Honda Civic Body Kits

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2009-09-02T22:44:00.000-07:00

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2009-03-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

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2009-03-25T20:33:00.000-07:00

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2009-03-12T20:57:00.001-07:00

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MOMO SHIFT KNOBS vs. SHUTT SHIFT KNOBS

2008-11-29T19:04:00.001-08:00

MOMO has long held the title of the worlds best interior auto accessories, but there is some competition coming from SHUTT. MOMO shift knobs are very popular worldwide and can be found in all types of rides. SHUTT is very popular in South America and has outsold MOMO, SPARCO, and GRANT for many years, there business started in 1993 and has recently come to the US market in the last two years. Both MOMO and SHUTT are of the highest quality auto accessories only using the best materials in their designs. It seems that the only area the two companies don’t agree is price, with SHUTT consistently coming in around 20% less.
SHUTT was at SEMA 2008 and had a variety of gear shift knobs available for viewing. Made from such materials as leather, carbon fiber, aluminum, chromed details and quality laser imprinted logos. The shifter knobs were very attractive and had a great feel to them…very comfortable. The leather was thick and durable, as it was in all the products. The shift knobs attach to your current shifter lever by way of set screws set around the base usually hidden behind a screw on base…function incorporated into the fashion. SHUTT has several leather shifter boots to go along with your new shift knob, that way you can complete the look.
You may have seen SHUTT ads in some auto mags like import tuner, car stereo tuning, full power and more. And I am sure you will see more in the future, SHUTT will only grow as word gets out that there is another top quality brand out there. SHUTT added a car audio line that will rock your world, 12 inch subwoofers that come in various watts and ohms, a component set and two different lines of amps, one of which is digital.
Overall both companies have very high quality parts, very unique designs, new models coming out every season…so why choose SHUTT over the well known MOMO? Well for one Shutt has a lifetime warranty, I could not gather any info online about the MOMO warranty. SHUTT prices were 20% less overall and in this economy everyone wants to get a quality product at a lower price. MOMO products are the established company and that alone can sway some buyers. Although there is something to be said about a company that will jump up and give serious competition to MOMO, that might sway younger car enthusiast to give SHUTT a try.
After much research I found that Shutt was not that easily located here in the US yet, I called several accessory shops nearby and most had not even heard of the brand yet. The only place that looks reputable is www.shuttusa.com, other than that a few other online sites and that’s it right now. Of course the manufacturers sites are nice but they do not allow any purchases. So you can call and check your local shops but you will probably be back online so remember that site name.
Anyways I can’t wait to go to next years SEMA show, the only thing that would have been better is if this economy wasn’t in a funk so I could have had more money to blow in Vegas. Until next time “tune it in” and have fun.

MOMO STEERING WHEELS vs SHUTT STEERING WHEELS

2008-11-14T14:39:00.000-08:00

We are talking about two of the worlds highest quality auto interior accessory manufacturers. MOMO has been known for over 40 years as a leader in the industry, when you see a steering wheel you can tell if it’s a MOMO just by its style. On the other side we have SHUTT a relatively new company only being in the interior styling accessories game for 15 years but gaining ground rapidly.
Competition always makes businesses perform better and with that in mind you can probably expect these companies to compete for your attention in the future. MOMO has it’s name already established but after attending the 2008 SEMA show it is clear that the public is waking up to SHUTT and loving it. Comments at the SHUTT booth were very positive and many actually asked where they could buy the products for their own rides.
These two companies have similarities like high quality and unique designs but where they differ is when it comes to price, SHUTT being the more affordable of the two usually by a whopping 20%. Everyone knows that MOMO is high quality with a high price, some say It’s worth it. Well I don’t know about you but if I can get a high quality product that I like and save money while doing it….I’M THERE….especially in this economy. I am not going to stop tuning my ride just because the economy is in the crapper, I will just do a little more research into the products I am about to buy and choose the highest quality for the best price. I did a little research and found that there are not to many places to buy SHUTT in my town, I could not locate a single shop that has even heard of it…don’t these guys ever go to the SEMA show?. Anyway ShuttUSA.com was one site that looked to be a reputable source since I got the card at the SHUTT booth while at the SEMA show.
They have a new car audio line coming out in 2009, and it looks great. A component set consisting of what looked to be a 6 inch mid and a 1 inch tweeter with a crossover. They also have a 12 inch subwoofer and a line of amps including some digital amps.
You may have seen the SHUTT ads recently in “import tuner”, “super street”, “full power”, and “car stereo tuning” displaying there quality products but if you don’t read the MAGS then you probably haven’t even heard the name. Trust me in the next few years they will become just as well known as MOMO, SPARCO or GRANT.

