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.)

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SEMA 2015: Project (Currently Unnamed)??

This 1971 Datsun 240z was handed down to me by a very close friend.  That said, I am giving him the honors of naming this build.

This 1971 240z will get a full on restomod build.  The build concept behind this is a combination of bringing back the old JDM fee with a pro touring look.  No show wires, engine covers, leather interior upgrades, etc...  One of the fun parts of the car is it still having it's original rear window louvers.

(Again, with sponsors, some are added or removed.  So henceforth, changes may be made.) Modifications will include a staggered wheel and tires set from Motegi and Nitto Tire.  Absent from the rendering will be addition of fender mirrors. The heart of the car will be the SR20DET blacktop from our drift car.  This motor was modified with a Disco Potato turbo, 300zx MAF, upgraded injectors, and enthalpy tune...pushing an estimated 350hp.  (For more info on our drift car, click here.)

UPDATE 06.01.15: The plans for the above remain the same.  However, the timing isn't good for this project, and therefore it is put on hold.  Be sure to watch for the resurrection. Read more

SEMA 2015: Project Brutus

With the excitement of the release of 2015 Ford F150, this was a project MSA couldn't pass up building.  This 2015 Ford F150 is named Brutus just due to its styling and graphics.  MSA has typically brought to the table a themed vehicle that is heavily decorated to reflect the theme or a vehicle that is subtle.  This project's goal was to bring a bolder outer appearance that isn't gaudy.

As with most builds, renderings are built and submitted to sponsors.  Some are accepted and some are denied.  So the rendering may change throughout the year as sponsors are added or removed.  Thus far this is the hope for the build:

Showtime Metalworks front bumper

Rigid Industries LED Light bars

Rackworks Rack

Matrix Paint (no vinyl)

McGaughy's 6.5" Premium Lift

Roadwire Leather Interiors

BedRug

BedSlide

Retrax Bed Cover

20" American Force Thor polished with faceplate technology

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SEMA 2015...The Projects start

SEMA Show logo is the trademark/copyright of SEMA

SEMA 2014 is now a thing of a the past.  Soon magazines will start printing their features and photoshoots from the show.  As with many things, when one chapter closes, another begins.  Preparations for SEMA 2015 have begun.  MSA itself is undertaking several builds this year.  Each will have it's own featured blog page.  Stay tuned... Read more

2016 Ford Bronco Release is a fake. Here's how to tell.

With the excitement of the release of the 2015 Ford F150, rumors spread of a possible Bronco as well.  The internet and social media ate it up.  Word spread quickly and generated quite some excitement.  However, as a person who does renderings and plays with Photoshop, there are several tell tales that say the release images are fake and are digitally created.

Comparing the original photo with the new bronco photo, here's what the "untrained" eye didn't see.

Carefully look at this comparison image.  You can tell the Bronco is taken from the F150 image on the right.  The window reflections, angle of the picture, and all other features are the same.  This shows us that if the Bronco was a true, created concept vehicle, both vehicles had to have been parked in the exact same spot and the photo taken from the exact same angle.

However, in this image, if both vehicles were at the exact same spot, the reflection in the back window, says otherwise.  The lines and reflections would be the exact same with added reflections thanks to the Bronco's larger quarter glass.  That isn't the case.

The same holds true of the rear image.  Look at the reflections and the background as you look through the passenger window.  The structure and reflections are all the same.

Taking a second glance, you will notice both back glasses have the exact same reflection.  The Bronco's slightly altered to match the recreated back half.  The same reflection still wouldn't hold true if the image of the Bronco was real.

I don't think anyone has said that these images were real.  However, there are many sites that are pushing and saying the release itself is real, even as far as mentioning engine options.  There are well known automotive sites, such as Edmunds, that do not have any info supporting the Bronco's release.  So for now, we sit and wait on Ford to see if they will truly resurrect the Bronco. Read more

MSA's 10th Annual Car Show wrap up

Photo Credit to Dell Cox

What an amazing event it turned out to be.  We raised a good deal of money for the high school and things went smoother than ever.  Even found a better way of doing this by accident!

