| It amazes me how many vehicles I have went to | | | | of tape, that would be sufficient. Last just spray |
| go look at and potentially purchase that would | | | | them with a quick coat, let that dry for around 5 |
| have gotten my money if it had been properly | | | | minutes and then spray a thicker coat. Now step |
| cared for but sadly I walked away. Now many | | | | back and observe how much nicer it looks as |
| years of abuse add up quick when you go to sell | | | | opposed to rusted or faded windshield wipers. |
| your vehicle. The years of children occupying the | | | | This next tip is purely from my experience, it |
| rear area really shows through on the carpet and | | | | may work or may not but it can't hurt. Bumper |
| seats along with the years of traveling in different | | | | stickers are your expressions of likes and dislikes |
| geographic locations showing abundantly in the | | | | in your life to other drivers, but what are the |
| wheel wells. | | | | chances a potential buyer will like the same things |
| My purpose here is to point out a few glaringly | | | | you do. Plus after a while bumper stickers start |
| obvious mistakes that even a semi-trained car | | | | to look hideous from drying in the sun and |
| buyer will be looking for when they come to see | | | | repeated car washes. If you plan on letting go of |
| and hopefully purchase your used vehicle. Although | | | | your vehicle by selling it prepare to let go of your |
| I won't be going into detail about detailing, I will be | | | | bumper stickers. You may be surprised how |
| pointing out a few key areas that you may not | | | | many people did not vote for who you did almost |
| have thought to tidy up before the sale. | | | | 10 years ago, don't you feel it's time to un-brand |
| Firstly, I will state the obvious things to do in | | | | your car? Sometimes you can pull them off, |
| preparation of selling your vehicle. Begin by | | | | sometimes you have to pick at them and |
| washing your vehicle. While doing this note that | | | | sometimes you may need to use a straight edge |
| this is not your usual rinse off wash. You need to | | | | razor to scrape them off. |
| actually get some kind of sponge that actually has | | | | If they do not come off easily, then after you |
| some scrubbing properties and finally get all those | | | | scrape or pick most of it off, run some goo gone |
| dead bugs off of the front bumper. Do a good | | | | over the area until it is completely gone. Also, be |
| thorough job on this, if something needs scrubbing | | | | very careful if you have to scrape them with a |
| put in the elbow grease to actually get it off. This | | | | staright edge razor if they are on painted |
| includes tree sap, rub marks that can usually be | | | | surfaces. It would be best in this case to |
| gotten off with soap but may need something like | | | | repeatedly use goo-gone as opposed to cutting |
| goo gone, those sorts of things. | | | | into the paint, this is purely dependent on your skill |
| Secondly, vacuum and wipe down the interior. | | | | and confidence. Now if they are on a painted |
| Once again this is not going to be one of your 75 | | | | bumper and your paint on your bumper is already |
| cent local car wash get it done before the time | | | | peeling, do not try removing that one, better to |
| on the vacuum shuts off type of vacuuming jobs. | | | | leave that bumper sticker on there rather than |
| You need to invest some time into this. Look at it | | | | pull more paint from the bumper. You will know |
| this way, the interior of your car should be like | | | | this situation if it applies to you and your bumper. |
| your living room. Would you offer a stranger a | | | | Right about now your vehicle should be cleaner |
| seat on your couch if it had gum, sticky cola or | | | | than it has been in quite a while, heck you may |
| pet hair on the couch or even carpet area around | | | | even fall back in love with it now! But, if not there |
| your couch? No, I didn't think so, I know I would | | | | are just a few more steps to complete your |
| remain standing in that instance. Remember, some | | | | vehicle make-over and get ready to proudly show |
| people may be coming to look at your vehicle | | | | your car or truck. |
| during their lunch break. I highly doubt they will | | | | Clean out your ashtray, vacuum it and then take |
| even test drive your vehicle if they have to sit in | | | | it out and actually scrub the years of ash off of |
| a sticky, cola stained seat. So, clean the interior | | | | it. Next spray some smell-good in the car. Use |
| and do it right! | | | | either febreeze (which works well) or some other |
| Now you've got the interior looking nicer and the | | | | auto parts store brand. Avoid fruity or pungent |
