Latest news with #carcare
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rev up the luxury: These pro tips will make your car smell like a 5-star hotel
Our sense of smell has an outsized power to shape our memories. Just ask Marcel Proust, legions of neurologists ... or me. I'll never forget my first experience sitting inside a Mercedes S-Class. I found myself enveloped in an aroma that I can only describe as "luxurious." It wasn't "new car smell" but an elegant, discrete perfume that seriously enhanced the time spent in that car. It reminded me of staying in a nice hotel or getting dressed up and going to dinner at a fancy restaurant. I've long forgotten the name of that scent, but I'll never forget the class it exuded the moment I plunked myself down. While I won't be driving a Mercedes S-Class again anytime soon, in my decade as a car expert, I've learned a few tricks — namely that you can make any car feel a little bit more luxurious and a whole lot more spa-fresh. With a little bit of upkeep and a few tried and true tools, your car may not be a Mercedes on the outside, but it'll come a whole lot closer to feeling like one on the inside. I know, I know, what fun is that? Actually, cleaning? I hate to say it, but no amount of scent is going to mask the rotting French fries you have under the seat. Luckily, it doesn't take much to clean out a vehicle. A regular once-over with a car vacuum will keep the buildup of pet hair and stale Cheerios to a minimum. And an over-the-seat garbage can like this one will keep wrappers (and stinky scents) from accumulating. Unless you never plan to eat at a drive-thru or jump in the car after a day at the beach, you're going to need something to combat odors. You don't just want to mask nasty scents, you want to eliminate and neutralize them. That means updating your filters and keeping some odor absorbers on hand. Forget those little fragrance trees hanging from your rearview mirror. They emit a chemical smell and, honestly, their scents are way too strong. There are many better options out there that smell better, last longer and won't hinder your view of the road. Looking for a scent solution that is long-lasting, customizable, and will make your car feel a bit more like a spa? A diffuser is what you want. These devices release a scented essential oil into the air, much like a perfume. Available in both a powered version that releases aromas into the air in predetermined intervals or a passive vent clip that utilizes your vehicle's HVAC to fragrance the air. Just like you use fragrance sprays for your home, you can use them in the car. It is important to note that, no matter how big of a ride you pilot, your vehicle is much more compact than your home, so a little fragrance goes a long way.
The Drive
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Here Are the Best Car Care Deals on Amazon Prime Days
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Over the last couple of days, I've spent a few hours scouring Amazon Prime Days deal listings for the best scores on car care, cleaning, and detailing products. I'm not just talking about cheap things—we're only bothering with brands that I use personally or have had specifically recommended to me by someone that I trust. There are thousands of car cleaner items on sale, but the ones on this list are going to be the most worthwhile. First up is my favorite tree sap remover—the goofily named 'Tarminator' from Stoner. I have tried many different sap removers and techniques, but this one in particular has been the quickest and most effective for me by far. I grabbed a can off the shelf randomly at an auto parts store once, and now I'll always have at least one ready to go in my garage at all times. A little dab on a rag, and this thing picks up sap off my BMWs like nothing. Word to the wise, though—heed the directions carefully and don't let this stuff sit on your paint any longer than it has to. It's safe to use correctly, but it's aggressive. Stoner also sells an all-purpose water-based cleaner that's on sale for Prime Days. I have not used this one yet, but I really like having a multi-surface-safe squirt bottle around for touch-ups and detailing. At 15% off, I say this is worth trying. For those of you who like to clean your tires, this Cerakote tire protectant is 19% off. This brand does a great job cleaning anything black—I've used its trim restoration wipes and been shocked at how well they restore old plastic. Speaking of black plastic trim treatments, Cerakote's is not on sale, but this one from Adam's Polishes is. A few friends in a car club I'm in are big fans of this brand. You can sometimes find it on the shelf at AutoZone, but a three-pack is 20% off on Amazon right now. Adam's Polishes also has a great deal on a ceramic coating kit (39% off) and a huge supply of wheel cleaner (40% off). If you're looking to get even more serious about your car detailing loadout, Adam's is also doing 25% off on its Air Cannon drying blower. That unit's normally over $300, so the Prime Days deal saves you quite a few bucks. Air drying is a great way to clean up crevices, and it can be safer than a towel. If that's still too expensive or you just don't have room for it, a much more compact version is also on sale (35% off). For cleaning cars the old-fashioned way, with a simple pair of buckets and water, I recommend a jug of Meguiar's wash and wax soap, which is only $11 (32% off) right now. After drying, you can hit your car with some of Meguiar's ceramic coating spray, which is also on sale (19% off). And if you're looking for a one-stop shop kit