Here are your trophy winners:

BEST OF SHOW > Randy McNew...1967 Ford Mustang
BEST CLASSIC > Eric Ray...1963 Pontiac Tempest
BEST ENGINE > Marlena Crenshaw / Chris West...1979 Datsun 280zx
BEST AUDIO/VIDEO > Matt Harrington...2004 Acura TL
BEST BIKE > Kevin Betts...2005 Suzuki Hayabusa
BEST PAINT > Jay Delanty...2012 Nissan 370z
PEOPLE'S CHOICE - CAR > Sam Shirley...2012 Jeep Wrangler
PEOPLE'S CHOICE - BIKE > Garrett Luedke...1996 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic

AWD
1) Cody Ashmore...2008 Mitsubishi Evo X
2) Jason Rozanski...2012 Subaru STI
3) Wendell Moore...2010 Subaru WRX

Acura/Honda > Street
1) Clay Walker...1995 Honda Civic
2) Brandon Shumate...1999 Honda Civic SI
3) Omar Vang...2006 Honda Accord 

Acura/Honda > Mild
1) Alvin Laird...1997 Honda Civic
2) Chad Sayers...1995 Acura Integra GSR
3) Charles Price...2011 Honda CRZ

Bagged / Juiced Car
1) Danny Farias... 2009 Nissan 350z
2) Cruz Nunez...1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse
3) Freddie Hernandez...1996 Cadillac Fleetwood

Bike > Other
1) Thongsay Singkhek...Honda Ruckus
2) N/A
3) N/A

Bike > Cruiser
1) Garrett Luedke...1996 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic
2) N/A
3) N/A

Bike > Sport
1) Mike Provost...2006 Suzuki Hayabusa
2) Raymond Jeffries...2005 Suzuki Hayabusa
3) N/A

Boat
1) John Phillips...2011 Rouse Performer 18
2) John Parham...2003 Scotts Marine performer 18
3) N/A

Classic Car
1) Bobby Gillespie...1966 Lincoln Continental
2) Terry Norris...1977 Datsun 280z
3) Matt - ProAuto...1950 Mercury

Domestic Car > Street
1) Arteja Stamps...2013 Dodge Challenger
2) Justin Yandell...2000 Viper Venom
3) Logan Galusha...2000 Chevrolet Camaro

Domestic Car > Mustang: Street
1) Kyle Elliott...2008 Ford Mustang GT
2) Daniel Hudson...2004 Ford 40th Anniversary GT
3) Heath Marchese...2013 Ford Mustang GT

Domestic Car > Mustang: Mild
1) Steve Padgett...2007 Ford Mustang GT500
2) Damien Henrickson...2002 Ford Mustang
3) Doug Kivett...1998 Ford Mustang GT

Domestic Car > Mustang: Custom
1) Ryan and Susan Aycock...2012 Ford Shelby GT500
2) N/A
3) N/A

Hot Rod/Street Rod
1) David Garrett...1923 Ford T-Bucket
2) N/A
3) N/A

Import/Euro/Other Car > Street
1) Brian Stanyer...2007 Nissan 350z
2) Dell Cox...2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT
3) Jonathan Boyd...2004 Mazda RX8

Jeep > Street
1) Matt Straschinske...2014 Jeep Wranger 4dr
2) John/Elzie Mikles...2008 Jeep Wrangler 4dr
3) Andrew Layrock...2013 Jeep Wrangler 4dr

Jeep > Custom
1) Sam Shirley...2012 Jeep Wrangler 4dr
2) Ronald Jauregui...2012 Jeep Wrangler 4dr
3) Blake McNally...1997 Jeep Wrangler (2dr)

Nissan/Infinity > Street
1) Joyce Watts-Fields...1975 Datsun 280z
2) Lee Ann Blount...1995 Nissan 300zx
3) Kevin Maradiaga...2013 Nissan GTR

Nissan/Infinity > Custom
1) Derek Kien...2000 Nissan Silvia
2) Danny Bokamper...1974 Datsun 260z
3) N/A

Toyota/Scion > Street
1) Luke Mercado...2000 Lexus LS400
2) James Sylanouvong...2000 Lexus GS300
3) Juan Espnosa...2002 Lexus IS300

Toyota/Scion > Custom
1) Tony Tran...2007 Lexus IS350
2) N/A
3) N/A

Mini Truck > Custom
1) Dustin Bell...1997 Chevy S10
2) Larence Duarte...1994 Toyota Pickup
3) Shane Henrickson...1988 Ford Ranger

Truck Full Size - Street
1) Mike Provost...2013 Ford F350
2) Zach Glover...1983 Chevy Silverado
3) N/A

Truck Full Size - Mild
1) Jacquelyn Wiles...2009 F250 FX4
2) Shena Sanders...2001 Chevy Silverado
3) N/A

Truck Full Size - Custom
1) Jeremy Penland...2010 Dodge Ram 2500
2) Tanner Borland...1992 Chevrolet Silverado
3) N/A

Truck > Classic (70's and under)
1) Matt @ ProAuto...1941 Chevrolet Cabover
2) Bradley Payne...1965 Chevy C10
3) N/A

Truck - Under Construction
1) Justin Smith...1991 Mazda B2200
2) N/A
3) N/A

Car - Under Construction
1) Lawrence Ryan III..1995 Nissan 240sx
2) N/A
3) N/A

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MSA's 2014 SEMA Project: Sarge

Thanks to our awesome sponsors on this project.  Here's the skinny.

