Cosmetic Restoration: How to Restore a Car, Part 2

When you start working on an old car expect delays and the expect the unexpected. Don’t over extend yourself by rushing to get your car done by the big Memorial Day car show. Your final result will suffer.

Before You Start

Purchase a repair or shop manual for your vehicle. This will help you with mechanical repairs, electrical problems, and disassembly and reassembly of interior components and exterior body trim. 

Road Test

If you haven’t already done so, a complete road test is in order. You should ascertain the mechanical condition of the vehicle in depth. If the vehicle is drivable, use it as your daily commuter vehicle for a week or so. Get to know your car inside and out. Here are some things you’ll want to be looking for:

1. Does the car smoke or use oil?.
2. Does the car lose oil pressure?
3. Are there any fluid leaks when the car is parked?
4. Does the car loose power or have a misfire?
5. Does the rear end make a howling noise?
6. How is the exhaust system?
7. Does the car run hot?
8. How are the brakes?
9. How is the front end alignment?
10. Does the transmission  shift properly?
11. Does the clutch operate smoothly?

Inspection

Start underneath the vehicle. Play particular attention to the potential problem areas you may have found on the test drive. Maybe there is some rust that needs attention. It would be helpful to make a list of everything the car needs.

Mechanical

It is in your best interest to complete most mechanical repairs before any bodywork or paint is done.  Also if you want to spruce up the engine bay this is the time to do it. Using a digital camera take photos of every angle. Take photos while you are disassembling components, this way you know how things go back together.

Paint and Body

For the best paint job possible, you should do as much disassembly as possible. Use your digital camera and take lots of photos. If you are having your car professionally painted, you could save some money by doing the disassembly yourself. You’ll want to remove all chrome trim. Be very careful and take your time, as you don’t want to damage delicate or irreplaceable moldings and trim. This is where your shop manual will come in handy. You also want to remove bumpers, grille, head and taillights, windshield wipers, etc. 

Interior 

If your car has a nice original interior, it may need only minor repairs. If the seats need reupholstered, remove them from the car. This will make them easier to work on. While the seats are out, tackle the carpet and headliner if they need replaced. 

Reassembly

As much as you want to see the finished product, don’t hurry reassembly. At this stage of your restoration the big jobs are completed. This is where you need to pay close attention to detail. Reattach moldings and other body components gingerly, you don’t want to scratch your expensive paintwork. Assemble all the photos you have taken into an album. This will give you a complete pictorial record of what has been done to the car.