Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic Cars

In 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.


The reason whitewalls become brown is because of the synthetic compounds in the tire rubber. As the tire sits these compounds react with air and form the brown film. It cleans off the tire but stains the whitewall.


One of the best - and least expensive - methods of cleaning whitewalls is a bleaching cleanser, such as Comet or Ajax. Wet the tire, cover a wet scrub brush with the cleanser and scrub the whitewall. It will brighten up instantly. Scrub the entire circumference, then wash off the whole tire with soap and water.


If you like to use preserving or shining agents (ArmorAll, etc.) be sure to read the label to see if it should be spread on whitewalls.

Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic Cars

It'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.


with 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.


Instead, keep a refrigerator magnet - or other suitable magnet - stuck to your tool box. When you need a magnetized screwdriver, just wipe the tool in one direction only a few times across the magnet. Voila, it's magnetized! When you want to demagnetize it, wipe the tool across the magnet in both directions.

Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic Cars

The 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 the


panel 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 and frequently lets overspray through.


The solution: Aluminum foil. Everybody has a roll of this inexpensive, versatile product. It "forms" itself over any shape easily and quickly. Masking tape sticks very well to its edges, without the nuisance of cutting newspaper and trying to hold it while sticking a strip of tape to its edge. Also, aluminum foil works great to cover carburetor intakes, generator/alternator air intakes, A/C compressors and all the other stuff you don't want to get wet when you clean your engine.

Picture Classic Car - Restoration Classic Cars

Windshield 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 scrub the kitchen floor with). Rinse thoroughly and dry off with paper towels. You can clean older wiper blades the same way too, since the films accumulate on them as well.


Tip for this tip: Do this before washing the car to avoid mess.

2nd Tip for this tip: Don't (repeat: don't), use Ajax or Comet or any other chlorinated or pumice-containing cleanser. If you do, you're going to have to learn how to re-polish the windshield glass. We'll be doing an article on how to do that, but that's later!