Glossary
Car Customizing Glossary: Plain-English Terms
Words you will hear when someone talks about tint, paint, wraps, audio, lighting and lifts, explained simply.
Call us today615-925-3388- Tint film
- A thin film applied to glass to cut glare, heat and visibility.
- Ceramic tint
- A window film made with fine ceramic particles that block heat without much darkness.
- Carbon tint
- A matte black window film that uses carbon particles instead of dye.
- Dyed tint
- A basic window film that uses a layer of dye to darken the glass.
- Sun strip
- A band of dark film across the top of a windshield.
- Paint protection film
- A thick clear film that shields paint from chips and scratches, also called clear bra.
- Ceramic coating
- A liquid layer that cures into a hard, slick, glossy shell on the paint.
- Clearcoat
- The clear top layer of paint that gives gloss and protects the color.
- Base coat
- The color layer of a paint job under the clearcoat.
- Candy paint
- A transparent color sprayed over a bright base so the shade deepens with each coat.
- Pearl paint
- Paint with tiny flakes that shift color in the light.
- Metallic paint
- Paint with small metal flakes that sparkle.
- Matte finish
- A flat, non-reflective paint or film finish.
- Satin finish
- A soft sheen between matte and gloss.
- Primer
- A base layer that helps paint stick and hides small flaws.
- Color change
- Changing the color of a vehicle with paint or a wrap.
- Vinyl wrap
- A film applied over a vehicle’s panels to change color or finish.
- Knifeless tape
- A thread-like tape that cuts wrap film without a blade touching the paint.
- Chrome delete
- Covering chrome trim with black film or paint.
- Blackout
- A dark theme that covers trim, badges and lights in black.
- Decal
- A cut vinyl graphic applied to a surface.
- Pinstripe
- A thin painted or vinyl line used as decoration.
- Airbrush
- A small spray tool used to paint fine artwork.
- Paintless dent repair
- Removing a dent by pushing it out from behind, without repainting.
- Wet sanding
- Sanding paint with water to level it before polishing.
- Polishing
- Using a machine and a compound to remove fine scratches and bring back gloss.
- Orange peel
- A slight texture in paint that looks like the skin of an orange.
- Jamb
- The edge of a door opening that shows when the door is open.
- Body kit
- A set of bumpers, skirts and flares that changes a vehicle’s shape.
- Splitter
- A flat extension below the front bumper that manages airflow.
- Diffuser
- A shaped panel under the rear bumper that guides air.
- Spoiler
- A lip or panel on the trunk that changes airflow and the profile.
- Wing
- A raised airfoil on the rear that creates downforce.
- Widebody
- A kit with flared fenders that fits wider wheels and tires.
- Fender flare
- An extension of the fender that covers bigger tires.
- Hood scoop
- A raised intake or decorative shape on the hood.
- Grille
- The opening in the front of a vehicle that lets air reach the radiator.
- Moonroof
- A glass panel in the roof that slides or tilts open.
- Sunroof
- An opening panel in the roof that lets in light and air.
- Panoramic roof
- A very large glass roof panel.
- Leather kit
- A set of tailored leather covers made for a vehicle’s exact seats.
- Perforation
- Small holes in leather that let air pass through.
- Contrast stitching
- Thread of a different color from the leather.
- Bolster
- The raised side of a seat that holds you in place.
- Headliner
- The fabric-covered panel that lines the roof inside.
- Suede
- A soft, napped leather or synthetic used on trim and roofs.
- Heated seat pad
- A thin heating element fitted under a seat cover.
- Ventilated seat
- A seat with fans that move air through perforated leather.
- Starlight roof
- A headliner with fiber optic points that glow like stars.
- Ambient lighting
- Soft interior lights that trace the dash and doors.
- Head unit
- The main radio or touchscreen in the dash.
- Component speakers
- Speakers with a separate woofer and tweeter.
- Coaxial speakers
- Speakers with the tweeter built into the woofer.
- Tweeter
- A small speaker that plays high notes.
- Subwoofer
- A large speaker that plays the deepest notes.
- Enclosure
- The box that a subwoofer or speaker is mounted in.
- Amplifier
- A device that powers speakers with clean power.
- Gain
- An amplifier setting that matches its input to the source.
- Crossover
- A filter that sends the right notes to the right speaker.
