How to Keep Your Car on the Road

We explain the basic maintenance checks that will help to cut the cost of running your car.


If you, like many others, are resisting the urge to splash out on a new car in your efforts to save money, it’s never been more important to make sure that your current set of wheels are well looked after. Basic car maintenance is a must; particularly if your car isn’t protected by a manufacturer’s warranty as breakdowns can be hugely expensive and always seem to happen when you can least afford it.

Taking good care of your car is an easy way to prolong its driving life and cut costs. All it takes is a few minutes every week or so to carry out the checks that will help to keep your car in tip top driving condition. We explain how:

Tyres:

Regularly checking your car's tyre pressure and keeping all 4 tyres correctly inflated will go a long way in cutting fuel consumption, reducing wear and tear and making your car safer on the road.

You car's optimum tire pressure (psi) should be detailed either in your handbook or in a 'convenient place' such as on the side of one of your doors.

It's always best to check your tyre pressure when your tyres are cold as the reading will be far more accurate and you'll avoid the risk of over-inflation. For this reason it can be a good idea to invest in a manual tyre pressure gauge and a foot pump and do it at home rather than driving your car to your nearest garage.

You will also need to check the depth of the tread on your tyres as this is subject to a legal minimum. The law states that the tread on your tyres should be at least 1.6mm deep across the central three quarter breadth and around the entire circumference of each, although a depth of at least 3mm is generally recommended for optimum grip.

You should also check for any bulges, cracks, cuts, or foreign objects stuck in your tyre.

Oil:

Keeping your car’s oil levels topped up is a must if you want to keep it running at its best. If you’re not familiar with how to check your oil levels you should look in your car’s hand book to identify the dipstick, choose a time when your car’s engine is cold, pull out the dipstick, wipe it and dip it back in the engine as far as it will go.  When you pull it back out you should be able to see whether your car’s oil level sits comfortably between the ‘minimum’ and ‘maximum’ markers.

If there is too little oil in your engine you should top it up with a suitable oil (you should check your car’s handbook to find out which type of oil is suitable for your car’s engine) – but be careful not to overfill though as this can do more harm than good.

To extend the life of your car’s engine it’s generally considered a good idea to have your oil changed either once a year or every 10,000 miles. This can usually be done as part of a service if you’re not sure how to do it yourself.

Lights:

Checking that your headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, full beam and fog lights work is vital. You should replace any bulbs as soon as you realise they have blown (your instruction manual should explain how to do this) and it can be a good idea to keep a spare set in the boot just in case.

Brakes:

Regularly checking your brakes is a must for your own safety if nothing else. You can do this while you're on the move simply by feeling and listening to how your brakes respond when you want to slow down. If you notice any squeaking, your wheel vibrates, or the car veers to one side when you apply the brakes it's a good idea to get a specialist to take a look as leaving a brake-related problem unchecked could compromise your safety and end up seriously damaging your car and your bank balance.

Windscreen wipers:

Wiping your windscreen wiper blades with a cloth dipped in white vinegar will help to keep them in good condition and your windscreen sparkling and smear free. As soon as they start to leave dirty marks or small scratches on your windscreen it's time to change them.  You should also make sure that your screenwash is topped up with an appropriate solution so that you don't get caught short.

Battery:

Your car battery should last you at least 4 or 5 years but with a little bit of tlc you may be able to extend this even further.

Try to remember to switch off your car's electronic controls before stopping your engine as this will allow the extra charge to run back into your battery and help to extend its life. This includes lights, windscreen wipers, heaters, air conditioning, heated seats, radios and cd players and any other electronic gadgets that are powered by your car's battery. Also, if at all possible, store your car in a garage when not in use. This is particularly beneficial during the winter months as car batteries don't respond well to the cold.

Bodywork:

Washing your car on a regular basis will not only help it to look shiny and new (even if it's years old) but will also prevent the build up of dirt, grime and potentially corrosive winter salt, helping to protect both the bodywork and other essential components from damage.

