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Can you use a hair dryer as a heat gun?

Posted on by Bakhtawar Nadeem

Last month I was wrapping Door Panels inside of my car and didn’t had a heat gun for the wrap to bend around I wondered well Can you use a hair dryer as a heat gun? so I started my research so yes for some tasks yes we can use but there are some details we need to get in before saying yes.

Heat Gun and its Uses

Heat gun is an automotive device that is an amazing and incredible tool used for cars in multiple ways. Many tasks are made easier by making use of this device as it is an extremely versatile tool for the auto-body shop vendors. It is used to release a gush of hot air, generally at temperatures between 200 and 1000 Degree-Fahrenheit (100 and 550 Degree-Celsius).

Hotter models of heat guns usually run around 1400 Degree-Fahrenheit (760 Degree-Celsius) that can be easily managed by hand. The body of a heat gun is elongated pointing towards what is to be heated. It has a handle fixed to it and a trigger, in the same design as a hair dryer.

This classic tool consists of an electric fan and a heating element. As compared to a hair dryer, a heat gun is more advanced and more expensive and poses more danger for the users. There are many different models of a heat gun that operate on different temperatures and the airflow is also different.

Many car owners use their vehicles not only for the sake of travelling, but also tend to keep them updated with the style by maintaining the appearance. It can be done by putting additional modifications to the body of the car or by streaking the windows.

A window tint can also be placed evenly using a heat gun and it may also be used to modify a vehicle by applying Vinyl car wrapping. The blemishes and dents on a car can also be fixed by applying heat-activated glue using a heat gun and old adhesives that are challenging to remove can also be removed easily.

Moreover, tasks such as shrink wrapping and stripping paint can also be performed using a heat gun.

Hair Dryer vs Heat Gun

Although the shape of a hairdryer and a heat gun is the same, there is a huge difference between the functioning of the two. An average hairdryer is able to produce heat ranging to a maximum of 100-degree C to 200-degree C. On the other hand, an automotive heat gun can produce heat to a maximum of 750-degree C.

Furthermore, a heat gun comprises of more heat setting options than an average hairdryer which usually has only three setting options. A hairdryer can be used instead of a heat gun, but not on all occasions. On a basic level, both hairdryer and heat gun work in the same way, but the huge difference in their temperature settings makes them function in distinct ways.

Technically, a hairdryer is able to work on the projects that require the heat of a maximum of 100 to 200-degree C such as molding the plastic glasses frames, drying paints, and removing the stickers and labels.

As the motor fixed inside a hairdryer is not meant to work continuously for the time that is required to perform the other tasks such as removal of rusted bolts, floor coverings, frozen locks, and removal of paint. For such tasks, a heat gun is preferable as the airflow is more concentrated than a hairdryer.

Another difference between the two is their ability to complete the tasks quickly. A heat gun produces much heat that finishes a task in one round, while a hairdryer requires two or more than two rounds to complete a job. As far as safety is concerned, a hair dryer is less harmful and dangerous than a heat gun due to its low temperature.

Heat guns are made as power tools and usually have lesser volume air flow as compared to a hair dryer and they normally have a much durable fan motor to allow the use of nozzle additions for particular uses such as heat-shrink wraps and fusing. For drying processes, a hair dryer will typically work well simply for higher air flow and lower risk of burning anything as they are not manufactured as power tools.

For all other procedures, the heat gun is ideal. Another reason for preferring a heat gun is the nozzle. The airflow of a heat gun is much more concentrated than that of a hair dryer. A heat gun is more efficient than a hair dryer as the air is not scattered. While using a hair dryer, the air gets scattered because hair dryers are mainly designed to produce a wide stream of air for drying hair, whereas the air produced by a heat gun is a narrow one.

Speed of the tools also depends on their functioning as heat guns tend to finish a job earlier than a hair dryer. A hair dryer will eventually finish the job, but the user will have to wait with patience to get the job done. One can’t really say that a hair dryer and a heat gun are interchangeable, but in some operations, a hair dryer can be used as an alternative for a heat gun.