Project Sarge is owned by a local Veteran.  Having served 2 tours in Iraq, he was medically discharged when diagnosed with cancer after encountering a chemical agent during his tours.  After beating cancer, he felt the need to get back into service and joined the local Sheriff's Department.  It's our pleasure to be doing to this build for him.

SPECS:
MSA rock sliders with sealed/waterproof storage compartment.
MSA Grab handles
MSA Mesh Grille
LED Light bars
Aries front and rear bumpers
Custom Rear Tire Carries
Bright silver paint, scratched and semi-gloss cleared to simulate brushed aluminum
Riveting to simulate metal panels
Rugged Ridge Hurricane Fender Flares
Rugged Ridge Vented Hood
Rugged Ridge Short Snorkel
Teraflex 6" Long Arm suspension kit
RIPP Supercharger kit.
Magnaflow exhaust system


- Bryan Lin | CEO, The Motorsports Authority, Inc. | www.MSAStore.com

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MSA's 2013 SEMA Project: Black Rhino > Snow Pictures

It's not every year that snow comes down in Arkansas.  So we definitely wanted to take advantage of the opportunity.  Here are the shots we got.  Feel free to use as a wallpaper.  In fact, we'd be honored.














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MSA's 2013 SEMA Project: Black Rhino > What's SEMA without hurdles?

T'was the last day of the build before departure.  Late nights assembling last minute parts, the front end, the BedRug, BedSlide, Retrax Bed Cover, Automatic Cargo Lights, and the interior.  After it was all assembled, we took it for a test run.  It was a rocky drive and was deemed undriveable for the 22 hours drive it was to make in a few short hours.  We then scrambled to located a truck and a trailer with the capacities to pull Black Rhino.  The problem was, we would find a 5th wheel trailer and no truck with a hook up.  Or vice versa.  After a few hours, we finally located a bumper pull that would haul the load.

Or so we thought...  After finally getting on the freeway, the trailer began to sway some.  Due to the weight, the drive was no more than 60-65mph down the freeway.  Long nights and a 2 man crew taking shifts, the trailer blew a tire approximately 2 hours from Las Vegas.  Stressed and exhausted, they changed the tire on the trailer and continued.  30 minutes later, a second trailer tire blew.  Already late to the destination, the Black Rhino was pulled off the trailer and drove the rest of the way.

Black Rhino finally made it to the SEMA show approximately 5pm, Monday before the show.  By then, our booth spot was locked up and there were no entries into the location.  So we were then set aside in a new lot where many of the other "late" trucks were parked.  Seems like we weren't the only to have issues. There was another vehicle that was to be in the same booth that had suspension problems.  Broke down on the side of the road, they rented a local shop's bay for $2,000 that night!

The rush to SEMA and fulfilling sponsorship obligations is normally a stressful time for shops.  Unless you're just bolting on parts, you're looking at newly developed parts that are being tested.  You're looking at shops balancing clients and their SEMA build.  So many factors play into building a vehicle.  The final results are always incredible though, and it is always a memorable experience.  Thanks to everyone that's been following the Black Rhino Project.  Look for it's feature in Street Trucks magazine and Diesel Army Magazine.

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MSA's 2013 SEMA Project: Black Rhino > Speaker Pods - The Design

The speaker pods have been an amazing feat from the get go.  I'll explain how speaker pods are normally made and a new method I tried out that worked great for me.  First off, we didn't want to build something simple.  Sponsors don't want that.  They want their products displayed, not hidden.  They want flashy, showy, attention drawing exposure.  I'll write a blog later on sponsors - how to get them, what they expect, and the understanding of what comes with that.

Front Doors:
So, we had a small challenge to overcome here.  We definitely wanted to incorporate as much sound awesome-ness as possible.  We chose a set of 3 way components for each door.  However, Fords are known for not having a lot speaker space.  Some nice deep pockets are available, but everyone does the same...mold the speakers using the whole door panel and rock on.  Just perhaps the speakers in different spots, but most are about the same.  Nah.  I wanted technical credit.  Not SQ, but "cool" credit.  So, I chose to keep as MUCH of all the pockets as possible.  After all, we are still using this truck daily.  We chose to put the speaker pods in front of the pockets.  However, we were faced with the challenge that when the doors closed, the dash would hit.  So we had to be careful where exactly we put the speakers.  I wanted them to look like they were a part or at least a continuation of the factory piece.