Servicing:

While getting your car serviced on a regular basis does up the cost of running your vehicle, ultimately it should save you money. This is because a well maintained car is likely to cause you fewer problems and require far fewer expensive repairs as it ages than one that has not had this attention.

You’re also likely to find that when you come to sell your car you’re able to command a far higher price (on both the private-sale and part-exchange markets) for a car with a complete service history than a car with an incomplete log book.

Once any initial warranty has expired you may find that you can cut the cost of a service considerably by using an ‘approved repairer’ rather than an official dealership so it’s worth ringing around to get some quotes.

Fuel:

It sounds obvious but always check that you're using the right pump when you fill up at the petrol station as getting it wrong can be a costly mistake.

If you do top up with the wrong fuel then it's essential that you get help right away as your car will need to be drained and assessed for damage. Trying to move, start or drive your car will only exacerbate the damage and make the situation a lot worse so keep it where it is until assistance arrives.

Call in the experts from Scuffs 'N' Scratches Car Body Repairs Liverpool  to make sure your car is ready for the summer sun and tick one more thing off your checklist.  We can make sure your car is in tip top condition from alloy wheel repairs, dent repairs, paint repairs, car paintwork repairs.

Call Joe 0151 909 3456 to check your car body needs today!

Top summer driving tips

This year an estimated seven million Brits will use their cars to transport themselves on their annual summer holiday, and two million of those people will be taking them abroad.

"A lot of people don't realise that extended periods of intense heat and high levels of the sun's harmful UV light can do more damage to a car than freezing weather conditions, Joe Woodhouse from Scuffs 'N' Scratches warns ”The best thing to do before a summer holiday is to check your car is in good working order and ready for the long drive.”

There can be a lot to remember, so we’ve put together some top tips to help you stay safe on holiday this summer;

1.    Get your car ready– Make sure your car is ready for long journeys; get European breakdown cover, ensure your insurance covers you sufficiently, check your water, oil, tyres, engine, windscreen wipers and paintwork before you go. It’s normally best to get a service so you can be sure your car is in working order.

2.    Get yourself ready– You need to ensure you’re prepared for a long drive. The usual sensible driving rules apply; don’t drive when tired and make sure you have properly mapped out your journey before you leave. It’s also beneficial to keep a travel box with you, including blankets, water, snacks, sunglasses and a first aid kit.

3.    If you are driving abroad, familiarise yourself with local driving regulations– For example, did you know that in Spain, if you wear glasses for driving, you must carry a spare pair in your car at all times? And in France, police impose on the spot fines for speeding, sometimes only payable by the exact cash amount? It’s well worth reading up on the country you’re visiting.

4.    Keep the kids entertained– One of the biggest causes of accidents during the summer, is people being distracted whilst driving. If the children are bored and whingey, they are more likely to distract you from the road. Make sure you include some books (including audio books), music and films to keep them busy during the trip.

5.    Do the same when you get back– Too many people do all of the necessary checks before they go away – but not when they return home. Ensure you recheck everything from tyres to paintwork as long trips can mean a lot of wear and tear on your car.

Call in the experts from Scuffs 'N' Scratches Car Body Repairs Liverpool  to make sure your car is ready for the summer sun and tick one more thing off your checklist.  We can make sure your car is in tip top condition from alloy wheel repairs, dent repairs, paint repairs, car paintwork repairs.

Call Joe 0151 909 3456 to check your car body needs today!

10 CAR BODY REPAIR TIPS

10 CAR BODY REPAIR TIPS

Have you ever been involved in a seemingly minor fender bender? If so, did you swoon when you received the estimate for the repair costs?

Make no mistake about it:  Car body Repair can cost a small fortune. Bearing this in mind, it’s important to know how to proceed before an accident happens – especially if you end up being the driver who causes the accident.

