If you plan to restore a classic car, one thing you can do about it is to restore it to its prime condition. That way, you can both enjoy it on the road and on display. However, you must remember to do it right to prevent your car from encountering problems throughout its lifetime. Check out the following dos and don’ts of classic car restoration to ensure you’ll do it right.
Dos
Before you start tinkering with your classic car, you may want to consider the following things you should do when restoring it:
1. Select A Restoration Type
You need to consider many things when restoring a classic car, and one of them is choosing the most suitable restoration type. Here are the most common levels or kinds of classic car restoration you may want to choose from:
- Concourse Restoration: This is the most expensive and highest type of classic car restoration. Although it’s pricey, most classic car restoration enthusiasts prefer this type as professionals do all the work until it’s completed. With all the work put into it, it’s best not to use it as your everyday utility vehicle.
- Show Car Restoration: This classic car restoration type requires the auto to undergo significant improvement and repair work. With such, you’ll need professionals from sites like studroadpanels.com.au to help ensure you’re repairing or improving the car right. Like concourse restoration, you should only drive the car for short distances. However, you can display it at classic auto exhibitions and shows.
- Street Show Restoration: The car can go to competitions or local car shows of this type. That’s because the repair includes the mechanical work needed to make it drivable, besides adding some extra touches to make it outstanding.
- Driver Restoration: It’s the simplest classic car restoration if you want to make the auto work for personal use. It means the repair you’ll need here will require restoring it into working condition. This basically involves making the car roadworthy.
2. Save Money Using Functioning Parts
You can save on your expenses by using functioning parts when refurbishing or repairing your automobile. That’s because buying authentic reproduction parts of classic cars can be costly. For instance, use the vehicle’s trim as most older models have flashy steel trims. You may only need to use a brand-new trim if it’s been scratched up or dented. When repairing such an issue, you need patience and skill. But if you want it to be done quickly, let a metal shop do it for you.
3. Timeline
You should also consider the timeline for how long you can restore it. You should be prepared if you’ll do the restoration during your spare time as it could take years, if not months. If you’re not in a hurry and doing it as a hobby, this may be fine. But if you want to run a successful classic car business, you may need the help of professionals to make the process quicker.
Don’ts
Besides doing the right thing, you should also refrain from doing some actions when restoring a classic car. That’s to protect the vehicle from being devalued. Some of these don’ts include the following:
1. Don’t Do It Alone
As mentioned, you have to expect months or years when you’re restoring a classic car on your own. However, even if this is so, it’s still best to work with professionals or experts. That’s because these people already have the proper knowledge, time, and tools to perform the restoration safely.
2. Don’t Start Without A Plan
One of the biggest mistakes when restoring a classic car is to start a project without a plan. Most of these projects can fail because you don’t have a map or guide on what to do. As a result, you may end up ruining the entire project if not the car itself. You won’t accomplish anything at all if you can’t make up your mind on what to do and how.
3. Don’t Stick To Old Engine Technology
Another mistake you should avoid is not looking for upgraded or more modernized engine technology. Start by researching new parts that are compatible with your classic car’s engine. By having modernized engine technology, you can improve the performance of your auto.
Conclusion
You shouldn’t take your classic car restoration endeavour lightly. Whether for personal use or business, you need to do it right to preserve the car’s value and performance. You can do this by considering the dos and don’ts in this article.
