Braxton Car Lights go the extra mile
Driving after dark is a different ball game to daytime motoring, with the lights of other drivers, street lamps and intersections bearing down brightly from the black.
It’s more difficult to judge distances, and even if you’re an experienced driver there’s no assurance others on the road are too.
Being seen and seeing clearly is vital for road safety.
As with other aspects of car maintenance, it pays to go for quality with vehicle lighting to avoid recurring problems.
This applies to both parts and workmanship.
Braxton Car Lights deals exclusively in automotive lighting and has tens of thousands of parts on hand, as well as a workshop providing affordable repairs for a wide range of issues.
Sales manager Richard Vernimmen says vehicles of every type can get their lighting sorted by the specialists on Gasson St, who as part of New Zealand’s largest automotive importer, the BE Group, has virtually unlimited access to parts.
Braxton Car Lights often has jobs referred its way from workshops, although independent motorists can find a number of useful services at the Sydenham showroom, too.
Among the most popular is headlight restoration to bring back the crystal-clear look of new lenses to those discoloured by sunlight.
UV rays can cause headlights to appear yellowed or milky over time, but by shaving off the first few layers of a lens, Braxton Car Lights can bring them back to almost new condition.
‘‘It is much more effective than any of the DIY cleaners. Those might get you through one warrant of fitness, but the way we do it will last for years,’’
Richard says.
Faulty seals on headlights can also be repaired.
Subaru Forester lights are particularly prone to letting in water, Richard says.
However, most vehicles can have their lamps dried out and a new seal applied, so drivers can get back on the road with minimal fuss.
Braxton Car Lights also manufacturers its own adjusters, a service especially useful for owners of rare or historic cars.
Braxton’s adjusters are usually stronger than factory originals, and as with other services, are provided with a view to saving customers money wherever possible. ‘‘We’re all about service and value for money,’’ Richard says. ‘‘If people aren’t happy with what we’ve done, we’ll put the cost toward the price of a new lamp.’’
He adds that people shouldn’t wait to deal with a lighting fault.
‘‘It’s a safety issue so we encourage people to take a walk around their car in the dark every so often just to check.
‘‘A lot of people keep our name on the fridge for when they do need us, which is a good idea because while quality work lasts a lot longer, it is always only a matter of time.’’
❚ For anything to do with automotive lighting, call Braxton Car Lights on 03
371 1102, visit at 95 Gasson St, Sydenham, or go online to braxtoncarlights.co.nz