Car Art - The Dirty Way

By Sam Shaw

Dust is known to accumulate on cars if not washed off for a long time. After the accumulation some people finally feel obligated to wash their cars while others just leave the dust to continue to accumulate.

Cars with dirty windshields often attract messages such as wash me from other car owners, pedestrians and children and so on. Unknown to them these windshields can become canvases for exemplary pieces of art that have the ability to impress people that enjoy art as well as some of the worst art cynics.

Scott Wade, a San Marcos, Texas based artist saw waiting canvases where others just saw a dirty windshield. He began to explore the possibilities of dust and dirt to make his art " work which has generated a lot of interest.

Wade lives on the north side of San Marcos, along Roadrunner Road; a dusty, hilly area where cars tend to become very dirty in short order. Wade is not bothered " where others see dirt, he sees a canvas waiting for his creative touch.

Unlike a lot of working artists, Wade does not rely on a lot of equipment to make his creations come to life. Along with brushes, he uses Popsicle sticks and his fingers to turn dirt into something beautiful. Scott Wade uses paintbrushes to add detail to his artwork.

Dust of course, is a unique medium which is also somewhat transitory. Eventually, a dirty car will be washed clean by a heavy rain " but until then, Wade's work endures and in a light rain, striking visual effects like patterns and streaks are added to the image. Wade draws on a wide range of subjects in his art " he has made reproductions of some well known work by Da Vinci, Van Gogh and other artists and has even reproduced the faces of the presidents on Mt. Rushmore in dust! He even does portraits of animals and people.

These windshield masterpieces are added to by road dust as the vehicle is driven which adds some new layers of complexity to his artwork. The morning dew creates dots and streaks in his pictures and naturally causes the image to change over time; at least until a cloudburst. The temporary nature of Wade's work is one of the things which make it so interesting to viewers.

Scott Wade has an online gallery where you can view his previous work and if you are lucky, you may even have the opportunity to see him in person. The artist occasionally tours the country exhibiting his work and demonstrating how it is created to always-eager audiences. His work is becoming increasingly popular and there is a national level of buzz about this Texas artist and his work. - 21396

About the Author:

You do not have to have a dirty car to start creating an art car. Youll love being able to show off your art car design as you evolve as a car art designer!

Do You Want Credit Cards?

By Bob Jones

The commencement of the electronic age made almost everything possible. Diagnosing and curing previously deadly illnesses became widespread; travelling to uncharted territories became a possibility and most of all, people's everyday lives was made easier by technology. We now have more convenient stores, more comfortable means of transportation and a variety of gadgets that makes work and pleasure almost effortless.

When it comes to the technology of finance, an efficient banking system and efficient services have given people better alternatives and options with which to manage their finances. Among the so many financial management schemes that emerged, one stands out above the rest - the credit card.

Credit cards, especially to working people and those who live very busy lives, have become the ultimate financial God send. More than being an important status symbol or an accoutrement of expensive purses and wallets, credit cards have revolutionized the ways people have to spend their money.

However, apart from the glamour and the convenience that credit cards bring, there is a lot more to these bank cards than most people could ever imagine.

Credit Card 101: Before entering into the long list of the advantages and disadvantages of having a credit card, it is quite important for people to understand exactly what a credit card is, in order for them to maximize its potential.

In layman's terms, a credit card is something that allows a person to make purchases up to the limit set by the card issuer. One must then to pay off the balance in installments with interest. Usually, credit card repayments are per month and range from the minimum amount set by the bank to the entire outstanding balance. And since it is a form of business, the longer the credit card holder waits to pay off his or her entire amount, the more interest piles up.

Since having a credit card is a responsibility, only those people who are of legal age and have the capability to pay off the amount they are going to spend through their credit card, is allowed to have one. Actually, most of the adults in the U.S. use credit cards, because it is safer and so convenient to do so compared with using cash or cheques every time they want to make a purchase.

It is just as important to be cognizant of the different kinds of credit cards before you begin to build up credit card balances in order to avoid having huge debt. Since credit cards are indispensable to most consumers, it is a must that they understand the types of card that include charge cards, bankcards, retail cards, gold cards and secured cards. All of these types of cards come with one or two interest rate options: fixed and variable rates.

If you decide to have a fixed-rate credit card, the interest rate remains the same, compared to variable rate cards where the rate is subject to change depending on the credit card issuer's discretion. Fixed-rate cards usually carry higher interest rates.

Basically, credit card issuers offer three types of accounts with basic account agreements like the 'revolving agreement' also called the 'Typical Credit Card Account' which allows the user to pay either in full monthly or prefer to have partial payments based on the outstanding balance.