that's a little more comprehensive, this 16-piece cleaning arsenal set from Chemical Guys is down to just $127 (20% off) Most of the interior plastic cleaners Amazon's running deals on are kind of mid, but two leather cleaners I like a lot are on sale. Lexol's Two-Step Leather Regimen is nicely discounted at 23% off, and includes everything you need (including applicator) to give leather a nice cleaning and conservation treatment. To care for leather that's already clean, Leather Honey Conditioner is a great option, and that's deeply discounted right now by 39%. Finally, I found some deals on generic cleaning gadgets that are worth looking at while you're stocking up on detailing supplies. I don't know these brands, but when it comes to cloths and brushes, I personally don't think it matters all that much. So save your money where you can. Interior Detail Brushes—3-Pack for $11.99 (33% off) Glass Cleaning Cloths—2-Pack for $7.99 (33% off) Windshield Cleaning Tool for $7.99 (20% off) Microfiber Cloths—12-Pack for $9.49 (21% off) Our team's hard at work, testing tools, parts, and shop equipment. Let our trials and experience be your guide to mastering The Garage.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I Tested the Top Car Scratch Removers—Here's What Actually Works
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." ✍️ Editor's note: We will update this article in the coming months to reflect new products and feature updates. Scratches happen, whether they're from rogue shopping carts or keychain swings, or simply from years of haphazard washes finally catching up with your vehicle. Scratch removers promise instant paint miracles, but not all of them deliver. To help out first-time users and seasoned detailers alike, we used our twentysomething Porsche Boxster as a guinea pig and broke down which car scratch removers work best for each skill level. If you're looking for quick fixes or professional-level corrections, these are the products that have earned a spot on our list. Choosing the perfect scratch remover comes down to matching the product to your scratch's depth, how much effort you're willing to commit, and your paint's condition. For light swirls, a polish remover like Chemical Guys VSS or Carfidant works well, while surface scratches might need a beginner-friendly compound or kit like Meguiar's Quik Scratch Eraser. If you're looking to tackle bigger dings and need something more aggressive, look to one-step compounds like Mothers Ceramic Paint Correction. We tested four of the highest-rated scratch removers in the best way possible—on a 986 Boxster with real scratches. We're not talking about staged scuffs or test panels, either; we mean deep hood scratches, rogue branch scrapes, and key marks under the door handle. Each product got a shot at these surface-level imperfections so I could see how they performed side by side, with my co-tester, Justin, providing the product-swirling elbow grease. (He was also an excellent extra set of eyes.) Marking the scratches all over the Boxster with painter's tape helped us see what worked and what excelled. It was an experiment that was easy to replicate; no degree from M.I.T. required. No matter your skill level, this isn't an intimidating process. We kept the method consistent for each product: same cloths, same panel prep, and same consistency of pressure (buffing each out by hand to show anyone can use these). While these aren't miracle workers for deep gouges, a few of them seriously impressed us when it came to reviving certain spots. We also learned that the sooner you can address a scratch or ding, the better. Growing up with older cars taught me that every scratch and ding tells a story, but keeping those marks to a minimum is key to preserving a car's character and value. I've seen firsthand how a little care can make an aging ride not look worn out. That's why I'm passionate about easy, effective ways to protect cars from the everyday scratches that pile up over time. It doesn't have to be complicated; the right products and a bit of know-how can keep you cruising smooth and scratch-free. 💡 Expert Tip: Before using a scratch remover, assess the scratch depth, choose a product suited to your skill and comfort level, and always test on a small, inconspicuous area to protect your Quik Scratch Eraser Kit promises a fast fix without the need for a polisher for light scratches. We gave it a shot on the rear of the car near the taillight, where Justin pointed out a few scratches that would be good to test. Spoiler alert: The stuff works—with a few caveats. The kit includes a small drill attachment pad, a bottle of Meguiar's ScratchX 2.0 compound, and a microfiber towel. It's meant for light, surface-level blemishes, and I found it works best on those annoying swirl marks and random grazes from vehicle wear and tear. It only lightens deeper scratches, and not that much at that. Justin dabbed the compound on the cloth and gently buffed the Porsche's hindquarters. (The consistency isn't so thick that he needed to really work the product in.) The process took maybe five minutes, and the results were honestly impressive for a kit under $20. The paint looked glossier as well. Lighter scratches were significantly reduced, and it didn't destroy his arms. If you opt for the drill attachment, we recommend using the low speed and not pressing too hard, lest you haze your paint. It's best for touch-ups, not entire panels. But for what it is, it is a good, budget-friendly, beginner-safe clear-coat fixer. This kit deserves a spot in any DIY detailer's collection. $15.08 at If your