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10 Easy Car Improvement DIYs

When we think of doing DIYs, we usually think of our home first. That’s certainly fair because we spend a lot of time there, so why not make it better? Well, it turns out that there’s a lot we can do to our car, too! How long does the average person spend in their car? Obviously, this depends on the person, but a study by OnePoll discovered the answer is over eight hours a week.

Why not do some DIYs to make your car a better place to spend time? There’s actually a ton of DIYs that you can get done over the weekend with a little elbow grease and a few supplies. We’re going to list 10 that you can easily do today. Not only will this improve your ride, but it could also add to the value of your vehicle! Talk about a win/win.

Install Car Interior Lighting

Install Car Interior Lighting

Interior LED lighting has become incredibly popular lately. Thankfully, it’s something super simple to install in your car, truck, or SUV. While it is possible to install LED lighting with regular strips, it requires things like a soldering gun. Instead, go with a kit.

Kits, like the brand LED Glow, help give you step by step instructions to install the feature without too much work. Even better, you can make it where the lights turn on when you open the door or listen to music.  

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Clean Headlights with Toothpaste

Clean Headlights with Toothpaste

Are your headlights a little cloudy? This can make the light diffuse, making it more difficult to see at night. The solution is pretty easy: toothpaste! You can use toothpaste and an abrasive brush (like a toothbrush) to get the cloudy crud off.

Get your toothbrush, toothpaste, and a towel ready before beginning. To remove the plastic, you can find a guide online or in your car’s instruction booklet. Scrub away and watch the grime come right off! Rinse with a little water and reinstall. Be sure to clean in and out to ensure full clarity.

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Add a Car Door Warning Light

Add a Car Door Warning Light

Worried about someone hitting your door because they didn’t see it open? This is the DIY for you. Whether you’re in the daylight or night, adding a flashing light to your door could save you tons of trouble and money.

There are small flashing lights that use a battery that you can stick on the inside of your car door. They’re usually pretty cheap. To make it last longer, get a protective covering to prevent water from damaging the electronics or washing the glue off.

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Reupholster Car Seat Fabric

Reupholster Car Seat Fabric

Car seat torn or ugly? You can swap it out yourself! First, you’ll need to purchase a reupholster kit. This depends on the type of fabric you’re replacing. The hardest part is removing the seat, which can be found online for most vehicles.

After removed, take off the existing fabric. It is most likely stapled down. Pull the new fabric over it and use the kit to secure the fabric in place using strong staples or hog rings. This will likely take a little muscle. Finally, reinstall your seats, and voila! New seats for a fraction of the price.

Install a Bungee Cargo Net

Install a Bungee Cargo Net

Need extra cargo space? Who doesn’t! Whether you have three kids, or you just need more room for essentials, you can get more cargo space by installing a bungee cargo net. They’re fairly cheap and can be installed super easily.

Find the size that fits best for your car. You can either install it in the trunk for organization or on the roof for extra cargo space. You can also clip the bungee net to your backseats for a little extra storage. Just remember to keep passengers in mind!

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Fix Some Dents

Fix Some Dents

Sink plungers are a gift from God! Not only can they get that pesky clog out of your sink, but they can also take dents out of your vehicle. Since professionally removing a small dents can cost upwards of $200, this is certainly worth trying.

Make sure to use a sink plunger and not a toilet plunger. Splash some water on the dent and the plunger. Then, stick it to your car. You want a good seal. Then, pull it off! Continue this until the dent is gone.

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Add a Backseat Organizer

Add a Backseat Organizer

Going on a road trip? It sucks to store all your snacks in your passenger’s lap. Alternatively, you can put them in the back and reach around every time you wanna snack, but there’s a better way. Instead, install a backseat organizer.

There are specialty backseat organizers that clip onto your headrest, but you can also get an over the door shoe organizer. Attach it to the metal portion of your headrest and secure it to the bottom of the seat using zip ties. This is also great for parents that need an activity organizer for children.

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Fix Holes in Dashboard

Fix Holes in Dashboard

If you haven’t heard of Sugru, we’re about to change your life. Sugru is a moldable glue that can be used like moldable clay (except better). You can use this stuff to get rid of unsightly holes in your dashboard or other hard-plastic areas in your car.

To do this, you need Sugru, fine sandpaper, and paint that matches the color of the plastic. Stuff the Sugru in the car and allow it to harden. Then, use the sandpaper to get rid of any excess that could be bulging out. Then, paint it to make the hole invisible. 

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Make Air Fresheners

Make Air Fresheners

You don’t have to pay top-dollar for air fresheners for your car. There are a couple of really good ways to make air fresheners for your car. The first is by putting essential oils on an existing air freshener that’s lost its scent. This is great if you love a particular design. 

The second is your own wax melting air freshener. It’s no surprise that cars get incredibly hot. Grab a small mason jar that fits in your cup holder. Put holes in the top and put a cube of wax at the bottom. Leave it in your car, and it’ll melt to make everything smell wonderful. 

Remove Rust

Remove Rust

Rust is dangerous for your car and also pretty unsightly. Thankfully, you can remove it yourself with a little elbow grease. For this DIY, you can keep your car looking good a little longer with less than $40 in supplies. Keep in mind this is just a temporary fix, and the rust will eventually reappear.

All you need is a rust killer and primer, as well as paint that matches your car. First, clean the area thoroughly. Next, attack it with Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound. Let it completely dry before applying the primer and rust killer. Finally, apply the paint, and you’re done! 

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