The auto-body shop owners can serve their customers and clients with a heat gun in many different ways. However, before that, it is important that they select the appropriate automotive heat gun for the operations. Before using a hair dryer as an alternative to a heat gun, one should thoroughly go through the usage and functioning of both products so that it can be used confidently and correctly.

How to fix sandblaster flow problems?

Posted on by Tracy Turner

The most common problems with some of the sandblasters are that they usually have flow problems and want to know how to fix sandblaster flow problems?

Today we are going to help you out of it.

The most common type of sandblaster you usually see is Gravity / Siphon based and others are compressed air based. Now first of all we will show we will tell you what is the reason that these sandblasters have flow problems.

This image explains what are the real causes of sandblaster flow problems

1) Air Pressure Issues :

The first reason that your Sandblaster flow is not proper can be due to air pressure, you may not be getting the proper air pressure required by your sandblaster.

1st check your air pressure gauge, Read your user manual and see if you are getting the desired air pressure required by your sandblaster. If still, the sandblaster is not giving the desired pressure then check maybe your air compressor has decided not to work anymore or your sandblaster has some problems.

By the way, if you are thinking to replace your sandblaster I have Reviewed best sandblaster for cars here.

2) Air Compressor Upgradation :

If you are using an Industrial Sandblaster then you might need a large air compressor and also need to have a large Air multistage drying system.

Now if you are thinking that what is that these sandblasters use water and air mixture to make this sandblasting effective, this system sends Air, Sand & water mixture with high pressure and it removes the paint or rust easily.

Now if you don’t have these types of sandblaster then you should check your sandblasters requirement as what kind of Air Compressor it requires. you can easily find the requirement on the user manual.

If you fulfill the requirement demanded by your sandblaster then you should check the compressor as it might be having some problem with it. The last option is only to upgrade it.

3) Blasting media Clogging

Media Clogging is the most common issue that we have seen in most of the sandblasters, the clogging we see is usually due to low pressure or not the proper use of the suitable media recommended by the manufacturer.

To see what kind of blasting media is recommended by your manufacturer you should see the user manual or the product on amazon you find information there.

Another thing you should see is the grit size supported by your sandblaster, for this, you can also see the manufacturer user manual or the product on Amazon or other online stores.

Another thing is that sometimes a when a blasting media is not coming out properly try to shake your sandblaster sometime this thing also works for some sandblaster.

4)Moisture in media

Another most common problem is moisture in media, due to moisture in your sandblasting sometime the sandblaster gets clogged and it would not work efficiently.

Moisture usually due to environmental factors or can be due to other factors but you dont need to worry we are not here to identify your problems only we are here to give you the solutions too.

so if you have for some reason got moisture in your media than there are 2 options you can go for if you have an Oven you can bake your sanding media in it for some time and it would remove all the moisture from your media and you would be ready to go with your sandblaster.

Now if you don’t have an oven no need to worry if you have plenty of time you can utilize heat from sun put your blasting sand in a big bucket or if you have an open area you can use it, spread the sand and let it sit in sun for a day hope so it would do the job

5) Gravitational Issue

The most common issue with the gravity/based sandblaster is that they usually have gravity issues now by gravity issues I mean is that these sandblaster are not compressed air based so they have to be fed by gravity.

some sandblaster have seen to been needing more gravity than Other and for that you had to keep them on top of something & being on ground level was not sufficient.

what I would suggest is if you have bought a sandblaster with this kind of issue you would need a long hose and it’s not going to be easy to move around and it would be a wise decision to upgrade it.

6) Less media

Another issue is that fewer media in the sandblaster can cause flow problems in the sandblaster. Now why this can cause a problem is because if you are reusing the media it would eventually get shaped into smaller particles and then it may not be as effective as it was before and its flow will also be disturbed.

and make sure before sandblasting that you should check how much of sandblasting media do you actually have inside of it if you see that the air is properly coming out but the media is not then either you need to adjust the flow from the nozzle or you need to add more media into it.

