4 Car Restoration Tips That You Need to Know

If you have owned a car for more than 10 years now, you may want to consider restoring it to its former glory. It can be costly and time-consuming, but it does pay off in the long run. A restoration not only optimizes the performance and improves the appearance of your vehicle, but it also raises its market value. In fact, you could get a good price for it if you decide to sell it to a collector. Until then, check out these tips that will help give the shine back to your metal steed:

1. Plan a budget

To start, you need to make sure that you have enough resources to cover the cost of the restoration. Whether it’s a partial or a full restoration, you need to know how much you can spend on the project. A good rule of thumb is to spend extra for quality and contingencies such as accidents that might occur at some point in the process. Never settle for the bare minimum, especially if you are aiming to increase your vehicle’s value for the long run.

2. Upgrade the engine

It is important to know that restoration is not just a matter of improving the aesthetics of your car. You will also need to invest time and money in making sure it runs just as smoothly as it did years before. Depending on your budget, you may want to start replacing outdated parts such as gaskets and fuel pumps. If you think you have too much to replace, you can always opt for a total engine swap. You might want to pick a more fuel-efficient engine that’s common among Canadian cars nowadays. 

3. Revamp the body

When improving the overall appearance of your vehicle, get ready to have your hands full. You can start by stripping paint off of the body through blasting and sanding. You will also need to remove any rusting from the body, but this could take a lot of work and there is a good chance that you end up scratching the shell. If you are not sure how to do it properly, you can reach out to Auto Cité or other companies that specialize in rust removal. Once you have stripped your car out of its coating, you will need to go over it with undersealing and prime the surface before laying it with a new coat. For extra protection, consider a ceramic coating for the exterior.  

4. Test and calibrate

A good chunk of the restoration process deals with testing out the improvements you have made to your car. There is no single approach to it even if you have spent too much planning the project. If anything, there could still be issues that you might have overlooked, so try to go on a test drive. Pay attention to the sound of the engine and take note of loose parts. If you are not satisfied with the initial result, you can always bring the vehicle back to the garage and make adjustments. 

Are you planning to give new life to a vehicle that has seen better days? Apply the tips above and maximize the time and money you will spend on the restoration.