2007-10-11T18:07:00.001-07:00

Steering Wheels, and Shift Knobs

2007-07-12T22:57:00.000-07:00

A steering wheel or shift knob can add a new look and feel to your car or truck. Steering wheels can be from elegant to aggressive all depends on your style and your car or truck. Shutt steering wheels give you a true custom look and an outstanding product to show off. If you want a great buy and a great product then try the Shutt auto accessories. The Shutt steering Wheels have many styles to choose from to fit any car or truck owners style.

ShuttUSA.com is your source for the best price and value when it comes to Shutt auto accessories including steering wheels, shift knobs, and pedal pads. Find your complete auto accessories solution here! Choose from the range of auto accessories in the Shutt USA online catalog. Shutt focuses on manufacturing custom steering wheels that add personal style to any car or truck while also being comfortable and ergonomical. When it comes to steering wheels and innovative products, fine quality, distinctive style, solid value and a wide selection of designs to express your individual personality ShuttUSA.com has you covered. Don’t settle for generic O.E.M. steering wheel styles. Instead, choose from a complete selection of Custom Steering Wheels including a variety of finishes and styles. Shutt auto accessories are manufactured to exacting standards. If you need a leather steering wheel, a new shift knob, or a set of door sills to top it all off or anything in between you will find it here.

You need the right car ground effects!

2007-04-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

To make your car handle and look better you need the right car ground effects. Use aero-dynamic wings, spoilers, dams or skirts to get the down force plus the stylish look you have been looking for. These accessories are not just pretty add-on's, they are designed to really work on your car, truck, jeep or suv!

Front or Rear Bumper: This is a full aftermarket front bumper that replaces your existing bumper.

Lip Spoiler, Air Dam or Skirt : This type of bumper attaches directly to underneath of your existing OEM stock front or rear bumper changing the look.

Side Skirts: These replace your existing side skirts and can be easily changed to give your car a more aggressive and lower look.

Spoiler: Normally made of fiberglass and is bolted directly onto your car by drilling holes into your trunk. These are generally used for appearance.

Aluminum Wing: Aero-dynamic wings used for down-force or for appearance that can or can not be adjusted for height. Installation method is the same for a wing as it is for a spoiler.

Car Washing Tips!

2007-04-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

Here are some step-by-step tips to make cleaning easier:

1. Clean one wheel at a time.
2. Clean your tires and wheels first before washing the rest of the car. This prevents the splattering of cleaners, dirt and brake dust on already cleaned panels. Your car is also less likely to get water spots from drying while you wash your wheels.
Mix a bucket of soapy water with your favorite car shampoo, using double the recommended strength.
3. Thoroughly rinse the tire and wheel with water using a hose and spray nozzle. If it is exposed, rinse the brake caliper to flush away loose brake dust. Finally, rinse up into the wheel well to wash away road grunge, road kill, mud and other debris.
4. If your tires and wheels have a heavy coating of brake dust or road grime, spray them down with your wheel cleaner. Allow the cleaner to soak for 30 seconds (minimum) to 3 minutes (maximum). For fine wheels, I recommend Sonus Rim Bright and P21S wheel cleaners. Both cleaners are safe, but have enough power to cut through heavy grime when used with a soft brush.
5. Use tire and wheel scrub brushes and your soapy water to agitate the tire and wheel surface.
6. Use plenty of soapy water. The soap acts as a lubricant to gently lift dirt and grit away from your wheels. Follow up with your sponge or washcloth to wash the remaining dirt from the tire and wheel. If your wheels have large open areas, use the sponge to get behind these areas. Make sure the tires are scrubbed. Many people put layer upon layer of dressings on their tires, but never clean them. The result is a brown or yellow discoloration.
7. Use your wheel brush and soapy water to scrub the accessible areas of the wheel wells, too. This small detail keeps your car looking fresh and new. If your wheel has a lot of small nooks and crannies, use a parts cleaning brush.
8. Thoroughly rinse the tire, wheel and wheel well. Use plenty of water. You need to ensure that all traces of the wheel cleaner (and your neighbor's cat) are gone.
After washing your car, remember to dry your tires and wheels using a detailing towel.

I do not recommend using tire cleaners containing bleach. Bleach is used in many tire cleaners to brighten whitewall tires, but they can turn tires a dull gray. Bleach will stain your alloy wheels permanently. Read the product contents on the label before you buy.
PROPER CAR WASHINGMany enthusiasts and quality detailers use a two-bucket wash system. The first bucket holds your soapy water, and the second bucket holds rinse water. The rinse water bucket is used to rinse your wash sponge or mitt prior to dunking it in the bucket of soapy water. This method has two practical benefits. First and foremost, it keeps dirt and grit out of your soapy water where it could cause damage to your car. Second, it makes the suds in your soapy water last longer, because your car wash shampoo does not have to react to dirt you're putting back into the water.