Our tips will help:

1. Brace for impact. Make sure you’re happy about where your deductible is set for collisions on your Car insurance policy. Often it can be £250 , but you may have bumped it up to £500 at some point – a tactic that really can help you save on insurance rates over time. Considering the high cost of  car body repairs, though, just be prepared to pay the full deductible amount out of pocket if the accident is your fault.

2. Understand the system. Your insurer may direct you to its list of approved car body repair shops, which can be just fine – but be aware that those shops might be tempted to take shortcuts with your vehicle in order to save money. That’s because they will only receive pre-negotiated rates from the insurance company, and those rates might be stingy.

3. Get more than one estimate. Take good notes when the first place you visit tells you what kind of car body repairs you need and how much those repairs will cost. Then quickly call three or four other car body repair shops and ask how much they would charge for the exact same work. Try a variety of businesses, including independent shops, chain outlets and dealerships.

4. Know what to expect when it comes to replacement parts. Many insurance companies want repair shops to use less expensive salvage or generic replacement parts, as opposed to original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, which match your vehicle exactly and cost more. You may not have much of a choice in the matter if you’re responsible for the accident – but if you’re not at fault, instruct the shop to use OEM parts.

5. How does the car body repair shop rate? How about looking for Google reviews and ratings? You can view other websites that have ratings systems too.

6. Clarify your rental car expenses. Car body repairs often take longer than expected – meaning you could be stuck driving rented wheels for a long time at a potentially high cost to you. If you regularly pay a nominal monthly fee for rental-car insurance, you might only be reimbursed for the rental of a compact car. If such a small car would never work for you, it might be time to reevaluate your coverage.

8. Do you have a European car? If so, the car body repair shop you use should have a special certification from the car manufacturer, along with specialized equipment to fix your vehicle’s aluminum and hard steel parts. Your insurer’s approved shops may not fit the bill for your vehicle, but your insurer still should pay for such specialized repairs.

9. Don’t be unduly swayed by your insurer’s warranty. As a way of encouraging you to use a shop in its network, your insurance company may offer a warranty on replacement parts. This warranty often isn’t necessary because most shops guarantee their work and parts manufacturers guarantee their parts.

10. Make your signoff a requirement. Especially when you’re on the hook for the repair costs, politely clarify with the shop that no work should happen until you’ve authorised it first. When the time comes to pick up your car, look the bill over carefully and make sure everything matches up with the estimate you had been given and the notes you had taken earlier. If you spot anything you didn’t authorise, speak up about it.

You can always come and visit the good guys who will help you through the minefield of Liverpool car body repairs, just call Joe at Scuffs 'N' Scratches Liverpool 0151 909 3456 or visit www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

How to replace your car leather seats

Leather car interiors can become worn and eventually will need replacing. However, did you know that you can replace your old leather seats with new ones yourself? There is no need to go to a specialist car interior shop, you will not only save money but, if you take your time, you can have your car interior looking as good as new in a few hours.
[Please note, we take no responsibility for any damage that may occur].

Things You'll Need:

• Wrench
• Ratchet
• Extension
• Socket
• Screwdriver
• Hog rings and pliers
• Hog-ring cutters/Tin Snips
• Scissors
• 3M upholstery glue
• Heat gun or hair dryer
• Leather cleaner
• Rubber hand squeegee

STEP 1: REMOVE THE SEATS

1. Use the wrench to remove the bolts from the front seats. Carefully push back each seat to check for electrical wiring. Disconnect any electrical connections from underneath the seat. Put the bolts in a safe place, as you will need them to reinstall the seats.
2. Take the cushion off the back seat. Locate the two screws securing the front part of the cushion to the carpet. Remove the screws using the screwdriver, take the cushion off, put it in a safe place.
3. Use the wrench to unfasten the bolts from the armrest. Push the seat back and up to detach it from the car. Put all the components in a safe place.

STEP 2: REMOVE THE LEATHER

1. Take the plastic trim from the front seat cushion. Turn the seat so, it is facing upwards. Use the wrench to unfasten the four bolts securing the cushion to the frame. Locate the J hooks, these are the plastic pieces that are attached to the outside frame of the seat. You should see the seam of the leather inserts. Carefully pull the Velcro away from the foam.

