Seriously, you need to try this place – it’s one of our all-time favorites. They’ve won awards for their burgers, and also have beer milkshakes that are outstanding! Chocolate with Black Butte Porter or their “White Trash Shake” with Bud Light.

Canyon Grill was nominated by OregonLive.com as one of the top 3 BEST BURGERS in Portland Metro! They are that good! Not a burger lover, no worries… they have 7 great salads, outstanding breakfasts on Saturday & Sunday, and Soup and Sandwich specials, plus extensive menu. Friday night is Friday Date Night with 2 complete Steak Dinners and Monday night is All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti, salad & bread for just $5.95 ($3.95 for kids under 12). Support local – support Canyon Grill.

8825 SW Canyon Road
Beaverton, OR 97225
(503) 292-5131
TheCanyonGrill.com/

Swirls are best when used for soft-serve ice cream, not your car’s paint.

We’ve all seen those ugly buffer swirl marks on dark colored vehicles running around Beaverton and Portland. They’re unsightly and detract from the overall appearance of the car, but more importantly they’re evidence of a substandard detail shop or dealership polishing the paint far too aggressively and potentially shortening its life.

What happens is this: An inexperienced or amateur gets their hands on a power buffer and goes to town. The hum of the motor feels so good, and the harder you buff, the better, right? Wrong. These notorious buffer swirl marks are the result of the heavy-handed use (or over-use) of the buffer, and are actually minute scratches that appear as a halo that can only be seen in direct sunlight. Cloud cover or even fluorescent lighting makes these unattractive buffer swirls invisible.

In the hands of a skilled, trained professional a rotary polisher will achieve amazing results with your paint. The detailing technician polishes it just enough to make it shine without polishing too aggressively. Polishing aggressively removes too much of the protective clearcoat layer which shortens the lifespan of the paint due to reduced UV protection from the sun.

When you see the telltale buffer swirl marks on unfortunate vehicles this summer think to yourself, “They obviously didn’t get their car detailed at Fresh Start Detail.”

So if you or someone else has ‘over buffed’ your vehicle, don’t fret. The good news is Fresh Start Detail can re-polish your paint to remove these ugly swirl marks.

Ah, Spring time. Sunshine. Rain… After a long NW winter, as the sun comes out a bit more often, you’ll begin to see all of that grime, muck, and leftover residue from the winter. What to do? Here are some tips to help you get your ride out from under that cloak of winter nasties.

Wash your car every two weeks, regardless of weather conditions. Sure if it’s raining your car may get dirty again within 10 minutes of leaving the car wash, but you’ve removed the nasty contaminants. Think of it this way, you’re exchanging old dirt for new dirt. You brush your teeth every morning don’t you? Same concept. BONUS: Car wash lines are non-existent when it’s raining! INSIDER TIP: Don’t spend the extra dollar for the liquid wax, it does little to protect your paint.

Make sure to thoroughly clean your wheels. The car wash will get a lot of dirt and brake dust off but usually not all of it. See that buildup in the corners of your wheels? Grab an old toothbrush and a detergent and get them clean! Brake dust is very corrosive and will lead to permanent deposits and etching when left to their own devices. INSIDER TIP: Waxing your wheels will provide a sacrificial layer of protection in between cleaning sessions.

Don’t park under trees if you can avoid it. Trees drop sap, but every species of tree drops different amounts at different times of year. Not only that, but some saps are far more damaging than others. Trees also harbor those well-known enemies of car paint… birds! Between bird poop and tree sap you’ve got an arsenal of paint-etching devils to battle against. Tip the battle in your favor by avoiding trees altogether.

Invest in some rubber/plastic floor mats. Face it: Portland is a rainy, wet, muddy place. You’re constantly tracking dirt and tree needles onto your carpets. Even if you have your factory carpeted floor mats you’ll be serious money ahead by buying a set of rubber mats to protect your carpet. Put your nice factory mats in the trunk until summer time and let the rubber mats take the moisture abuse. BONUS: They’re super easy to clean, just hose them off! INSIDER TIP: Do some research and find mats that are custom fitted to your car instead of the el-cheapo kind you find at department stores.

