Restoration work is not all auto body work, paint work or a massive engine.  It is an art of taking the vision of an automobile and bringing it back to life.  Some restorations are performed to rebuild a vehicle back to stock, while other auto restorations modify and create a state of the art version of the vehicle building it to modern standards.

Automotive restorations should basically go through the same processes.  Disassembly of the entire body of the vehicle is a must.  Removal of chrome, trim work, bumpers and glass ensure the body can be worked properly.  Complete restoration will remove the entire interior and drive train leaving the shell of the car, truck, van or suv being restored.  A complete assessment should be determined so that there is a complete understanding of what is to be restored, upgraded, repaired or replaced.

After disassembly, the body must be cleaned and stripped.  All of the body panels must be free of rust or repaired accordingly.  Sandblasting is sometimes used to strip the entire finish off the frame or body.  Once you have a bare metal surface, the metal must be worked until it is perfectly straight.  High quality primer and paints are then applied to optimize the life and look of the finished products.

Interior work is assessed to create the proper look for the finished restored project.  Some interior work should be as close to original as possible while other interior work is simply automotive artwork.  The interior brings out the life and feel of an automobile.  The instrument panel should include the proper gauges, radio, lighting and accessories.  All door panels, head liners and carpet should reflect the image being projected by the interior.  Seats can be stock or customized to achieve a sport or classic feel.  Every aspect from replacing, re-dying or restoring should have absolute attention to ensure the final look is perfect.

Drivetrain is a must to properly restore an automobile.  When a drivetrain is removed from the chassis, it should be fully inspected and discussed with the customer so that the auto restoration shop and the customer are on the same page for what is to be expected.  Engine work, transmission work, brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust and wheels all make the difference when a fully restored vehicle is looked at after it is completed.  Chrome parts, glossy painted parts, aluminum and titanium can all make a difference on appearance.  Brakes can be stock, upgraded to modern styles or even built up to race quality braking.  Suspension can also be stock or can be completely modified to just about any type of suspension you want.  Exhaust makes the sounds you want but also has to look great.  Wheels stick out the most, rims and tires should be carefully picked since this can make or break the look of the entire vehicle.

Some automotive restoration is just to spruce up an existing look of a vehicle.  You may have an older car that already looks pretty good but you want it to be back to like new condition.  In these cases, little as possible work may be performed to spruce up the look of the entire vehicle.  This is a partial restoration where maybe the drivetrain is rebuilt or just the body is repainted.  Partial restorations are good when the overall vehicle is in fairly great shape.  This type of restoration should be thoroughly examined by the customer and the auto mechanic to see which areas of the vehicle need the attention and which areas are ok as is.  After a complete overall examination, a plan of action is created and executed to restore the vehicle up to a quality car condition.

Picking the right auto restoration shop can make all of the difference for you and your vehicle.  Whether you need auto restoration in Tampa or anywhere else, it may be worthwhile to take a vehicle a long distance away to achieve the goal you desire.  The auto restoration shop should be able to take the time and care you need to get a finished product.  The overall results of the restoration is what everyone will see, so when you spend your money on a restoration, make sure the shop you choose has the experience, knowledgeable mechanics for your type of vehicle, a quality auto repair shop/ paint shop  and a portfolio of satisfied customers when it comes to auto restorations.

By Guy’s Automotive
Visit BodyShopTampa.com for a quality automotive restoration.

These are all reasons that have empowered Guy’s Automotive to become a dealer alternative. Here at Guy’s Automotive, there are many reasons that separate Guy’s Automotive from their competition. Here are 10 good reasons why you should choose Guy’s Automotive over all of the other repair shops for auto repair in Tampa Florida:

Specializing on most auto makes and models, Guy’s Automotive is a leader when it comes to auto repair in Tampa Florida. Browse the main auto repair site ( http://GuysAutomotive.com ) for Guy’s Automotive to find out lots of information on auto repairs for all types of automobiles. Checkout the reviews and see for yourself what separates Guy’s Automotive from the typical auto repair shops in Tampa Florida and the dealership service departments.

