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How to Paint the Engine Parts of Your Classic Car? (Part 2)

4) Now, you can proceed to painting the engine parts of your classic car. Hang the engine part that you wish to paint from a ceiling rafter with a piece of wire. This makes it possible for you to paint all the surfaces of the engine part at one time.

5) Use the heat resistant primer to spray paint on the part. Applying a single heavy coat of paint will result in runs and drips, and therefore, you should apply a few light coats instead. Wait for the primer to dry. Make sure that you wear a respirator when you are spraying and work in a place that is well-ventilated, because inhaling paint fumes can be detrimental to your health.

7) After the primer has dried, you have to sand the engine part lightly with emory cloth. Use a damp rag to clean the part and let it dry.

Then, hang the engine part from the ceiling rafter again and spray heat-resistant engine enamel as the final coat. Similar to applying the primer, spray a few thin coats instead of one heavy coat, and take the necessary measures to protect your health.

9) Let engine enamel cure for at least 24 hours, and then, reinstall the engine part into your classic car.

How to Paint the Engine Parts of Your Classic Car? (Part 1)

Over time, you will see a coating of dirt, grime, and grease forming on the engine of your classic car. Some engine parts may become discolored because of oxidation and gasoline or oil seepage. If you want your classic car to look good under the hood, you have to give the engine a new paint job. Here are instructions on how to paint the engine parts of your classic car:

1) First of all, you have to gather the necessary tools and supplies to clean and paint the engine. The things that you will need include mechanic’s tools, a cleaning solution such as Safety Kleen solution or gasoline, wire brush, coarse steel wool, emory cloth, heat resistant engine enamel, and heat resistant spray primer.

2) After getting all the tools and supplies, start removing all the engine parts you wish to paint from your classic car. You can do this when you are removing those parts anyway to make repairs. Then, apply the cleaning solution, and use the wire brush and steel wool to give the parts a thorough cleaning. Make sure that you wear safety glasses to protect your eyes while you are cleaning.

3) If you can afford it, you can have the engine parts sandblasted or bead-blasted at a restoration shop, so that they will have a smoother surface for painting. If you do not have extra money to spare, you can use the steel wool instead. This can be tedious, but it is still effective.

Ideas for Decorating Your Classic Car This Christmas

While you are busy decking your home with Christmas spirit, do not forget to get your classic ride into the festive mood as well. Christmas is a time to share, and you can share your passion for classic cars by dressing up your pride and joy with eye-catching Yuletide decorations. Here are some great ways to decorate your classic car this Christmas:

1) Lighting

Adding lights to your classic car can certainly enhance Christmas cheer. Lights can come in many different forms, ranging from neon installations to LED light strings, and they can be placed in just one or two locations or all over the contours your car.

2) Christmas Wreath

The Christmas wreath is a timeless symbol of Christmas celebration, and it can match the color of any car. Get a wreath with bows and other decorations to make your car look more captivating.
 
3) Magnetic Letters

During this time of the year, you should have no problem finding magnetic letters to wish everybody a “Merry Christmas”. Christmas-themed magnetic letters will make your classic car the center of attention everywhere it goes.
 
4) Bumper Stickers

By attaching a Christmas-related bumper sticker to your classic car, you can spread the spirit of Christmas to many passers-by. It is recommended that you get one of those flashing bumper stickers.

5) Bobble-Head Santa

Having a bobble-head Santa in your car can make your car trips a little more fun. You can place it on the dashboard or back deck of your car, but make sure you use the right kind of adhesive.

Tips for Driving Your Classic Car Safely This Winter (Part 2)

By taking the necessary precautions when driving your classic car this winter, you will not only make fewer mistakes on the road; you can also avoid accidents that result from other drivers’ errors. Here are more safety tips for winter driving:

• If the road is slippery, you should drive slowly. You can prevent your car from sliding by accelerating, steering, and braking gently.
• It is important that you do not get too close to the car in front of you. The car may brake abruptly when it begins to slide, and this can cause you to lose control of your car. Keeping a safe distance gives you more room to brake and more time to react to an unexpected situation.
• If you are driving a rear wheel drive car, you can put sand bags in the trunk to add weight to the driving wheels. This will help prevent sliding.
• Make sure that your fuel tank is full. A full tank of fuel enables you to stay warm by keeping the engine running.
• Keep a scraper, de-icer fluid, shovel, jump leads, and tow rope in your car. These items can help you get out of trouble when an emergency occurs. It is also a good idea to bring a blanket or some warm clothes, just in case you get stuck.
• Before you leave your home, you should inform someone about your destination, route, and expected time of arrival.

Tips for Driving Your Classic Car Safely This Winter (Part 1)

Winter poses more driving hazards than any other season of the year. Slippery roads and poor visibility can cause you to lose control of your classic car and make you more vulnerable to road accidents. While some accidents are unavoidable, there are certain things that you can do to reduce your chances of getting into an accident. Here are a number of safety tips for driving your classic car this winter.

• Even if the weather looks favorable enough for driving when you set off from your home, you should be prepared for the worst. Weather conditions can change very quickly during winter, and you should be properly equipped to handle all kinds of driving hazards that may emerge during the course of the day.
• Make sure that your classic car is ready to handle wintry conditions. Check the tires, lights, wipers, battery, antifreeze, and the overall condition of your car before you start driving.
• One of the main problems with driving in the winter is bad visibility. Visibility is already reduced by poor weather conditions, and it gets worse if the windscreen is frosted or fogged. As such, it is essential that you have all the windows of your car properly defrosted and defogged before you set off.