Do NOT haul gasoline in your car… ever. Let me be clear, NEVER carry gasoline in your car… ever, period. Why? No matter how careful you think you are, there is a distinct possibility that you will spill that gas. If you do, you’re looking at PERMANENT damage and/or a total loss of your vehicle. This is a fact because every spring we get several calls from people who’ve spilled gas in their trunk, usually bringing home gas for their lawn mower. Gasoline fumes then travel to the lowest area, your carpets, and permanently set up shop where their odors will be smelled for eternity. I’m not exaggerating. We have had several vehicles that the insurance company has totaled because the odor could not be removed, even after spending thousands of dollars cleaning and replacing the entire interior. Avoid this serious risk buy NEVER HAULING GASOLINE IN YOUR CAR! So, what can you do? Use a pickup, or call on a friend who has one, to haul it, hire the neighbor’s teenager to walk to the gas station, or the ultimate solution: Replace your gas mower with an electric or old-fashioned push mower.

Taking care of these Spring cleaning tips will not only make your the beauty you fell in love with, but will protect it long term.

OK, so one day during the winter, after that icy spell, you’re driving behind a truck. Suddenly, a piece of gravel gets launched from the truck’s rear tire, right, smack dab into your windshield, giving you a little chip. You’re irked, but you continue on with your day.

Over time, that little chip starts to grow tentacles. Not a real issue while the weather’s gray and dreary.

Then spring starts to creep in. The sun begins to show itself a little more frequently. You’re on your way to work on that spring-like, sunshiny morning. The sun hits that little – now just a little bigger – chip. The problem, beyond the fact that you’ve got a chip in your windshield, is that the sun’s hitting it just right, making it a death ray pointing right into your eyes. Yikes! Time to get it taken care of!

A chipped windshield is way more than just a cosmetic issue. It only gets more expensive to deal with if you don’t take care of it right away. The crack can grow, and a chipped or cracked windshield is just plain dangerous. Here’s some food for thought…

One of the best ways to find out how big of a deal windshield cracks really are is to look how your insurance company handles it. Many car insurance companies have realized that it is much cheaper in the long run to simply fix the cracked windshield, which is why they will waive your deductible and pay for the entire process.

Why a Windshield Chip or Crack is Dangerous

1. The Windshield Can Shatter While Driving

If a there is even a small chip in your windshield, it will eventually turn into a full-fledged windshield crack. This puts both you and your passengers in serious danger. This is because a large windshield crack disrupts that stability of the windshield. If a structurally unsound windshield is hit with a rock on the highway, there is a higher chance that the windshield will shatter.

2. Collisions Become Even More Dangerous

Windshields are designed to be “shatter-proof.” However, once there is a significant windshield crack, the structural integrity of the windshield is compromised. This is critical because windshields are now a more important part of the overall safety of vehicle than ever before. If the windshield shatters upon impact, there is one less barrier between you and the pavement.

3. Fines

You could get a fine or a ticket for having a windshield crack. This is because the crack impairs your ability to see the road and can often be considered as “distracted driving.” This can quickly add up to penalties that are much more expensive than simply getting the crack fixed. Additionally, if there is a large crack in your windshield and you get into an accident, you are at a much higher risk of being labeled “at fault” for the accident because you couldn’t see the whole road.

Get it Taken Care of Now

If you’ve got a chipped windshield, don’t put off getting it repaired. As you can see it will lead to larger issues. The repair typically takes less than an hour. It saves you the cost of a windshield replacement. And, repairing that chip is good for the environment. Windshields that require replacement go right to the landfill. Stop in to Fresh Start Detail and we’ll get you taken care of!

Portions of this article were sourced from: http://EzineArticles.com/3926180

ATB Auto was launched with one goal in mind. Service Excellence.

