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The £4 pen ‘trick’ which transforms your car from drab to fab in minutes – as experts reveal 5 other easy hacks
A new set of wheels can also transform a tired-looking motor
A CHEAP pen costing less than £4 can transform your car from drab to fab in just a few minutes.
Anyone thinking their motor is in need of a spruce up but doesn’t have the funds for a full-on cosmetic overall may want to consider some of these easy hacks that can transform your ride.
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All of them don’t take up too much time and can be done without a lot of hassle.
A few little touches can go a long way if you’re wanting to make your vehicle stand out from the rest.
A dab of colour in the right place can be all it takes to turn heads.
This could mean adding your name above the driver’s door handle or having the emblems replaced with hand lettering, giving it a unique feel.
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A decent pinstripe artist could easily get these things done in an afternoon and can be polished off as long as the correct materials are used, which wont put a dent in the car’s resale value.
However, if you’re artistically inclined and fancy doing it yourself you can buy , which cost just £3.59 each.
If you’re looking for some old-school cool, you might want to consider engine-turned pieces.
It looks best on aluminium but can be done on other materials.
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The process involves a turning abrasive to form a consistent geometric pattern over a part or panel.
To achieve the look, specialist kits are available but it can be done yourself by fitting a flat-ended drill bit and gluing an abrasive like Scotch-Brite or similar to the end, then carefully pressing it into your surface while turning the drill.
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Using a drill press is the easiest way to do it but it can also be done with a hand drill or even a valve lapping tool spun between palms.
One simple way to give your car a new look for next-to-nothing is to use a bit of elbow grease and give it a thorough deep clean.
Chuck out any rubbish lying about and give all the surfaces inside and out a good vacuum and wash.
Don’t forget to add some polish to the outside to get it gleaming and looking like new.
It’s amazing what a transformation it makes and you’ll realise just how dirty your car was.
Investing in a new set of wheels might be one of the fastest ways to transform your car without too much effort.
Removing the car’s stock wheels and putting on your own favourites can take as little as 30 minutes.
But consult a professional if you’re not sure exactly what you’re doing.
A TOUCH OF FLAIR
Matching your vehicle to a new set of wheels and even tyres can add a touch of flair to a car which has seen better days.
New wheels can even help your car perform better thanks to a reduced unsprung weight.
While a new paint job can completely revitalise a car, it is rather costly never mind taking ages.
If you’re looking for a cheap alternative, you might want to consider vinyl.
Changing the colour of your bonnet, roof or bootlid can take just an afternoon and cost under £100 to get the materials.
But make sure you do your research and know what you’re doing and it’s very easy to end up with a wrinkled mess and it might just save you time and money to get a professional to do it.
Plus, if you ultimately decide that you don’t like it, it’s easy to get it removed.
If you want to give your engine a new look after its gone drab from discolouration and oxidation then you might want to consider a ceramic coating like Cerakote.
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This is far more durable and resistant to discolouration.
However, this will mean removing the parts you want done and either going through the process yourself of prepping and applying the spray-on finish yourself or sending the parts off to someone who can do the process for you.
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