Old Car Restoration Rust And Paint Solutions

Old car restoration projects are exciting and rewarding. However, expect it to be challenging. Probably some of the most challenging aspects of restoring an old car are dealing with rust and paint. This article will show you how to handle rust and restoring the paint of your car to make it look brand new again.

Before starting on your old car restoration project, there are some things you need to consider first. First, find out what you really want or need for your old car. You might want a car that can be driven right away. On the other hand, you might want to spend a bit more time on your old car to enjoy the weekends as a hobbyist. Consider customization, restoration and if you want to join car shows. All these considerations will give you an idea of how well your car’s paint job should be for instance. In some cases you may need to have a professional do the paint job for you.

Now let’s get started on the project. A general rule when it comes to dealing with rust and paint is to check first, and then apply. Rust is not to be underestimated. You need a good eye for detail when checking for rust build up on your car. As long as a car is old, rust is likely to build up.

You’ll need to check holes for telltale signs of rust build up. Check for bubbles in the paint. Be wary though that paint bubbles can be the size of a pea or bigger. Check beneath the car and inside fender wells for more holds, patches or welding. Finally, move the doors repeatedly to check if there are rust flakes.

Now the challenging part is treating rust inside the car door. You may use brushes or grinding wheels inside your car doors to remove rust. However, this can be really difficult. Acid is sometimes used as an alternative to treat rust.

The best way to treat rust for your old car restoration is to use a special product. Products that can effectively get rid of rust by converting rust to a black iron oxide. This leaves a latex primer behind and you can then apply a top coat. Choose products that have a long shelf life, since you might be working on your old car restoration for many months. For best results, clean rusty areas thoroughly before applying treatment.

Now you can work on the paint for your old car restoration. Check if the finish is smooth. A bumpy finish or orange peel is an indication of a poor paint job. To handle this you can simply color sand or buff it until the finish is sort of glassy. You can look closer again at the finish and this time check underneath the paint. If you notice a wavelike pattern this usually means previous bodywork. Oftentimes you’ll need to have a professional achieve that glasslike surface for your old car restoration.

There are many other areas to check. Check the lower edges of the fenders, beneath the hood, at the rubber and trim, around windows and doors, and inside door jams. If you want good quality old car restoration, don’t overlook these "hidden" areas.

Now you can actually work with the old car restoration paint yourself by spot repairing. This is if you’re working on slight collision damage. Custom painters are able to color-sand, clearcoat and buff the car’s paint for a more even and cleaner surface.

Take note that a new paint job for your old car restoration will usually take around one month to a couple of months to cure entirely. If you want the best results, wait before waxing or covering your car. This is to prevent the surface from turning dull. When your old car restoration project is complete, give your car a wax job or two each year for maintenance and a brilliant shine.