By Guy’s Automotive
Visit GuysAutomotive.com for quality auto repair in Tampa.

Some people find out that after the financing is over, the auto repairs seem to start happening. Purchasing a vehicle that has a low cost maintenance as well as dependability should help keep auto repair costs at a minimum. When the car is new and feels nice to drive, this is a great feeling for the driver. When the car is sitting in the repair shop costing lots of money and still has problems that need to be repaired, this makes the driver depressed and feeling like the repairs have no end. Choosing the right car that is tested and proven dependable should be considered as a guide for you to pick the right new car.

The top car companies of the world are creating some of the safest, reliable and efficient cars, trucks, vans and suvs of all time. The technology is always changing and these cars are certainly keeping up with the times. No matter which vehicle you desire, keep in mind that maintenance and repairs must be performed timely to be sure that the vehicle has the best chance of survival. With a little research and some insight before you buy a new car, you can have the absolute best possible chance of finding the right new car for you in 2013.

By Guy’s Automotive
Visit GuysAutomotive.com for a quality auto mechanic.

If these problems are caught early enough, the valve body, in which includes the transmission computer, can be changed with minimal transmission problems remaining. The coolant and water that leaks into the transmission usually takes out the computer first, however the coolant / water mix easily dissolves the clutch material inside the rest of the transmission and can ruin the entire transmission. Nissan has reduced the costs of these valve bodies in the recent times, but has not recalled these models for the radiator problems.

People take for granted that a radiator should last on any vehicle. In most cases it is true. Automotive mechanics can look at most radiators and inform the owner of the vehicle when a radiator is leaking externally. When a radiator leaks internally into the transmission, it is not as easy to detect fast. Usually by the time it is detected, it is too late for the transmission. The big problem is that most Nissan truck and suv owners follow the recommended service schedule, but the mechanic usually can’t catch this type of problem in time to save the transmission. Here is a case where a bad design flaw of a radiator is costing Nissan owners thousands of dollars. Not good press for a company that usually has a good reputation for quality and dependability.

Nissan’s Jatco RE5R01A, RE5R05A, RL4R01A and RE4R01A ant heir predecessors have been great transmissions for Nissan cars, trucks, vans and suvs for years. A very dependable transmission is getting a bad reputation due to a faulty radiator. With dozens of consumer agencies all reporting the same complaints as well as Nissan receiving them directly, one must ask the question, “ Why is Nissan not doing anything about these problems?”. While we don’t have the answer for that, all we can do is try and help prevent as many of these problems as we can by writing to inform all Nissan owners that have these 2007 Nissan trucks and suvs that are affected by this plague.

By Guy’s Automotive
Visit TransmissionRepairTampa.com for a quality transmission mechanic.

Getting the best out of your automobile’s engine will help ensure that you get the optimum gas mileage possible. How do you obtain the absolute best out of your engine? This starts at how well you take care of your car and the quality of the auto repairs and maintenance you are getting. If you take care of your car, your car will take care of you. Gas mileage will definitely save you money that helps pay for the maintenance your car desires. Here are some simple useful tips that will improve your gas mileage.