2. Take the headrest off by, applying pressure to the button on the side of the headrest bar, and pulling upwards. Turn the seat upside down. Locate the J-hook, use the scissors to cut the hog rings, if the seat has a zip unzip it. Pull the leather up, take off the hog rings and pull up the leather further. Bring the cover up and over the seat and it should easily come off now.

3. Take the backseat cushion off, turn the backseat upside down, find hog rings and J-hooks and remove them, by cutting them. You can now take the cover off the seat.

STEP 3: REPLACE THE LEATHER

1. Put the new leather on the front seat cushions by pulling the leather through the hog rings. Use the same foam seat cushions, put the plastic parts of the chair back in their rightful places. Use the scissors to cut holes for the headrests.

2. Use the scissors to make tiny slits where the headrest posts will go. Push the leather under the headrest posts to hide the excess.
3. Reinstall the backseat cushions by wrapping the cover round the foam neatly, Hog-ring the outside of the cushion and tuck excess leather into the attachment points.

Hey presto, your seats should look as good as new!

IF THAT IS TOO MUCH HARD WORK, THEN CALL THE PROFESSIONALS.
CALL JOE WOODHOUSE - SCUFFS 'N' SCRATCHES LIMITED IN LIVERPOOL TO DISCUSS YOUR INTERIOR CAR LEATHER UPHOLSTERY REPAIRS

0151 493 2600   OR      07802 348096        OR VISIT www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

(JUST OFF GREAT HOWARD STREET, BY THE HERITAGE MARKET)

FOR HONEST, RELIABLE & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE SINCE 1996

Choosing the Right Car Dent Repair Company

Does your vehicle look like it's been driven through a hail storm? The dent damage, dings, and other car exterior damage can be successfully restored using the proper provider. Scuffs N Scratches is Liverpool based, reasonably priced, quick, and very effective at returning your car or truck to its previous glory. Our paintless dent repair system fixes dings and dents without causing other damage. The sheet metal is restored from behind, so there is absolutely no sign of the fix. It only takes 1 or 2 hours to perform the fix and we can do this work whilst you are doing something more interesting with your time.

We provide an honest, reliable and professional service around Liverpool since 1996

For a free quotation or advice call Joe on 07802 348096 or 0151 493 2600 or call in to our Unit at 60-61 Love Lane, Liverpool, L3 7DD or visit www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

CAR SCRATCH DIY

Does your car have scuffs & scratches within the paint or car paint blemishes you’d wish to do away with without going with the expense and hassle of managing an entire body paint shop?

The car scratches become more and more annoying to you ever before due to the fact you initially observed them? Car paint fix is simply not difficult and time consuming after you get sound details and commit on your own to subsequent a couple of easy-to- have an understanding of instructions.  A huge number of motor vehicle owners have found this mega-money-saving reality, and now have professional shopping paint work they’ve finished efficiently themselves.

Small paint scratches and imperfections can easily be repaired by car owners who’re ready to take the point in time to perform the work appropriate and carefully progress with the necessary methods for specialist motor vehicle paint repair.

The primary factor to comprehend is that touch up paint presented by car dealers is just not the best resolution for your challenge in case the scratch you’re wanting to fix is obvious from a distance.

Should you check out an car dealer complaining in relation to small scratches and dings you can see at a distance of six feet or even more away from the car, they will certainly desire to sell you touch up paint instantly, promising it can be all you should repair the scratch. Never fall for this sales pitch, since touch up paint certainly not blends perfectly together with your car’s paint and will certainly only design yet another possibly, even worst eyesore.  Basically, you will only be changing a scratch on the car’s paint surface with an uneven blob or gob of paint that will certainly be just as annoying because the scratch was. Touch up paint is only helpful for quite little nicks and scratches and almost nothing a lot more.

