Auto restoration may be just a hobby for some classic car-lovers, but for many auto shops restoring old cars is a full time job that brings in big profits. It could be a love of handiwork, an interest in the history of vehicles, or even just a plain old love for cars that inspires you to follow this fascinating career path.

Anyone considering an auto career or with a specific interest in say, automotive painting may be curious about the art of restoration, and what exactly goes into rebuilding a car. Here’s a quick overview of the basics:

Steps for Restoring Classic Cars

Choosing Your Car

• Finding a partially restored car can save you labour, but a completely unrestored car will save you money
• The internet is an excellent place to source rare finds

Most Popular Cars to Restore

• 60s Chevy Camaro
• 80s Chevy Corvette
• 60s Ford Mustang

Be Wary Of…

• Rust – Could force you to strip the entire chassis
• Dead Engines – You may need to rebuild the whole engine
• Rare Models – Specific parts will be very expensive, or extinct

Disassembly

• Disassemble the entire car for cleaning and damage assessment

Engine

• Most classic cars need engine replacement parts
• Some manufacturers may still produce certain parts

Bodywork

• Dents are hammered out or corrected with body filler.
• Corroded parts may be treated with sandpaper or replaced entirely.

Painting

• Always use a professional auto painter.
• Reference old pictures to reproduce the original paint job – authenticity matters for collectors!

Trim and Moldings

• Keep and use the original trim and moldings for a more authentic restoration.

Pro Tip: Reuse Parts

• Cleaning and reusing original parts (even just bolts!) will increase the overall re-sale value of the car

Sources

http://www.restore-an-old-car.com/

http://www.carsdirect.com/classic-cars/classic-car-restoration-for-dummies-where-to-start