1. Air filter replacement: Changing your air filter timely will help your engine breath thus increasing the gas mileage. Air is important since the engine uses the oxygen in the air to help ignite the fuel. When the mixture of air and fuel is precise, your car can get its maximum performance possible.
2. Fuel filter replacement: The fuel filter can be critical to the engine’s performance. A clogged fuel filter reduces fuel pressure and fuel volume. This will reduce the gas mileage significantly by causing the engine to strain. A fuel filter replacement in a timely manor helps keep the fuel components working correctly including your fuel injectors. The fuel injectors must spray a perfect spray to achieve the best gas mileage possible therefore, the fuel filter is the first line of protection for the fuel injectors.
3. Spark plug replacement: Spark plugs replacement is considered a tune-up. Spark plugs fire the spark that ignites each explosion of power inside the engine. Spark plugs play a major role in gas mileage. Getting the spark plugs replaced on time ensures the fuel economy stays perfect. Waiting too long causes misfires of the engine which wastes fuel by allowing it to burn in the exhaust system. This reduces power and is very inefficient.
4. Oil changes: The engine oil reduces friction inside your engine. Friction fights your gas mileage. The less friction, the better the gas mileage. Use the recommended engine oil for your engine and change the engine oil filter timely. Whether you use conventional or synthetic oil is not the issue, just making sure that you follow the recommendations of your auto manufacturer so that your engine has a maximum life and your gas mileage stays high.
5. Your auto mechanic: Relying on your memory to bring in your car for service on time is very critical to maintaining your car. The quality of your auto mechanic means everything to maximize your car’s gas mileage and life expectancy. Your auto mechanic should know your car inside and out keeping your car’s health at it’s best by informing you of any upcoming repairs and or maintenance. Also, your auto mechanic must be able to concur the auto repairs and maintenance leaving you with a virtually like new automobile running tip top.

Gas mileage saves you money and prolongs your car’s life. Following these helpful tips will keep your car running strong and help leave a few bucks in your wallet. As your vehicle’s miles tick away, you need to remember what services are due and get them taken care of promptly. With today’s economy, it is very important advice to keep up your car and keep up with all of the recommended service intervals. Keep your oil changes up and maintain your car’s gas mileage by following these simple rules.

By Guy’s Automotive
Visit GuysAutomotive.com for a quality auto mechanic.

Thanksgiving is coming up and many families will be traveling by car. There is nothing worse on a car trip to have the car break down far away from home leaving you in an uncomfortable situation having to deal with an auto mechanic you don’t know. Not to mention, breaking down on your holiday trip can take the time from visiting with your loved ones and drain your bank account on unplanned expenses. Engine or transmission problems on the road will certainly put a dampener on your trip but many of these breakdowns are preventable. All you have to do is bring in your car to your trusted auto mechanic and have the car checked prior to taking the long drive for your trip.

A simple oil change service performed by an ASE certified auto mechanic can certainly help you prevent a disastrous holiday trip. A quality mechanic shop will have the mechanics look over your car and inform you of any visible problems or leaks with your car. A list of items like tires, brakes, fluid levels, belts, hoses and just an overall look can be the difference between having a safe trip to being stuck on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck. No one can prevent everything that can happen, but a good look over your car can certainly help prevent many bad situations from happening.

Preventive maintenance is very important for your car. All cars have a recommended maintenance schedule for the preventive maintenance due by specific mileages that must be followed. Everything from tire rotations, oil service, transmission service, timing belts, spark plugs and many other services have a routine schedule that should always be followed. If, for example, your timing belt is due, you would not want to chance a 2000 mile journey knowing that not performing this service could leave you stranded. Simple services like spark plugs or an air filter will ensure that your car is running at its optimum performance saving you money on gasoline and keeping your engine happy.

Warning lamps on your dash should not be ignored. Some people will drive with a check engine lamp illuminated because they may not want to fix the particular problem. Driving with warning lamps on will keep you from knowing about any new problems happening. Safety has to always be on your mind when driving during the holiday season. You do not want to be on the road and have a small engine or transmission sensor failure cause an entire engine or transmission failure. Driving with an airbag lamp or antilock brake lamp illuminated can mean that if you need to swerve or if you wreck the car, you or someone else have a greater chance of getting hurt since you are driving with an obvious ignored problem.

Oil leaks can be an early sign of a problem that should be taken care of right away. Any time you drive long distances with oil leaks, you risk running your engine out of oil causing major engine damage at a high price tag. Oil leaks can start small but they will always get bigger. Driving with an oil leak, in some cases, can even cause a vehicle fire or ruin hoses or wiring. Make sure that you get all of your oil leaks repaired to ensure a safe trip.

