Car Restoration: A Beginners Guide

From Classic Car Life

Car Restoration is a pastime that is enjoyed by many classic and vintage car enthusiasts. Depending on the age and condition of restoration cars, there are certain things that need to be done in order to bring an old car back to its original state. Car Restoration can be a timely and costly hobby, but it is also extremely rewarding once completed. See the following general guide to restoring a classic or vintage car so that it shines as if new.

Space

You will first need to find an appropriate area to carry out your Car Restoration. This area has to be large enough to fit the car in it, as well as the classic car parts and tools needed. Electricity, water, good lighting and shelter are all important.

Once you have decided on your spot, lay down some tarp on the floor. This is useful for keeping all small, loose classic car parts in place.

Create a way of organising parts. Labelled shelves and bins are a great way of keeping track of all types of parts.

Take Apart

With the right tools, unbolt all the outside classic car parts of the car. This includes the wheels, doors, bumpers, bonnet, boot lid, lights, and grill. Standard hand tools and some oil to loosen should be adequate for this removal.

Now, take away the large inner components such as the engine, transmission, axles, springs, radiator and sub-frames. Bigger tools will probably be necessary for these. A hoist will come in handy to remove the engine and transmission.

Then detach all the interior pieces. These include seats, console, carpets and trim. Be very careful with the trim pieces in particular, as these are next to impossible to replace with certain types of classic or vintage car.

Any exterior body pieces that you think need replacing will have to be cut out. These could include the quarter panels or fenders.

Restoration Cars

After you have replaced or improved on the classic car parts that needed attention, you can then start to rebuild the car with all the new parts. Certain areas may need to be replaced entirely, whilst others could just need a bit of work done to them. It is not worth placing old car parts back into the car if they are not of a high quality.

Now, hang the restored outer pieces back (doors, boot lid, fenders etc.). Some welding with new metal may be necessary if there was rust damage.

Place the new or restored transmission, axles, engine, radiator, wheels and other engine parts.

Paint the exterior of the vintage car. You will need to sand, prime and then paint. This can also be done in a garage for a professional job.

If necessary, rewire all lights. Then attach the bumpers. Replace broken windows. Complete the job by replacing old interiors with reupholstered seats, new carpet, cleaned trim pieces, consoles and door panels.