Questions Asked and FYI and More!

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Now that the season is over - its a great time to bring in your boat upholstery over for us to recover it during the Winter.  While the snow is covering the ground and the hustle and bustle of the seasonal holidays are among us - we can be working on your gift.  bring in your boat interior now and when Spring rolls around you will be able to enjoy you new upholstery with no down time.  

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Now that we still have great weather- Use this time to get your vehicle ready. 

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80/94 going east was backed up, so I detoured and got off at Cline Av.  so as to take 5th Av South... I thought about this road- and how long it has been since I drove it everyday. When I first opened in 1989 our shop was in Tri-City Plaza at 5th and Clark Road.  It was being renovated at the time -  In 1993 we left Tri-City Plaza to move the store to Merrillville. I stopped and looked at Tri-City Plaza and was sadden.  How I knew they spent hundred's of thousands of dollars renovating the place - it looked worse than when they started.  When my store was their we had quite a few waiters,  and they would walk Tri-City Plaza - their was a Restaurants  and other places to eat, a Library, Walgreens, and the wig shop..a grocery store and more.  Red's Car  Wash was right next door along with Guaranteed Printing along with a couple of clothing stores.   Now- just a few stores are there, but so run down. All that money wasted.. If the Owner would have taken better care of his tenants-and fixed building issures,  the place would have been better- there was so much more work that needed to be done.....

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1. Cheers!  - to NOT Drinking and Driving  - I know it sounds obvious but it bears repeating.  Whether it's at the company Christmas part, New Year's Eve or just catching up with friends and family for a festive drink.  Drinking and driving is just not worth it.. Designate a driver or enjoy a mock tail instead.  Or sleep on the couch. 
   
2. We Love Safety - Do a pre-hoilday vehicle check up - can reduce your risk of having problems on the road.  Tire Pressure, Oil change, a wash , wiper blades changed- fill the washer tank and  Aquapel on your windshield. Jumper cables, blanket - snacks. 
   
3. Please Buckle Up  - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts saved an estimated 13,941 lives among passenger vehicle occupants age 5 and older in 2015. You want to be part of that club.  So do the people who love you .
4. SLOW THE HELL DOWN!  Speed is the #1 cause of car accidents (plus sudden acceleration is a major gas guzzler) and I know the rushing around makes you fell like you can make up some time on the road, but I'm sure your friends and family would rather have you arrive SAFELY even if you are late. 
   
5. Right turn  only AFTER YOU STOP and yield the right of way.  Lots of accidents could be avoided with this one..
6. And of Course DO NOT TEX AND DRIVE!  Yes, its still happening - the swerving on the road.  Look around and you will see how many people are still doing this!
   
7. And last but not least .... Pay Attention,    No putting on make up - reading (yes, I have seen people on 80/94 with a book on the steering wheel open reading and driving) Really pay attention to everything around you, you will probably see what I am writing about.  

We wish you and your love ones a safe , healthy  Holiday Season! 

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Sometimes, when restoring a vehicle you just can not find the parts you need. Or if you do find them wow on the price.  Two examples are :

1.) 2003 Mercedes CLK320 Convertible. It was missing the pass side convertible top guide  pin.  Mercedes only sells this pin as part of the whole mechanism that closed the sunroof costing over $1,000.  We purchased a 2004 Sebring convertible top guide pin - fits perfect and does the job for $30 part # 4864764. 

2.) 1970 Lincoln . needed the qrt window side weather strips. that fit between the door glass and qrt window.   Well, no one make this for this vehicle - but the Ford Mustang will fit and do the job. 

I hope this helps anyone who is looking for a solutions for these problems

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This was pretty good on keeping items in good condition to make them last longer ;

https://www.goldeagle.com/tips-tools

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1. Warm up your car for at least 3 minutes
2. Wipe down the door frame. Clean the entire door frame to remove road debris and other detritus that can build up over time. Water can collect around the dirt and freeze the door shut once the temperatures drop.
3. Push gently on your doors to loose the ice has a hold of your door's weather strips.  you could break your door handle if everything is frozen together
4. Keep a de-icer product in your garage or winter jacket, in case you are frozen out of your car. These are typically sprayed directly onto the lock, and are the most effective option in severe ice conditions. Choose the lock with the least amount of ice buildup, spray, and insert the key.
5. If your windshield washer is frozen - try adding rubbing alcohol to the mix. It will keep it from freezing and help melt ice on your windshield .
   
