Classic car restoration projects can quickly become obsessions. Purchasing a vehicle that requires restoration is an excellent way of laying your hands on a classic car and there are many tasks that can be carried out without the need for professional help. The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to car restoration DIY projects is that very few things will really be as simple as you anticipate. When you are preparing for the restoration, a well thought out plan of attack is the best approach so let us take a look at some of the car restoration basics.
Take Stock in Preparation of Restoration Basics
Do a thorough inspection, taking notes, going over the vehicle one section at a time. Take stock of the condition of the body parts, interior, electrical system, engine, exhaust, suspension and frame.
Prepare a Monthly Schedule
Antique car restoration is a big task. To avoid getting bogged down with lots of work, create short term tasks and strive to complete them within the deadlines you set. Begin with what you know the best.
Get Estimates from a Professional
There will be situations when you need to hire professionals to get the work done. This will obviously save you time, but it will also save money. Multiple attempts to complete a task you are not up for will cost you more and more. Make a list of such elements and get estimates from more than one person so you can get the best deal.
Find the Right Car
To begin, look for a vehicle that can be easily repaired. Contact various salvage car dealers and junk yards to find a vehicle that suits your budget and preference. Buying the cheapest salvage vehicle isn’t the best idea. If the vehicle has a severely damaged frame, or if the vehicle is extremely rusted, you will incur additional expenses to get it restored. In order to avoid such hassles, have the car inspected by a trained mechanic so that you know if it’s really worth buying and restoring.
A vehicle that has been partly restored may be easier to work with. Look at all your options and join online car forums to find out if anyone has a project car for sale.
Car Disassembly
Once you have a plan of attack, start any disassembling that needs to happen. For some, this will be a complete tear down of the vehicle, bolt by bolt, to the frame. Regardless of the level of tear down, take a detailed inventory of all parts that need work. As they are removed from the vehicle, write them down and note if they are to be repaired or replaced. Take photographs, keep detailed notes and index the items. Working in the same order in which you’ve already made notes on the different sections of the car will help keep you organized. You will need these lists later when you are ready to start ordering parts.
Engines
It is highly unlikely that your restoration project will arrive with a fully-working engine. As with any other form of vehicle restoration, the true enthusiast will want every aspect of the vehicle looking as original as possible. The market for classic cars offers a number of alternatives for this and there are a large number of parts dealers that specialize in providing original parts. These dealers can be easily located in specialist classic car magazines or on the Internet.
As an alternative, there are now companies that supply patterned engine parts for classic cars with the original company branding marks already added. This gives the impression of new parts being completely original and serves to create an authentic feel on your classic car.
Bodywork
One of the biggest tasks you are likely to encounter during any restoration project is the bodywork. As well as having to deal with the usual array of dents and scratches, it is also very likely that vulnerable areas of the classic car will be the victim of corrosion. Although it is entirely possible to use acidic rust treatments on small areas, larger areas of metal corrosion need to be removed so that new metal plates can be welded in. This is particularly common around wheel arches and along sill panels and the fix requires a high level of skill.
Dents should be removed as much as possible using a flip, hammer and dolly. Any remaining depressions should be rectified with body filler. The great thing about body filler is that it can be easily rubbed out so that more can be added if you get the shape slightly wrong while sanding.
Paintwork
Only the most adventurous classic car restoration enthusiasts should try to paint the vehicle themselves. Any finishing touches to body repairs and the entire paint job should be passed into the hands of a professional paint sprayer.
Always aim to keep colors original when completing a restoration project. It will preserve the spirit and appearance of your classic car and help your project retain its value in the event of any subsequent sale.
Trim and Moldings
Always use original trim and moldings to give your classic car that perfect finishing touch. Headlamp surrounds, door handles, badges and fenders all add to the final appearance, but keeping trim as original as possible will not always be easy.
Although magazines and the Internet will undoubtedly find you a few spares, one of the best places to find trim and moldings for your classic car is at specialist shows held on a regular basis throughout the country. Classic car enthusiasts use these shows to pick up a few cosmetic bargains. Because everybody present has a vested interest in restoration work, the chances of getting ripped off are pretty remote.
Scout for Help
If you personally do not know another car enthusiast, do not be afraid to search sources. Today, access to all kinds of information has been revolutionized with the Internet. There you will find loads of information ranging from varieties of cars, their parts, where to find them and how to fix them. There are books and magazines as well that can be of great help to you on this subject as well as getting beyond the restoration basics.
Seek Out Discount Parts
After you have purchased the vehicle, look for automobile spares and parts online. There are several auto parts wholesalers online, who will sell you car parts at discounted rates. You could also contact junk yards to get replacement parts quite reasonable. Consider using aftermarket car parts particularly for car hoses and belts. This will significantly lower the cost of your restoration project.
Even though these are some of the restoration basics there are a lot of steps along the way.