To repair scratches and nicks as part of your car’s paint, you initially will need to cautiously sand the scratch down, employing 240-grit sandpaper, in the beginning, then heading to 320-grit sandpaper, doing work gradually to assure you’re making an even and easy surface in which the scratch utilised for being. Deeper scratches should be sanded with 800-grit moist and dry sandpaper.

If you are happy the surface is sufficiently flattened and smoothed, clear the region to become painted thoroughly, getting rid of all dust, debris, sand, and many others., after which evenly apply the primer. Last but not least, you will following apply 3 coats of colour through the primed spot, and end up the paint repair position by applying a coat of distinct coat.

Be specific to permit plenty of period for each coat to dry completely, fifteen minutes or so, prior to applying another coat. And do not attempt your vehicle paint repair task if the temperature is beneath 55 degrees, or else you will get inferior final results.

The above advice is for minor scratches but for really deep scratches it would be a good advice to go to a Car Paint Repairer such as Scuffs 'N' Scratches in Liverpool about the severity of your car’s paint scratches in advance of starting your task otherwise it may be a wasted effort.   They will be happy to advise and even give you a price to see if it is worth your time and effort.  They also carry out car body repairs, car dent repairs, alloy wheel repairs, car bumper repairs and they will be happy help with any of these repairs.

Call Joe - Scuffs 'N' Scratches Ltd, 60-61 Love Lane, Liverpool, L3 7DD
0151 493 2600    or 07802 348096 or visit www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

Honest, reliable and professional service since 1996

IDENTIFY POOR CAR BODY REPAIRS BEFORE YOU BUY

Caveat emptor - buyer beware!  Before you part with your hard-earned cash here's is a quick rundown of what to look for when buying a car.

Car Paintwork repairs: look at the overall paintwork, the texture should match all over, all the sides of the car etc should look the same in lustre, the colour should be the same all over too. Look at each panel in turn, check every feature line to see if the body lines have been roll masked off. Open all the doors, bonnet, tailgate and check the edges between the outer and inner panels, have they been rolled masked off? Look to see if any bolts on the car have been touched in. When a car has had accident repairs the panels will be re aligned so the paint on the bolts will be disturbed and then touched back in. If all looks good on the edges, look over the body for hazy patches, these patches are often ‘blow ins’ or ‘fade outs’, they are signs of minor accident repairs.

Body panel alignment: walk around the car and just eye up all the gaps, all the door gaps, bonnet & boot gaps should be equal and centralized. A good car body repair centre should have attention to detail and gaps are a classic tell tale sign of work being done. Lift the bonnet and check the engine bay, look at the flinches and chassis legs, all should look untouched. Look for marks where bolts have been undone and panels re-aligned, I call these ‘witness marks’ as they show something has been moved. Lastly, look at the cars sill. The lip part of the sill where the sill joins the floor pan should be covered in stone chip protector and painted. If there are pitted marks about twelve inches long and two patches on either side. These are ‘clamp marks’ and it shows that the car has been on a pulling machine to be re-aligned and accident repairs have been. 

There are many other ways to assess if a car has had accident repairs, these are my ‘must do checks’ list. Finally, there is nothing wrong with an accident repaired car as long as it has been repaired right. If you do notice a few little things on paintwork etc or you just want the car regardless, use what you have seen to bargain the price down.

I hope this article has given you a few things to think about.

If you need free advice or a quotation, call Joe 07802 348096 or 0151 4932600 or call in at 60-61 Love Lane, Liverpool, L3 7DD

http://www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk/

SCUFFS 'N' SCRATCHES LTD FOR HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

CAR REPAIR TIPS FOR BODY RUST

Moisture + oxygen + metal = rust. 
Rust is an unavoidable hazard of car ownership, but unless you are a qualified car body repairs specialist trying to fix it yourself can result in a spot on your vehicle that looks even worse than the rust itself. Few of us have the materials, tools, car spray painting equipment or talent needed to do a professional looking job.


