Classic Car Restoration Tips
Dan Farrell
Classic car restoration is a big ordeal, but if it's done right it can also be a lot of fun, especially if you do it with your family and make a big family pleasurable time out of it. Classic cars are meant to be one thing, and that is pleasurable, if it's not fun for you, then you might want do yourself a favor and sell it.
Shop Preparation
The first step during a classic car restoration is to get your shop ready for the project. You will require a camera, a place for the parts, and a labeling system. It is best to take pictures of the parts as you pull them off so you know where they were came from and where the new parts should be placed. When taking the parts of the auto you will need to place them in a neat method so you can locate them again if you need them. Plastic boxesCardboard containers come in real handy at this point. Labeling the parts is a wonderful way of remembering where they go, what they do, and what the parts are named just in case purchase a new part. Never throw away the parts until the car is completed as you might need them again at some point.
Tear Down
The 2nd phase to classic car restoration is to tear down the car in sections. Begin at one end and work your way down the car until you reach the end. This process will take quite a bit of time as you should take pictures on a continuous basis. The pictures will remind you of what the vehicle looked like before the part was taken off and then after the part was removed.
Inventory
In the next step you will find out what parts can be reused and what parts will need to be replaced. This is the perfect time to look at your budget for your classic car restoration job. This is much easier than it looks. Arrange your parts into 2 categories: Repair & Replace. Go through the replace box and mark down every part in it on any notepad under the replace column. Now do the same thing for the repair parts and put them on your any notepad under the repair column. Now you have an idea of what you might need and what you don't need to purchase. This part of the classic car restoration task might seem boring but it will return a profit in the end.
Cleaning Process
Once all the parts are removed you can begin to strip your car down to bare metal. There are several methods to get your car in this state, including sand blasting, glass beading, garnet blasting, and sodium bicarbonate blasting. The best way is acknowledged as acid dipping but you will need to check to see if it's offered in your area. This form of stripping doesn't leave sand in every gap of your car like sand blasting. Acid dipping removes a lot of foreign substances, such as paint and rust.
Evaluation
While during the assessment period, you will calculate what needs to be done. Many classic cars will need the floorboards and the trunk floors, including trunk extensions that attach to the trunk floors changed out, and in most situations there will also be holes and dents. Now take a sharpie marker and mark all the areas that need to be repaired or replaced. This process will discover if your vintage car is a beauty or if it is a pile of metal when finished. Take your time to make sure you have identified all the problem areas. Of course, once the car is painted you can not go back.
Body Work & Final Paint
Begin with the hardest tasks of removing the dents out and filling the rust spots. Once this is complete you can move on to the less arduous jobs. Once your classic car is done to 36 or 40 grit paper, it is time to paint the last body coat until it is just above level. Before it is completely dry you will take 80 grit paper to along those spots. Once this is complete you can glaze the car. After glazing has dried the first layer of primer paint can be applied. The prime coat will resolve how silky smooth your car looks finished so it is very important to do it right the first time .
Prep & Sand
You will need to prepare the car for paint and sealer after the dust has been removed from the car. Although it is an extra process, it is better to seal the car at this point. Begin with 220 grit wet sandpaper to even the surface of the primer. Apply 320 grit wet paper will help you get that dull shine that you want to see before moving on. Applying 600 grit wet paper will help you get that hazy mirror effect. Your prep work is now complete and now you can apply the sealer.
Now that your classic car restoration is complete you can cruise around to display all your hard work and have a wonderful sense of accomplishment.
Classic Car Restoration (http://www.used-car-los-angeles.net/UsedCarArticles/340483-vintage-car-restoration.php)
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