7) Blasting Nozzle issue

Blasting nozzles are the key component of any sandblaster these nozzles wear out with the passage and of time and use. because the blasting media passes through the nozzles at high speed which in result wears out the nozzles. When the nozzles wears out than the it would push more blasting media through it and would require more air pressure so it would be better to change your blasting nozzle.

Now if you are using a good brand sandblaster they usually provide more than 1 nozzle for your sandblasting gun so you don’t have to buy every time.

Some brands do provide ceramic or other material nozzles so if you have then you don’t need to buy one and simply replace it. It will solve your nozzle issues.

8) Hose problem

Another reason why your sandblaster is having flow problems can be due to problem with your hose. If you are facing such problem

make sure that your hose does not get bend while using it as it may restrict your sandblasting media flow. The Other thing is that you should check a leak in your hose because if there is a leak then the air pressure won’t be coming out as efficient as it can.

Don’t try to tape your leak as the air pressure is a much higher volume that the tape won’t be able to hold it for a longer period, the best option you can opt for is to replace your hose.

we hope so we have addressed all the issues mentioned above, but still if there is any issue that you think we have not covered you can let us know at our contact us page.

Best way to protect car paint from sun?

Posted on by Khadeeja Shafi

When we look at a car the first thought which struck our mind is its color, isn’t it? Light comes in a spectrum of wavelengths, and how a material absorbs and reflects these wavelengths determines what color we perceive. We assume the car’s aliveness by its looks. We’ve all seen a car lose its once-vibrant color after years exposed to the sun, but why does this happen?

The answer is the UV rays. Ultraviolet rays not only affect living beings but also had a great impact on the environment. Well, nowadays with the increase in pollution caused by human beings the ozone layer is becoming thinner and due to this these powerful rays from the sun oxidize your car paint give it an old look and damage your luxurious car from inside and outside.

In this article, we will discuss the best way to protect car paint from the sun. But before this, some questions come in  our mind that:

  • What happens if we are leaving the car out in the sun?

  • How to protect car paint from sun damage?

What happens if we are leaving the car out in the sun?

Have you ever thought about why it is uncomfortable to sit in a car that is exposed to the sun all day? The level of sun exposure is not just making us uncomfortable but also had a great impact on damaging your car. Most drivers know to avoid the sun but not everyone knows why. The sun can cause extensive damage to car paint and make it look old and worn. Sun can cause damage to car paint and fade it. Your car soaks up the sun every time you go out for a ride. As a responsible car holder, you must find out the ways through which you can protect your car paint from sun harmful rays.

How to protect car paint from sun damage?

Summers are hot and hard on your car’s external surface causing the paint to fade away. So what can you do about it? following are the some proactive mentioned tips to keep your car paint save from the sun harmful UV rays following are some maintenance tips :

  • Car sunshade.

  • Wash often.

  • Hand Dry The Exterior.

  • Use a protective wax.

 

  • Car sunshade

Build a carport otherwise, sun and weather damage is inevitable no matter what you wash the car with. Some car covers scratch the paint as dust gets between the cover and paint, the wind blowing against it will be like sandpaper rubbing on the paint. A quality car cover with the plush inner lining (a fabric with a cut pile that is longer and softer than velvet) shouldn’t scratch your car so it’s better to buy that one for your car.

FACT: Remember you should never cover the car when it is wet, as it can lead up to the buildup of mold and other types of fungus and bacteria.

  • Wash often.

Washing your car is one of the best ways to protect your car paint from the sun. High temperatures can merge all of the dust onto the surface of the vehicle. Sun and heat can fade and crack the paint. Frequent washing help remove dirt and dust particles that can cause micro scratches and dull your car’s finish. When you wash your car, it reduces the oxidization and heat of the sun rays.

