Starting A Classic Car Restoration Project

Blog

If you have an older vehicle sitting in your garage that you wish to restore, you may have contemplated doing the project on your own. While doing car restoration projects can indeed be a fulfilling hobby, you will most likely need to enlist the help from a professional for certain parts of the process. Here is a list of which parts of a restoration can be handled on your own and which would be better to have a professional get involved

The Engine

If the engine in your vehicle is not in working order, you can try to rebuild it yourself or replace it with another engine. Many people try restoring their vehicle with as many original parts as possible, so rebuilding is often the desired method. This may be part of the project where a professional restoration specialist would come in handy. They will help you find the proper parts to keep as much of the original engine in tact.

If you are mechanically inclined, you can attempt taking on this part of the project yourself, but be ready for a lot of trial and error to get the engine into running condition, often costing you more in parts than you wish.

The Body

One of the most time-consuming parts of a car restoration project is getting the body back to its original condition. If the car is riddled with rust and dents, you will be undertaking a huge task. The best part, however, is that this type of work is pretty cut and dry and can be done on your own. You would need to remove all rusted areas with a spray chemical. Larger metal portions with corrosion may need to be replaced and welded into place.

If you are not proficient in welding, a professional would be able to handle this part of the bodywork. Remove dents by hammering them out or by filling them in with auto body filler. If using filler, sand it to smooth the finish so it is uniform with the rest of the body. After you make repairs to the body, it will need to be painted. This is a part of the project that should be done professionally.

The Trim

All of the extras you put on your car can be done on your own. These are the pieces that will give your car character, so take your time finding the exact pieces that match the look you desire. Many pieces such as headlight surrounds, door handles and badges can be found online or by visiting junkyards. 

Try going to a few classic car shows to look for pieces, as well. Many restoration enthusiasts will know the best places to find trim for classic car projects and they may be able to steer you into the right direction. With a little perseverance, your vehicle will be looking as close to its original condition as possible.

To learn more about car restoration, contact a company like Porsche Services

Share

24 June 2015

what is keeping your car from starting?

You get in your car, turn the key and nothing happens. Your day is immediately put on hold and you don't know what to do. Could it be a dead battery, a bad starter or some other unknown element in the car keeping you from going about your business? To learn about the many things that could be keeping your car from starting, visit through my website. Here, you will find a run-down of the many things that could be causing your problem, so that you can more quickly get the problem resolved and get back to your day as you had it planned.