Is there anything more annoying than trying to clean your windshield, only to discover that what’s obstructing your view is actually a scratch, not a smudge? If you find a scratch in the glass of your windshield (or one of your windows), don’t panic; you may be able to fix the issue yourself without having to replace the whole window. Keep reading to learn some tips for fixing windshield scratches from U Wrench It, your source for used auto parts in Atlanta. 

Evaluating the Scratch

The first thing you should do when you notice a windshield scratch is evaluate the depth. You can do this by running a fingernail over the scratch; if your nail gets snagged, the windshield may be too compromised to fix, and you’ll need to either replace the windshield or get a professional to fix it.  If not, you can probably buff out the scratch yourself. 

Repairing a Minor Windshield Scratch

• First, you’ll need to gather your materials. A standard auto glass repair kit is the best way to go, but you can also substitute other materials if needed, like a non-gel toothpaste with baking soda instead of rubbing compound. 
• Next, prepare the surface. Clean your windshield with glass cleaner and dry thoroughly. Use painter’s tape to mask off the edges of the windshield so you don’t get anything on the car itself. Wear goggles, gloves, and a dust mask if the products you’re using call for them. 
• Use a clean, soft cloth to apply rubbing compound to the area with the scratch. Mist with water, and use a microfiber cloth to gently rub the compound into the windshield. 
• Use a buffing pad designed for glass to buff the scratches. Once you’re done, use a microfiber cloth to wipe any excess rubbing compound away. DO use long, broad strokes; DO NOT rub in a circular motion. 
• Allow the rubbing compound to dry for at least 30 minutes, or as indicated on the packaging of the auto glass repair kid. 
• Once the compound is dry, you can wash your windshield and dry it with a microfiber cloth to prevent any further scratches.  
• Remember to keep an eye on the affected area and reapply the compound when needed. It will wear down over time, so repeat these steps and keep your windshield looking great. 

Of course, if your windshield is scratched too badly for a DIY auto glass repair job, you may need to replace your windshield. Find the used auto parts you need for all of your DIY car maintenance at U Wrench It in Norcross. 

You should also look at your car insurance policy to see if any windshield repairs are covered. Depending on your plan, you may be able to get the scratch repaired, or even the whole windshield replaced. Good luck, and happy driving!

Wondering if you should sell your junk car? Here at U Wrench It, we pay the most for junk cars in Atlanta, typically $150 and up. While that’s a great incentive to evict your hunk-a-junk, its not the only reason to get that junker out of your driveway or yard. 

5 Reasons to Sell Junk Cars ASAP

You’re Tired of Looking at It—And Everyone Else Feels the Same

Let’s face it, if you’re not planning to refurbish an old car, it’s just a bummer to see it sitting there, slowly decaying from rust and weather. But as sick as you probably are of seeing it sitting outside your home, you can bet that your family, friends, and especially neighbors are ten times more sick of it than you are! 

Junk Cars Decrease Property Values

Speaking of your neighbors, they probably have more than a purely aesthetic concern about that junk car you’re holding onto. Broken-down, falling apart vehicles are not only an eyesore, but also drive property values down. 

You May Be Breaking the Law

In addition to whatever local ordinances are at play in your town, you may also be breaking a “Law of Torts” known as attractive nuisance doctrine. What is an attractive nuisance? 

An attractive nuisance is an object, structure or condition that is both dangerous and irresistibly inviting or intriguing to children.

If that’s clear as mud, don’t worry. Some examples of possible attractive nuisances include: 

• Water features, man-made ponds, or swimming pools that are not appropriately secured.
• Treehouses, jungle gyms, or skate ramps that are accessible to children who are too young to safely use them.
• Abandoned or discarded appliances that a child might be tempted to climb inside and subsequently be suffocated in. (This is why you may have seen old refrigerators and freezers dismantled with the doors removed.)
• Junk cars, which pose a safety hazard to local children. In some cases, kids have accidentally put a car into gear and been crushed or otherwise injured by the rolling vehicle. 

It’s Flat Out Dangerous. 

Holding on to a junk car and allowing it to rust right in your driveway or yard is a great way to expose yourself to unnecessary dangers like sharp, rusty metal, not to mention the effect it can have on the environment. Cars contain fluids and materials that can leak or breakdown and expose you to toxic chemicals, chemicals that can also seep into the ground and poison plants and wildlife. 

Junk Cars Attract the Wrong Kind of Attention

A junk car in the driveway isn’t just bad for property values, it can also draw some visitors to your yard that you would prefer to stay away. Broken-down cars are like cushy mansions to raccoons, rodents, roaches, and other feral animals. A junk car may even invite unwanted human guests to your property, making the perfect mark for vandals or vagrants. Your junk car is also full of valuable parts and materials, which can draw thieves to your property. 

Ready to get that junker off your property ASAP? Get in touch with us at 404-805-0900 or fill out our form to get more information about selling your junk car in Atlanta.

If your car is damaged in an accident, remember that it may not be a total loss—it’s very likely that there are still salvageable parts of your vehicle that can be sold to budget-conscious DIY mechanics. Here at U Wrench It, we offer a huge selection of used auto parts, and we pay the most for junk cars in Atlanta. Read on to learn which used car parts are typically the most valuable, and don’t let your wrecked vehicle go to waste!

GPS

If you have a junk car with a working GPS system, you should definitely consider selling the car for parts. GPS systems and other automotive electronics are typically in demand from buyers for electronics stores or home mechanics working on project vehicles. Most late model cars also have anywhere from 30 to 100 computerized systems in them, all of which contain valuable metals and components. 

