Have you just purchased a classic car, and all you are worrying about is restoration car parts? We hope that this ultimate guide of six steps will be of much help to you.
We understand that the process of restoring cars can be as complicated as solving a math puzzle or as simple as lacing up your shoes. Either way, it is time-consuming and needs patience. But the time spent depends on how well organized you are before and during the restoration process.
For that, we make sure that you stay organized all through the process. Experiencing difficulty at one or multiple points is okay with newbies. But as time goes by, one gets accustomed. After practicing the procedure below, it eventually sinks in the conscious, and then subconscious mind. We are making the process easier.
Never ever start doing anything in your classic car without proper planning. It is the most vital process. Within the plan, there are costs, duration, and materials for the procedure.
But before reaching at costs, duration, and materials, one must set goals for restoration, visualize the final product firsts and then put up targets. Targets are set based on the following considerations.
- Location
- Budget
- Aspirations
- Time frame
- Tools of the trade
- Final product
The prices, types of car restoration parts, and legal requirements vary from state to state in the USA. Knowing the limits within which you can operate is exceedingly helpful. But most importantly, knowing accessibility to the right materials is paramount.
Budgeting is essential in car restoration. Always begin with setting the limits for the amount you are willing to spend on the car. It is from the amount that you can estimate how much you will spend on each part. Make sure you work with the price tags for various car restoration parts from a trusted dealer.
Aspirations include personalized plans for the car. Do you want to work on specific parts or the entire vehicle? Answering the questions is an essential part of the plan.
Even after the setting aspirations, how long do you wish to take to accomplish them? Be realistic. Consider all the involvements in setting time.
Do you have the right tools for the job? You already know what needs to be done. Aspire to gather all relevant tools prior to commencement.
Set targets for the complete restoration. Then break down to specific milestones and the particular time frame for completion.
During the process, make sure to do extensive research, document everything, and collaborate with professionals!
Step 2. Initialization of the car restoration
Armed with the right tools of the trade, get set to tackle the task ahead in the right way.
During this stage, you have to accomplish specifics targets in the following stages:
Also, make sure that you are keener with the removal of widescreens and headlights. Often remove the rubber seals, which is conventional technology for most vintage cars. For UV protected headlight, get clear guidance on removal and replacement.
You are suspending the car after doing the necessities above. Reassembling needs rotisserie. But in case you do not have one, kindly proceed with the using couple of jack stands.
At this point, you are ready to get started with overhaul. However, you need the most appropriate restoration car parts to proceed. Cary out window shopping for the available equal replacement to the original. But a more improved alternative would do better.
Step 3. Grit and paint the entire car
The real magic is yet to begin in this stage. Everything done here is more crucial to car restoration. Because it dictates the new face of your car. Therefore, you have to be very keen and follow all the details to the later.
For successful painting, please proceed in the following steps:
- Strip off all the paint
- Remove rust and dents.
- Sealing underneath
Sandpapers are essential for the successful removal of the paints, rust, and dents. Process in a more careful manner to make sure your rusty and dull surface is shiny clean. Check all the angles, nocks, and interlocking space, which are often forgotten in the process.
A-must-do before and during the painting
After careful completion of the above activities, the car is clean for painting. But not yet ready for painting.
- Check parts that need welding and proceed with welding.
- After welding, smoothen the surface and apply fillers where necessary.
- Wipe the entire vehicle surfaces again and again.
- Proceed with spraying the shell using a primer.
- Lightly apply 500 grit sandpaper.
You could hire a professional painter at this juncture for perfect work.
Step 4. Work on the engine
It is time to do the overhaul of the engine. Here, two things are involved, either you will recon or an upgrade the engine basing on your budget. The actual magic works here. The mechanical skills are put to the test.
We recommend that you replace all gaskets and external seals to prevent any linkages. Also, while the engine is out, replace the timing belt and water pump. For engine swap, get a better engine that has lower mileage.
If you are quite unsure of anything in this stage, please reach out to a professional to avoid costly mistakes.
Replace other essential parts. They include:
- Alternator
- Power steering pump
- Air conditioning pump
- Brackets
- Coolant pipes
- Radiator, turbo
- Manifolds
- When done, you can give them details using either of the following:
- Wrinkle paint
- Powder coating
- Chroming
Last but not least, you need to bring your car together, starting with the engine mount. Hook all the wiring up and any other necessity. That is before testing.
- Upon completion with engine reassemble the flowing
- Brake system
- Fuel system
- Suspension
- Wiring
- Engine and gearbox
- Cooling system
- Rubber, windscreens, and windows
All is said and done! Get it on the road and find out if there is an unsolved issue.
Check the functionality of:
- Radio
- Air conditioner
- Heater, brakes
- Lights, windows
- Dashboard
- Dash instrument
