How To Customize Your Car on a Budget
Car owners know that customizing their beloved four-wheeler isn’t only satisfying but modifications come with the promise of higher resale value. However, most modifications they see online are unaffordable for most drivers. Luckily you can customize your car, with customizations that aren’t expensive at all, as they won’t hurt your “automotive” budget.
Automotive neon lights
A low-rider is unimaginable without ground or undercarriage colored lights. Apart from looking cool as heck, automotive neon lights improve the road safety of your vehicle.
Namely, these lights have a bling to them which makes your car visible from afar, so other drivers will have no trouble noticing you on a poorly lit road (and admiring your ride as you drive past them).
However, you need to pay attention to the legality of these LEDs. It might be legal to drive with interior lights on in Australia but any exterior LEDs need to be dimmed a bit so they don’t blind other drivers or take your attention off the road ahead.
Also, the highway patrol might stop you more frequently than they would if you didn’t have neon lights installed under your car.
Reupholstering your car
When it comes to the interior of your car, the upholstery can really overturn its look. When you come to think of it, the five (or more) seats are the largest surfaces inside your car. They are visible from the outside even if you have tinted windows, so make sure the seats aren’t faded or soiled.
There is nothing out of the ordinary in reupholstering your car but don’t stick to the old design. Go fold bold colors and patterns that will make the car’s interior really stand out. If you have plans to install LEDs inside of the car (e.g. on the dashboard), then think about how the fabric will glow under blue light.
Nosing your ride
If you have never heard of nosing, then that’s because it’s not particularly popular among car aficionados. Many people buy a particular car because of the brand symbolized in the logo that usually sits at the front of the hood. However, removing the factory insignia makes the car feels more personal.
This update, if we can call it as such, instantly makes your car unique. People will look at it as they pass you by or when walking past it trying to figure out the maker and the model. Even if they eventually guest it, your ride will get a lot of deserved attention.
LEDs inside of the car
Speaking of LEDs, they are a great way to customize your car the inside, not just the outside. You can install these LEDs with the help of detailing experts you can locate using a car detailing services that operates across the country.
Once the tweaking is done, sitting at the front wheel of your car will feel more like being a captain of a spaceship! Again, we stress the importance of getting professionals to install LEDs, as the slightest malfunction could cause a nasty fire.
We know that you can order pretty much anything online these days but electrics should be left to car detailers.
Installing a phone holder
We spoke earlier about road safety and there is hardly anything more dangerous than making a phone call in the middle of driving. On the other side, it would be pointless not to answer an important business call while on a long trip.
The solution to this problem is a neat little phone holder. It should be installed in the centre of the dashboard, so it’s within the driver’s reach. Of course, make sure the holder is universal, so smartphones all of all sizes fit inside it (in the case you buy a new device).
Pimping out the steering wheel
This is another way to customize your car interior. When it comes to car parts inside of the car that is prone to wear and tear, the steering wheel catches everyone’s attention. It is even possible to tell the age of a vehicle by the state the wheel is in, so pimping it up a bit is always a sound investment.
The reason why the steering wheel deteriorates fast is the fact you are grabbing it with dirty hands all the time. This is perfectly normal, as no one washes their hands every time they get in the driver’s seat.
There are numerous materials that you can use to upholster and protect the steering wheel, from leather to microfiber. The selection of the cover is entirely up to you, as you can even add a little bulb that will improve steering.
Building (the impression of) a racecar
Every car enthusiast out there dreams of driving a racecar one day. Regardless of your passenger vehicle, you can drive a racecar if you add racing stripes to your vehicle. There are two ways to add stripes, either by painting the car (the costlier solution) or by taping vinyl stripes.
The latter are easier to remove than paint and drivers have a wide selection of motifs and color patterns. When the time comes to sell the car, you can easily remove them on your own if you possess the right tools. If you’re not a fan of racing, then you can add decals on the front doors.
Add a new pair (or two) of floors mats
The sight of dirty and worn-out floor mats is enough to disgust both the driver and his/her passengers. There is no reason to keep old mats inside the car as a new set costs next to nothing. Mats have more than an aesthetic role, as they protect the carpet of the car against the appearance of mold.
The best material for car mats is rubber since it is waterproof and easy to clean. Our advice is to remove factory mats as soon as you buy the car and fit your vehicle with custom mats. When you decide to sell the vehicle, simply put back the original mats, so the vehicle appears less worn.
As you have seen from the 8 suggestions listed above, it is possible to customize your car on a budget. Choosing vinyl strips over a new coat of paint or using a car service to get detailing quotes are simple and cheap ways to make your ride more appealing.