paint is looking a little tired—think fine swirls or those mysterious marks after washing—Chemical Guys VSS Scratch & Swirl Remover promises to bring back the shine without requiring a full multistep correction routine. We put this one-step polish to work on a pretty deep scratch on the rear of the Porsche. Right out of the bottle, VSS felt like a good middle ground: not too gritty, not too oily, and with just enough bite to tackle moderate imperfections. It has an almost spongelike consistency and a pleasant, if inscrutable, scent. (Neither Justin nor I could identify it, but hey, it smelled good!) It noticeably improved the clarity of the shine and knocked out a surprising amount of paint defects on a rear panel in just one pass with minimum pressure. But let's manage expectations: VSS is a polish-compound hybrid, so it won't erase deeper scratches like a true heavy-cut compound. I'd caution against expecting miracles if you have a longstanding gash. But for single-stage paint correction, quick enhancement jobs, or prepping for wax or sealant? It's a time-saver. Chemical Guys VSS is a solid solution for anyone wanting to boost gloss and erase light to moderate imperfections without getting into multistep madness. $19.97 at The Carfidant Scratch and Swirl Remover shows up with glowing reviews and big promises: Fix swirls, scratches, oxidation, and make your paint shine like new! Naturally, we were skeptical. Our test area was a deep scratch near the trunk opening. First impressions? The formula is more polish than compound—thick but easy to apply by hand. You do want to work it in, as the consistency is thicker than the others we tested. There is the possibility of some residue of the product remaining if not properly rubbed in. On a mildly swirled trunk, it noticeably reduced haze and light scratches, even with just a cloth. It also added a nice gloss that we weren't expecting. It's worth noting that this won't touch deeper clear-coat damage or scratches you can feel. It's not a cutting compound, and if you're hoping to remove deep defects or heavy oxidation, you'll be disappointed. But for little dings, it definitely works. Carfidant is great for casual detailers or anyone looking for a low-effort way to clean up small scratches here and there. It's not pro-grade, and it won't outshine a true multistage polish, but for a well-priced product, it gives decent results. $21.97 at Mothers California Gold Ceramic Paint Correction compound claims to be a one-two punch, getting rid of swirls and leaving behind true ceramic protection in a single step. Naturally, we were curious (and a little skeptical), so Justin pointed out a rather prominent triangle scratch on the hood to put it to the test. This stuff pulls its weight—and then some. First off, the cut is surprisingly good for a hybrid polish. It attacked moderate swirls like a compound, but finished smoother than expected. We saw noticeably improved clarity and gloss after just one pass with a cloth, and it left a slick, ceramic-like finish. The application was very smooth and wipe-off was easy. This is something we appreciated, especially for use in a home garage. And while the ceramic content adds a nice slickness, it's more of a topper than a full coating—think weeks of added protection, not months. Mothers Ceramic Paint Correction is a smart choice for fixing light-to-moderate imperfections with added protection thanks to the ceramic element. It's approachable, effective, and smells way better than it needed to. Not bad for something that is very affordable and leaves your paint looking nice and shiny. $15.45 at Scratch removers can work well for minor issues when used correctly and with appropriate products, but their effectiveness may be limited when it comes to deeper scratches. Some products work better than others, and choosing trusted brands like Chemical Guys or Meguiar's can lead to better results. Fine abrasives are crucial for smoothing the scratched area without worsening the problem. Polishing agents can help restore gloss and clarity. Additives that help protect after scratch removal provide extra protection against future mishaps and unpredictable weather. Some products are made specifically for certain finishes, but most are universally safe. Any pH-balanced formula is less likely to harm the paint or clear coat. Definitely. If you have the patience, orbital or dual-action polishers are great ways to really work scratch removers in. They are a much less exhausting avenue, and they ensure a more even finish. They can also cover a much larger area in less time. Yes, but that depends on several factors: the depth of the scratch, the remover quality, where you live, and even if the vehicle was left outside. A lot of scratches can be out of your control, but regular touch-ups, avoiding harsh conditions, and washing your ride regularly can keep a noticeable scratch's appearance at bay longer. Only on very light or superficial scratches. Toothpaste isn't strong enough to have a lasting effect, but non-gel ones can help with a minor blemish until a more suitable product is purchased. Regular washing and waxing with top protective products certainly makes a difference. Paint protection film (PPF) helps protect against scratches, dings, and chips. A ceramic coating offers long-lasting protection too, especially against chemicals and UV rays. Professional detailing now and then can also help prevent & Track relies on decades of experience in the automotive space to help you make informed purchasing choices. The team's product selection and gear recommendations are editorially independent and based on hands-on testing, personal experience, and knowledge—not hype. Road & Track has a strict policy against accepting payment for links or product placement in articles. We won't recommend something we wouldn't buy ourselves, and we'll never claim to have used or tested something we haven't. We're more concerned with our readers' trust than our bottom line. We've evaluated dozens of product categories, like dash cams, jump starters, and battery maintainers. Read more about our product testing process here. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Parking spot you don't want to put car in during hot weather – it's ‘the worst thing you can do' & could cost you £1800