Any spot of rust that you encounter on your vehicle should not be ignored, and it will only get worse with time. By fixing the problem when it is small, it is not only a much easier job, it is less expensive.

Best advice is to fix it now or pay later extra later

When it comes to car rust damage then prevention is better than cure.  Spray coatings that help to prevent rust in the first place are a sound investment, and can protect your vehicle (and your wallet) from further damage for many years.

CALL US FOR QUOTATION ON 07802348096 or 0151 4932600 or visit www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

SCUFFS 'N' SCRATCHES LIMITED, 60 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

Should I visit my dealership for my car body repairs?

Many car dealerships will have a body shop but they are not part of the factory trained service technician group. They are just like other body shop out there.  They are perfectly capable of carrying out any work needed, but beware - there is a cost!
For a major repair, the canny customer we get a few estimates then ask a couple of questions to help decide which repair shop should carry out the work.  Two key questions to ask are:

• How long is the warranty?
• Does my insurance cover work carried out here?

Possibly the most important thing to remember is that most dealerships tend to use car body repair shops instead of their own staff as it tends to be easier (and cheaper) for them to have the car taken away.  In essence, by taking your car to the dealership you are actually getting the job done by the repair shop up the road and paying a premium to the dealership as a 'handling fee'.
Why not cut out the middle man and contact the Liverpool's leading auto-body repair shop direct?  At Scuffs N Scratches we have over 15 years experience carrying out repair work for Jaguar, Audi, BMW, Vauxhall, Ford and Toyota.  Save yourself some money and call us today.
FOR A FREE QUOTATION, CALL JOE ON 0151 493 2600 OR 07802 348096

GUIDE FOR DEALING WITH CAR BODY REPAIRS

Have you recently been in some type of an accident? Perhaps your vehicle has been neglected of late and requires a little attention. Whatever your reason for deciding to have some repair work carried out there are a number of factors you need to take into consideration.  Make use of the following guidelines to help you accomplish your goal.

1. Coordinate with your insurance company.
The first thing to do is coordinate with your insurance company regarding your policy and check whether or not it covers the damages to your vehicle. Also ask for the amount they can cover and your deductibles for the auto body repairs your vehicle needs.

2.  Consider your budget.
Before taking any further step, you need to consider your financial capacity and how much you are willing to spend on auto body repairs. Know how much you can afford in addition to the amount covered by your insurance company.

3.  Know what type of Car Body repairs you need.
Having been recently involved in a car accident with either small or big damages, you might need more than one type of auto body repairs. Services for auto body repairs varies from car paint scratches, stone chips, car dents, cracked bumpers, bumper scuffs, mirror casings, scuffed car paintwork, etc. Knowing the type of body repair you need can help you greatly in finding the company which best suits your auto body repairs needs.

4.  Find a reliable auto-body repairer
There are vast number of auto body repairs providers in any big city and without asking around you wouldn’t know which one is the best. Make sure you do the following:

• Do a background check, looking for reliable data which gives you detail of the services they offer as well as their reputation.
• Get information on their prices.
• Make sure you ask whether or not they accept insurance work - not all companies do!
• Get an estimate of the cost and timescale of the work to be done, and compare with other companies.
• Finally get a written quote for the work to be carried out

SCUFFS N SCRATCHES ARE LIVERPOOL-BASED CAR BODY REPAIR SPECIALISTS.
FOR A FREE QUOTATION CALL US TODAY ON 0151 493 2600 OR 07802 348096 OR VISIT www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

10% DISCOUNT VOUCHER AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE

SCUFFS 'N' SCRATCHES LTD 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

FOR HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

Repair the Car or spend the CASH?

This post is by Joe Woodhouse – Director Scuffs ‘N’ Scratches Ltd

Over the past few months, I've been seeing cars in various states of disrepair. Big dents, dings, damaged windows and doors, bumpers scraping along the ground, you name it.  And it got me wondering: Are people choosing to take the insurance money and spend it on something other than the car repair?