ATB has been serving Beaverton and Aloha with absolutely the best auto, motorcycle, RV, classic car and general maintenance services for over 20 years in the same location.

Call me personally at 503.683.1ATB and let ATB help you understand why the small shop is the RIGHT shop for you.

ATB services all makes and modelsm and offers everything from major repairs to complete engine overhauls. ATB has become a local tradition at 170th and TV highway.

ATB Auto Repair
16770 sw Shaw Street
Aloha, OR 97006
(503) 683-1ATB
alpegash@aol.com
ATBAutoRepair.com

Keeping your car looking good isn’t just a matter of enhancing its resale value, although that’s important too, it’s also your car’s only line of defense between the sheet metal and the elements. You already know parking lot dings, gravel roads or an angry ex can ruin your car’s paint in the blink of an eye, but a lot of things out there can do just as much, if not more, harm to the exterior of your car.

Ultimately, the best thing you can do is to keep a good coat of wax on your car. Not only does it keep it looking pretty, it helps prevent most paint damage, or at the very least, buys you some time to get your car professionally washed. You should also keep a bottle of quick-detail spray and a microfiber cloth in your trunk. As you’ll see, a lot of these common problems can be prevented with a quick wipe of this solution.

Here is advice on how to deal with common paint-damaging situations.

Wildfires

The Problem: When wet, ash forms an alkali that can ruin your car’s finish.
The Solution: Keep your car covered, use a car duster for white ash, wash thoroughly if it’s soot.

These days it seems like every state is burdened with wildfires. The ash gets everywhere, and your car’s finish is no exception. While your instinct may be to hit the windshield washers, or just hose down the whole car, water mixed with ash can create powerful alkalis, which will ruin your paint. White ash can be removed with a car duster, or just by driving away and letting it blow off. Black ash can scratch your paint, even when you use a duster, so you’ll need to wash it off using a car wash solution, and dry thoroughly. Once the fires are out, get your car professionally washed, and put on a new coat of wax.

Tree Sap

The Problem: Ancient peoples used tree sap as glue for a good reason.
The Solution: Bug and tar remover, mineral spirits, clay bar treatment.

Just wiping sap off when it’s still gooey only smears it around a larger area. Instead, get a bottle of bug and tar remover from your local car parts store, and use it as directed. If the sap dries, mineral spirits can dissolve it, and remaining residue will come off with a clay bar treatment. Just be sure to wax the car after you’re done.

Gas Pump Run Off and Drips

The Problem: Spilled gasoline.
The Solution: Don’t top off, and clean up accidental drips.

Times are tough, but “topping off” your gas tank and accidentally letting it overflow is a surefire way to damage your car’s paint. If left alone, gasoline will leave a stain on your car’s finish that’s nearly impossible to get off. If you do happen to spill gas by accident, the best solution is to grab a bottle of instant detailer and a good, clean microfiber cloth and clean up the gasoline before it does any harm.

Fingertips and Mischief

The Problem: Writing or rubbing on dirty paint causes permanent marks.
The Solution: Keep your car clean.

We’ve all seen “wash me” written on a car’s finish, but the well-intentioned tagger actually just made things worse. Dirt acts like sandpaper when it’s dragged across paint, and it can make the marks last long after the dirt is gone.

Get yourself a long-handled duster and wipe down your car every day to prevent accidental sanding. If it’s too late, most small scratches come out with a polish or scratch remover. Just always be sure to clean the car well before waxing or polishing.

Morning Coffee

The Problem: Coffee and sodas contain acids that can etch your clearcoat.
The Solution: Wash it off immediately.

Driving off with your coffee cup or soda bottle on your roof isn’t just a day-ruiner, it can ruin your paint. Many beverages are acidic, and since any acid can hurt your car’s finish, you’ll want to get it washed off as soon as you can. Letting it sit will only give it more time to do damage, and letting it dry will only make it harder to get off later. If it’s a soda, or if you take a lot of sugar in your coffee, then you’re going to be dealing with a sticky residue in addition to corrosive chemicals. If you can’t hit a car wash, then break out your bottle of quick detailer and your microfiber cloth and wipe it up.

