Any Level Lift - LIMITED PRESALE is happening now

Our 2017 SEMA Build - Project Checkmate features the Any Level Lift hydraulic lifting system.  Features such as the patented panbar make this lift an attractive feature.  It keeps the steering wheel straight at any adjustment level AND has approximately 14" of travel. 

Be one of the select few with this lift available.  MSA is currently accepting presale orders.  The number we sell will be limited, so if you're interested, don't wait.  After these, it will go back to regular pricing.

CLICK HERE. Read more

Wrap Care FAQs

What car wash soap should I use for a hand wash?

Use a mild, pH neutral car cleaning detergent and water mix that does not contain any strong soluable substances, alcohol, or abrasive compounds.  The pH balance should be between 5 and 9.

When should I clean my vehicle?

The vehicle should not be cleaned within the first 48 hours of the wrap being applied.  After this 2 day period, it is recommended to wash your vehicle at least once every 2 weeks.

Can I wax my vehiele?

Yes, as long as the wax does not contain petroleum distillates, which is found in many paste waxes.  Products that are a combination of a waterless wax and wax are great options as long as the vehicle doesn't have a matte finish and isn't excessively dirty.  Test the wax on an inconspicuous part of the the vehicle first.

What about difficult spots?

Spot clean contaminants, such as bird droppings, bug splatter, tree sap, and similar contaminants as soon as possible to avoid film damage.

What if my wrap has a matte finish?

Avery Dennison recommends their Wrap Care Cleaner and is approved for all vinyl finishes.  Be careful what cleaners you use as they can break down the wrap adhesive.  Waterless wash products are recommended in cleaning matte finishes.  Some waterless wash products contain wax that can fill in the texture and cause tiny spots.  A lighter matte finish will be prone to showing more dirt than other finishes.  Use a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water to spot clean matte film finishes.  If the alcohol and water mix does not remove dirt, you can try using a hot soapy water solution.  You can also try to conservatively use an all-purpose cleaner found at your local store.  As always, try an inconspicuous spot or a small panel that could easily be replaced.

Disclaimer: The recommendations above are from Avery Dennison and in on way do we claim the words as our own.

Ceramic Coating

Consider using a ceramic coating for additional protection.  We offer the application of our Ceramic Pro PPF/Vinyl to provide a hydrophobic protective layer over your wrap.  Not only will this provide a highly smooth surface, but also add UV protection, slowing the breakdown/fading process, prolonging the life of your wrap.  Pricing. Read more

Wrap Care

Infrequent or improper maintenance of your wrapped vehicle can lead to premature degradation of graphics and lower the expected life of the film.  Here are some tips on getting the most out of your investment.

CLEANING TIPS

Waterless Wash

If the vehicle is not overly dirty, this is the preferred method.  Hand wash extremely dirty vehicles first and follow up with a waterless wash.  Waterless wash products can help maintain the gloss level and performance of the film.  Before using any new product on your wrap, be sure to test them in an inconspicuous area of the vehicle.

Hand Wash

This is ideal for a vehicle with dirt or other residue.  Follow the below steps:

1) Pre rinse.  Using a hose, rinse the whole wrap with clean water.  THis helps to remove the loose dirt particles and helps avoid scratching the graphics.

2) Wash:  Gently wash the vehicle with a mild soapy water solution using a soft cloth or a synthetic or natural sponge.  Start from the top of the vehicle and work down.  Avoid abrading the surface with unnecessary scrubbing.

3) Rinse:  Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

4) Dry: Let the wrap dry naturally.  To avoid water spotting, use a silicone squeegee to remove water then finish drying with a microfiber or soft, non abrasive towel.

Note Excessive spraying at the wrong angle may create failure points and result in the wrap lifting at the edges.

An automatic car wash that uses brushes is not recommended.  Brushes may scratch the wrap or catch the wrap's edge and create a failure point.  Automatic brushless car washes are also not recommended as the high pressure water could also cause failure points at the wrap's edge.

Next: Wrap Care FAQs. 

(Care instructions are referenced or copied from Avery Dennison's care instructions hanger.)

Read more

Ceramic Coating Packages

Ceramic Coating is not a cheap in the immediate sense.  However, the amount of time saved on cleaning, waxing, and polishing your paint more than covers the initial financial burden.

After some research, MSA decided on using the Ceramic Pro brand.  They're international with a large network of applicators.  In addition, they offer many different solutions for different applications.

We have several packages available.  

Light - is a highly hydrophobic layer.  Light wears over time and minor scratches can penetrate this coat.  This is an ideal layer for those wanting to decrease wax time.

9H - this is the layer that provides the best benefit.  9H is a permanent layer and is the hardened layer.  This is the layer most commonly associated with ceramic coatings and is the coat that protects the vehicle's finish.  This layer is also hydrophobic.

Rain - Hydrophobic layer for your vehicle's glass.  The effects last 1 - 2 years.

