Twenty Quick Tips For Car Junkies

By now, you are probably all hyped up to restore your car. Before you get started, make sure that you read the following “quick tips” to make sure that your project goes well:

Tip One: Protect Your Paint Job

When you are re-assembling your restored car, the last thing that you want to do is to damage the new paint job.

There are ways when you are assembling the bumpers, hood, trunk lid, doors and windshield that can help you avoid any damage to the paint.

They include:

• Use shims when installing the fenders so that you do not damage the paint and it remains flush with the body of the car;

• Use new hinge mounts if keeping the original hood and trunk lid as the mounts tend to get rusty and may make it difficult to close flush with the body of the car;

• Replace all weather stripping on the windows and windshield before putting back on the car.

Tip Two - Emblems and Trim

Make sure that you use the correct emblems and trim that came with the car.

These can be purchased at the same place where you purchase original parts.

Do not allow your car to go unfinished without the necessary emblems and trim.

Tip Three - Getting Your Car Ready for Paint

After you have used a power sander to sand down your car, make sure that you wash and dry it thoroughly before applying primer.

Automotive tape can be used to tape up anything that you do not want painted.

Just prior to using the primer, go over everything again with a magnetic cloth to make sure that you have not missed anything.

Tip Four - Yellowed Headlights

If you are lucky enough to have the original headlights on your car, they may have gotten yellow with age.

This is normal when a car is older.

There are several different methods for getting the yellow out of the headlights and restoring them to new.

Some people claim using toothpaste will get the headlights back to pristine condition.

There is a product, however, called Permatex, that will restore the yellowed headlights like new.

It can be found at your local auto parts store.

Tip Five - Small Rust Spots

Small rust spots can be rubbed out with an abrasive pad.

Larger rust spots will have to be removed with a power tool, such as a power sander that has an abrasive head.

Tip Six - Rent Equipment

One of the reasons you should join a car club is to find the best places to rent equipment in your area.

Most of the equipment, such as the power sprayer for painting and the power sander as well as the detailer, are very expensive.

You can save money by renting this equipment at a rental store.

Many truck rental stores rent power equipment on a daily or hourly basis.

If you cannot borrow the equipment from someone in your auto club, you may be better of renting the equipment.

Tip Seven - Wash and Wax By Hand

Do not take your car to an automatic car wash.

Most of them have wire brushes that can damage your car.

Take care of your car by hand washing and waxing it.

Make sure that you protect the new paint and body that it took you so long to create.

Tip Eight - Protect Yourself

Enough cannot be said about this.

Make sure you wear a respirator when you are working on your car as well as goggles.

More accidents happen in the home than any place else.

Tip Nine - Use an Air compressor

When you have washed the car and want to make sure that it is absolutely dry, use an air compressor to be certain that all of the water is out of the car.

The last thing you need is for the car to be damaged with moisture.

Tip Ten - Use a Car Cover

Even in a heated garage, treat the object of your affection, which is now your restored car, as a cherished piece of property.

Invest in a car cover that will keep it warm, even in the heated garage. It can also protect it against bikes being slammed against it by your kids.

Tip Eleven - Brake Pads and Rotars

Make sure that you replace the brake pads and rotars on the car on a regular basis.

Do not just replace the pads as they can cause the rotars to grind.

Tip Twelve - Save The Chrome

If you are restoring a car from the 1950s, do what you can to repair the chrome.

Chrome is very expensive to replace and repairing the chrome is much cheaper.

There are certain chrome shops in the country that will do this work for you, or you can attempt to do it yourself.

There are dips that you can use to clean the chrome, but they are expensive as well.

Tip Thirteen - Replace Wires

Most of the electrical wiring in the car is probably shot.

You are better off to replace the wires instead of trying to repair any existing wires.

Tip Fourteen - Wooden parts

Some cars have wooden dashboards or panels. Wood restoration is similar to metal restoration.

The wood should be stripped and varnished so that it looks like new.

Tip Fifteen - Farming Out Work

If you need help, do not hesitate to farm out a piece of work to a professional.

In most cases, this will be cheaper than if you try to do it yourself and have to repeat the process or hire someone else.

Tip Sixteen - Replace Window Wiper Blades and Spark Plugs

This seems like common sense, but you would be surprised at how many people attempt to restore a vintage car and try to clean the spark plugs instead of simply replacing them.

This is one thing that it really pays to replace rather than repair.

Take the windshield wiper blades off of the car before putting the new blades in so you do not scratch your car.

Tip Seventeen - Invest in a Lift

If you do not have a car lift in your garage, now may be a good time to get one.

You can work a lot easier under the car with a proper lift, and it is much safer as well.

Tip Eighteen - Car Kits

There are many different car kits that are available both online and at your auto parts shop that can help you with the mechanical aspect of your restoration.

Car kits are made for most types of cars on the market and offer everything that you need to rebuild and engine or transmission.

You are sometimes better off buying a kit than trying to buy each part yourself.

Tip Nineteen - Clean the exhaust pipe

Do not forget to clean and polish the exhaust pipe of the car.

This can easily be removed after you have removed the engine. You want this to sparkle.

In addition, make sure that you clean the undercarriage of the car as well.

Tip Twenty - Do not forget the trunk

Trunks are usually lined with a carpet like substance today.

Years ago, trunks were not lined. Make sure that you restore the interior of the trunk as well as the body.

Although it is not normally opened during car shows, you will want to have the car totally restored.


The process of car restoration encompasses not just the parts of the car that can be seen by others, but also the mechanical components should also be restored to their original condition.

Learn more here on our comprehensive DIY guide to help you learn how to do classic car restoration.

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