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Classic car restoration is a big 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 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 take them off so you know where they were came from and where the new parts should be placed. When taking the parts of the vehicle you will need to place them in an orderly manner so you can locate them again if you need them. Cartons come in real handy at this point. Sorting the parts is a wonderful way of remembering where they go, what they do, and what the parts are named in case you need to purchase a newer part. Never throw away the parts until the car is completed as you may need them again at some point.

Tear Down

The 2nd step 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 will need to take pictures on a continual basis. The pictures will be what the auto looked like before the part was taken out 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 best time to look at your budget for your classic car restoration project. This is a lot easier than it looks. Arrange your parts into two categories: Repair & Replace. Go through the replace box and mark down every part in it on your notes under the replace column. Now do the same thing for the repair parts and place them on your your notes under the repair column. Now you have a view of what you need and what you don't need. This part of the classic car restoration task may seem repetitive but it most likely pay off 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 identified as acid dipping but you will need to see if it's available in your area. This form of stripping doesn't leave sand in every crevice of your car like sand blasting. Acid dipping removes many of foreign substances, such as paint and rust.

Evaluation

While during the evaluation period, you will evaluate what needs to be accomplished. Many classic cars will need the floorboards and the trunk floors, including trunk extensions that attach to the trunk floors removed or repaired, and in most cases there will also be holes and dents. Take a sharpie marker and mark all the spots that should to be replaced or repaired. In this way you will identify whether your classic car is a beauty or whether it is a pile of metal when completed. Take your time to ensure you have identified all the problem spots. Once the car is painted you can not go back.

Body Work & Final Prime

Begin with the hardest job of removing the dents out and filling the rust spots. Once this is finished you can move on to the lighter tasks. Once your vintage car is done to 36 or 40 grit paper, it is time to spray the last body coat until it is just above level. Before it is completely dry you will take 80 grit paper to along those trouble spots. Once this is complete you can glaze the car. When the glazing has dried the initial coat of primer paint can be applied. The priming process will tell you how smooth your car looks after all else so it is crucial to do it right the first time around.

Prep & Sand

Now you will need to prepare the car for paint and sealer after the dust has been removed off the car. Although it is an extra process, it is best 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 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 now you can apply the sealer.

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

Classic Car Restoration

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