Things to keep in mind when you are going to wash your car :

  • you need to park the car in a shady area before the wash.
  • Make sure not to let direct sunlight interact with the car paint, especially during the wash.
  • Cleaning the car weekly reduces the impact of UV rays.
  • Hand Dry The Exterior.

If you want to keep your exterior look good drying is also a very important factor. You can hand dry the exterior after the wash using a cotton rag to wipe the wet areas.it will ensure any chemical present in the water does not combine with the UV rays to damage the paint. For example, if you just left the car for air-dry the paint is left unprotected to spot damage caused by the naturally occurring minerals in the water you used for washing.

Sometimes, there is a possibility of oversight some parts of your car could be missed we all are humans errors can occur. when you dry your car, you remove those as well by giving your car a clean and neat finish.

  • Car drying process:

To dry your car follow the steps mentioned below:

  • Step 1: Spray water with a hose at a medium pressure allow water to flow freely over the car surface so that the remaining dirt is removed.
  • Step 2: leave your car for a few minutes to dry.
  • Step 3: Remove the remaining water with the help of squeegee.use the cotton rag or a piece of cloth to wipe down the windows.
  • Step 4: Start from the top and move down and wipe the rest of your car.

 

  • Use a protective wax or sealants:

protective wax

If you really want your car paint shine, then a layer of wax is the best idea to protect UV rays. Make sure to apply wax after washing and drying your vehicle thoroughly, reapplying it from time to time to maintain the layer of protection that it offers against the damage caused by sun rays. it’s important to point out some of its shortcomings.

[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”true” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Car wax traps dirt and dust particles to settle.
They act as a hard shell of protection.[/i2pros][i2cons]Not very good with chemicals cleaners like degreasers, bug and tar remover
other car cleaning products can be harmful to car wax.[/i2cons][/i2pc]

 

sealants

beauty is in the eye of beholder.car wax is not going to highlight paint damage as much as paint sealants, so it might look your older car look better. Sealants are a better option if you want protection and durability.

[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]It provides a deeper depth of paint.
It protects paint longer than wax.
It provides stronger protection.
Increases the vehicle’s resale value.
It makes it easier to wash and dry a vehicle.
[/i2pros][i2cons]Highlights imperfections.
Need more prep work than car wax and polish alone.
Hard to remove.
[/i2cons][/i2pc]

 

Also if you want know how to protect your car from sun & rain click here to see the article:

 

How to use paintless dent removal tools?

Posted on by Khadeeja Shafi

Did it ever happen to your oh-so-pricey automobile to get a dent that defaces the whole beauty of your automobile? If true, then my friend you are not the only one to face this affair. Today, as the world is progressing dents, are the most common circumstance an automobile holder can receive. In the time it happens to all of us. The important thing about using dent removal tools is that we should be able to use them otherwise the result can’t reach perfection.

Your foremost priority should be to repair the dent on your own without using any professional help. According to experts most of the dents are repaired using paintless dent removal techniques. whereas some dents which are impossible to repair don’t follow these techniques.

The following cases are non PDR category:

  • Old vehicles:

Your classical old car bodies can’t resist the tension applied to the repair techniques. Attempting to paintless repair techniques can damage the paint of your car.

  • Paint damage

Paint damage in the dented area should be repaint again. There is no way to remove the dent without paint.

  • Extreme dents

If a dent is too shallow that the metal is pushed too far. At the time of repairing it can cause damage to paint and require repainting

  • Dents near edges

If a dent is at the edge of the body panel its fairly impossible to repair using PDR techniques.

  • Dent with creases

If the dent has a crease in it, you’ll have to visit a car mechanic until and unless you are experienced in this dent removal process.