- Sound deadening
- Mats and foam that stop panels from vibrating and cut noise.
- Butyl mat
- A sticky damping sheet rolled onto metal panels.
- Fiberglass build
- A custom shape made by layering resin and glass fiber.
- Ground wire
- The cable that completes a circuit to the vehicle’s metal.
- Fuse
- A safety part that breaks a circuit when too much current flows.
- Relay
- A switch that lets a small signal control a heavy load.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode, a small, bright, long-lasting light source.
- Underglow
- Lights mounted under a vehicle that glow on the ground.
- HID
- A bright headlight that uses a gas arc, also called xenon.
- Halogen
- The traditional filament headlight bulb.
- Projector headlight
- A headlight with a lens that focuses light into a sharp beam.
- Retrofit
- Rebuilding a headlight or part with newer components.
- Halo ring
- A glowing ring around a headlight projector.
- Switchback
- A signal light that is white as a running light and amber when flashing.
- Light bar
- A long LED light mounted on a roof or bumper.
- Rock lights
- Small lights mounted low to light the ground and trail.
- Remote start
- A system that starts the engine from a key fob or phone.
- Bypass module
- A part that lets a remote start work with a vehicle’s key security.
- Two-way remote
- A key fob that receives a reply from the vehicle.
- Immobilizer
- A system that stops the engine from starting without the correct key or action.
- Kill switch
- A hidden switch that cuts a circuit the engine needs.
- Shock sensor
- An alarm sensor that feels impacts to the vehicle.
- GPS tracker
- A device that reports the location of a vehicle.
- Dash cam
- A camera on the windshield that records the road.
- Parking sensor
- A sensor that beeps as you near an object.
- Keyless entry
- Locking and unlocking with a remote instead of a key.
- Lift kit
- Parts that raise a vehicle’s body or suspension.
- Leveling kit
- Spacers that raise the front of a truck to match the rear.
- Body lift
- Spacers that raise the body above the frame.
- Suspension lift
- New springs and shocks that raise the vehicle.
- Coilover
- A shock and spring in one adjustable unit.
- Lowering spring
- A shorter spring that brings the vehicle closer to the ground.
- Sway bar
- A bar that reduces body roll in corners.
- Alignment
- Adjusting the wheel angles so the vehicle tracks straight.
- Offset
- How far a wheel’s mounting face sits from its center.
- Bolt pattern
- The number and spacing of a wheel’s lug holes.
- Staggered fitment
- Wider wheels or tires on the rear than the front.
- Tire profile
- The height of the sidewall compared with the tire’s width.
- All-terrain tire
- A tire built for the road and for dirt and gravel.
- Mud-terrain tire
- A tire with deep lugs for mud and rock.
- Big brake kit
- Larger rotors and calipers that stop with more force.
- Caliper
- The part that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.
- Rotor
- The disc that the brake pads grip.
- Tonneau cover
- A cover that closes over a pickup bed.
- Running board
- A step under the doors of a truck or SUV.
- Nerf bar
- A tubular side step.
- Winch
- A motorized spool that pulls a vehicle with a cable or rope.
- Recovery point
- A strong mount for pulling a stuck vehicle.
- Torque spec
- The tightness a fastener should be turned to.
- Cure time
- The time film, paint or a coating needs to harden fully.
- Fitment
- How well a part fits a vehicle.
What should I bring or prepare?
Bring the vehicle, any parts you have already bought and a few ideas or photos. Remove valuables, and tell us about warning lights or known problems so we can plan around them.
Do you work on every make and model?
On most. Tell us the year, make and model and we will confirm what is possible and which options fit.
Will upgrades affect my vehicle’s other systems?
Done right, they should not. We use fused circuits, proper connectors and parts made for your vehicle, and we explain what each upgrade touches before we start.
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Tell us about your vehicle, what you would like done and when you would like to start. We reply promptly and treat every inquiry with care. Prefer to talk? Call 615-925-3388.
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Nashville Custom is an automotive customizing shop in Nashville, Tennessee. We tint, paint, wrap, upholster, wire, light, lift and build, from a single set of heated seats to a complete custom vehicle, with clean installs you can see and feel every day.
- 615-925-3388
- Custom auto customizing shop
- Nashville, Tennessee
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