While the Charge Agreement requires the payer to pay back the full balance every month so that they don't have to pay any interest charges, The Installment Agreement on the other hand, asks the payer to sign a contract to repay a fixed amount of credit in equal payments over definite periods of time.

Another category of credit card account includes the individual and joint accounts where the former asks the individual alone to repay the debt while the latter requires the partners to pay.

Now that you have an idea of how many sorts of credit cards there are, it is time to review your goals before applying for one. Some of the things you should think about is how you will use the credit card. If you plan to carry a balance at the end of the month, how much are you willing to pay in annual fees, if you have a strong credit history and if your credit in need of repair.

Once you have a reasonable idea of what you want for choose the right credit card for you by looking for the information you need. You can also review the credit cards you've researched and compare them.

Are you shopping for a credit card? Regardless of the type of credit card you choose, be certain to discuss your specific financial needs with your financial advisor or accountant before applying for any credit card. It is a must that you understand the benefits of having a credit card like safety, valuable consumer protections under the law, and the accessibility and availability of services.

Although having a credit card is perceived as being synonymous with financial security, this may also trigger a person's thirst for material things and may lead to the temptation to buy something they don't really need. A credit card holder should always have in mind that having a credit card is a big responsibility. If they don't use it carefully, these may owe more than they can repay. It can also damage their credit report, and create credit problems that are quite difficult to repair. - 21396

About the Author:

If you are thinking onswapping or getting a Credit Card, have a look at the free advice on our website on using Credit Cards wisely.

Car Paint Chip Repair Will Make Your Car Look Brand New

By Tania Gately

Car paint chip repair is an important part of owning a car, at least for your car to keep looking like brand new for years to come. This is the ideal way of dealing with minor scratches and blemishes on your cars body work. A good paint chip fix should allow you to achieve a smoother finish. For minor scratches, there are a ton of quick fixes available in your nearest auto supply shop. The use of such remedies almost never results in a professional grade finish. Visiting a reputable paint repair shop to have the scratches and chipping repaired is the thing to do if you want to closely match the factory finish.

The results will last longer if the work is performed on car paint chip repair. The patch up painting will not chalk or fade after a few days. Professional car paint shops usually provide a warranty for their services, so you can have your paint job redone if youre not happy with the results. You should get some general knowledge of paint chip repair before checking with the body shops or paint shops.

Techniques For Repairing from Car Paint Chip Repair:

The initial one is normally referred to as the paint blob. The technician eliminates the chips by applying a blob of paint in the damaged areas. The paints used in this method are generally available as paint pens at auto supply shops for DIY enthusiasts. This can be a really easy method to apply. The hardest part using a paint pen is matching the color to the paint on your car. In addition, patches of paint may not work if there is more paint on your vehicle. Worst of all, the blob tends to be more noticeable.

The next type of repair painting work which is called slurry. The technician simply brushes or sponges the paint to the defective areas in this method. Any excess paint will be rubbed off to ensure a smooth and consistent paint finish. Typically, repair shops use colored wax for this type of paint touch up work. The drawback is that the great results may be short lived and they may not last for very long.

Lastly, there is the type of repair that is referred to as the air-drying paint chip repair method or process. This method simply involves the application of touch up paint on your car and then adding a layer of air-drying solution to protect against blobs. Although the title alone may lead you to believe this process will be costly and complex, the end result will be outstanding.

The best bet for finding car paint ship repair is to use the forms of specially designed paint solutions that target repairing chips. Quinn the Eskimo provides the best chip repair solutions in California. Their system needs no mixing or spraying. Everything can be done in a snap by using a propriety solution called Dr. Colorchip. Location is not an issue because they offer in-house and mobile repair solutions. - 21396

About the Author:

To learn more about Car Paint Chip Repair and how it can guide you with your paint chip problems, please visit www.carpaintchiprepair.com. Find more information and important tips about paint chip repair right now.

Why does your Car Insurance Quote Increase after an Accident?

By A Nutt

Car accidents usually result in an increase in insurance premiums. Even if you are not responsible, your insurance company will have to incur some costs. There is an increase in car premiums and policy quotes because the accident will be rated against your coverage. There are a number of types of insurance coverage that can include collision, personal injury protection, and medical coverage. If you are found at fault' for an accident, coverage such as personal liability and collision will cover you, your vehicle, and personal injury to the other driver. Often, if you have just one accident, you will see an increase in your car insurance quote.

