If you want to achieve a good car restoration, you need to determine how much work is to be done on it. You can read about it, do it yourself, or contact an expert to give you all the estimates required. At this stage, you take a roll of the equipment and materials you need to add.
If you are looking forward to a job well done, then you need to get the best items in the market. Of course, you may not be in a position to purchase everything on your list; rather you can weigh the options of renting against getting a new one. Here are a number of tools that are a must have for a car restoration project.Car Mover – Depending on the scale of your restoration projects, you may decide to rent or purchase one of these. This is a very useful tool in moving the car around without having to start it. You also need one that will not jam mod-way your restoration process and end up stalling your work.Impact Wrench – You will need this for the removal of bolts, nuts and lug nuts.Dent Puller – This tool is used to pull out dents from the body of the car. There are of two types; hand operated, and motor operated. The hand operated one is better in precision since you have control over the suction force.Transmission Stand – This is an object that is used to place the transmission on and to keep its shape. It also helps safeguard that there are no damages sustained when the transmission is being moved.Hand Tools – Hand tools include wrenches, screwdrivers, tin cutters, drills, pliers and many more. These and more hand-held tools have different uses throughout the project, and you will need them.Lift – This includes either a hydraulic or a pulley system frame that is either hand-operated or electric powered, that is used to place and install doors.Grinder – This is a tool that is used on the body works; rust removal, metal cutting and burnishing sharp edges. This is a tool that has to be there in most of the restoration jobs done.Paint Stripper – It is obvious that you will need to scrape off some paint for rust removal, patch painting or the entire body stripping. Depending on the magnitude of stripping required, you will decide on what size to acquire.Autojig – This is used to make holes with maximum precision in order to keep the measurements exact.Creeper– This is used for the movement underneath the car.
Car restoration is a fun and potentially lucrative pastime. Do you have an old Mustang that you would like to bring back to its former glory? You may be considering purchasing a used Porsche and enabling it to gleam once again. While these and other projects can be a bit challenging and may require the skills of a professional, there are other tasks that you can accomplish easily within your garage. Let’s take a look at a few great car restoration tips and tricks.
Windscreen Repair
It is very common for older cars to have a crack or ding within their windscreen. Although larger imperfections could require an entire replacement, those which are smaller than six centimetres can be fixed with the use of a windscreen repair kit. These can be found at most automotive repair stores and they employ the use of a transparent resin to seal the crack and protect it from future damage.
A Coat of Paint
We should first be clear here. Painting your car is much different than slapping a few coats on the walls in your bedroom. You will need to use what is known as an airless paint sprayer. These machines will offer an even coat of paint and they can handle automotive additives quite well. If you do not have the money to purchase one outright, you will always be able to rent a sprayer from a reputable dealer. Of course, you should read the instruction manual before attempting such a job.
Leather Restoration
Nothing beats the feel of a classic car interior. So, you are wise to contemplate restoring any leather to its former glory. Barring the need to physically replace a seat cover or a dashboard, this type of work can normally be carried out quite quickly. There are numerous kits on the open market and they generally come in two parts. A solvent is first used to remove and dirt and debris on the surface. After this is completed, a second material will be rubbed in. This protective top coat will bring out the sheen of the leather and help to protect it against the cold and extreme temperatures. In regards to older models, you should perform this task at least twice every year.So, it is apparent that you do not have to be a professional to carry out some amazing restorative techniques on your used or classic car. In fact, each one of these tasks can be accomplished during a weekend afternoon!
Buying car parts online is a great way to cut costs and get access to a huge variety of brands and part-types. However, it is also equally easy to get ripped off, especially if you are new to auto repair and maintenance.
Follow these four tips and you’ll have no problems getting the best car parts online, without breaking the bank:
- Look at warrantiesOne of the first things you must consider when buying a car part online is the warranty. Any trustworthy brand and retailer will have no problems offering a generous warranty with its products. Typically, brands offer a minimum of 1 year warranty on its products, though this may vary from part to part. Reputably online retailers also add their own warranty in case of damaged goods, shipping problems or other issues.
- Consider brand trustworthinessNot all car part brands are the same. While you can buy a product from Bosch with your eyes closed, it’s not the same for many of the cheaper, smaller import brands. Many of these use knock-off parts and low-quality materials which compromises your safety and the long-term health of your car.When buying car parts online, make sure that you choose only a reputable, established brand. Never pick a brand just because it is cheap.
- Customer service qualitySelling car parts online is highly competitive. Often, the only way a business can differentiate itself is by offering superior customer service. Before you plop down your cash for an expensive car part, make sure that you try out the customer service once. Send them an email or give them a call. Try to gauge how much they truly know about cars. If the customer service is knowledgeable and enthusiastic, you know you are in good hands!
- Verify required car partsLast, but not the least, make sure that you are buying the right car part before giving up your hard earned money! This sounds simplistic, but many people end up buying parts not meant for their cars. Consult your car manufacturer thoroughly before deciding on a part – it will save you both time and money.
Buying car parts online can be challenging, but with the right guidance, you can select just the right parts and repair your car for cheap.