Wheel and Caliper - is a little thicker formula that provides excellent protection for your wheels against brake dust.  Cleaning becomes a breeze with this coating and keeps your wheel finish like new.  Bronze and Silver packages get the faces coated.  Gold and above packages get the wheels removed, cleaned (to the best of our ability), and the face and barrel are coated.

The image represents how the packages affect your paint.  Due to a lot of confusion, we have decided to separate our paint correction pricing from our coating prices.  Proper paint correction takes time and varies from vehicle to vehicle.  Offering a universal price overcharges some, and we want to make sure our pricing is accurate for each vehicle and its needs.  9H is a permanent layer.  Although paint correction is not necessary, it's recommended because once 9H is applied, your paint finish will remain in that condition.

Not listed is our Platinum Package.  This package offers additional protection with the addition of 3 layers of 9H to the equation.

Note: erosion and natural environmental conditions happen.  Although 9H is a hard, glass-like layer, even glass left out in the elements will damage over time.  Continued washing and proper care of the coating is required.  Also, to maintain your warranty of Silver packages and above, an annual refresh coating is necessary and has an additional charge.

Warranties are registered to the VIN at delivery.  Ceramic Pro will get it listed in your CarFax history, adding value to your vehicle.  

Come by today for your pre-appointment.  We will look over your vehicle with you and discuss the necessary paint corrections and what pricing will be to get your vehicle coated.  501-327-6637 or Sales@MSAuthority.com.  

Read more

Ceramic Coating - Are they all the same?

To put it bluntly, no.  Every manufacturer puts in a specific % of the active ingredient in their bottles.  Cheaper bottles typically have less active ingredients, and most of the ones available for purchase on eBay or Amazon are what we call consumer grade.

Professional grade bottles are available only to individuals trained by the brand.  There are 2 companies that I'm aware of that offer this: cQuartz and Ceramic Pro.

I've seen videos, and it seems simple enough.  Why is the professional grade exclusive?

Because the professional grade has a higher content of active ingredient, it's basically thicker.  If not applied properly, it can leave some very unsightly residues on your paint surface.  This makes for a very ineffective product and leads to poor consumer reviews.  The manufacturer wants to make sure that the entire application process is performed correctly for the optimum performance.

What's the difference between consumer and professional grade?

Manufacturers recognize the DIY consumers.  In order to do this, they had to create a product with the least likelihood of error.  Like I said earlier, professional coatings are more expensive with more active ingredient, and although consumers may want ceramic coating, they may not necessarily want to pay the higher ticket. Read more

What is Ceramic Coating?

Ceramic Coating has become all the rage lately.  If you haven't heard about it yet, you're missing out!  It's a crucial component of protecting your vehicles paint.

Ceramic coating is also known as a nano coating.  Basically, what it does is very similar to wax.  Clear coat is actually an uneven surface with hills and valleys.  When you wax your vehicle, you fill in those valleys with a wax.  Ceramic coating is the same concept.  However, when you wax, it's very temporary as wax deteriorates with each wash or rain.  Ceramic coating is permanent and in the bottle, is basically glass in a liquid form.  Once fully cured, it forms a glass like layer in those valleys, thus creating a smooth, more level surface for water and liquids to roll off of.

9H is the primary product coating.  It's called 9H because it's a hardness level.  In fact, 9H is labeled on many tempered glass phone protectors.  (If you're a knowledge nerd also, feel free to do a search on it.)  Although there are many that do not like it's permanent qualities, it's also a quality that's gained itself a LOT of popularity.

Some coatings are layerable.  This means it forms a layer on top of you clear coat.  This becomes a great feature because it actually protects your clear coat from environmental conditions - rain, humidity, salts, dust, erosion, and many chemicals....  Also known as the sacrificial layer, depending on the object impacting your paint, the ceramic coating will take the initial contact, thus protecting your clear coat.  What to see it in person?  Call us to schedule a demo. Read more

SEMA 2016: 2016 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited Name Change

A while back, we named our build Project Azul (Link).  The original thoughts were to find a name that would be more of a Blue Archangel.  Thinking I could make Azul work, it usually took some explaining on the name.  Most people just saw Azul = Blue and moved on.  After some conversations, some people felt that Azul was kind of plain or basic.  So after much thought, the name has been changed to Azrael, also known as the Angel of Death.  " Archangel Azrael's primary angelic responsibility is to assist those who are making the transition from physical life to spirit life.  Azrael ensures that the transition process is painless and effortless as well as offers safe passage to those who are transitioning, lovingly guiding them to their heavenly home." (All Thing Healing.)  The Hebrew name translates to "One Whom God Helps." - Wikipedia

Although Azrael's typically associated with the color purple, more specifically Amethyst, he's also listed as a Blue Blood Angel or Sangre Azul.  (Sangre Azul listing)  That just solidified my quest in finding the right name.  Azrael is tough.  Not a bringer of death but a comforter in dark times, which jeep owners know, driving a jeep can bring a sense of happiness. :D  After much more thought, the name Azrael seemed to just fit. Read more

SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Atlas Suspension and Icon Vehicle Dynamics

To ensure the proper driveability, we partnered with Icon Vehicle Dynamics and Atlas Suspension to finalize the suspension setup.  Outfitted up front is the IVD coilovers with reservoir shocks.  In the rear are the IVD 2.0 reservoir shocks.  So gorgeous.

