ game anymore: there are entertainment products and generic fan paraphernalia for every possible need. Now the side dishes for racing also include the gambling industry. Not only are they providing sports betting facilities but they also offer casino games with appropriate themes for each fan favourite car type and race. Two of the most popular car sports in casino games are, perhaps unsurprisingly, the classics: NASCAR and Formula 1.

One NASCAR game is Fast Lane, a slots machine featuring fast cars, beautiful women and racing heroes such as Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jimmie Johnson and Clint Bowyer. The game fits the dedicated fan like a glove (or perhaps a racing car seat) and includes themed bonus games such as Pit Stop and U-Race. The slot reels have all the symbols you would expect to see in a NASCAR context, such as driver’s helmets, mechanics, famous drivers, and, obviously, cars – lots of shiny fancy cars, fast-spinning wheels and screeching tyres, some of these included in the form of sound effects.

The fan favourite F1 game is quite similar. It’s a standard modern slot, with five reels and nine paylines, and it shares some of the iconography of Fast Lane in featuring the expected drives, cars and tyres. The game Good to Go can be found in www.luckynuggetcasino.com/online-slots/. Obviously there are also girls in the pit lane – they are indeed a wild symbol leading into bigger wins – and starting lights and checkered flags are all present, with a sound track of tyre squeal, revving and fan cheer. Everything you need for the perfect car sport atmosphere has been compacted into a single game.
If you like fast cars and would like to interact with them, either game is ideal for you. Play responsibly, and remember that if it stops being fun, it’s probably time to stop and go watch the races.