Did you know that there are more than 40 million used vehicles sold each year in the United States alone? A lot of drivers decide to go for used cars because they are usually less expensive and still in great condition.
But what if you bought a used vehicle in a poor condition? Do you know how to restore a car? Would you return your favorite old model in a pristine condition to make each ride an epic one?
Believe it or not, it’s totally possible to do so. Keep reading to find out how!
1. Evaluate the Condition of Your Vehicle
There are a lot of people who buy used vehicles to fix them, so you’re not in this alone. It’s a great pleasure to drive an old Mustang or a Porsche 911 from the nineties. But before you do that, you need to evaluate the condition of your used vehicle and find out how to restore it.
Evaluating the condition of the vehicle gives you a rough idea of what budget to prepare and how much time it would take to complete your project. Some cars can be restored in just one week. Some might require several months.
When you evaluate your car’s condition, inspect the engine, breaks, tires, transmission, and bodywork for major flaws. Create a list to make it easier for you to remember all the details.
2. DIY, Getting a Professional, or Both?
Restoring a vehicle is a pleasant activity for a lot of car enthusiasts. You might be in this group too. However, there might be some aspects of this job that you simply cannot handle alone.
For example, inspecting the drivetrain and fixing the propeller or drive shaft is not the easiest thing in the world. Some cars might also be equipped with differentials, which send the power to different wheels. This is a complicated system that requires special tools to fix.
When evaluating the condition of the vehicle, note that what tasks you will do on your own and which ones you should outsource to a mechanic.
Relying on a professional mechanic for various parts of the restoration process doesn’t take away from the joy of driving your dream car. Quite the contrary, it will only speed up the process and help you get your car on the roads faster!
3. Start with the Engine, Breaks, and Tires
It’s important to prioritize when you rebuild a car. For example, you should start with the most important parts such as the engine and then move on to the bodywork and interior. Assess the condition of the engine and see what you can do to improve it.
In some cases, you might be able to walk to the nearest car parts shop and just buy new components. In other cases, you might need to order a new drive belt or piston online.
It might take a few weeks until the new parts arrive. In any case, take your time when restoring the engine because you only do this once in a lifetime.
The brakes of your old car also need to be updated. Don’t skimp on brake components such as brake pads or brake discs because you need a safe and reliable vehicle on the road.
When it comes to tires, these need to be inflated at the correct capacity according to the car’s manual for optimal grip. You might also need to use a tire aligning service to straighten the tires and improve steering.
4. Continue with the Bodywork and Paint
Many old cars are rusty, but you should simply use different cleaning products and polishing methods to remove the rust from the bodywork and make your car look like brand new. In some cases, a paint job would also be required to make your vehicle look as beautiful as possible. You should visit this website to discover a few affordable car polishes and efficient restoring products.
But what about the bodywork? What you should do when it comes to dents, scratches, and bumps? In this case, a professional mechanic might help you buff out some of the damage.
You can also replace seriously damaged or dented panels to save time. Some auto shops offer body repair services at reasonable prices and you should take advantage of that as well.
5. Finish with the Interior of the Car
Finally, the interior of the vehicle is also important because that’s where you might spend several hours every day. As a general rule of thumb, it would be ideal if you use a disinfection service for the interior of your vehicle. Remember that this is an old car. Do you know how much sweat might be in those seats? What about hair follicles from the previous owner or spilled liquids and junk food dropped on the floor? A disinfection service will give you more peace of mind when driving your car.
Once you’re finished with that, consider the other components. Maybe you need to replace the floor mats. Maybe some dials on the dashboard don’t work. Maybe the electric sunroof doesn’t work. Maybe the seats are not as comfortable as they should be. Now it’s the best time to focus on improving the interior of your used vehicle and make it as beautiful and comfortable as possible.
6. Do the Restoration Process in Stages
Obviously, you cannot finish everything overnight. As mentioned earlier, some components might arrive at you in a few weeks from overseas and fixing the bodywork might take several days in a row. It’s important to prioritize the most important repair tasks and do the restoration in stages.
For example, set a budget for the upcoming month and have fixing the engine as a goal. When you’re done with that, go for the breaks and order a new steering wheel. After you fixed the brakes, that steering wheel might have just arrived and you’re ready to focus on the interior.
Although restoring a car might be a long process, the joy of driving it, in the end, will be that much better!
Now You Know How to Restore a Car!
Hopefully, this article provided a few legitimate answers to your original question – how to restore a car. Now you’re ready to take action and begin the restoration process.
In the meantime, feel free to check out our website for more interesting automotive articles to learn more about cars in general!