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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 family fun time out of it. Classic cars are meant to be one thing, and that is fun, 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 task at hand. You will need 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 at and where the new parts should be placed. When taking the parts of the auto you will need to situate them in an orderly method so you can find them again if you need them. Plastic cartons come in real handy at this stage. Sorting the parts is a wonderful way of keeping track of where they go, what they do, and what the parts are labeled in case you need to buy a newer part. Never throw away the parts until the car is finished as you might need them again at some point.

Tear Down

The second step 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 some time as you will need to take pictures on a continual 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

During this 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 task. This is much easier than it sounds. Sort your parts into two categories: Replace & Repair. Go through the replace box and mark down every part in it on any notepad under the replace column. Do the same thing for the repair parts and place 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 buy. This part of the classic car restoration procedure might seem tedious 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 known as acid dipping but you will need to see if it's offered in your area. This form of stripping doesn't leave sand in every cranny of your car like sand blasting. Acid dipping removes many of foreign substances, such as paint and rust.

Evaluation

During the assessment period, you will estimate what needs to be completed. 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 cases there will also be rust holes and dents. Now take a sharpie marker and identify all the areas that should to be repaired or replaced. In this way you will determine if your car is a keeper or if it is a pile of metal when completed. Take your time to make sure you have found all the problem areas. Once the car is painted you can not undo the project.

Body Work & Final Paint

Start with the hardest job of getting the dents out and removing or repairing the rust spots. Once this is finished you can move on to the lighter jobs. Once your vintage car is done to 36 or 40 grit paper, it is time to paint the final body coat until it is just above level. Before it is completely dry you will take 80 grit paper to along these trouble spots. Once this is finished you can glaze the car. When the glazing has dried the first layer of primer paint can be applied. The prime coat will tell you how smooth your car looks as finished product so it is important to do it right the first time .

Prep & Sand

Now you will need to prep the car for paint and sealer after the dust has been removed off the car. Although it is an extra step, it is best 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 get before moving on. Applying 600 grit wet paper will help you get that hazy mirror effect. Your prep work is complete after this and you can apply the sealer.

Now that your vintage car restoration is finished you can cruise around to show off all your hard work and have a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

Classic Car Restoration

If You Want All The Important And Essential Information On Classic Car Restoration, go to: Car Restoration Tips