New car technology is taking over the world in 2021, but there’s nothing quite like an old classic car. The process of restoring a car is long, but it can be a fun project to take on and profitable work too! Before you get started and purchase an old vehicle to restore, keep in mind that there are a few things you’ll need to invest in, and a few skills you’ll need to master first.
Equipment
Basic Toolkit
Every garage, for car restoration and other projects, needs a basic toolkit full of everyday items. This includes items like screwdrivers and wrenches, drills and drill bits, cutters and pliers and other essential items. These might seem basic, but they’ll be needed more than you might think.
Surface Conditioning Tool
Getting your car looking its best is going to require a powerful surface conditioning tool to help you quickly and easily remove paint and rust, or surface condition the metal and prime it for a paint job.
Investing in a good quality piece of equipment, such as an Eastwood surface contouring tool will ensure that it lasts you for years to come. It will be useful for future projects, and can also be used to sand wood and prep your deck for fresh paint or stains.
Air Compressor
A useful tool to have on hand is an air compressor because it can be used to power various other tools like hammers, grinders, impact wrenches and spray guns for painting purposes. This is a common tool for any mechanic due to its multifunctional nature – it’ll help you throughout various processes in the restoration project.
Floor Jack
You’re going to need to get underneath the car somehow, and simply crawling your way in isn’t recommended by the experts. Getting a large and heavy floor jack will help you to lift your car off the ground so you can get underneath and do what needs to be done.
Be sure that your jack has the capacity for your specific car – it needs to be able to take the weight as well as lift it high enough for you to get underneath to work efficiently.
Creeper
To go along with your floor jack, you’ll need to get a creeper to allow you to move easily in and out from under the car. These two items often come in sets, which could be better value for money than buying them separately.
Dent Puller
If you really want to take on the restoration project by yourself, you’ll want to invest in a dent puller to make sure your car ends up looking flawless in all aspects. This piece of equipment uses suction to pull serious dents out of the metal.
Some dent pullers can be used with an air compressor, or you could invest in a hand model (which might be more easily controlled). However, this is all down to preference and your personal budget.
Skills
Mechanical and Electrical Repairs
These skills will make up the vast majority of your restoration project, and if you’re doing the project entirely on your own, it’s important that you know what’s going on in these areas, for the sake of your health and safety.
If you’re unsure of your skills in these areas, it might be best to outsource certain tasks in your restoration.
Upholstery Work
Doing a proper job of reupholstering the interior of your car is important, especially if you’re aiming to resell it. Cloth and leather might need to be repaired or even completely replaced, depending on your vision. Make sure that you seal everything properly or otherwise hire someone to help you.
Auto Body and Painting
After the dirty work of the car’s body is done, you’ll also need to give it a paint job. This can usually be done effectively with the proper equipment but is a job that can take a lot of time and money to do yourself. Be prepared to spend big here – whether you take the car in to professionals or if you opt to do it yourself in your garage.
Getting the paint evenly sprayed will play a massive role in how the final product turns out.
Knowledge
One of the most basic skills to master before jumping into a project like this is making sure that you know all about your classic car, how it works and what it needs. This will make the entire process much easier, so be sure to research any information you’re not sure of and get acquainted with the process before you begin.