EXPERTS have warned of a parking spot you should steer clear of in hot weather. With temperatures set to ramp up to 30C again towards the end of the week, drivers may be tempted to park cars under shady trees, to stop them from overheating. 2 And although this may seem like a smart idea, Kazimieras Urbonas, Supplier Excellence Manager at Ovoko revealed that this could actually be the worst place to park your vehicle. Tree sap damage The car expert explained that if you park your motor under a tree it could get covered in tree sap or bird droppings. And although this may not seem like the worst problem, it could lead to thousands of pounds worth of damage. Kazmieras revealed that the sap and droppings will not only make your car look dirty, it will also likely damage the bodywork of your vehicle. He added that this could also affect the value of your motor, meaning that it will be worth less when you want to sell it on. The expert explained: "Most people don't realise that parking under trees can actually be one of the worst things you can do for your car's paintwork. 'What seems like a convenient, shaded spot can lead to damage that affects both the appearance and value of your vehicle.' More of a problem during summer Tree sap poses a greater risk in the summer months, as trees produce more of the substance during this time, and the hot weather bakes the sap on to cars. It is a good idea to regularly inspect your car during the summer months, to check for any damage from tree sap. Removing the sap as soon as you notice it will help to reduce the possibility of long term damage. Kazmieras added: 'Tree sap doesn't just sit on the surface. "It actually penetrates the clear coat and can cause permanent staining. "In hot weather, the sap becomes more corrosive and can eat through the protective layers of your paintwork.' How to remove tree sap If the damage to your car isn't particularly severe, you can remove if yourself using household products such as rubbing alcohol, WD-40, or cooking oil. To use these products, simply apply them to a micro-fibre cloth, and then gently rub the affected area. Make sure to wash the product off with water, and then reapply wax or sealant to protect the paint. However, if the damage is more severe, you may have to pay a professional to get the paint corrected, which could set you back as much as £1800. The expert added that bird droppings can also cause serious damage to vehicles. He said: "'The acidic nature of bird waste can cause immediate damage, especially when left in direct sunlight. "What starts as an unsightly mess can quickly become a permanent mark that requires expensive paint correction.'
Free Malaysia Today
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
Don't leave these items in your car in hot weather
In hot weather, remove all electronic devices as well as eyeglasses and food from the car. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : When the weather gets too hot for comfort, some common items should be removed from your vehicle to avoid fire risks and health hazards. In hot weather, it's essential to remove aerosol cans (deodorant, insecticide, etc) from your car, because these can explode when exposed to heat and, in the worst-case scenario, cause a fire. The same applies to lighters, even if they are stored in the glove box. All electronic devices should also be removed, including smartphones, tablets, computers and portable consoles, as their batteries can overheat and potentially explode. Eyewear of all kinds should be kept out of the passenger compartment in high temperatures, as the magnifying effect can create a fire hazard. Plus, the frames can get warped by the heat. It's important not to leave perishable foods in your car, as they could spoil and, more importantly, promote the growth of bacteria that could cause food poisoning. Water bottles shouldn't be left, either, as they can release substances that are harmful to health when exposed to heat. As for cans of soda or beer, they can explode and cause considerable damage to the car's interior. Don't leave sunscreen, makeup or medicines lying around in your vehicle, as heat can impair their effectiveness. Meanwhile, credit cards can be deformed by heat, and their chips can even be rendered unreadable. Finally, it may seem obvious, but never leave your children or pets alone in the car. Without air conditioning, and even with the windows ajar, it only takes a few minutes to reach temperatures that can be lethal! Whenever possible, park in the shade, and use sunshades or UV protection film if you have them. Then, when it's time to get back behind the wheel, remember to open the windows and doors for a few minutes before getting in to evacuate the excessively hot, stuffy air. Once you're on the road, turn the air conditioning back on, but gradually, to avoid thermal shock. Plus, remember to stay hydrated by drinking water regularly.
