Classic car restoration is a huge project, 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 restoration. 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 take them off so you know where they were came from and where the new parts should be positioned. When taking the parts of the car you will need to situate them in a neat fashion so you can locate them again when need them. Cartons come in handy at this point. Sorting the parts is a wonderful method of keeping track of where they go, what they do, and what they are named in case you need to purchase a newer part. Never throw away the parts until the car is completed as you might need them again at some point.

Tear Down

The second phase to classic car restoration is to tear down the car in sections. Start at one end and work your way down the car until you reach the end. This process will take a lot of time as you should take pictures on a continual basis. The pictures will consist of what the auto looked like before the part was taken out and then after the part was removed.

Inventory

During this step you will determine 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 a lot easier than it sounds. Sort your parts into two categories: Repair & Replace. Go through the replace box and mark down every part in it on any notes under the replace column. Now do the same thing for the repair parts and put them on your any notes under the repair column. By now you should 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 dull 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 method is acknowledged as acid dipping but you will need to check to see if it's available 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

While during the assessment period, you will evaluate 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 many cases there will also be holes and dents. Now take a sharpie marker and mark all the areas that need to be repaired or replaced. In this way you will discover whether your vehicle is a beauty or whether it is a pile of metal when completed. 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 Prime Coat

Begin with the hardest tasks of removing the dents out and filling the rust spots. Once this is done you can move on to the less arduous jobs. Once your vintage car is finished to 36 or 40 grit paper, it is time to spread the last body coat until it is just above level. Before completely dry you will take 80 grit paper to along those problem areas. Once this is complete you can glaze the car. When the glazing has dried the first layer of primer paint can be applied. The priming process will resolve how silky smooth your classic car looks finished so it is vital to do it correct the first time around.

Prep & Sand

Now you will need to prep the car for paint and sealer once the dust has been removed from the car. Although it is an extra step, it is better to seal the car at this point. Begin with 220 grit wet sandpaper to smooth the surface of the primer. Apply 320 grit wet paper will assist to 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 complete after this and now you can apply the sealer.

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

Classic Car Restoration

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