Finishing up the support for the rear is the Atlas Suspension leaf pack.  These things are STOUT. Just viewing them suspended without a load was impressive.  After completing the suspension, we couldn't wait to get the truck on the ground.

Read more

SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Bulletproof Suspension

As with all builds, you got to go big.  We discussed within the shop whether we would do a 6.5" or jump up to the 10-12" lift that Bulletproof offered.  It was unanimous to go big or go home.  We put in the phone call to Bulletproof Suspension, and it was on.  We really wanted to accent the suspension to highlight the products that were offered by Bulletproof, so we decided on a red powdercoat.  After its arrival, the red just didn't match.  At no fault to Bulletproof, we just weren't specific as to which red to powder coat.  Turns out this red had an orange hue, and with so many shades, we decided it would be best to redo the powder.  We went back and forth on if we should go red or choose a completely different color.  It was decided that a red suspension would be an overwhelming amount of red and to keep the red as an accent color rather than a main color.

So it went back up to vote on a color.  I typically have a standard.  No more than 3 colors on a vehicle.  I believe that any color after 3 is just mucking it up.  So after hours and hours of browsing, we decided on a somewhat neutral gray.  However, it has some speckles of pearl in it to give it a bit more shine.  This still gave us the goal of highlighting the lift and yet not overwhelming the build with red.

Read more

SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Headlight Switchbacks

Just in time for the build, Diode Dynamics announced the release of its switchbacks for the new F150.  Boy were we excited.  As a dealer for Diode Dynamics, we stay updated on its most recent products.  Their mustang switchbacks are just stunning, and when this announcement was made, we had to have them.

We love everything about these.  The lighting is perfect and is one of the first features pointed out when seen at night.

Usually we do our own headlight builds.  However, with the time frame this year, we found it best to sublet the work to another company.  We were referred over to Retroshop LLC, and after a few moments of talking with Jeremy, we gave it the green light.  The correspondence, updates, and shipping process was flawless and top notch.  Everything you'd want from a company that you're sending a product to for modifications.  We received the headlights and couldn't be happier with the results.

Read more

SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Buffing Aluminum

After a job like this with multiple layers of paint, we needed to make sure the paint was smooth.  We didn't want you to notice all the lines and layers that were put into it.  Of course, that's what a quality build is about, making it look factory.  We didn't keep track of the hours, but let's just say that there was a lot of careful time in wet sanding the clear coat smooth.  

There area  few things we learned during this process.  It takes a LONG time to buff aluminum.  See, what happens when you buff is that the clear coat heats up, thus basically levelling itself.  However, not only does the clear warm up, but also the metal beneath.  The issue we had here was that it took a lot longer for aluminum to warm up.  So we had to be very careful to continue to warm the aluminum but not so much that we overheat the clear and burn through it.  This was a long and slow process. The end result was stunning but required many unexpected hours to achieve the perfection this build demanded.

Read more

SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Paint Part 3 - Warrior Stripe Final

The final layer before clear coat is Candy Apple Red.  Over the Kosmic Krome, this layer really stands out.  In the shade, it's not noticed.  But in the sun, it's like a slap in the face, and we love it.  It took several tries and spray outs to find the right one.  We even tried the Raspberry and it just didn't have the stand out qualities that we wanted.

After we decided on the color and the proper layers to get the hue we wanted, it was time to get down to business.  The Krome and the gears have been laid.  It was time to rock the red, and layer up the clear.  

 

Read more

SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Paint Part 3 - Warrior Stripe

The Warrior Stripe.  The build's name stays true and true throughout the build.  Every part of the build in some way ties with itself in some form.  As we discuss the build, we will often reference back to other components.

The first to go down is House of Kolor Kosmic Krome.  When the sun hit, we really wanted this stripe to pop.  Next up are the gears.  These were sprayed with Charcoal Candy using an airbrush and stencil.

Read more

SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Paint Part 2 (Warrior Stripe)

The paint protection coating that the Ford dealership applied proved difficult to work with.  It was a coating that would require sanding the surface in preparation for paint instead of just scuffing. The entire body was taped off, then trimmed and finished off masking.  The doors then removed to correctly bring bring the black into the door jams. The doors at the bed were then set back onto the truck.  The red accent was then outlined.  Again a painstaking process to ensure both sides matched perfectly.  Then the fun began....

 

Read more