How to Restore a Sedan

People love cars. Classic sedans in particular hold a special interest for their nostalgic quality. Restoring a sedan is a popular and fulfilling hobby. Many car enthusiasts enjoy restoring classic sedans themselves, while others get an expert shop to do the work for them. The following steps will help you get started on your classic sedan restoration project.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Find the car you want to restore. Do an Internet search or scout locally. Websites like Craigslist and Old Ride are some great sites to visit to find an old sedan.
2. Look at the task of classic car restoration as if you are building a car from the wheels up, but without having to start completely from scratch. With car restoration, you bring an old classic into a like-new condition.
3. Examine the car, once purchased, to see what items you need to replace to make it look like new again. Search for parts locally or find them in various wrecking yards in your state or others. Replace only the items that absolutely need to be replaced.
4. Take pictures of the sedan before you begin restoration. In fact, it's a good idea to take pictures throughout the process to document the work. You can use pictures both in a brag book and to help you as a reference tool for the next restoration you do.
5. Start your project by restoring it from the inside out. You may find the engine is the first logical place to begin. Some proponents suggest the body be literally taken off the chassis to do the restoration on both the body and engine. This will depend on the type of restorations you are making to the vehicle.
6. Redo the brakes and other mechanical items as well as the electrical systems. Many vehicles need a complete overhaul, including drive train, transmission and steering system. It is advisable to rebuild the engine from the block up, starting with the peripherals.
7. Find a reputable body shop to do your paint job. Ask if the shop is experienced in classic cars since paint colors and finishes of the era of the sedan you are restoring may differ from today's colors and finishes.

Tips & Warnings

• When working on your auto, keep your tools together and keep them neat and clean.
• Take the car to small, individual shops in the countryside to do individual tasks, instead of one shop for doing all the restoration work. This is called "the restoration tour." The value in this is the fun of the tour, the conversation on restoration of the sedan and finding a specialist who can work on each area.
• If you choose to use a shop or shops for all or part of your restoration, research them to see if they use fender covers and blankets when they work on their cars. You'll learn that the restoration experts are willing to protect the vehicle from scratches and damage, and that they keep an orderly workplace that respects ownership.
• Beware of shops that won't give you an informed estimate for restoration work.
• Sloppy scattering of tools and parts is a sign of a sloppy workplace. Avoid such shops when you are looking for one to help you with your classic car restoration.