Guy’s Automotive’s auto mechanics can help you get your car road worthy and try to prevent on the road disasters for your trip. It is always a great idea to get your car checked prior to you and your family getting in your car and traveling long distances. Have a wonderful and a safe holiday season. Guy’s Automotive wants to wish everyone a safe and breakdown free Thanksgiving this year!

By Guy’s Automotive
Visit GuysAutomotive.com for a quality auto mechanic.

Automotive paint jobs make a big difference when fixing up an old car or just correcting a collision accident to your car. Have you ever noticed a car that has been repainted and it just looks bad all over? Peeling, fading, chipping or corrosion are all types of problems that can happen when auto paint job goes wrong. Preparation makes a huge difference for the paint to stick, but the paint is the armor for the car since it will have to look great while taking all of the abuse from the elements the car is exposed to. Having some knowledge about automotive paints can certainly help you understand prior to having some auto body work or an auto paint job.

There are 5 basic automotive paints used by auto body shops here in the 2010’s. Acrylic lacquer, acrylic enamel, synthetic enamel acrylic urethane and water-based are all commonly used automotive paints. All of these paint choices can look good when fresh, but some of these paints just can’t hold up and be a quality durable paint that holds up on your everyday driving.

• Lacquer based paints are old school types of automotive paint. Back in the day, this paint was widely used since it had a great glossy luster and shine. Some states have actually outlawed this type of paint being used in the automotive industry, but it is still used today by some auto body paint shops. This paint does not hold up well in the sun and chips very easily. It is a soft paint that only looks good for a few years therefore it is not a durable long lasting automotive paint.
• Paints that are made from acrylic enamel are a bit stronger than lacquer. Auto body shops will use this paint commonly in low cost paint jobs. This type of paint is usually baked onto the car creating a hard shell like finish. A second coat of clear may be applied, but is not always used. This paint chips easily and can fade rapidly. Using this type of paint, your vehicle will not look quite as nice as it did when it was new.
• One of the most low cost automotive paints is synthetic enamel. There is nothing good to say about this type of paint, except that it can be used on an automotive application. This paint is very low quality and does not hold up to very much. Not advisable to use this paint if you want the paint job to look good in the end. Enamel paints in general are used by the automotive industry for an economy paint job since they are very inexpensive paints to buy.
• Urethane paints are far better than enamels and lacquers. These paints can be tricky to use but good techniques and experience will get the job done right. These paints are used on new cars and in the auto body industry for quality. The costs of these paints are much higher, but they last for a long period of time. These paints are applied with a clear coat on top and sometimes are used in 3 stage finishes too. There are lots of advantages to the car owner for using urethane paints.
• The newest paints for automotive is the water based paints. These were designed primarily to help reduce chemicals in the environment and in the atmosphere. This paint is still on the learning curve, but definitely an environmentally friendly paint since it is a non-toxic paint. Water-based or water-bourne paints will become the paints of the future. These paints are a bit tricky to apply and require special sprayers and equipment to paint a car. Color matching is much harder using water paints on auto collision repairs when paint is blended to existing paint on the car.

Even though there are 5 basic paints used on automotive applications, the paint manufacturers are also a consideration that needs to be thought through. Just like going to the store and buying soda, the brand makes the difference on taste and how long it lasts in the refrigerator. Paint manufacturers are not all the same so the quality can change as well. Prior to getting a car painted, research the type of paint and the paint manufacturer prior to a commitment for the auto body paint work. Ensure also that the auto body shop that you choose is the right choice for you.

By Guy’s Automotive
Visit BodyShopTampa.com for a quality auto paint, body and collision shop.