Now, obviously, some of these cars were just old and in need of some major TLC. But in the company car park alone I've seen several cars that are from 2007 or after and have big bad dents and other major body damage.

Clearly, these cars were involved in some kind of accident. Be it with another car, a lamppost, a wall, or an angry Transformer, something went wrong.

Knowing that most good citizens have car insurance coverage, I also know that these people would have received some kind of payment to have the car fixed whether it was their fault or not.

I got sideswiped a few years ago, and the car sustained £1,500 worth of damage. I was given two options:

• Choosing a recommended repair shop to deal directly with my car insurance company, and I would pay the  excess.
• I could get a cheque based on the price the adjuster believed it would cost to have the vehicle repaired, minus the excess

At the time, I chose the first option. I needed the car fixed immediately. I wasn't ready to start calling around for competitive bids, and I also knew that the place chosen by my auto insurance company would be held accountable by them if the repair was not done well.

But I wonder: How many say, "I can live with the dent; I'd much rather have the cash"?

It makes all kinds of sense to me. Some people don't care about the resale value of the car or how it looks. It's a mode of transport that gets them from home to work, shopping, or the ballgame. It's no big deal if it's not perfect, and a few thousand dollars is way more important than removing a dent from the door or fixing a crunched bumper.

After that thought, I noticed damaged cars everywhere. I counted 23 in the car park at my local supermarket last week, and it was not a busy shopping day. True, some may have been very recently damaged and awaiting repair, but I saw a couple of major dents that had been very poorly spray-painted and a bumper that had been freshly covered with stickers.

Clearly, these were not people who took the insurance money for the car repair. They probably kept the cash.                             Is it legal?

I did some digging on several car repair sites, forums, insurance blogs, and so on. It seems that many people do, in fact, opt to cash the cheque and leave their vehicle in a state of disrepair. But this does have some ramifications.

First, if you don't own the car outright (and that's a large majority of us), then the bank (or finance company) is the real owner, and the money for the repair is to keep the car in good condition until the loan has been paid off. They want the car to be repaired, and they have every right to see that you make good on it.

What's more, if the cheque is made out to both you and the bank/finance company, and you cash it, you could be liable for fraud charges.

If you own the car outright, it's much easier to decide to take the cash and spend it on bills, a new TV, or anything else. I have read several stories on Auto Repair Service Guide of people who did just that.              Now, over to you

If you get in an accident and your car sustains cosmetic damage, do you get it repaired, or do you take the money and run? In these tough economic times, I can certainly see why many people would go for the latter option.

IF YOU EVER NEED AN HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE CARE REPAIR COMPANY, CALL JOE OF SCUFFS ‘N’ SCRATCHES LTD, 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

0151 493 2600 OR 07802348096           Or visit www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

HONEST,PROFESSIONAL,RELIABLE SERVICE – EST 1996

Save money with Alloy Wheel Refurbishment

Alloy wheels can quickly become corroded, curbed, scratched, bent and buckled through typical driving conditions and scenarios, which can often turn out to be expensive to remedy if you are not savvy enough to understand the financial benefits of using independent Alloy Wheel Refurbishment services.

When it comes to the issue of wheels on a car, the very question of damaged wheels invokes highly emotive feelings of protection from car owners which can typically be explained by their prominence and outwardly public appearance which some may argue reflects the financial and aesthetic worth of a vehicle. The general public is aware is aware that the current financial climate can often place restrictions on the type of services we are able to source and whilst replacing damaged alloy wheels can be an easy solution in terms of practicality, which most car dealerships will often gladly offer to customers, it can often, if not always be the most expensive option to undertake especially if you are replacing high quality performance aluminium wheels manufactured by companies such as AC Schnitzer, Brabus, Wolfrace, Dezent, ROTA, BBS or many of the other ambassadors of alloy wheel manufacturing.

Car owners can make time, cost and convenience savings by using independent alloy wheel refurbishment companies, where they can professionally refurbish alloy wheels at your home, office or at a workshop with a fast turnaround time.

