Classic Car Restoration

Classic cars…. A lot of people wish they had one to their name, but for one reason or another we don’t have them. There are some lucky people however that do have classic cars, and depending on the state of them may require them to be restored and have dents knocked back out of the bodywork to make them look 100%.

If you do have a classic car and are looking for it to be restored, wherever you are in the UK, there are plenty of places that can offer this service and they can all be found with a quick internet search. Beware though, as some companies will be a lot better than others and it’s important that you do your research on this before going ahead with anything as you don’t want a bodge job. Always ask questions and raise any queries, and don’t get agreeing to go ahead with work unless your mind is 100% satisfied you are going to be happy with the results.

Moving on, let’s clear up some of the confusion surrounding classic car restoration:

What is classic car restoration?

Classic car restoration is the process of repairing a classic car back to its former self (almost showroom-esque in quality).

What kind of work will classic car restoration providers offer?

A lot of companies that offer classic car restoration services will perform most works, ranging from the minute dent repairs, right through to extensive work on the bodywork, engine, etc. Each company will be slightly different in their approach and offer, so it’s always best to check beforehand just exactly what they will do.

Is there a process for car restorations?

Yes, usually a car restoration will resemble something vaguely like the list you will see below shortly. The process below is based on a full car restoration:

  1. Begin dismantling the vehicle and cataloging each part.
  2. Remove the exterior trim and strip the paint to the bare metal.
  3. Remove the seats and interior parts.
  4. Unbolt body panels and the entire body from chassis.
  5. Remove the motor and transmission.
  6. Disassemble the entire chassis.
  7. Repair any rust if possible. Otherwise replace or fabricate new metal.
  8. Assess and repair dents, creases or other imperfections in the body.
  9. Sand and prep the entire body and then prime the body.
  10. Strip the chassis to bare metal, make any necessary repairs and then paint the chassis black.
  11. Reassemble the chassis.
  12. Repair and/or repair the motor and transmission.
  13. Reinstall the motor and transmission.
  14. Reassemble the body panels and attach all remaining parts to the body.
  15. Paint, wet sand, clay bar and buff vehicle.
  16. Restore or repair the vehicle’s interior.
  17. Reassemble exterior trim and install the restored interior.
  18. Drive and fine tune the vehicle

How long does classic car restoration take?

Classic car restoration can take over a year if done correctly, and has been known on several occasions to go between 3-5 years.

If you have a classic car that needs to be restored, get on to it today, and be prepared for the long-haul.

Happy restoration!

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