Many car enthusiast can back me when I say there's no paint job like a factory paint job (okay except when the big three experimented with water based primer in the early 90's). No matter how good the repair shop, they just can't lay it on like the factory which gets to bake in ovens to bond. Well, times are changing my friends and it's a good thing.

Traditionally a primer coat was sprayed, baked, sanded, then base coat sprayed, dried, then clear coated. Not anymore thanks to our friends at DuPont. Currently DuPont and GM are partnering on a new process that saves time and money. It's called the "3-Wet" process and takes painting cars on assembly lines to a whole new level. Imagine getting to apply the base coat while the primer coat is still wet and likewise with the clear coat over that. This is exactly what they are doing and they are reducing operating costs by 14-21%. This process shaves 40 minutes from the vehicle painting process as well.

The '09 Chevy Camaro, rebirth of an American classic.

So how does this effect you the consumer? By the manufacturer saving time and money, reduces the overall "cost per-unit". This can make hundreds of dollars difference in your pocket when you finally pitch up to a new car. Their savings is your savings and that's something to be happy about.

Cheers

-Lance

DMV gave us almost a year to prepare for the hands-free law passed and set to go into effect July 1, 2009. The one thing that made many scratch their head was the grey area on texting. The law essentially left texting while driving a grey are left to the discretion of the officer to enforce. It turns out the powers that be realized texting while driving was a bigger issue than they thought.

As of January 1, 2009, a new law will be in effect to prohibit any two way communication while driving. This apply to instant messaging, texting and e-mailing while operating a vehicle. Similar laws have been in place for years in other countries.

As stated by DMV on their website:

"Starting January 1, 2009 a new law will go into effect where writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication while driving will be against the law for all drivers in California.

Violating this law is punishable by a base fine of $20 for a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. With the addition of penalty assessments, fines can be more than triple the base fine amount."

Of course, it would have made sense to add this into the original law but better late than never. I suggest changing your ways sooner than later as January 1 is only a few short months away.

Oh and for those of you that refuse to buy a Bluetooth, get off the phone! Setting it on your chest or holding it away from your head on speaker phone doesn't cut it.

Happy Motoring,

Lance

Yes, I am still alive! Sorry to all my dedicated readers that have wondered of my whereabouts. I'm happy to say that my absence is not in vain. My spare time has been devoted to focusing on another side of the online evolution, webcast. Many of you are finding yourselves watching more video online. This has become a growing way for people to gather information rather it be about news, how-tos or reviews.

Until recently I only found myself in front of the camera once every several months. traditionally I teamed up with my friend and fellow blogger Jason love for the LA Auto Show or covered track events. Well as times change, so does our strategy to bring our audience what they want.

We will soon be launching our all new VCSWheels website. The new format is closer associated to the more recent "web 2.0" style of sites (peer to peer). Besides hosting my blog, I will also be covering local car shows, fun runs and doing reviews of the latest autos. For you the consumers, we will have local car, motorcycle and boat forums. I pushed for this due to the fact that I saw a need for a forum-style site to keep up on all the local gearhead related events. Likewise we will have break out areas for local car clubs, car shows and fun runs.

Again, my apologies for being M.I.A. I promise the new site and content will be well worth the wait. Already we have three videos ready to rock; two auto reviews and coverage of the 23rd Annual Westlake Car Show. We will also be hosting a new car review everyday of the LA Auto Show later in November.

Sincerely,

Lance

Link to LA Auto Show site (Nov. 21-30).

LA Auto Show.

Past videos:

'08 LA Auto Show video

'07 LA Auto Show video