As with most things of value, vintage cars come with a requirement to ‘handle with care’. They require care because they are more susceptible to wear and tear and are hard to replace.
There are a variety of clean, rust-free, well-maintained classic cars for sale on the market. You just need to know where to look. Each of these cars has its history, story, and recommended maintenance routine. Once you buy a classic car, you will need to take care of it the right way. Here are some quick recommendations to help you keep your vintage clean and roadworthy for years to come.
1. Work on it before hitting the road
Depending on where you got your classic car and its condition, you may need to do some work on it to get it ready for the road.
One of the major challenges you will have with older cars is rust. Rust can be potentially dangerous because it weakens the structure of a car. Rust should be one of the first things to check for when purchasing a classic car.
Parts around the front and back sill areas, the wheel arches, footwells, bulkheads, and subframes are more prone to rust. For this reason, you might need to replace some of the car’s parts and invest a small amount into rust-proofing your classic car.
When you first get a classic car, you need to make sure that the fluids are changed, the pipes are cleaned out, and the parts needing replacement are replaced.
However, before you purchase a classic, you should check to ensure that what you want to buy can be restored without incurring too many extra expenses.
2. Servicing and maintenance is a religion
While it is often ideal to get a professional to look at your car from time to time, one of the joys of owning a classic car is that you are able to work on it and take care of it yourself.
Whether you are getting the job done by yourself or sending your classic off to a professional, you should pay attention to servicing the parts and maintaining the overall look and feel of the vehicle.
Cleaning a classic car is not a chore. It is a labor of love. The car is vintage. It is unlike anything you can buy off a car lot. Clean the inside of the car occasionally. Condition the leather or vinyl, and use the right products for the body so as not to wear out the paint.
Another thing to pay attention to is the fluids you put into your car because older cars are more sensitive. The choice of engine oil should depend on the viscosity and type of additive required for your car engine.
Ethylene Glycol-based coolants are highly recommended for older engines, but as with engine oils, the right coolant for your classic will depend on the properties of your car engine. This same advice goes for the choice of hydraulic, brake fluid, and fuel. Using the right fluids will help prevent rust and keep your engine in shape.
3. Store in a cool, dry place
Water does not go well with vintage cars.
If you live in a region with less than favorable weather, you need to consider putting your classic car into storage until the weather is more conducive.
Before you store your car, clean it out and ensure you keep it under the right conditions. Whether it is a personal garage, a storage shed, or some storage facility, you want to make sure that you have a nice, dry storage that does not attract moisture.
4. Drive it
As much as possible, drive your car. When you own something as special as a classic car, it is tempting to want to preserve it and take it out only on special occasions. It is, however, more advisable to drive your classic car whenever you can.
Driving the car helps exercise the brakes and move things around nicely. It is not enough to warm the car from time to time and allow it to sit in a spot for the rest of the year. Cars are meant to be driven. That’s their primary purpose, so drive them around from time to time.
Getting a vintage car is an investment in making your dream come true. It’s important to treat these cars right. With a lot of tender love and careful maintenance, a classic car can go for fifty more years and still work at the turn of a key.
A classic car is always someone’s dream. If well kept, it can be inherited by many more people in the future. If you are already a classic car owner or you are looking to buy a vintage car, these tips will help you maintain your car and keep it in tip-top condition through the years.
