Broadcaster Press 13 April 12, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com Car Care Paint and Renovate Correctly Changing paint colors is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to add a fresh new look to the interior or exterior of a home. Both exterior and interior paint can be used to protect homes and make strong impressions. Painting projects are fun and can be easy, but not all projects are so simple. Homeowners may need to exercise patience and devote an ample amount of time to get the job done right. One errant drip is all it takes to turn a perfect paint job into a colorful mess. While paints are much safer now than in years past, they still need to be handled with caution and disposed of with care after the job is done. Painting can be a tricky project because the fumes and chemicals found in many paints make these products more difficult to dispose of. The Environmental Protection Agency says homeowners in the United State throw out 64 million gallons of paint per year. While latex paints are not considered hazardous waste, they should be recycled. Oil-based paints, however, are considered hazardous household waste (HHW) and must be disposed of properly. All homeowners should check with their trash and recycling collection centers regarding the proper way to dispose of paints, stains and varnishes. ItÕs also possible to visit Earth911.com and find a disposal facility online. nMetro Creative Connections Treat yourself. We’ll help you find that special something. Prevent Summer Sun and Heat Damage to Your Car Come summertime, people anticipate spending plenty of time outdoors enjoying the warm weather and taking in the scenery. In addition to lazy days spent at the beach or around the pool, summer is a great season for road trips and other weekend getaways. While many people look forward to the sunshine and heat of summer, extreme weather can be problematic for vehicles. The insurance quote service Insuramatch says the warmer season can take its toll on car paint and mechanical components can bake under the glaring sun and heat. Furthermore, temperatures can quickly escalate inside the vehicle, potentially damaging upholstery and anything else inside. Avoid the sun as much as possible. Protecting your vehicle means keeping it out of the heat and sunlight when it is not in use. At home, park it inside of the garage or under a carport. When shopping or running errands, attempt to find parking spaces in the shade or in a covered parking enclosure. Try to run the bulk of your errands during the early morning or evening hours when the sun will not be as glaring. Wax more often. Try to wax your car after every wash. A good layer of wax can protect a vehicle’s paint from dirt, debris and the sun’s rays. Remember, premium waxes do not necessarily work any better than less expensive waxes, but the type of formulation (liquid, paste and spray) may affect application and how long each application lasts. Consumer Reports found that paste waxes are easier to use than liquid waxes, though liquid waxes cleaned the best. Spray waxes were the easiest to use and left the fewest stains on plastic parts, but they didn’t last as long as other waxes. Clean out your stuff. The heat can cause items inside vehicles to melt or explode. Depending on the product, a lot of staining or damage can occur if items melt or explode inside a car. Wax-based products can be particularly harmful. Be wary of leaving lipstick, crayons, candles, lip balms, sunscreen, and lotions inside vehicles on hot days. In addition, remove canned carbonated beverages and other canned items to reduce likelihood of spills. Use visors and car covers. If you cannot keep your vehicle parked in shady areas, do what you can to reduce direct heat and sunlight exposure. Covers can protect against UV rays and any sap or bird droppings that may fall on the vehicle. Place reflective visors on the windshield to redirect sunlight so it doesn’t turn the inside of the car into an oven. Keeping the windows open slightly also can keep the air in cars fresh. While drivers are protecting their cars, they should also protect themselves, passengers and pets. Never leave a person or animal unattended in a hot car, even for a short time. nMetro Creative Connections Did you know? According to the popular website ThePeopleHistory.com, the average price for a new car in 1986 was $9,255. While figures for 2016 have yet to be determined, in September 2015, the automotive resource Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com) reported that the average transaction price for light vehicles in August 2015 was $33,543. Those figures should raise eyebrows among consumers, as they illustrate just how much more expensive new cars have become over the last three decades. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index inflation calculator indicates that $9,255 in 1986 had the same buying power as $20,041.47 in 2015, leaving consumers in 2015 well short of the necessary funds needed to purchase new vehicles. If new vehicle buyers in 1986 were faced with similar average car costs as buyers in 2015 faced, they would have needed $15,489.91 to drive a new car home from the dealership. nMetro Creative Connections from windows to flooring Brunick Furniture has you covered! 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