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Tips For Keeping Your Classic Car Looking Great
Without question, the two most important areas for any classic car revolve around how the engine sounds and what the vehicle looks like. A good servicing program should take care of the former; however, when it comes to looking after the bodywork of classic cars things aren’t always that easy.
For one, during periods when the car is driven, it is susceptible to picking up dirt and grime from the road. If this is not dealt with properly then it can lead to underlying issues at a later stage. Additionally, worse is still to come in the colder months of the year. Yes, wintertime presents many issues for owners of classic cars when it comes to dealing with rust protection. Salt that is used to keep roads from freezing can suddenly become the number one threat to your classic’s shiny paintwork.
If you own a classic car and are keen on keeping it in tip-top condition then this blog post is definitely for you. Here we will take a closer look at some of the steps that can seriously help when dealing with the subject of rust protection.
Spotting Bodywork Problems
Deep at the heart of keeping your classic looking fantastic is your own ability to spot potential issues. Put simply, the more time and trouble you take looking over the bodywork of your car then the easier things will be. Adopting this approach will often allow you to notice the odd stone chip or small scratch much earlier. As a result of this corrective action can be taken before rust is allowed to develop a foot-hold in your wind, bonnet or wheel arch area.
Most experts will agree that an old fashioned bucket and sponge approach is best when attempting to wash a classic car. Of course, there is nothing to stop you from using a high-pressure wash system. However, be extra careful about the temperature of the water and indeed just how close the lance gets to your beloved paintwork. Being overzealous in these situations has been known to have disastrous effects on classic cars’ bodywork.
Once the bodywork is cleaned properly you will be in a good position to asses for any stone chips and apply the necessary rust protection treatments.
Hidden Issues
Sadly when it comes to rust protection the bodywork is really only the tip of the iceberg. The main issues lie in areas that cannot easily be seen, with the underneath of the car being a prime example here. It is important that attention is paid to these areas as they are even more prone to the harsh abrasiveness of salt and other chemicals.
To clean these areas thoroughly it is recommended that the car is jacked up on all four corners. This will then allow for the removal of all of the wheels. Additionally, any underside trims should be removed for better access to the vehicle.
Rust Hot Spots
The next stage will see the introduction of a hose-pipe, with the user attempting to remove all debris from these harder to reach areas. Specific attention should be placed on areas like the inside of wheel arches and other rust hot spots. If your car features mud flaps then this process is made a little easier by removing them.
Rust Converter
A good quality rust converter should then be applied to all areas. This will be able to stop the rust in its tracks and convert it into a more stable iron complex. Allowing at least 6 hours of drying time will ensure that this covering produces an impenetrable barrier to both moisture and oxygen.
The next stage is to follow up with an application of high-quality cavity wax. The idea here is to get a good covering on all of the internal surfaces. As a result of this, the joints in the bodywork and other minute cracks are well covered. This process will go a long way toward helping fight off the signs of rust. It is likely that it will help to avoid losing a panel or area to corrosion; something that will often completely spoil the look of a classic car.