Restoration Classic Cars

Used Classic Restoration Cars Tip Troubles getting a thin layer of body filler...? Parts 1Picture Of Classic Restoration Cars Restoration CarsRestoration Cars Parts 1Anyone who's used body filler knows how difficult it is to spread over "delicate" areas. You know: when the filler has to spread over a very thin imperfection or just has to provide that "last little surface."The problem is that the filler is fairly viscous and resists being spread in a thin film. The result is air bubbles or a thicker-than-desired surface that requires more careful sanding. While there are specialized fillers designed to spread more evenly, here's another useful...

Used Classic Restoration Cars Tip The Right Way to Check Your Oil Parts 1Picture Of Classic Restoration Cars Restoration CarsRestoration Cars Parts 1You know how the motor control and in the case of the automatic transmission fluid: just look at the dipstick. The right - or wrong - the level of coverage is obvious.What is not is obviously the condition of the oil, so the next time it is a clean piece of white paper with you. Paper towels or toilet paper are most suitable for this operation.Clean the dipstick on the white paper and watch the remaining oil. Engine oil should be firm, without a particle or "sect". If they exist, you have to watch...

Used Classic Restoration Cars Tip Cleaning Delicate Parts 1Picture Of Classic Restoration Cars Restoration CarsRestoration Cars Parts 1Do you have a filthy, painted-over, but otherwise salvageable VIN, engine, transmission or other identification plate that is original to the car? Probably so, and you don't know how to clean it up without losing the very imprints you're trying to save.Many of these plates were silk-screened or printed in easy-to-remove, oil-based inks, so you don't want to attempt a cleaning using solvents or abrasives. What should you do?Do what the restoration Car people at museums do, of course! Use gel-type hand cleaners!That's...

Restoration Classic Cars Tip 10 - Cotter Pin RemovalPicture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsSometimes it's easy to remove cotter pins and sometimes it seems like they are holding the entire car together. You pull and bend and twist, using a strong pair of pliers, and it takes way too long to get the pin out. You've even managed to break perfectly good needle-nose pliers by trying to get a cotter pin out, haven't you? What to do?Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsThe chief reason a cotter pin is hard to remove is because you are pulling "in line" with the pin. Any bends or twists in the pin lodge it in its hole. What you need...

Restoration Classic Cars Tip 9 - Drat That Tape!Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsWe've all had this problem. The roll of masking tape in the garage has been sitting around for several years, through winter and summer. We desperately need to use it and now, when we start to pull a strip, it comes off in shreds or tears along its length. It's nearly a full roll and it seems to be useless. Besides, now we'll have to go buy another roll or find a neighbor who has some.Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsDon't run off just yet! There's probably some hope for that stiff, aged roll of tape. Take it into the kitchen and place...

Restoration Classic Cars Tip 8 - Brake Fluid EtiquettePicture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsBrake fluid "eats" paint. Although widely used for many decades, brake fluid is nasty stuff that - given the chance - will spill onto your paint and strip it off. Thousands of unhappy do-it-yourselfers have had the unfortunate experience of "topping off" the master cylinder and spilling a little fluid on the firewall, fender or cowl area under the windshield wipers. Later they've discovered damaged paint that couldn't be buffed out or repaired without a touchup.Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsA good habit to get into is to wrap...

Restoration Classic Cars Tip 7 - Tisket, Tasket, Who's Got a Gasket?Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsIt never fails. Just when you need a certain gasket either the stores aren't open or they don't have one to fit. Worse, you just ruined the one gasket you had, and now you have to stop the project.Not to worry, however, because you can make your own! Right now, before you forget, run down the to auto parts store, hardware store or small-engine repair shop and buy some gasket material. You can find all sorts of gasket materials, from cork to composition, fuel-resistant to metal. It comes in sheets roughly the size of typing paper...

Restoration Classic Cars Tip 6 - Can't Find Sheet Metal?Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsThese days most of us live in urban areas that, while well represented by big box stores and strip malls, are devoid of sheet metal shops and other industrial supply stores. When you need sheet metal for that welding repair on the fender, where do you go?Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsSure, you can hop in the car and take a drive out to the countryside to visit some outlying town where such shops still exist, but that's a lot of effort and wasted time. Also, many sheet metal shops have a minimum requirement that you purchase...

Restoration Classic Cars Tip 5 - Painting tipsPicture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsThe nozzles on spray paint cans are precision-engineered and the orifices are typically laser-drilled for accuracy and spray pattern. Once used, even though the can has been inverted to clean the nozzles, there is a film of paint left inside. This film can affect the spray pattern and atomization in subsequent applications.Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsTo keep nozzles clean or to renew a clogged nozzle, soak it in lacquer thinner for a few hours. Then put it back on the can and invert to spray out the solvent. Keep a few extra, used,...

Restoration Classic Car Tip 4 - Whitewall PreservationPicture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsIn the old days we washed the car and then used the same soapy water and a brush to clean the whitewalls. They came out nice and bright. Today's whitewalls seem to turn beige after a few weeks and the auto parts stores' shelves are filled with special sprays and nostrums to clean whitewalls. Many of these products work, but leave a cloudy film on the body of the tire or cause it to lose its soft sheen.Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsThe reason whitewalls become brown is because of the synthetic compounds in the tire rubber. As the...

Restoration Classic Cars Tip 3 - Those Nasty Magnetic ScrewdriversPicture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsIt's tempting to purchase a set of magnetic screwdrivers, isn't it? There are occasions where being able to lift up a dropped screw, nut or c-clip.Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic Carswith a magnetized screwdriver just makes sense, but don't invest in one. The reason? Because most of the time a magnetized screwdriver will move a fastener around or otherwise make itself a nuisance.Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsInstead, keep a refrigerator magnet - or other suitable magnet - stuck to your tool box. When you...

Restoration Classic Cars Tip 2 - Masking Made EasyPicture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsThe problem: Painting stuff without removing it from the car. You know, that linkage on the carburetor needs some color but you have to do it without painting the carb itself, the intake manifold or valve covers. Or, maybe thePicture Classic Car - Restoration Classic Carspanel holding the radiator could use a coat of paint but it's too much trouble to remove the radiator, hoses, brackets, etc. Maybe you're dyeing the door panel and need to mask the handles, or touching up a small area of the dash. Using newspaper and masking tape is difficult, time-consuming...

Restoration Classic Cars Tip 1 - Chattering Windshield Wipers Sure are Annoying!Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic CarsWindshield wipers chatter and skip even though they are new? The reason is your windshield is dirty! Yeah, we know you cleaned it with Windex after washing the car, but it's still dirty with an invisible film of road salts and oils. This film must be scrubbed off. The best thing to accomplish this task is Bon Ami cleanser, still found in its original 1940s-style can in the supermarket. Wet down the windshield, liberally sprinkle the powder and scrub with a soft-bristle brush (you know, the kind your Grandmother used to...