6. DO NOT ROLL YOUR WINDOW DOWN! Window regulators are fragile at times in cold weather.  Cables and plastics get brittle and can easy break or bend when forced.
   

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When calling for glass prices is price the really only thing you are thinking about?  Here are a few thing we want you to think about BEFORE having your auto glass replaced.

• Which end is the quality of the glass you are putting into my vehicle?  Is it a China Aftermarket glass or from a quality supplier like Pinkerton and PGW?
  
• Is it used?  You may have to ask if it is a super low price. We do not recommend used when replacing your windshield. Contamination of urethane's is always a concern for quality seal the will keep your windshield in place if your airbags blow..
• What kind of urethane are they using - the cheep stuff that dries in a week?  or in cold weather are they using  one that has a drive away  time in ONE Hour at  very low temperatures?
• This one is my favorite: Are they replacing your moldings with a cheep aftermarket molding that is sold by the box - or are they using one make for you make and model by Precision  moldings or Gold group?
  
• Another favorite:  Some glass companies "cheat" your windshield in , by that I mean  they pry on your cowl (bottom molding ) that should be removed and do not even place urethane on the bottom. (I have personally witness this in a few shops) This saves the glass shop employees time so the can do more glass volume, or if they are on the road they have so many the slop them in and onto the next job..  Really, do you want sloppy service or one that the tech took his time to make sure everything is  cleaned and primed before the install?  Problem is you will not notice this because water does not run uphill.  
  
• Is the person going to work on your car a newbie?  Or a season pro?
  

Just a few things to think about....I know, but I have been doing this for over 25 Years,, I have even seen windshields that have been put in with silicone....I have been at local shops that have done the above....  We do glass like we are doing it for one of our children, our Grandmother , and or Mom's .... its not popular... it cost more... but we know we are doing our best job, with the best products.... we are not getting rich ... we are happy , and we can sleep at night...

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Commercial Vehicles:   For pictures go to our facebook page to see before & afters

Seat, Foam and Fram's Repaired.... We fix a lot of vehicles with the sides gone- down to the frame.  We have access to OEM Fabrics and Vinyls.  Foams can be rebuit and we can cure that sinking feeling when you are sitting in your trucks.  All of our work is done inhouse- We have Welders and Great Technitions to bring your work truck back - and your drivers sitting straight again.

Carpets

Did you know we have access to vinyl flooring to put in your commercial trucks! Its easier to take care of too.

Door Repairs

Windows not working?  Missing mirrors - Handles broken .  We have the experience to repair these before the bad weather gets here.  If it happens duing your busy season,  give us a call we can order everything and have it here so your down time does not cost you money

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1.) Find your cars best "spot" Finding it by not accelerating forcefully or timidly  - it helps by looking at your RPM and feeling the engine

2) Your are not a race car driver- Remember wind resistant reduces fuel economy. The threshold at which highway gas mileage begins to degrade is at about 50 miles per hour. You can increase efficiency by traveling below the speed limit, bit only when its feasible and doing so won't impede traffic or cause other safety issues.

3) Use your air condition strategically. AC draws power which make your engine work harder. On highway it is better to have AC on than window down causing a drag.

4) Drive steadily and smoothly. Try keeping an even keel.  On the highway using your cruse control can help you significantly improve your gas millage. Remeber all because you can go faster does not mean you should.

5) Read the road ahead-  look a conditions in front of you and sides- focus farther down the road will help you anticipate traffic lights and stops. By seeing that the light up head is going to be turning yellow - you can let up off the acceleration and slowly come to a stop- This will help you save and take a load off your brakes.

