Hagerty News Restoration Tip

How To: Start your new paint job

A great paint job starts with a clean surface. All of our restorations begin with stripping the rust and old materials off the vehicle. But be warned: Never media blast (including sand!) any panels you would wax, on the inside or outside. The process of media blasting heats the panels and can often cause warping as a result of the metal shrinking. For best results, and to avoid damage, hand strip large panels and leave media blasting for heavy gauge areas such as the jambs and floors. To remove rust from thinner panels, we use an acid-based metal cleaner by PPG Products. Ensuring that all panels are clean and free of rust is the best way to promote adhesion for a long-lasting paint job.

One of the questions we get most often regarding new projects is when to send out components for restoration and rebuilding. At the start of your restoration project you can send out your engine and transmission for rebuild just take into consideration compatibility issues if you’re changing out brakes and suspension.  Otherwise, all sheet metal should be cleaned, stripped, epoxy coated and fit back together prior to sending miscellaneous parts out.  All stainless trim should be fit before sending to be straightened and polished.  This is important to make sure all the proper holes are present and extra holes are welded before refinishing.  All chrome trim, including bumpers, should be fit to the car before sending it to a chrome shop.  Before refinishing your chassis or sending it for powdercoating make sure your it’s straight and you’ve fit and modified your suspension and other upgrades so you don’t damage your coating while fitting.  Also, make sure the car’s bodywork and sanding have been completed, it’s a messy process!

How To: Care for your classic car

Everyone knows to keep your vintage vehicle out of the rain. Early model cars did not have the same coatings cars today have to help prevent rust.  In addition, the structural design lends to less efficiency at draining water and the materials used in early model  cars is also more susceptible to rust.  Because of this, we also recommend you keep water away from your restored vehicle, including washing!  We achieve a waterless car wash using a liquid detailer.  These products are applied in much the same way as wax by applying a coating and removing with a soft cloth or microfiber towel, they should be used per the manufacturer’s direction.  Keeping your car moisture free will help the longevity of your paint and will help inhibit problem areas from re-rusting .