Car Doors

Often a car will be damaged in an accident only on one side; in cases like this, the doors on the other side may still be in perfect working order! If the door is undamaged and working properly, it’s a valuable part for anyone looking to repair that model of vehicle. 

Catalytic Converters

This vital (and legally mandatory) car part can fetch a pretty penny due to the many precious metals contained in it, including platinum, rhodium, palladium, and copper. Plus, since they’re required to pass an emissions test, there’s plenty of demand for second-hand catalytic converters.

Rims, Wheels, Tires

We’ve done a whole post about the great value of used car tires. Since the rims, wheels, and tires are almost never the cause of a car getting scrapped, you can find plenty of them in good condition at an auto salvage yard. Hobbyists are often looking for specific rims, wheels, or tires, so if yours are in good condition, you can get some cash and your used parts may ride again. 

Fenders

Typically the fenders are composed of some of the strongest metals found in a vehicle, as they are designed to protect the rest of the car from damage in case of a collision. If say, your engine dies, but your fender is in grade A condition, it has a good chance of getting snapped up by a savvy car repair connoisseur. 

It’s nice to know that even if your car is no longer road-worthy, it can “live on” in all of the other cars who will inherit its second-hand parts! Whether you’re looking for used car parts or want to sell a junk car in Atlanta, U Wrench It has you covered. Give us a call at 404-805-0900 or contact us online to sell your junk car. You can also call us at 770-448-6485 or search our site for auto parts.

It may not have felt like it lately, but it’s inevitable—winter is coming. Yes, even here in Georgia! Are you ready for it? 

If you haven’t prepared your car for winter driving yet, it’s time. Learn how to winterize your car with these tips from U Wrench It, and visit us online or in person to find the best affordable auto parts in Atlanta.

How to Winterize a Car

Winterizing a vehicle means different things in different areas of the country, but here in Georgia, these are the main winterizing tasks you need to focus on. 

Replace windshield wiper blades and refill wiper fluid.

Rain, snow, sleet, road salt, dirt and grime can obscure your vision, and old, worn out wipers may not be able to effectively clear your windshield. By starting the season with fresh windshield wipers and a full tank of wiper fluid, you’ll be able to keep your windshield clean and maintain visibility on potentially treacherous, icy roads. 

Keep your battery charged.

Have you ever noticed that your car battery is more likely to die on really cold days? That’s because the chemical reactions that create the power in a car battery are slowed way down by cold temperatures. It also takes more energy to start an engine in cold temperatures, so between those two things, you’ve got the perfect conditions for a car that won’t start. 

Fortunately there are things you can do to avoid this.

• Drive the vehicle regularly. The longer a car sits without being used, the more likely the battery is to lose charge.
• Clean any corrosion on battery terminals. 
• If you can park out of the elements, do so. Even if you can’t park in a garage, a carport, next to trees, etc. will help protect your car from the elements.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. 

One of the worst things you can do for your tires, your car, your gas mileage, and your safety is to drive around with underinflated tires. It’s important to check the air in your tires regularly and fill them back up if needed, especially in the winter. Remember that when air is cold, it becomes denser (think of the molecules as huddling for warmth), which can cause tire pressure to drop, so it’s even more important to keep your tires inflated. When inflated properly, your tires will have better traction and your car will get better gas mileage. 

Change your oil (and consider choosing a thinner variety).

It’s never a good idea to put off an oil change, especially during the winter. Cold temperatures can make your oil too thick and viscous, preventing it from making its way through the engine and lubricating it. This can result in your car not starting, or even damage to the engine. Changing to a thinner oil is a simple fix that will protect your car’s engine—and make you less likely to end up shivering in the cold when you’re trying to get to work!

At U Wrench It, we love helping savvy car owners save money and keep their rides on the road with affordable used auto parts. DIY car repair is a great way to save money, but it’s important to know what you’re looking for when sourcing used car parts. That’s especially true when it comes to a part of your vehicle that is more complicated—and essential—than some of the other areas you might try to repair. If you’re planning to replace a car engine, check out our checklist to see what you need to know when buying a used engine.     

Used Engine Checklist

• Avoid buying unassembled engine parts unless you’re only trying to replace one part. If your goal is a whole new engine, hold out for one that is still intact. Look for these things:
• • Intact engine harness
  • Complete set of sensors
  • Intact charge pipes, fuel rail, and injectors
• Check that all of the main engine components are present: 
  • Starter
  • Alternator
  • Power steering pump
  • AC compressor
• One thing that should not deter you from buying a used engine is noticing cracked or worn rubber components. No, that doesn’t mean you should ignore them; just plan to go ahead and replace all of the rubber parts so you can start life with this engine on a clean slate. 
• Check the spark plugs. If you notice melted or missing electrodes, the engine is a no-go. Same for missing, damaged, or discolored (dark and sooty) insulators.
• Check the oil quality to see if the engine has been properly maintained. If you test the oil and the dipstick comes out black or dark brown, the engine is past due for an oil change. If you notice white or cream streaks in the oil or under the oil cap, run away. The white you’re seeing is probably coolant that has escaped from a leaky head gasket and mingled with the oil. 
• Invest in an inspection camera. This is one of those tools that you won’t use that often, but it can potentially save you many times the cost of the tool itself if it saves you from buying a faulty engine! You can usually buy a boroscope from your local value hardware store for under $100. This genius little tool allows you to see the inside of engine components without dismantling an engine, allowing you to do your due diligence before sinking a load of money into a lemon. 

It’s crucial to get the engine right when fixing your car, so check out some more tips for buying a used engine here. Got questions about our used auto parts or what to expect at our auto salvage yard? We’d love to hear from you, so give us a call at 770-448-6485.