Auto repair on muscle cars have certainly changed alot over the years. In the 60′s and 70′s, muscle cars ruled the streets with very powerful gas guzzling v-8 engines. Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet and Pontiac all had ferocious cars that took over America. Many do it yourself mechanics repaired these cars since they were simple and easy to repair. Carburetors, spark plugs and points were fairly simple to change in these days. Gasoline was cheap back then, so filling up frequently did not set you back no matter how much these muscle cars drank!

In the 80′s and 90′s, muscle cars seemed to fade out, getting fewer and fewer. Many cars just seemed to get smaller and the Japanese car craze started. Smaller cars could be somewhat tweaked to be quick, but certainly not the same feel on the road as muscle cars felt. These smaller cars were adapted by the struggling American car companies as well to keep up with the competition. Repairing these cars were alot more different since there were sideways engines, computers and less room to work with during an auto repair. Overall, these cars turned out to use less gasoline, be more efficient and lighter than its predecessors.

In the 2000′s and 2010′s, muscle car crazes came back. The Americans just love muscle cars and somehow, can’t live without them! These modern beasts have to compete with each other in speed, looks and efficiency. Repairing the modern muscle cars are far more advanced than the 60′s and 70′s cars. All the modern muscle cars are equipped with computerized controlled engines and transmissions. State of the art technology has redeveloped the modern muscle cars into the future with all sorts of aerodynamics, dynomatrics and comfort in mind. The average do it yourself mechanic has a far more difficult time trying to perform repairs since there are alot of new factors in mind to consider. Engine and transmission code scanners, lots of sockets and skill are required to perform repairs on these muscle cars of the modern age. There are some high performance tricks that can be purchased like computer chips, computer enhancing software, horsepower kits that may include a super-charger or turbo-charger, fuel injector kits and exhaust header and system kits. These upgrades usually require a quality auto mechanic shop to install, but can increase horsepower with minimal work up to 40% on average.

Despite the muscle cars in this day and age, the smaller cars did not go away! Honda, Toyota, Acura, Nissan, Mazda, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Lexus and Infiniti all have high performance smaller cars that compete well on there own. European cars like Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Bmw, Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini have also blended in over the years producing cars that can easily exceed the 150 mph mark and some even the 200 mph mark! These cars do not look like the muscle cars of the 60′s and 70′s, but they do look like fast cars and they all drive as good as they look. Repairing these fast cars require lots of skill since there are so many computer systems to check and special tools required to turn the bolts. Many of these cars are built with pure genius and require such an auto mechanic to keep up with the repairs. Most repairs are over the heads of do it yourself mechanics due to the sophistication of the designs of these animals.

No matter which type of muscle car you have, it takes greatness and skill to perform the routine maintenance and repairs to keep them alive. All of these cars require regular oil changes and other fluid changes in a timely manor. If and when the muscle car breaks, Guy’s Automotive in Tampa can perform the repairs easily. Using the right tools and equipment, all the repairs on muscle cars are no problem for their auto mechanics to perform. Specializing in a vast array of makes and expertise, check out Guy’s Automotive for muscle car repairs and all other types of repairs for your car.

By Guy’s Automotive
Visit GuysAutomotive.com for a quality auto mechanic.

The top 3 hybrids in 2012 are the Ford Fusion, Toyota Prius and the Chevrolet Volt.  All 3 cars are above average when it comes to value, reliability, and durability.  With all of the other hybrid cars out there, ford, Toyota and Chevrolet can certainly be proud since all 3 cars are neck and neck as the hybrid cars made in the year 2012.  What can you expect owning one of these extravagant hybrids?  Read on to see for yourself what makes these hybrids shine above the rest.

Toyota Prius : The 2012 Toyota Prius comes with a standard 51 mpg city / 48 mpg highway rating.  It has a large trunk area for traveling and has an advanced electronic dashboard.  There are 2 types of Toyota Prius’s, the standard and the plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV).  Basically the same, however the plug-in type has a different battery to accommodate a wall charge station to compete with the electric cars.