Rear Doors:
These doors are a bit more challenging.  First, the speakers sit behind the back seats and to the side.  If you've owned a Ford truck, this design hasn't changed in years.  Because of Ford's design, there are no speaker wires going into the back doors, nor is there any room.  There were 2 additional factors that came into effect here.  One, we are doing Suicide doors.  We had to make sure where ever we put them, the doors still worked.  Second, I have little kids, and those speakers had to be protected.  So the only spot I was left with was inside one of the door pockets.  I decided then to replace the front door pocket with the speakers with pods that were isolated.  Basically, instead of molding the speakers into the door panels, like most do, but trimming the panel to meet up with the speaker pods.  Technical...I think so.  Trimming a plastic door panel very closely is not an easy task.

to be continued... Read more

MSA's 2013 SEMA Project: Black Rhino > Corrected Airbags Arrive / Fab work begins

Recap: We ordered and received a lot of wrong parts.  Not at the fault of the sponsor, but somewhere there were some miscommunication.  The rear setup allowed us to go low.  Body drop low, which is great, but with us having BedRug and Bedslide as sponsors, we didn't want to notch and cut the bed.  So that was a no go.  The front suspension, being a 4WD, proved to be a difficult task, and after lots of cutting and trimming, we got the truck's transfer case to sit inches from the oil pan.  No problem, except the bracket setup for the front is for a 2WD, and the setup with bags didn't even fill the gap at the trucks lowest position.  There in lied our issue.

So, here we are 2 weeks before D-Day and our correct parts arrive (10/17/13).  So we have to fabricate and create a complete airbag suspension set up.  That wouldn't be a big deal, but....there's just such a long list of things to do that it set us up for long days ahead.  In addition, our wheels hadn't arrived.  The wheels are brand new for 2014 release, so they were being made specifically for our vehicle.  That's a whole 'nother story.  :D

So over the next few days, we fitted, measured, tacked, cut, fitted, measured, and made everything where we wanted.  It looks great.  The parallel bars were in place.  The compressor/valve housing had been made the week prior.  Many endless nights of cutting, welding, grinding, buying and finding scrap metal...  A Spcial thanks to our friends at Conway Precision Products.  Because of them, we were able to get a LOT of our metal.  We were rocking and rolling, and....then wheels finally arrive on 10.21.13.  Uh oh...
to be continued...

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MSA's 2013 SEMA Project: Black Rhino > Airbag Parts Arrive

Finally...all our airbag components have finally arrived.  Opening these packages were a relief.  The schedule is extremely tight, and we will use every second to complete the project.  We hoped that the airbags would have arrived a week or two ago.  But with the setbacks on the suicide doors, it wasn't a problem to receive them a little later.  The brackets and all the components looked great.  When we finally received the setup, we noticed the back bag brackets weren't correct.  Another kink in the chain.  Somehow there was some miscommunication, and we ordered the incorrect parts.

The rear brackets were made with the bags on the outside of the frame, therefore placing them closer to the wheels.  Not having received wheels yet, we weren't entirely sure this would clear the setup.  Especially since the vehicle will be sporting 24" wheels.  The front brackets were too short and are the setup for 2wd vehicles and not our 4wd.

Grant it, we are able to fabricate our own parts and create a system completely outlandish.  But time wouldn't allow it.  Being a 2014, we were only able to take delivery of the vehicle a month ago.  Purchasing parts that were fabbed for the truck was our quickest route.

So the challenge we face is this.  We cannot cut a hole in the bed, nor can we raise the floor.  BedSlide and BedRug are both listed as sponsors.  Both products must be in the vehicle, and although we are building a custom truck, we want to retain as much of the product's originality as possible.  Then again, this is a 4wd vehicle that has to go LOW.  So the logistics of such as build has been challenging.  We, however, have made forward progress.  The front has been cut, trimmed, and shaved to get it at its lowest point.  When the airbags are fully deflated, the oil pan will sit just a hair above the transfer case.  We have maxed the limits.

No kink that can't be handled.  Just another part of the SEMA woes...  It happens.  Continue to rock on.

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MSA's 2013 SEMA Project: Black Rhino > Suicide Doors...1 door roughed in.

Finally! After doing and redoing, we have a working and functioning Passenger rear door. The body lines are perfect. The door doesn't have any play in it anymore, and it opens and closes just as smooth as it used to, but in reverse fashion.  So stoked...other side shouldn't give us any problems.

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