Dirty Car Washing Tools

The Problem: Unseen dirt can scratch.
The Solution: Keep an extra mitt handy.

Washing your own car can be fun, but a common mistake can cause more damage than you think: dropping your sponge. Even the finest, most expensive microfiber wash mitt on the market can be ruined if it touches the ground. The bits of grit and sand it inevitably picks up can’t be entirely washed off, and you’ll have swirl marks and other scratches before you know it. The solution is to never drop anything. But if you’re like us, it’d be best to keep a spare washing mitt or two on hand to avoid the resulting expenses from car detailing or repainting.

Automatic Sprinklers

The Problem: Water leaves hard-to-remove spots on your paint.
The Solution: Stay away from sprinklers whenever possible.

That primo parking spot right next to the planter may look good, but if it has automatic sprinklers, you could be in for trouble. You wouldn’t think that plain water would be such a problem, but the minerals left behind bond to your car’s paint, making them very difficult to remove. Your best bet is to avoid parking where sprinklers can do their damage, but that’s not always possible. If you do get water spots, it’s best to take it to a professional detailer.

The Dove of Happiness… or Bird Poop

The Problem: Bird poop is acidic.
The Solution: Wash it off immediately.

Bird poop isn’t just unsightly. It’s also acidic. Just look at the number of ruined marble statues in pigeon-infested cities and you’ll see what we mean. Not only that, but birds eat seeds and bits of gravel that can scratch your paint.

The solution is to wash bird droppings off as soon as you see them. Use a bottle of quick detail and a soft microfiber cloth to wipe it up. Be sure to use a lifting action, since you don’t want to grind any grit onto your paint.

Bugs

The Problem: Bug guts are acidic.
The Solution: Get to the car wash.

You’re heading home from a road trip when suddenly the eighth plague of Egypt strikes, with thousands of bugs splattering your windshield. But just cleaning the windshield isn’t enough. Bugs are surprisingly acidic, and if you do hit a swarm, don’t let the bugs get the last laugh as their remains slowly etch your paint. Wash your car as soon as you can with a good car wash solution, and for the more stubborn guts, use a bug and tar remover.

source: http://www.carcare.org/2011/10/9-ways-to-ruin-your-paint-without-knowing-it/

Ada Boje is a licensed massage therapist, and the owner of Health Touch Massage Center, and has been practicing massage therapy in Portland Oregon since 1994.

Ada is a lifelong learner and always strives to gain knowledge that will enhance the lives of those she touches. Through the years that she has been a Massage Therapist in Portland Oregon she has taken an integrative approach, connecting the body, soul and community. She has been a massage therapist in the greater Portland area for almost 20 years. Ada has been proud to offer services and strives to improve the lives of those in her community. She shares in the joy and spiritual connection that comes with being able to touch people’s lives in a positive way.

Massage Services

• Swedish
• Deep Tissue
• Myofasicial Release
• Neuromuscular Techniques
• Soft Tissue Release
• Bodytalk Access
• Somassage

Health touch Massage Center
503-641-7743
Contact

Followed by getting out of debt and losing weight, quitting smoking is the third most popular New Year’s resolution.

According to a non-scientific survey of Fresh Start Detail clients, the number one area to have that fateful, resolution-breaking cigarette is in their car. Why? Most smokers agree it is because no one is around to hold them accountable.

Making a big announcement to friends and family will help smokers resist nicotine urges, but those urges can grow quite strong with each passing hour and day after quitting. Many smokers struggling to quit will justify just one cigarette to “take the edge off.” Sadly that first cigarette often leads to another and eventually results in a failed attempt at kicking the habit.