Here are some tips to make car washing easier:

Make sure your car is cool. If possible, work in the shade. A hot surface causes the wash and rinse water to evaporate too quickly, increasing the likelihood of water spotting. One trick is to park on a slight incline. This allows rinse water to run off moldings, trim and recessed areas better. Start by thoroughly wetting the car's finish with a medium spray of water to remove loose grit and surface dirt.

Wash the tires and wheels first. If you wash the car body first, the water will dry and spot your car before you can properly finish washing the tires and wheels. Do not use the same wash water on your car's paint as you used on your tires and wheels. Throw the dirty water out and refill your buckets.

Spot treat bug, tar, sap and bird stains. For stubborn problems on your paint and other surfaces, use an insect remover or pre-wash cleaner. If the contamination has a lot of grip, use a paint-safe bug sponge.

Use a car wash shampoo specifically formulated for automotive use. Look for a shampoo containing surface conditioners and gloss enhancers. The surface conditioners act as a lubricant, allowing sand and abrasive grit to slide off in the rinse water without scratching the surface. Quality car shampoos cost a little more, but are worth every penny. If you have a dark car and constantly fight swirl marks, upgrade your wash shampoo, wash mitt and towels.

Use a quality wash tool. I prefer a chenille wash sponge, sheepskin wash mitt or microfiber wash mitt for washing. These tools have a large number of fine filaments that draw dirt and grime away from the surface being cleaned into their internal structure. Synthetic (flat-sided) sponges and washcloths can trap dirt, grit and grime on the surface, which can scratch your car's paint. Cotton chenille wash mitts and pads are also excellent, as they hold lots of soapy water and are gentle to your paint.

Wash from the top down and rinse the car often. Frequent rinsing is especially important if the car is excessively dirty. If you are washing on a warm day, keep the whole car wet to prevent spotting. I use a final rinse of free-flowing water (nozzle off the hose), allowing the water to sheet off the car. This makes drying faster.

Car Drying Tips

Before drying, your car should be freshly rinsed and free of visible dirt, grease and oil. Here's the proper way to dry your car.

Remove the hose nozzle from your hose, and turn the water on with medium pressure. Rinse your car, allowing the water to flow freely over the surface (do not spray the water). The free-flowing action will cause the water to sheet off, carrying 80% or more of the surface water with it. Allow the car to drip dry for a minute while you get your drying tools.

If you have a paint-safe squeegee, use it on the windows first. Follow the squeegee with a synthetic chamois or a microfiber drying towel.

Use a clean drying towel or synthetic chamois to dry the remainder of the car. Start at the top of the car and work down. If you're using a large drying towel or chamois, throw it out over the flat surface areas and slowly pull it toward you across the surface of the car. Shake and turn your drying towel frequently. To prevent streaking, fold your chamois or towel into a square for wiping.

Once the exterior is mostly dry, open the doors and wipe down the jambs, sills and seal areas. Be sure to dry under the doors, or your sills will get wet again as soon as you close the doors.

Use a terry detailing towel to dry your tires and wheels. Do not use your good chamois or drying towel on the tires and wheels, as it will become soiled.

Open the trunk and hood, and wipe down the jambs and seals. On the engine, use the damp towel you used to dry the tires and wheels to remove dust and light oil from the top of the engine and engine compartment surfaces. While the hood is open and you have a towel, check your oil. After you finish wiping down your engine, put the dirty towel in the wash. Don't use it on your car again until you wash it.

After Washing & Drying Your Car

Regardless of how gentle your car shampoo is, or when you last waxed your car, driving and washing deplete the wax protection you've applied to your car. For this reason, I like to use a quick detailing spray on my car after washing. A good detailing spray renews the "just waxed" shine and extends the life of your wax.

Your tires and exterior rubber trim need a little shot of protection, too. A quick wipe with your favorite protectant not only improves the look of the car, but also has a lasting effect on long-term wear.

CAR WASHING & DRYING SUMMARY

Regular washing is very important to maintaining your car's appearance. Most people forget some of the simple, quick steps that can keep a new car looking new. Take just a few extra minutes when you wash to wipe down the engine, door jambs and trunk. Keeping these areas clean prevents a bigger cleanup job later. To make your job easier and more enjoyable, invest in a few good detailing tools. Quality wash and dry tools make a huge difference.