6) Plan your route - It's amazing how much gas you can save by combining trips and planning the most time efficient driving route before you go.  Also prudent planning will ensure there is sufficient range when  driving electric car.  Taking a route with mostly right turns is generally more economical than a route with a lot of left turns because you won't spend time waiting to turn across oncoming traffic.

7) Limit idling.  When your car is motionless you are getting 0 miles per gallon. Of course you can not shut your car off at lights ect.. but if you will be more than a minute, shut your engine off. unlike older carburetor cars, today's fuel injection engines don't require a long warm-up-time or use much gas to restart.  Unless you are keeping warm use the quick start-and-go to save gas.

8) Check Tire pressure - According to the EPA, letting all four tires deflate by just 1 pound per square inch (psi) will reduce gas mileage by .03 percent. Tires loose pressure over time- especially in cold weather- so make sure you check monthly.

9) Clean out your car.  Emergency supplies should be carried but other extra weight will drag down fuel economy.

10) Don't be a constant lane changer- weaving in and out - slowing down spbreeding up uses more fuel - and you really won't get their any faster. Plus, you will be making other vehicles brake unnecessarily .

11) Watch how you break- slow down nicely - not all of a sudden will save engine wear and tear and keep your brakes from premature wearing. Same goes from letting off the brake - don't floor your pedal you will be wasting gas and engine wear at the same time (your not in a speed contest)

12) Track you success.  by keeping track of your gas mileage will ultimately help you improve your frugal-driving skills.

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Spring is just around the corner,  before you unwrap that boat clean your cover, with mild soap , rinse well and put a protector on it after it air drys.  by doing this you can add years to the life of your cover - Also check your cushions you might be surprise to feel that they are still wet.  Add a fan to circulate air and dry out your interior

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With Winter hitting hard this year - I have decieded to give my car another application of Aquapel Windshield Treatment- I did the Windshield - two side door glass and mirrors and my backglass.  it make is easier for water to shed my back window since it does not have a wiper and make ice alot easier to get off.  I also added Aquapel Winshield Washer to my reseve- which is good to -30 below. 

Wow what a difference it does make in vision clearity and night driving. 

If you drive you need Aquapel  - and we also have new wiper blades to finish it off

Don't let this weather disturb your vision - Bring it to us for Aquapel Treaments you will be very glad you did

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Just want to talk a little about auto glass replacement in Winter months. 

Windshields and Back Glasses should not be replace outdoors.  The weather is too cold for porper adheshion and dry times for urethanes. 

Ask if your installer is using a cold weather Urethane?   If they are using a regular urethane the safe driveaway time could be weeks! Below is a chart of each manufacture of urethane - which give min temp for install and how long safe driveaway time is

http://www.glassmagazine.com/files/AdhsvsChart-gm0708.pdf

I can not count how many times people have told me that you take way to long to install a windshield.... " I had my windsheild installed before and I was out within an hour "-" or he did it in my drive way in 45 mins"

It amasies me, that now one has told them the importance of semi drying in the correct temperture before driving the vehicle,  or  to limit their driving or not driving on the Highway the first day .

I Know we are in at fast pased world - and everyone has thing to do, we are so busy,  But FAST WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS  Should not be one of those.

I can tell you the most purchase urethane is DOW  U418  hv

Right now we are using Dow Beta One with a 1 hour driveaway time at 0 degrees Which cost three times  as much as the Dow u418hv http://msdssearch.dow.com/PublishedLiteratureDOWCOM/dh_08ca/0901b803808ca3ba.pdf?filepath=automotive/pdfs/noreg/299-51673.pdf&fromPage=GetDoc

So, in closing not all glass installation's are the same - going on price alone should be troublesome - and if they do it in your driviway while snowing you should be worried.....

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We have a page for driving in the Winter : www.mgtglass.com/winter_Driving_Secrets.html

And we do have Holiday Specials Catalog - with Special prices for the holidays-- We also have lots of stocking stuffers , and holiday mixes for those easy holiday parties making you life a lot easier, 

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