Old cars, or the so-called “classic” cars, have the incredible ability to attract the attention of people wherever they go.
It is almost impossible not to look when we see such a car winding through the streets. However, if you don’t care as much for the interior as you do for the exterior, it ends up losing its charm.
If you’re planning to restore an old car, you should prioritize the interior. Consider following these 4 essential steps.
Restoring vintage cars: 4 essential steps
If you really want to drive your vintage vehicle in a comfortable and funny way, the interior has a big impact. With that in mind, here are some tips for you to take the most out of a classic car’s interior restoration project.
Before starting to restore your old car, it is important that you make an inventory of your auto tools and check if you need to buy something for this process.
Necessary tools:
- Safety glasses
- Protection mask
- Cleaning cloths
- Vacuum cleaner
- Set of wrenches
- Flat screwdrivers
- Soldering machine
- Scissors
- Box-cutter
1. List the items that need to be replaced and those that need to be repaire
Before you start working inside your car, it is essential that you do a thorough inspection to determine exactly what needs to be replaced and what needs to be repaired.
This inspection will help you understand how much time you will need for this project and will also give you an estimate of the expenses.
2. Hands on: floor and carpets
Now that you have the right tools and that you know exactly what you need to restore your car, you can get down to business.
A great way to start a restoration of an old car is by the floor. It can take a lot of time and effort to regain shape, so it is best if you do it before you start repairing any other interior parts.
First, assess the condition of the floor and check it for any damage – and also if you need to remove the car seats before starting.
Considering the age of old cars, the damage caused by rust can be serious in some areas and therefore, it may be necessary to remove it . Cars that are more exposed in coastal areas – by the sea – or in areas with harsh winters, tend to be especially prone to rusty floors and rusty luggage compartments.
After taking care of the floor, the next step is to install a new carpet. Before doing so, we recommend installing a padding or liner that will be under the carpet, in order to reduce noise and heat inside the cabin.
Finally, you can install the new carpet, always with the utmost attention to the measures and the final cut.
3. Move on to the seats, door panels and roof
To replace the seat upholstery of an old car, you have to decide first which materials to use. If you want authenticity, take into account the original upholstery material, which will probably be in suede, leather, velvet, vinyl… or a combination of them.
For the door panels and the ceiling lining, check if you need to replace them or if giving them a good cleaning is enough. If you choose to replace them, be careful with the areas that contain plastic, as it tends to become brittle over time.
After removing the old ceiling lining, make sure that the surface of the ceiling is as clean and smooth as possible. When placing a new lining, use a strong, high-quality adhesive. Product quality is absolutely essential.
4. Finalize the project by restoring the dashboard
You’re already in the last step of restoring your old car: restoring the dashboard.
To start, as in the other steps, assess its condition to understand if it should be replaced.
Then, dismantle it and inspect the wiring behind it. If the cables are worn, consider replacing them as well.
If the dashboard needs to be replaced, try to find an original one online or at a local auto parts store.
If it’s still in good condition, you can simply clean it. To do so, use a microfiber towel to remove all dirt and some vehicle cleaning wipes for the rest of the dashboard and steering wheel. Now that you have finished restoring your car – and once everything dries -, you can reassemble your vehicle’s interior in reverse order.
Restoring classic cars is both exciting and scary. The most important thing is to be aware that this project is time-consuming. Set aside enough time and complete each task at a pace that is comfortable for you. Also, do not overwhelm your family budget, by using authentic parts and materials that are able to reflect as closely as possible the original appearance of the car’s interior.
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