How to Tint Your Windows

Step1

First, you need to be sure that all of the windows being tinted are clean. Wash them, inside and out, then dry them off with a Low-Lint cloth.

Step2

Place your tint on the outside of the window, and cut it into a square (be sure to leave a little extra on the edge.) Now, using your spray bottle, wet the window AND the tint. This will make it easier for the squeegee to go across without bunching it up.

Step3

Once you have squeegeed all of the bubbles out, use your razor blade & make a small cut in the top edge of the tint. From there, stick the end of the razor inside the small weather strip, then follow it around the window. This will ensure the proper size of tint, and leave a little extra to push down into the weather strip once installed on the inside.

Step4

Place the piece you cut on the inside of the window, and again, spray the window & outside of the tint then squeegee until all the bubbles are out. This may take some time, it is normal. You will notice that you will have a small amount left, and may need to repeat step 3 once on the inside of the window.

Step5

If you have curved glass, you will need to use a Heat Gun to stretch the tint to fit the glass. BE VERY CAREFUL - YOU MAY MELT THE TINT - IF YOU HAVE CURVED WINDOWS, YOU ARE BETTER OFF GOING TO A PROFESSIONAL.

Step6

For the rear window, most places cut around the defrost lines, however I did not with my car, and it has had no problems. If you wish to cut around them, wait until it is installed, and then simply cut the small strips out; NOT piece the big pieces of tint together!

How to Make Tires Smoke

Step1

First let's start with the car. Manual transmission is the way to go if you have a front wheel drive vehicle, if it's rear wheel drive just pray you have enough horses to get them spinning. With a manual transmission, stick the e-brake, push in the clutch, rev the engine up a bit, 2000-2500 should suffice, and then quickly release the clutch. Adding gas here will make them spin harder.

Step2

In a rear wheel drive, automatic transmissions vehicle, your going to have to keep your foot on the brake, and smash the gas down hard, fortunately there is no clutch so this is easy. Horsepower is going to be your best friend here.

Step3

Last but not least it's all about heat made by friction, and a little bit of bleach! If you want those big clouds of smoke from your grandma's '89 Geo, pour a little bleach on the tires and let 'er rip!

How to Find Custom Decals

Step1

Check your local car dealerships or specialty stores for neat custom decals. Although you may not have designed them yourself, some are so unique, they are like custom.

Step2

Go online to the website, Makestickers.com. Here you can design custom decals and bumper stickers with graphics and personalized text.

Step3

Choose a template and type in your text. Then click "preview" to instantly see your custom decals.

Step4

Click on order and buy as many of your custom decals as you'd like. In fact, you can even order just 1 if you want. There is no minimum requirement.

How to do Auto Upholstery

Step1

Got broken springs? Seats are a main auto upholstery item, made up of springs, padding and covers that are held on with hog rings, plastic clips, zippers or some other method of fastening the cover to the frame. It may be necessary to repair springs, replace a layer of burlap and repad, as shown in the before and after photo here, where I've also painted the frame. Never install new covers over rust and dirt, clean 'em up!

Step2

Padded Flames While you're designing your new covers, how about incorporating some cool flames? I invented padded flames. I developed a technique to stitch and trim the padding away so that only the area of the flame was raised, giving it a three-dimensional look. It makes a dramatic statement in an interior, especially when done in bright colors. Make your flames simple, don't get too crazy, or you'll have a hard time stitching it up!Mount 1/2" sew foam to the back of the finish fabric by stitching it around the very edges with the raw foam side down. Draw the design on the backing. Stitch it right on your lines. Sew slowly and carefully, stopping to turn the workpiece if needed. Once all the flames are sewn, knot the thread or back tack. Using sharp shears, skim along the stitch line on your padding, and remove all the padding outside your flame design. Turn it right side up and inspect your cool, padded flames! Now sew this padded panel into your auto upholstery. Booyah! You can use thicker foam for really dramatic flames.

Step3

Old truck door panels Panels are another main component of auto upholstery that require a skilled hand and a good eye. Whether made of hardboard or panel board, every hole must be cut by hand to accommodate window regulator handles, the arm rest mounting screws, chrome trims, finger pulls or pockets. Speaker holes can be cut with a circle cutter for drywall. Once all the holes are perfected, a method for attaching it to the door will have to be worked out, using plastic clips, screws, teeth or metal track. You can see in this photo that I have hidden the means of attachment, by putting plastic clips into the panel before I glued the covering over it. They snap into holes drilled around the perimeter of in the door, so it looks very tidy. I also blind tacked the vinyl section first to create a seamless looking edge between it and the cloth.

Step4

Camaro carpeting Carpeting is fairly easy if you already have the rest of the interior out, and even more so if you pop for the molded set, which only requires the cutting of a few holes for seat hardware and such. A good molded set fits the contours of the floor well, has sound deadener already glued on and saves labor over cutting and sewing a set. Cut and sewn is correct for some models and years, like 57 Chevy, but you can find them readily already sewn through a number of carpet suppliers. In this photo, I have used a flex form carpet, without a back which is easier to work into a highly contoured floor than one with a rigid backer. The heel pad is glued and then stitched in on the machine.

Step5

This guy stiffed me $75 ! Convertibles present additional pieces to be reckoned with, since most used a two piece piston panel/quarter panel up until the late 70's. The panels usually have to be resurfaced, repadded and recovered. Grind off any glue residue to get a smooth surface, first. You can see how nice they turn out if you go all the way to the bone, here.

Step6

In addition to the major components, there are kick panels, sill plates, seat belts, dash pads, package trays, consoles and headliners. Tops and rear window curtains are considered auto upholstery too. These are stapled, glued, screwed and riveted on, most have cables to tension them, and they are a high ticket item on most vehicles. If you're new to auto upholstery, invest in installer's videos that show exactly how to install the top you plan to do, about $30 each.

How to decorate a golf car for christmas

Step1

Simple, but very effective You can start simply by wrapping Christmas garlands around the uprights. To get even more eye-catching, cover the roof and fill the back seat with more Christmas greenery.

Step2

More elaborate display You can pick out a theme and carry it out. Start with something dramatic and build around that, like this gingerbread house. By adding the sign, strings of candy, and gingerbread boy and girl, they develop the theme to the fullest.

Step3

Filling the cart with Christmas stuffed animals and some tinsel on the roof conveys the Christmas theme very easily. Be sure to wear your Santa hat.

Step4

Lighted cart At night, holiday lights really dress up a golf cart. Use a small generator to power your display. Here they have lighted icicles hanging from the roof and lighted snowmen (like you use in a lawn display).

Step5

If your cart is red (or green or white), you have a head start. Here they carried the red and white theme out with a dramatic display of poinsettias.

Step6

Think outside the usual Christmas colors and themes to make your cart unique. Here they take a Florida theme and top the cart with a pink Christmas tree. Attaching a large, lighted pink flamingo to the back of the cart completes the off-beat theme.