Restoring an Old Car? Here’s How You Can Have a Great Time and Better Results
If you are a car enthusiast and have an old rusty car, the thought of restoration might cross your mind.
Indeed, that’s a feeling we can all relate too.
The joy of driving around in your lovely shiny oldie is surely going to be unmatchable. However, this luxury won’t come easy. Restoring an old car is a massive battle altogether and to come out victorious, you need the right knowledge and tips.
Aiding the same, in this post, we are listing out four things that will make the job more direct, convenient and enjoyable for you.
1. Find Quality Parts at Affordable Prices
While bargaining is a super-useful skill, finding affordable spare parts for your car is also an art.
As the process isn’t easy and requires scanning through different stores for the best prices, many people simply give up and agree to pay more.
And there’s nothing wrong with it. However, if you do this, you may not be able to save enough money. Or maybe you can?
Well, reputable auto parts dealers like partsgeek.com offer all spare parts for most car makes & models at reasonable prices. So, whether you need a fuel pump or a window regulator assembly, here you can find it all for a fair price.
2. Choose the Level of Restoration
There are three levels of car restoration that you can choose from.
The first one is basic. In this case, you restore the old car only to the point where it is good enough to be driven along with a few aesthetic fixes. The aim is just to get the car back on the road. This type of restoration is suitable if you want to put this car for your personal use.
Moving further, the second level of restoration includes fixing all major and minor issues, along with a complete body restoration. People looking to participate in classic motor shows generally go for this type of restoration.
At the third level of restoration, you aim to prepare the oldie for your car collection. This type of restoration is carried out only by professionals.
3. Refer to a Restoration Manual
If you are not a professional car designer or classic restoration expert, it’d be best if you refer to a car restoration manual.
These books talk in detail about how you can comfortably restore your old car without wasting time around things that you don’t know.
Most car restoration manuals will guide you through the trickiest processes like engine rebuilding and major body restoration problems.
Apart from this, you may also consider joining car restoration groups and forums on the web and seek help whenever needed.
4. “Don’t Bite Off More Than What You Can Chew”
If you have no professional help by your side, it would be best to set small goals and move slowly towards them.
Being over-ambitious and going for a 100% factory-type restoration can be too much for your first renovation project. So, give yourself a break. Identify your capabilities and set your limits.
For example, if the car is in a rusty, trashy condition, your first goal can be to give it a paint job. Or if a few parts are not working, you may consider changing them at first.
The aim is to start with the easiest goals. This will also keep you motivated throughout the project.
Wrapping up
As you move towards your dream car restoration project, you must make yourself aware of a few things. In this post, we talked about four important things that anyone looking to restore an old car must do.
Good luck!