Car insurance quotes will increase because you will be considered a high risk driver. The premium will reflect the nature of the accident and the costs associated with the accident. Insurance companies will usually charge 'points' to your policy. Depending on the insurance company, these points will be charged to your policy for a certain period of time that usually ranges from three to possibly seven years. If you are in an accident that was your fault, the insurance company will consider that you are a high risk of having accidents in the future and increase your rates. You will also receive higher insurance quotes. The length of time between an accident and your quote and premiums decreasing depends on a providers policies. As well, you may have to pay a higher deductible for the insurance.

Another reason why an accident can increase your premiums when you are 'at-fault' in an accident is that there are some companies who will not insure you. When there is less competition for your business, then there is less incentive to give you a good deal. As a result, your insurance quote will be higher. When you add the insurance 'points' into the mix, it is easy to see how an accident can become very expensive. If you have a faultless driving record, it is unlikely that your premiums will increase after an accident that was determined not to be your fault.

You can normally expect a rate increase of between 20-40%. This increase is based on the Insurance Services Office's (ISO) criteria of raising a premium after an accident. According to the ISO, for multi-car policies, the surcharge is 20 percent of the base rate, and for single-car policies it is 40 percent. It is important to remember that there are other factors taken into consideration after an accident such as your age, gender, and driving record. These factors will affect how high the percentage increase will be.

The increase in premiums is not done so that the insurance money can get their money back, but is based on the risk that you may be involved in another car accident. Each insurance company has different policies and standards, but they look at your chances of getting into another accident. The number of accidents that you are involved in also increases your insurance premiums.

Some companies will absolve past accidents after a set period of time has expired. This can be two years, or as much as five years, but the period will vary depending on the insurance provider. Basically, you have to show the insurance company that you are no longer a high risk driver.

The best way to avoid high car insurance quotes is to avoid an accident. You can do this by practicing safe driving. One car accident can seriously impact your car insurance quote and the premium that you will pay. - 21396

About the Author:

Canada's largest independent insurance brokerage firms delivering car insurance London, car insurance Waterloo, home insurance solutions in your community and around the world for over 70 years and offices in Cambridge, Waterloo and Toronto

Why You Should Invest in a Trunk Bike Rack and Which One to Get

By Gary Lindsey

There are many companies that manufacture trunk-mounted bike rack systems for almost all cars. Among these bike rack system companies are Allen, Hollywood Racks, Thule, Saris, Yakima and a couple others.

All the types of trunk mount bike rack work almost the same way. Most of them strap onto the trunk of a automobile and secure your bicycle to your car for care-free transport. Nothing else to it.

Allen, Thule, Hollywood Racks and a few others have trunk mount bike rack systems that will hold more than one bike and can mount three bikes. This freedom is useful when bicycling as a group and ride sharing.

Some models that I would recommend are the Yakima King Joe, Saris Bones, Allen AL102A and a few others. All these trunk-mounted bike rack options are just a starting point.

The Allen AL102-A trunk bike rack weighs 9.5 pounds, fits on most sedans. The single configuration design ensures no mistakes during set up and installation. The 12 long carry arms easily is compatible with up to 2 bikes. It sets up and installs within secs.

Another well-liked trunk mount bike rack is the Saris Bones bicycle rack. The Saris Bones features injection-molded arms and legs. These parts are the most durable in the industry and produced with 100% recyclable, non-rusting material. Ratcheting anti-sway straps secure and stabilize bikes. The signature Arc-based design accommodates most spoilers and separates bikes on different levels. Plastic parts on Saris racks are injected during the manufacturing process with a UV stabilizer. Therefore, colors will not fade or crack; also fading and cracking are covered under the manufacturer's warranty program. Lastly, they come in a few different colors: blue, red, yellow, and black.

The Yakima King Joe trunk bicycle rack is right. This bike rack for your car comes with a Quick Trigger Hub System that makes installing it easy. The trunk bike rack can work with different automobiles of any Yakima strap rack. Narrow arm design can be paired with a wide variety of bicycles. Premium Tri-Padded feet and padded metal buckles protect your cars paint job. The Integrated StableCradles secure bicycles in place. The folding arms on the Yakima King Joe make storage easy.

The Hollywood Baja Rack comes with patented Micro-Adjust hubs for a fast and easy installation. More that 5 straps solidly attach the Baja Rack to the trunk of your sedan. Bike separators with anti-sway blocks makes sure that the bicycles firmly attached to the trunk bike rack. AND, the rack folds flat for easy storing in a trunk or garage. - 21396

About the Author:

Gary has written more information and suggestions on trunk mount bike rack brands to mount on your car and other bicycle roof rack types, at www.rackwebs.com.