Ford Fusion : The 2012 Ford Fusion operating with a 4 cylinder 2.5 engine comes standard with  41 mpg city / 36 mpg highway ratings.  These Fords come with a 6-speed transmission manual or automatic.  Lcd guages, lots of cool electonics, steering wheel controls and a nice stereo system makes these Fords very nice to drive.  These Ford Fusions can go up to 47 mph on electric power!  That’s fascinating when you think about how much technology has gone into these advanced vehicles and marks the beginning of where the technology is going into the future.

Chevrolet Volt : The 2012 Chevrolet Volt comes with a standard 35 mpg city and 40 mpg highway rating.  These cars can be plugged in for even more of a fuel savings.  Considered a extended-range electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt is very versatile when it comes to saving money on gasoline.  You can run on electric power until it needs the gasoline engine to kick in.  The Volt comes with a cool stereo system that has Bluetooth, On-Star, I-pod and USB to name a few features.  The 1.4 engine is all it needs to run on gasoline paired with a 149 hp electric motor.

Each of these amazing hybrids can save you lots of money per year on fuel costs.  The interior and off the line power on these models may not me the best, but who cares when you are able to save the money on fuel.  The standard hybrid battery warranty is 8 years/ 100,000 miles unless you have California emissions with a 10 year / 150,000 mile warranty.  All of these hybrids are exceptionally safe with advanced air bag systems and other safety features to ensure safety after a collision.  When considering a new hybrid, these top 3 picks will surely not let you down and will definitely save you money on fuel in the future.

By Guy’s Automotive
Visit GuysAutomotive.com for a quality hybrid auto repair shop.

Forward collision alert systems, autonomously braking systems and adaptive headlamp systems are all having a positive impact on today’s automobile safety records. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) headquartered in Arlington, VA, who are well known for the multitudes of collision crash tests performed on virtually all makes and models of automobiles, these systems are proven to help reduce accidents. Known as crash avoidance technologies, these forward collision systems sometimes work with autonomous braking and can even help reduce vehicle speed to help avoid or reduce the impact of a collision. This new leading edge technology will surely help reduce the amounts of automotive collisions as well as the number of personal injuries sustained in an auto crash.

• Forward Collision Alert Systems: How does a forward collision alert system work? By using camera systems, computers, light detection, laser sensors and or radars these systems can virtually sense the vehicles, objects and pedestrians in front of the vehicle. By using an algorithm specifically set up to identify the surroundings, the computer adjusts the systems in its control such as the engine computer’s electronic throttle control, autonomously braking systems, airbag pretensioning safety belts, and or body computer functions like seat adjustments and power windows. These forward collision alert systems are proven to reduce auto accidents which means these cars, trucks, vans and suvs equipped with these systems will spend less time and money in the auto body shop.
• Autonomously Braking Systems: This revolutionary braking feature allows the automotive computer(s) to partially brake the vehicle to help avoid a collision or crash. The Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) uses sensors to help detect objects, pedestrians and other vehicles and autonomously apply the brakes on these braking systems. This system may be mandatory on all future cars in the United States.
• Adaptive Headlamp Systems: These self aiming headlamp systems have been out now for several years. Simply designed to help you follow the road by rotating the headlamp aim into the direction you turn the steering wheel. This remarkable system can even adjust the headlamps with the vehicle speed on some vehicles.

With some of these amazing new safety features already installed on makes such as Audi, Acura, Bmw, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo, the streets and highways will surely become safer for everybody to be. Airbag systems, antilock brakes, traction control and stability control are all now enhanced when you add the new features or the forward collision alert systems, autonomously braking systems and or adaptive headlamp systems. With the millions of vehicles on the road and the thousands on senseless and preventable accidents that happen daily all across America, the future of auto accidents will be changing for the better!

By Guy’s Automotive
Visit BodyShopTampa.com for a quality auto body and collision shop.