Whereas these are the cases which can use PDR category:

  • Repair of hail damages
  • Door dings
  • Minor creases
  • Large dent
  • Bodylines damages
TECHNIQUES:

Using PDR techniques we can make our lives easier. The PDR technique is applied using three procedures:

  • Using metal rods to apply required pressure from inside out to remove the dent.
  • By using hot melt adhesives that make it possible to work from outside when is impossible to be repaired by metal rods.
  • As the potential of steel is weakened by the impact a technique is developed by applying the controlling amount of heat through magnetic induction.

 

 

Benefits of using PDR:

  • No damage to the car original paint.
  • No chemicals, no heavy gadget.
  • Total control on the leverage while removing dents.
  • Lightweight, durable very easy to use.
  • No more paying for car workshops.
  • Time-efficient, Affordable cost.
  • You can use it to repair all the other vehicle types including bikes and many more.

What tools are used for PDR

PDR techniques require a large number of tools to accomplish its job. They come in different size and shapes .the essential tools are:

  • LED lighting system
  • Lined dent board
  • Brace, hand, wire, rod and hook tools.
  • Whale tails.

Paintless dent repair glues:

  • Glue guns
  • Glue tabs
  • Spray bottles
  • Slide hammer
  • Dent lifter

PDR products review :

Top 3 products of PDR
Product Item weight Package dimension Buy from Amazon
GLISTEN PDR Tool Dent Puller Kit 2.95 pounds 9.5 x 9.1 x 3.6 inches GLISTEN
Furuix Car Dent Remover PDR Kit 8.58 pounds 9.8 x 2.4 x 9.8 inches Furuix
Manelord Auto Body PDR tools 3.2 pounds 15.5 x 6.2 x 2.4 inches Manelord

Procedure :

let’s start!

  1. First of all clean the dent.
  2. Insert the glue stick in a glue gun, pull the trigger switch on the power and preheat it for 5 minutes.
  3. Choose the Glue Puller Tab based on your dent size, then place the heated glue on the puller tab, in the center of the dent and hold until it sticks AND for large dent need a large gasket you have to pull the trigger gently and apply the plotted gasket with emitted glue.
  4. Place the drawing gasket with hot melted glue at the center of dent, press until the glue sticks through it.
(Note: Let the glue cool for 5 minutes. Cooling time shouldn’t be more than 8 minutes and should be less mostly in winter).
  1. After the glue cooling, use the bridge puller to adjust and press the puller to drag up the dent. Repeat these steps until and unless the dent vanishes.
  2. Use alcohol and plastic shovel to clean up the remaining glue.

It may take several times to repair it if you want to make it near perfect.

Things to consider using dent repair kits:

Warranty :

If your package contains a missing part or has any defects, make sure you have a warranty so that it can provide you a refund, for any reason up to two years from purchase.

Weather:

Its best for the glue you had applied to dry in the shade or near room temperature. The best PDR kits don’t guaranty to resist the changing temperature.

GLISTON 45pcs PDR Tool Dent Puller Kit

It contains special items like:

·  Adjustable Width

·  Pops a Dent Car Dent Removal Kit

·  Golden Lifter

·  Bridge Puller

·  Glue Gun for Automobile Body Motorcycle Refrigerator

Package included:

1X Toolbag

1 X Golden lifter dent puller

1 X Bridge puller

1 X Hot glue gun

5 X Pry tool

16 X Black puller tabs

5 X Yellow glue sticks+5 X Black glue sticks

2X Small plastic shovel+1 XEmpty alcohol bottle

1 X Dishcloth

1 X Instruction

[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”true” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”true” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” button_icon=”icon icon-shopping-cart-1″ link_text=”Buy from AMAZON” link=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NBDUAFL/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01NBDUAFL&linkCode=as2&tag=garagebeast20-20&linkId=2f04736ec311fe02b6ce7b5a3eae09d6″ ][i2pros]Expensive
Easy to use
Includes all components
[/i2pros][i2cons]May not be appropriate for very small dents and dings[/i2cons][/i2pc]

Summary: An inexpensive solution that should be effective at removing dents—as long as they aren’t too small.

