OldCarOnline.com Old Car Trader Blog

Removing Bird Droppings from Your Classic Car

Most classic car owners prefer to park their cars in a shady place to protect the paint job from direct sunlight. However, those who park their cars under a shade provided by a tree may have to deal with the possibility of bird droppings landing on their prized possessions.

Bird droppings are not just ordinary dirt. They are highly acidic, and they can cause considerable damage to the paint job of a car. The damage will become more serious if you allow the droppings to remain on the paint for a longer time. If you use a wet towel to wipe off the bird droppings, you may scratch the paint, because the droppings contain gravel.

The best way to remove bird droppings from the paint job of your classic car is to use salt-free seltzer water. Salt-free seltzer water consists of water and carbon dioxide, and it will not do any damage to car paint. Give the bottle a good shake and spray it on the droppings. There is no need to wipe the droppings, because the seltzer water will wash them off the paint.

If the bird droppings have been on your classic car for a long time and they have caused damage to the paint, you can use a good paint polish to repair the damage. Polish the paint with a scratch remover or a fine polishing compound, and then apply a coat of wax.

Tips for Restoring Your Classic Car (Part 2)

The paint job of a classic car is something that usually needs restoration. If it has minor problems like paint chips and scratches, you can easily fix it yourself. However, if it is in such a bad condition that you have to repaint the entire car, it is advisable that you seek the help of professionals. You have to make sure that you get the right paint color for your car, and the best way to do this is to find a shop that specializes in restoration paints.

If the seats of your classic car are made of leather, it is likely that you will find some scratches or dry cracks on them. You can easily repair them by applying some leather repair solutions, but you have to make sure that you use a solution that is of the same color as your seats. If you find that the condition of the leather is so bad that it is beyond repair, you will have to replace it. It can be quite difficult to find exactly the same type of leather as the original, so you may have to settle for something that is less authentic. Just look for something that looks exactly like the original.

The chrome parts of your classic car have to be replaced if their shine cannot be restored by polishing. To replace them, you have to remove them from your car and bring them to a chrome specialist for re-plating.

It may take a lot of effort to restore your classic car, but it can be a very fulfilling experience because it creates a bond between you and your car. And you will surely feel rewarded when you see it restored to its former glory.

Tips for Restoring Your Classic Car (Part 1)

Restoring a classic car may require a lot of work, but it will be well-worth the effort if it is properly done. A restored classic car does not only look and run better; it also has higher resale value. Many classic car owners go to classic car restoration specialists to get their cars fixed, but this can be much more expensive than doing the job yourself. Here are a few tips to help you do a great restoration job on your classic car.

First of all, you should give your car a thorough inspection to find out which things you need to fix or replace. Replacing everything will cost you a lot of money, so you should try to fix as many things as you can. Some of the things in a classic car that usually need replacement are parts that are rusted, chrome that cannot be restored with polish, worn-out upholstery, broken windows, and mechanical parts that do not function properly.

Parts are usually more expensive if you buy them individually. However, you can get them without spending too much money if you buy a parts car that has all the parts you need. A parts car is a car that is not feasible to restore, but it has some parts that are still usable. However, the engine of a parts car may not be very reliable, and it may not be functioning well in 4 or 5 years. As such, it is advisable that you get a stock engine. Stock parts are usually more expensive, but you can be assured that they will give you better performance for a longer period of time.

Preventing Classic Car Theft

Wherever you go with your classic car, you will surely attract some kind of attention. While such attention can be gratifying, it can also be a cause for worry. Auto thieves know the value of classic cars, and they can make away with your pride and joy in just a few short minutes, or even seconds. To prevent your classic car from being stolen, there are a few precautions that you can take.

One thing you have to know is that auto thieves usually target modern cars that can be easily disassembled, so that they can have the parts sold as quickly as possible. However, when the opportunity arises for them to whisk your classic car away rather conveniently, they may not let the chance pass too. Therefore, you should make sure that you do not leave your car unattended and unlocked for long periods of time. One of the easiest ways to prevent car theft is to use steering wheel locks or brake-pedal locks. You can also remove the ignition rotor, fuel pump fuse, or battery cut-off switch, so that the car thieves will not be able to start your car.

If you are willing to spend more money to counter classic car theft, you should invest in a Lo-Jack vehicle tracking system. This system allows the police to monitor the movement of your car and recover it after it is stolen. It works in 22 states, and it costs around $600. You can also help the police to track your car by providing them with relevant information such as the VIN number, license plate number, and engine number.

Proper Storage for Your Classic Car

Many things can go wrong with your classic car if it is not properly stored. After a long period of inactivity during the winter months, your pride and joy may have rusted metal, blistered paint, rotting rubber, cracked fiberglass, pitted chrome, dead batteries, locked brakes, or other problems. Well, this is really one of those times when prevention is better than cure.

The first thing to do is to clean off all the grime and salts from your car’s body parts and undercarriage. Wax your car as you normally do, but this time, keep the wax on the chromed parts, and let it stay until you take the car out of storage. All the rubber parts should be lubricated, and the interior should be properly vacuumed and cleaned. If you are storing your classic car for six months or more, you should drain the fuel tank. The cooling system has to be drained as well, and the petcock and the radiator should be left open for better air circulation. Then, drain the heater too, and replace the old brake fluid with new one.

Have the front wheel bearings packed, and apply grease on the suspension and steering fittings. After that, wash the battery with baking soda and water, and keep it in a dry place. Then, remove the tires, and stack them neatly in a corner. Another thing to do is to press the clutch down and lock it with a 2 x 4.

Before you cover your classic car, make sure you roll down the windows. Opened boxes with baking soda should be placed in different parts of the car to absorb moisture. Then, cover the carburetor with a plastic bag, and stuff the tailpipe with a rag to block out vermins.