Maybe you don’t have time or the cash to push your Car Care Tips to the nearest garage for repairs. Here are some common DIY fixes you can do in the comfort of your own home.
If a headlight or taillight of your car goes out, your battery dies, or your spark plugs stop what they’re supposed to do, a trip to a garage is inevitable. But what if you can repair your car on your own? You can always go to a professional near your home in Phoenix if you want your headlight restoration or battery replacement done by a professional. Here are some car repairs you can do at home.
Windshield Repair
Cracks or chips on your windshield are bothersome! But as luck would have it, some fillers and adhesives will make your chips look brand new. Windshield repair kits are available online and at auto parts shops.
Dry and clean the crack on your windshield. Apply the adhesive strip, sticky part to glass, press it nice and evenly over the crack, then peel the remaining film. Ensure the plastic adapter is vertical and press it on the sticky film.
Keep the syringe pointing up to avoid drips until you attach it to the adapter. Hold the syringe down, pull the plunger to its limit and hold for a minute. On the minute mark, suddenly let go of the plunger. Repeat the process until the crack is full of adhesive. Remove everything, let the adhesive cure, and take a razor to excess after a few hours. Buff it out, and you’ll have a full-repaired windshield.
This fix is handy, though it certainly isn’t recommended for all windshield damage. Spider cracks with no air pockets, cracks, and surface damage are better handled by professionals. They may result in bigger problems if you force it.
Car Battery Switch
While it may seem intimidating at first, replacing your car battery is a crucial task you may have to perform at one time or other. Check your battery terminals for sulfate build-up. Clean this up and if it still doesn’t recharge, clear the terminal cables of gunk to prepare the battery for removal.
After clean up, use duct tape to seal any cracks on the battery, lay out your crescent wrench, adjustable wrench, and vise pliers, and start removing your battery. Loosen the nut and bolt from the terminal cable attached to the negative post. Carefully slide the clamp from the post, then do the same for the positive charge. Unscrew the nuts or wing nuts that hold the battery in its seat, then safely remove the battery.
Use a battery terminal cleaner to clear out any remaining gunk from the terminal. Replace corroded terminal cables, then coat the new or old but functional ones with corrosion protection spray. Do the same steps as above, but in reverse, to install your new battery. Don’t remove the caps until you’ve installed them—they’re there to help you recognize which end is positive and negative.
Headlight Restoration
Cleaning up a foggy headlight can be accomplished with common house goods. Before applying any solution to it, wipe off dry dust from the dome. Use a liquid soap and water solution to rub grime off the headlight. After that, apply a thick paste of baking soda and vinegar to get the worst of the grime off. Alternatively, after wiping the dust off your lights, apply toothpaste onto wet headlights and brush it like you would your teeth for a sparkly clean finish.
If you do decide to have a pro replace your headlights, tint your windows, or the like, make sure it’s with a business that has all the tools and resources for the job. Ensure the shop has exceptional service, customer support, and would do everything to improve your car’s performance and safety. A functional car not only saves you future costs on repairs—it can save your life and the life of your passengers.