Furuix Car Dent Remover PDR Kit

It contains special items like:

· PDR Rods

· Dent remover

· Dent Lifter

· PDR Light Slide Hammer

· Dent Glue Kit

Package included:
1 x Slide Hammer
1 x Repair Hammer
1 x Black Glue Gun（us plug）
10 x Pink Puller Tabs（10 different size）
6 x White Puller Tabs（6 different size）
5 x White Plastic Sticks
1 x T-Bar Puller Dent Lifter
1 x Puller Tabs Holder （more convenient to use the tabs）
1 x Golden Dent Lifter
10 x Blue Tabs
8 x Yellow Tabs
4 x Aluminum Tabs
1 x Yellow LED Line Board
1 x Tap Down with 9 heads
1 x Yellow Plastic Shovel
10 x Black Glue Sticks
1 x Bridge Kit
1 x Red Paintless Dent Repair bag
1 x Yellow Plastic Shovel
1 x Blue Wedge
1 x T-bar puller dent lifter
1 x T-bar Hail Hammer
Pro tools for dent pulling tool dent lifter dent glue sticks.

[i2pc show_title=”true” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”true” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” button_icon=”icon icon-shopping-cart-1″ link_text=”Buy from AMAZON” link=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NBDUAFL/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01NBDUAFL&linkCode=as2&tag=garagebeast20-20&linkId=2f04736ec311fe02b6ce7b5a3eae09d6″ ][i2pros]Rapid dent repair
Reasonably priced[/i2pros][i2cons]Ideal for small dents[/i2cons][/i2pc]

 Summary: An inexpensive solution that should be effective at removing dents—as long as they aren’t too small

Manelord Auto Body PDR Tool

It contains special items like:

· Slide Hammer T bar

· Dent Puller for Car Body Hail

· Dent Remover Automobile Body Repair

Packing includes:
1 x Slide hammer T-bar dent puller
1 x Rubber hammer
5 x Yellow glue stick
5 x Black glue stick
16 x Black glue puller tabs
5 x Blue glue puller tabs
1 x Metal tap down pen
8 x Tap down head
2 x Glue shovel
1 x Empty alcohol bottle
1 x Black Clean Cloth
1 x Instructions
Note: (hot melt glue gun is not included, try to use at 100W hot melt glue gun.)

[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”true” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”true” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” button_icon=”icon icon-shopping-cart-1″ link_text=”Buy from AMAZON” link=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HF341CN/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07HF341CN&linkCode=as2&tag=garagebeast20-20&linkId=72e1b03ee6dc5a92bb033777e8871a87″ ][i2pros]Very simple to use
Good quality
Solid dent puller[/i2pros][i2cons]Doesn’t include the pistol glue[/i2cons][/i2pc]

Summary: Product seems solid – works for what’s intended

How can a car seat expire?

Posted on by Khadeeja Shafi
This is an info-graphic showing that how can a car seat expire

‘’Everything comes to an end there is nothing eternal in this life’’

Have you ever looked at your car seats and thought for a while how can a car seat expire ? but just like an old plastic chair, at last, comes to an expiration date your car seats also expire.

Thinking about it isn’t a big deal for a car seat to expire we can use it? expiry date doesn’t matter?

Yes, your car seats also have an expiration date and using the car seats exceeding these date can be dangerous for your infant life. It’s the matter of life of your loved one. This could be very dangerous if an expired car seat is used.

Car seats have reduced the number of injuries caused by accidents in which your babies lives are at risk. using a car seat is the best way to protect your kid and provide safety but seats Do expire.

In this article we will highlight the main points of car seat expiration:

  • Why car seats expire?
  • How can we check whether our car seat is expired or not?
  • How long car seats are valid for?
  • How to dispose of old car seats or which organization recycle them?

Why car seats expire?

