Thousands of automotive accessory and restyling products make it easy and affordable to refresh your ride.
You don’t have to buy a new car or truck to give it a personalized look. Through the application of thousands of automotive specialty products and accessories, owners can transform the look of their vehicles quickly, easily and affordably.
Whether the goal is to create a one-of-a-kind master piece or simply to give a vehicle a facelift, a few rather simple steps is all it may take.
Start with the cockpit. After all, you see that more than anything else right? There are countless products available to refresh the interior of a vehicle, including aftermarket control knobs and steering wheels, seat covers, wood grain or carbon fiber instrument panels and dashboard cover kits. It’s easy and inexpensive to get a new cover for a steering wheel, or you can spend a bit more to replace it entirely with a more sporty or luxurious one. Custom steering wheels come in a variety of shapes and styles, and are available in a choice of materials such as wood, leather or high-tech plastics.
Added style and function is provided with mobile electronics and mobile entertainment equipment, such as DVD players and headrest video monitors, GPS navigation systems, high performance amplifiers and speakers, and more. Most products can be done in a matter of minutes in your driveway, and these modifications have a profound effect on your driving experience.
Similarly, seat covers are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and are one of the most dramatic ways to impact the interior. They come in thousands of colors and fabric combinations, and like floor mats, seat covers are offered with emblems or logos on them. Licensing agreements even allow consumers the ability to show off their team spirit or school pride.
For those who want a new look for the outside of their car or truck, consider a new grille, taillight surround, bumper, hitch, ground effects kit or one of many similar exterior restyling products.
Wheels and tires, both of which are among the most popular vehicle accessories, instantly refresh the look of a car or truck. Prices, styles and finishes vary greatly, so your options really are virtually unlimited in this area.
Don’t underestimate the impact that a good cleaning and/or professional detailing can have as well. Wax and car-care science has progressed to the point that there is a restoring program for almost any type of finish. Car-care companies have even designed power polishing tools that attach to any portable drill, so it takes less effort than ever to get professional results.
If your paint is damaged beyond hope, automotive paint companies offer a color palette far beyond the bland metallic treatments manufacturers typically use. Another option, rapidly becoming popular, is vinyl wrap, which looks like custom paint and applies like vinyl. It comes on rolls in a variety of colors and patterns, and properly applied, does not damage the original surface. If you get tired of the look in a few weeks, simply peel it off and lay on a different wrap. It costs less than a custom paint job and the possibilities are bound only by your imagination.
Installing many types of restyling parts is designed to be simple, and can often be handled by those who take reasonable care. More involved or extreme makeovers–such as those that require paint or metalwork, or replacement of components that have safety-related features, such as seat assemblies–should be done by professionals who have the tools and experience for that kind of work.
To locate restyling products or professional installers in your area, check www.enjoythedrive.com, a consumer site produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). The site contains information about specific automotive specialty equipment and the latest products – for your specific vehicle, as well as information about how to connect with qualified expert installers.
According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), there are literally thousands of specialty parts and accessories that can give a tired vehicle a completely new appearance. For more information visit www.enjoythedrive.com
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If it were me, I’ d get 1- 2 of them, put them forward facing in the outboard positions for the 2 and 4 year olds, and put a different rear facing seat in the center. The Radians have a very tall back so they take up a lot of room front to back when rear facing- so you wouldn’ t really want one behind the driver or passenger seat unless no one was going to be sitting there. Its all a matter of choosing different seats that are narrow or puzzle well together. For instance: A seat on a high base, like Britax Marathon, puzzles well next to a seat without a base, like Cosco Scenera or Radian65. Here’ s a link to 3 across people have gotten in Ford Focus: