Classic car guys, just like regular car guys, need to take proper care of their vehicles. This is the only way to maintain their expensive automobiles and safeguard their investment. To this end, various steps should be taken, and while a few may be different from those of regular vehicles, most of them are similar. On this note, here are the 10 main services that classic car guys need for their rides.
1. Repairs for Specific Makes
To start with, it’s important to note that various vehicles will call for specific care according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For this, it’s a good idea to refer to the manual of the vehicle in question and follow the instructions. To give an example, a certain vehicle will call for regular service every 5,000 miles, or after every six months. Others can go for a longer time without calling for service, while the duration and miles may be shorter for other vehicles. That’s why there’s no single unit to use in this case, with the solution being to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Your classic car may or may not have an auto check engine light, and if it doesn’t, it’s up to you to keep up with the dates and remember the details. Classic car guys need to keep up with the needs of their cars, making sure that they know the person to talk to in case of an issue or when they need regular maintenance. The right person for each car is one with adequate training and experience with the particular car model so that they can do a good job. For instance, Subaru owners should get Subaru repairs done by a professional who knows the details of this specific vehicle so they can be assured of a good job.
2. Ding and Dent Repair
Auto body repair is something else that classic car guys should do their best to keep up with. That’s because dings and dents will leave their vehicle looking less than ideal, taking away the beauty of having a classic car in the first place. For this, look for an auto mechanic who has dealt with your particular vehicle type before, giving them experience in its maintenance and more. This is the only way to ensure you get a good job done each time.
With the help of the right professional, you’re also sure to learn about the particular maintenance that you need to do for your classic car. This may not be the same as for other vehicles, since your particular car might not call for polishing or the application of wax. Depending on the specific finish that your classic car body has, there are bound to be some things that you can not do to it that are regular for other vehicles. This is especially a point of concern given the fact that classic vehicles may be made of a different material and finished in a different way from modern vehicles. This means that you should be careful with what you do to your classic car body if you want to keep it looking amazing for years to come.
3. Internal Component Services
Classic car guys also need to take good care of the internal components of their vehicles. This can save them from having to pay for extensive car repairs that will be necessary if the vehicle is neglected or taken less than ideal care of. That said, if you run into issues with the vehicle’s operation in the middle of the highway, it’s best to call a local towing service to help you get your car to your auto mechanic. Attempting to keep driving a car that has already shown issues is not a good idea. In addition to worsening the damage that the vehicle has, you might get into an accident because you won’t be able to operate the vehicle as efficiently as you need to.
For this detail, it’s truly important to find the right professional with whom to trust your car. That’s because a classic car may need different parts or call for a special skill to keep it in the best shape. As such, you want to make sure that anyone who handles the intricate internal components is capable of doing a good job.
4. Engine Tune-Ups
The engine is practically the entire vehicle, and that’s why classic car guys must find the right person to help them with engine tune-ups as they become necessary. While drivers of regular cars can simply head to any car repair shop when they need repairs, whether major or minor, this is not the case for classic cars. These need the input of a professional to make sure that the perfect job is done, with there being a risk of serious consequences if something is missed or done the wrong way. Classic car parts may be expensive and hard to find, and that’s why it’s important to take the best care of them.
With the help of a good auto mechanic, classic car guys can learn about the details of diesel engine repairs and petrol engine repairs if you’re interested. Even simply learning the basics can go a long way towards helping you to understand your classic car better. As a result, you may even be able to tell if something is about to go wrong at some point. This way, you can go ahead and take your car to the professionals for maintenance or repair as necessary.
5. Detailing and Restyling
As mentioned, the appearance of a classic car is a major part of its appeal. That’s why you may want to look into detailing and restyling your classic car. If you can do this, you know that your car will be turning heads whenever you drive somewhere. On this note, you may want to find out about vehicle wrapping, which could avail a range of options in terms of appearance to you. There’s a wrap for every taste, from classic color wraps to color change car wraps. Shop around to see what exists and consult with a specialist to learn about the best option to take for your particular car.
Detailing your classic car should leave it looking brand new and amazing, and if this isn’t the case, then you need to look into restyling. There are several options for this, which can be applied both to the interior and the exterior of your vehicle. These can make the vehicle as close to your personality as you want, so make sure to shop widely before you settle for a particular thing. Keep in mind that your budget may also impact the final choice that you settle for and plan accordingly for whether you want to get the job done right away, or if you can wait for some time while you save so that you can afford a more expensive option.
6. Tint Installation
To protect the interior of your classic car, one of the best things that you can do is to install tint on your classic car windows. This is a great way to keep the sun’s UV rays out of your car’s delicate and costly interiors. It’s even more important to do this if you’ve recently had the interiors repaired or even replaced. Talk to an expert about auto window tinting so that you make sure you get the job done right the first time. Look at the various colors and shades that are available so that you know the best one to get for your vehicle.
For this, you can look at cars similar to yours on the internet so that you get an idea of the right kind of tint to install. This should make it harder for you to get it wrong since you’ll have a visual representation of what you’re hoping to achieve. Don’t ignore the important impact that getting the right color and shade could have on the overall appearance of your vehicle. Doing this right is sure to give you the best of serving two purposes, which are structural and aesthetical.
7. Battery Repair and Maintenance
Something else that all classic car guys need to take care of is the battery of their classic car. Since the battery practically powers all the electrical components of the car, you need to make sure that it’s in a good state. If you’re having trouble with things like starting the car, the brightness of the headlights, or even the functionality of the air conditioner, it’s a good idea to take a look at the battery.
A good auto car mechanic should be able to do the necessary tests to find out whether the battery is in good shape, or if it’s not. You don’t want to end up on the roads with a faulty battery, since a good one isn’t expensive to buy and yet it can make a massive difference to your experience on the road as a driver. If the auto mechanic that you see recommends that you get a new battery, it’s a good idea to consider taking their advice and asking them if they can tell you the best battery to get as well.
8. Brake Fixes
The brakes of a classic car are as important as those in a regular car, and that’s why this is yet another one of the details that you need to look at. It’s a good idea to have them inspected regularly, and if you notice any issues with them, get them replaced right away. Faulty brakes can leave you unsafe on the roads, and this is something that you don’t want to gamble with. Even a minor dent on a classic car could end up costing you a hefty sum to repair. This will be a lot more than replacing the battery would have cost, so it’s clearly for the best that you ensure you have a functional battery in your car at all times.
9. Tire Inspections
The tires are another important part of your classic car to take care of, so make sure that they’re inspected frequently. Have the tires rotated regularly and replace them the moment that their tread wears out. This will ensure that you can enjoy driving safely in various weather conditions. Don’t be tempted to push the limits and drive in weather or terrain that your classic car wasn’t made for. If you do this, you may still run into issues because the capabilities of the vehicle itself won’t be able to handle it.
Remember to keep the pressure at the right levels as well, so that you avoid damaging the rims. The rims on a classic car may be very expensive or even need to be made to order, so you don’t want to cause any issues with them. If you can carry a spare wheel with you all the time, this will be the best call for you to make, since you can change a damaged tire on the road and then get it fixed the moment that you get the chance to do so. When classic car guys know that their tires are in good shape, they have more confidence while driving.
10. Topping Up Fluid Levels
Last but not least, you need to make sure that the fluid levels in your classic car are at the right levels. From the transmission fluid to the windshield cleaner fluid, you need to know how to check the levels and top them up. If you don’t have the time or ability to do this yourself, you can enlist the assistance of your auto-car mechanic, who should have the experience to tell you how often to top up the various fluids so that they never run low. Some of these fluids could cause a major issue for your vehicle if you let their levels get too low, so you must make sure that this doesn’t happen and leave you with big problems.
These are the 10 services that classic car guys need to do for their vehicles to keep them in the best shape. As a result, the car will stay in great shape, and even if any issues come up, they’re likely to be minor and manageable. In the end, a classic car can last for a long time in good shape, but it must have the right care taken of it.