With prices typically starting at around £45 per wheel it makes it a really good proposition balanced against the potential cost of hundreds of pounds to replace damaged wheels. all at a fraction of the price.

You can gain more information on alloy wheel refurbishment by visiting http://www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk or call Joe Woodhouse on 07802 348096 or 0151 493 2600

SCUFFS 'N' SCRATCHES LTD 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

FOR HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

Car Scratch Repair

Frustrating as they may be, no matter how careful you are when it comes to your car scratches are largely unavoidable.  However, when it comes to car abrasions, there are so many things you can do. There are various car scratch repair options that you can choose from.

Provided the graze is not too deep then using a touch up paint can readily eliminate the scratch. If there are deep scratches it is best to contact a car body repair shop and let the experts do the job for you.  Using their specialist knowledge they will skilfully apply paint to conceal all the scratches and make them disappear completely. Advanced colour blending techniques ensure the right colour for your car and make it look as if there are no scratches at all.

With an expert car body repair shop you can rest assured that all your car needs will be taken care of.  You do not have to wait for weeks and months before repairing your vehicle. You will be glad to see your car looking as good as new again. Scuffs 'N' Scratches are experts in the car repair industry and guarantee total customer satisfaction. Additionally, they offer a variety of other services that you might need in the future such as dent repairs, bumper repairs, alloy wheel repairs, interior upholstery repairs (including leather), and windscreen repairs.

For all your car repair needs, contact Scuffs N Scratches now.
0151 493 2600 or 07802 348096 or visit www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

SCUFFS 'N' SCRATCHES LTD - 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996

How to Repair Car Leather Seats

Leather car seats can sometime crack due to improper care. Leather needs to remain moist so that it does not dry out and form small cracks in your car’s interior. If this has happened to you, do not worry. Repairing a crack or split in your leather seats is easy and economical. You should repair this damage right away so that it does not get worse over time.

1.   Fill a small bucket with clean, warm water until it is about half way full. Add about half a teaspoon of dish soap to the water and mix thoroughly so that the soap is thoroughly combined with the water and the top has suds on it.

2.   Clean your leather seats using this cleaning mixture and a scrub brush. You should clean the entire seat that has the damage on it, ensuring that you get into all of the cracks and crevices to remove any trapped dirt or debris.

3.   Dry the leather seat thoroughly using a clean, dry lint-free cloth such as a terry cloth towel. Dry in all the seams' cracks and crevices thoroughly to ensure that all moisture is removed completely.

4.   Apply rubbing alcohol to the surface of your leather seats to remove any grease or grime that may remain after cleaning and drying. Be sure that you dry the alcohol immediately after applying to your leather seats' surface.

5.   Use a fine grit sandpaper to sand down the area where you leather car seats are damaged or cracked. You want to continue sanding until the area is smooth with the surface of the seat.

6.   Apply a leather sealer to the area that is damaged, you can purchase a leather sealing product from your local auto repair store. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper application techniques.

7.   Allow the leather sealer to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.

8.   Use masking tape to tape off the rest of the area of the seat so that the touch-up paint is not allowed to spread to other areas of your seats.

9.   Purchase a leather dye that matches the color of your leather seats from your local auto parts store. Be sure to choose a color that matches the color of your leather so that you will not be able to tell were the repairs where made.

10.    Apply the leather dye in a thin layer to the affected areas of your leather interior.

11.    Use a blow dryer to dry the leather sealer and dye until it is smooth and dry to the touch.

12.    Apply a second coat of the leather dye using the same application methods, and dry with a blow dryer until the area is completely dry to the touch.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE TIME, LET US HELP YOU WITH YOUR LEATHER SEAT  REPAIR

CALL JOE AT SCUFFS 'N' SCRATCHES LTD 60-61 LOVE LANE, LIVERPOOL, L3 7DD

0151 493 2600 OR 07802348096 or visit www.scuffsnscratches.co.uk

FOR HONEST, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE SINCE 1996