You might be thinking of keeping the car seat of your first child or buy a second-hand car seat for your baby but wait there is an expiration date following this you can’t use an old car seat if it exceeds the time period mentioned.

The child safety car seats are made up of polypropylene tough plastic that flexes under pressure it doesn’t crack easily like other plastics do but as long as it reaches the expiry date the plastic becomes brittle and can be dangerous.

Car seats expire due to the following reasons:

Environmental factors :

Car seats basically stay in cars all day whether it’s hot or cold. During summers as the car become hot the car seats also become hot in a closed window and same in winter the car seats become too cold.  These factors also make the plastic brittle and decrease its life. All this happening to car seats can’t be seen by us in the first look we have to focus on the parts which are slowly decreasing the life of car seats. In case of an accident, these types of car seats bear more damage.

Dampness :

There is a source of Dampness somewhere in your car as the car seat stay all day long somehow day by day it is affected by Humidity and can cause rust. Dampness cause rust in unseen metal parts which can affect how the car seat performs in case of an accident.

Advancements in technology and standards :

The technology is improved and standard is changed. The recent advancement in new car seats are much more advanced than old car seat so why not take advantage of this evolution which ensures more protection to your child. These advancements make sure to meet the updated safety standard.

Misplacement :

The older car seat could have missing parts they are used every day and over the years the car seat faces considerable ups and downs. The pads get washed as the time passes the product loses its integrity and tiny components are often misplaced which can reduce the seating efficiency.

How can we check whether our car seat is expired or not?

  • Before checking whether your car seat is expired or not make sure you know all the history about car seat because sometimes the expiry date label is not mentioned there.
  • Most car seats expire six years after their validation date, they vary by models or brand but only a little bit different is seen.
  • In most cases, you will find a sticker or label
  1. Underneath the seat.
  2. Below the seat cushion.
  3. Or just turn over the seat you will find on its back.

How long car seats are valid for?

Most of the car seats are valid up to 4-8 years they vary by their manufacturer. the expiration date is printed on the car seat if not you can see the car seat manual to ensure the time period. These are some of the brands their expiry date is mentioned below:

Manufacturing brands Validity
Brita 6 years for infant car seats, 9 years for booster seats
Chico 6 years
Cusco 6 years
Dione 8 years for the car seat, 10 years for booster seats
Evenfall 6 years
Evenfall Symphony 8 years
Evenfall Sarema 10 years
Greco Usually, 7 or 10 years, depending on the model
Safety 1st 6 to 8 years, depending on the model
  • In case you can’t find label call the manufacturer and ask about the expiry date.

Did you know it’s illegal to sell an old outdated car seat which does not meet the required standard? If some second thoughts come in your mind to use an old second car, then let me tell you are in trouble. For example, in Canada, the use of these car seats are illegal if they don’t meet the requirements of transportation safety standard.

How to dispose of old car seats or which organization recycle them?

How to dispose of an expired car seat?

An expired seat should be disposed of in a way that it won’t be re-used by anyone. To help ensure a car seat won’t be used after expiration

  1. Firstly, it is a good idea to remove the cover
  2. cut or remove the harness straps
  3. write on it don’t use its expired
  4. place it into a black garbage bag before taking it to be recycled or disposed of.

If your car seat is expired or damaged in a crash so it’s time to get rid of it and buy a new one but before you proceed first of all ensure that your old car seat is properly disposed of or its time to prepare your car seat for the recycling center of trash.

Recycling :

Contact a local car seat trade-in program to recycle your intact car seat:

  • Call the store where your car seat came from and ask whether they need an old car seat or they recycle its parts if it is in good condition.
  • Some stores even offer discounts on a new car seat if you return the old one

Use an evaluation form to donate used car seats.

  • If your car seat is not expired, has never been in an accident then you can donate it to your friend or organization providing family services.
  • for example, websites like

https://westsidebaby.org/ and many more will help you to donate the car seats easily.

Continue reading “How can a car seat expire?”