Negosentro.com | It Still Runs: 3 Top Tips for Fixing an Old Car | Are you a petrol head looking for a new hobby to sink your teeth into? Can you not bear to see another perfectly good vehicle end up on the scrap heap? If you answered yes to both of those questions, you’ve most certainly come to the right place. Below, you will find comprehensive advice and guidance on how to give a vintage motor a new lease of life.
To find three top tips on how to fix up an old car, be sure to read on.
Replace damaged parts
First things first, if there are any parts of the vehicle (seats, doors, fenders, etc.) that aren’t up to scratch or are no longer serving a definitive purpose, don’t be afraid to rip them out.
Don’t worry; this need not be a costly endeavor. Before you give the dealer a call and agree to pay the premium prices they will undoubtedly charge, check to see if the spare parts you require are being distributed online. For a list of reputable and affordable web-based car part dealerships, click here.
Get under the vehicle
Tending to the vehicle’s aesthetics isn’t the only important task that you face. If you’re serious about giving an old car a new lease of life, getting under the vehicle is very much advised. Performing this crucial task will allow you to check for problems such as oil leaks, electrical shorts, poor wheel alignment, and braking issues.
In order to take a proper look underneath your car, you’re going to need to jack it up. To unearth the secrets of safe vehicle jacking, head on over to FamilyHandyMan.com.
Re-painting the vehicle
Once you’ve put all of the above advice into practice, it’s time to put the finishing touches on your restoration project. Now it’s time for the fun part… giving the vehicle a fresh lick of paint!
When you decide to embark on the re-painting process, preparation is paramount. You can’t take a paint roller to the vehicle’s bodywork straightaway, as this will have a profound negative effect on the adhesion of the coating.
Before you even consider lifting your paint roller, it’s highly recommended that you heed the following guidance:
- Using an easy-to-apply rust converter, neutralize any corrosion that may have previously damaged the vehicle’s bodywork
- Wash the car thoroughly (should you decide to go through a car wash, make sure the hot waxing service is not in operation as they may damage your vehicle)
- Remove detachable parts of the vehicle that you don’t wish to paint (windshield wipers, hubcaps, etc.), and tape over any parts that are undetachable (door lock cylinder, lights, etc.)
- Repair or fill dents (painting accentuates the damage in this instance)
- Using a sand block and 400 or 600-grit sandpaper, roughen the vehicle’s bodywork to ensure that the paint adheres firmly to it
Do you want your next vehicle restoration venture to go off without a hitch? If so, be sure to remember the three top tips listed above.