According to behavioral specialists one important part of stopping an addictive habit like smoking is to change your activity and surroundings that may support that habit. For example, someone giving up alcohol wouldn’t continue to go to bars where the temptation is high – sights, sounds, and smells will only feed the urge. Similarly, a quitting smoker should remove themselves from situations where they know ahead of time that they may be tempted or even encouraged to smoke.

Specialists recommend removing all evidence of the smoking habit like all cigarettes, lighters, matches, and ashtrays, as well as laundering clothes to remove the scent of the nicotine. Thoroughly detailing the inside of the car and removing all the cigarette odor will also go a long ways to discourage smokers from lighting up again.

Odds are, if you asked your car where it would most like to be these days, it wouldn’t say, “Portland in the winter time.” And can you blame it, what with the cold, sleet, snow, and other winter nasties?

Winter will take a toll on your car, truck or SUV – inside and out. Cold temperatures make it harder for an engine to work properly. Snow and ice limit traction. Rain creates mud that gets tracked into the car. Potholes damage wheels and tires. Salt causes rust and gravel pits the paint. I can go on…

But there’s no need to fret, if you take the right steps to make sure your car is ready for the winter months.

Waxing – Invest in a professional wash and wax job. Doing it yourself may help some, but let the pros do the job. When washing it yourself, using household cleaners and even some store bought car cleaners will yield a result that’s less than ideal. Getting wax in and out of the nooks and crannies, and waxing in places non-pros often don’t consider will make a huge impact. This step is one of your primary lines of defense, so don’t go cheap or quick with it.

Headlight Check – Take a good look at your headlights. Are they aligned? Is one dimmer than the other? If you need to replace bulbs, do them as a set – same with restoring the headlight covers. Are the headlight covers faded? Driving with yellowed or faded headlights can be an extreme hazard as the darkness falls earlier in the day. If they are yellowed or faded, you should consider headlight restoration service.

Stop Stains Before They Happen – With the rain comes mud. And with your shoes, that mud gets into the car and can cause both water and mud stains in your car’s carpeting or upholstery. Get a pre-season treatment to prevent those stains before they happen.

Snow Tires and Chains – The condition of your car’s tires is critical during the winter. If the tires are worn, or they are high performance tires, braking, acceleration and handling are all negatively impacted while driving on slippery roads. Make sure you’ve got enough tread to be able to handle wet and icy conditions. And put a set of chains in the car – you never know when you’ll need them, especially if you’re a snow bunny.

Tire Pressure – It is critical to have properly inflated tires, as this guarantees the best possible contact between the tire and the road. A properly inflated tire will also help protect against wheel damage that might occur as the vehicle is driven over potholes. Read your owner’s manual to find the correct tire pressures.

Check your 4WD – Portland is an SUV mecca. If you’re an SUV owner, make sure the system engages and disengages smoothly, and that there are no strange noises coming from the drivetrain. Make sure that the transmission and gear oil levels are correct. Your owner’s manual will state at what speeds and environments the 4WD can be activated.

Belts & Hoses – Inspect belts and hoses – cold weather can be a killer on them, especially if they’re close to needing replacement.

New Wiper Blades and Fluid – Replace your blades if it’s been more then a couple months since you last replaced them, and make sure you’ve got a full supply of wiper fluid.

Battery Check – Cold temperatures can reduce a vehicle’s battery power by up to 50 percent. If your vehicle battery is older than three years, have it tested at a certified automotive repair facility. Also, make sure the posts and connections are free of corrosion. This is especially important if you park outside.

Anti-Freeze – The ideal mixture of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your vehicle’s radiator is 50:50. If the mixture deviates from this norm, then hot- and cold-weather performance can be compromised. You can check the radiator’s mixture by using an antifreeze tester, which can be purchased at all auto parts stores. If the mixture is off, adjust it by adding either coolant or water.

Gear Up for Emergencies – Make sure you’ve got an emergency kit in the trunk. Things you might want to consider carrying:

The 2011 Holiday Ale Festival welcomes you and is one of our favorite events of the year!