OPAS

Honda Civic Body Kits

2007-04-06T09:52:00.000-07:00

Post pictures of your civic body kit! Share your civic installations and any ideas you may have!

Have fun

Click on any image to see a larger version!

These Civic Body kit are available by contacting Brian at Shutt USA.

Bumper Removal and Mesh Installation

2007-02-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

For this project, we opted for stucco mesh--an aluminum-coated steel product that's typically used in home building behind stucco or masonry.

Steps:
Remove the front bumper cover from the car. Most bumper covers are attached with several screws across the top, plus two in the fender wells and a couple underneath. Once those are removed, the cover will slide right off.
Once you get the bumper cover off, you'll see what you have to work with. Some covers have built-in tabs where you just slide the grilles on and bend over the tabs. Others have no tabs at all. If the inside of your bumper cover has no tabs, you'll have to glue the grille pieces into place.
First, take rough measurements of the grille openings.

Transfer the measurements to the mesh and cut it out a little larger than you need.
Important: When cutting, leave about an inch of overlap on all sides.
When the piece is ready, test the fit on the back of the bumper cover. You can always trim it down if you need to.

Once you're happy with the size, fold the edges of the long sides forward. The mesh should fit snugly around the outside of the flange.
The vents at the top of this cover only overlap on three sides so they don't interfere with sliding the bumper cover on.
Continue this process for the other vents until all of the unfinished areas are covered to your satisfaction.
When you have them all cut and shaped, you're ready to glue them into place.

Before gluing, clean off the attachment area with degreaser and a clean rag to remove any contaminants.
Then, run a bead of silicone around the outside of the flange, and set the mesh in place.
Go back over the top of the mesh with a second thick bead of silicone.
Repeat this process for the other pieces to complete the install.
Silicone takes a while to dry, so once you have the pieces in, let the cover sit overnight to fully cure.

Buying a Body Kit

2007-02-09T14:52:00.000-08:00

STEP 1: Understand that a body kit can include ground effects - typically an air dam and side skirts - that fit around the bottom edges of a vehicle and alter the airflow to improve down force. They also make a car look lower to the ground.

STEP 2: Note that the kit can also include a wing or spoilers. A front spoiler is commonly positioned under the front bumper to reduce aerodynamic drag. A rear spoiler is used to create down force to help increase traction during acceleration.

STEP 3: Decide on what type of material you want your kit to be constructed of. There are generally two types of materials used in fabricating kits - fiberglass and urethane. Fiberglass generally fits better and can be repaired if you ever damage a piece. It also has a better finish than urethane; paint will look better on the fiberglass. Urethane is much more resistant to soft impacts but it can't be repaired once it's damaged.

STEP 4: Call the manufacturer of the kit you're considering. Ask them what kind of materials they use, what their warranty is, and if you'll have to remove any factory pieces from the safety structure of the vehicle to make the kit fit properly. If removal of factory pieces is required, don't purchase the kit. Never purchase a kit that requires removal of any pieces from the safety structure of your car.

STEP 5: Remember - you get what you pay for. There's the high quality U.S.-made fiberglass resin and there's the cheap, brittle fiberglass. Decide how much you're willing to invest.

How to Have a Body Kit Installed

2007-02-09T14:41:00.000-08:00

STEP 1: Call manufacturers of kits you are considering buying and ask them to recommend a dealer in your area.

STEP 2: Go to car shows and ask owners who have body kits on their cars for recommendations of shops that can do the work.

STEP 3: Check the yellow pages and the Internet, where sites offer photos and information, if you can't come up with a personal recommendation.

STEP 4: Check the recommended shop's Web site.

STEP 5: Select a few shops that you can investigate and head out. You're on a mission.

STEP 6: Make sure that the shop can paint the kit. Don't get cheap here. A poor paint job can make the kit and your car look terrible.

STEP 7: Find out whether the shop has experience installing body kits.

STEP 8: Inspect the installation area. Is it clean and orderly? Is the installer careful about what he or she is doing?

STEP 9: Ask to see photographs of previous jobs the shop has done.

STEP 10: Select the shop with which you feel most comfortable.

Body Kit construction

2007-02-09T14:13:00.000-08:00

Automotive body kits are usually constructed of either fiberglass or polyurethane or with the latest material: PU Fibre (Which is softer and more resistant to knocks than fibreglass). Most car modification enthusiasts prefer polyurethane because it is more resistant to damage and does not crack in cold weather. In some cases, body kits may also be constructed of carbon fiber, which is a popular, lightweight material. This type of modification is not as highly regarded among speed enthusiasts, though, because it is very costly, and the difference in weight is minimal, versus changing other parts such as the hood or trunk.