| outside of your car is free from any dirt, grime, | | | | smells as not everyone has the same taste as |
| bugs, sap and any other non-paint things. So now | | | | you. Stick to neutral or new car smell scents. The |
| we get on to the not-so obvious little things that | | | | less the better in this case. Next address your |
| make a big difference in what you want and what | | | | trunk area. Open it up get your stuff out and |
| you are offered for your vehicle. | | | | even lift up the carpet and get the nuts, bolts, |
| If you car is older than just a few years, it may | | | | candy wrappers, old receipts, etc out from there. |
| be a good idea to spray your wheel wells (area of | | | | Do the same with your glove box and your |
| plastic right behind each tire, you know the areas | | | | center console. Also, while you are in the trunk |
| that area usually the color of dirt from all the build | | | | check the air pressure in your spare and make |
| up over the years). Now, keep in mind you need | | | | sure you have your jack and all things necessary |
| to tape off the surrounding painted areas and | | | | to lift up the vehicle. If by chance your neighbor |
| possible cover your wheels and tires. A trash bag | | | | borrowed your jack 6 months ago, now is the |
| works great to cover the entire tire from over | | | | time to go reclaim it especially since you have an |
| spray and you can re-use the same trash bag for | | | | excuse now! |
| each one. Also you will need to scrub off any | | | | Another good idea is if your vehicle has a CD |
| loose dirt and grim, even better if you can | | | | player to go ahead and put in a CD and leave it in |
| pressure wash this area! So, cover your tire and | | | | there. That way potential buyers can check the |
| tape off what you need too and then take a can | | | | radio as well as the CD player and not have their |
| of flat black spray paint and spray the entire | | | | attention taken away by having to go and dig one |
| wheel well area back to black. You're in luck here | | | | up out of their vehicle. Also, while we are on the |
| because all wheel wells are black and I say use | | | | stereo make sure all speakers work. Use the |
| flat black because you are not trying to make it | | | | balance and fade and make sure they are not |
| look brand new, only clean! Now step back and be | | | | blown (characterized by a speaker making a |
| amazed how much nicer your rims and tires | | | | popping noise when the bass plays). |
| probably look than before you started because | | | | It could be a great investment to spend twenty |
| black contrasts much more nicely against chrome | | | | dollars for two new door speakers as you never |
| rims rather than the color of dirt or mud does! | | | | know if the person looking ranks tunes high on |
| Next lets address an often overlooked item. Your | | | | their list. Perhaps they commute daily and you |
| windshield wipers. Chances are if your car is older | | | | don't want to present a negative while they are |
| than just a few years then your actual windshield | | | | looking at your car. The simple fact is people |
| wipers (The arm and neck area) are not black | | | | subconsciously keep a running tally of things that |
| anymore. Perhaps they are faded, rusted or even | | | | need fixing and this reflects badly on the price |
| painted some weird contrasting color. You want | | | | they offer. The less they have to put into the car |
| these to be black again, it really does make the | | | | after they buy the more you are apt to get at |
| car look nicer from the front which is the way | | | | the sale. |
| most people face cars to be sold. Once again | | | | Now that your vehicle is clean as a whistle pick a |
| take your flat black spray paint (or even gloss | | | | good place to park it. Depending on your time |
| black if you prefer). Now the way I do it is just | | | | available you may not want to have to wash it |
| lay an old blanket or newspapers "under" the | | | | every 3 days so avoid parking it under trees or |
| wipers on top of the windshield. You may want to | | | | near a dirt drive-way. That wraps up the basics |
| tape off some things also that depends on your | | | | of the hidden areas to address to help sell your |
| skill with a rattle-can (paint can). Also you either | | | | vehicle. Good luck on selling your vehicle and |
| want to remove the wiper blades or cover them | | | | remember you can "reverse" these tactics when |
| to avoid getting paint on them. One trick is to | | | | you are looking for your new-used car by |
| take a strip of masking tape and just fold it over | | | | checking the things that you fixed on your car! |
| the blade covering both sides with that one strip | | | | |