"Antique Cars" is a company specializing in services related to vintage cars: sales, investments and creation of collections, complete restoration and partial repairs, maintenance, conservation and consultations. Retro cars produced more than 30 years ago are called oldtimers in many countries. And indeed, looking at them, it seems as if you were in another time. But time, about which machines can tell a lot, was inexorable to them, in some places truly merciless: they aged and rusted, silently and slowly, year after year, structural chemical changes occurred in the materials from which the parts were made, and structural elements accumulated microdamages caused by operation. Car restoration is a painstaking and lengthy process. It can take years to complete the original parts and restore a collector's car, but each specific case has its own nuances.
This section describes in detail the stages of restoration of vintage cars:
- Dismantling and disassembling a retro car, cataloging parts, removing old paint, cleaning the body.
- Production/repair of body parts made of steel, aluminum, fiberglass.
- Car chassis restoration.
- Painting works.
- Technical repair of all components of a retro car.
- Overhaul of engine and gearbox.
- Galvanic work when restoring a retro car.
- Restoration of the interior of a retro car.
- Works on wooden coverings.
- Manufacturing and repair of electrical wiring.
- Complete with missing parts. Manufacturing of lost elements.
- Sewing and restoration of a soft roof. Convertible mechanics repair.
- Testing and delivery.
After reading this section, you will learn how we will restore your old timer. Our company uses Western experience in restoring vintage cars: parallel operations, skilled labor, strict compliance with technical specifications and design drawings - this is the key to the success of the repair and restoration process. Below you will find several video examples of work already completed, as well as a detailed description of the car restoration process.
You can get acquainted with examples of completed work in this (click on the link to go) section, and below we will analyze the process of car restoration step by step. After signing the contract and delivering the vehicle to one of our workshops (Dmitrov, Dubna, Sergiev Posad, Aberdeen), the restoration process itself begins, in which several stages can be distinguished:
Stage 2. Production/repair of body parts made of steel, aluminum, fiberglass
Argon welding of aluminum is a painstaking and complex process, which is due to the chemical properties of aluminum. When you try to weld aluminum in a normal atmosphere, an oxide film instantly forms on the surface of the metal, which prevents further work. Therefore, the use of conventional electric arc welding when working with aluminum parts is impossible. To carry out such work at a high level, several components are required: argon, high-quality consumables, good modern equipment, and, most importantly, professional specialists. We managed to combine all of the above in our workshops. We receive consumables from such European suppliers as RoSlov company and Bohler Scheweisstechnik Austria GMBH. We managed to create conditions for attracting the most experienced specialists who have worked for many years in the production of military equipment of the USSR. Therefore, in the field of argon welding there are no unsolvable tasks for our employees. Using argon-arc welding, we carry out repair and restoration of engine cooling radiators, aluminum tubes, and car body parts.
Alfa Romeo 6C SS replica model work
Alfa Romeo 6C SS body frame manufacturing
Steyr 630 (left) Alfa-Romeo 6C 2500 (right)
Manufacturing of the BMW 328 body frame
Manufacturing of Mercedes 770 body frame
Manufacturing of body panels for Mercedes 300 Sl
Manufacturing of ZIS 110 elements
Mercedes 300 SL body frame
Body work ZIS convertible
Restoration of the Horch 853 body
Welding of ferrous metals is carried out according to generally accepted standards and technologies. Welding equipment is used for arc welding with coated electrodes, semi-automatic consumable electrode welding in carbon dioxide and gas welding.
If a car has a wooden frame, we restore it from the appropriate types of wood: beech, ash, oak are used to recreate the wooden body frame of retro cars, and acacia wood is used to restore wooden wheels.
The extensive experience of our craftsmen allows us to take into account all the nuances when carrying out tin work. If the damage to the original part is minor, then local repairs can be carried out using a special, gentle technology, which can be important given the age of the metal. If it is impossible to restore or a part is missing, it is manufactured again according to the original drawings.
If the original design of the car contains fiberglass parts, we restore them. If the part cannot be restored, we search for and purchase the missing spare part. It is also possible to produce a complete copy of the original fiberglass part, in agreement with the customer. In cases of work on creating replicas of cars and custom ones, the production of fiberglass body parts is one of the key stages.
Polishing
One of the most effective and efficient post-painting treatment methods is polishing the car body with liquid glass. Such a composition will not only give a dazzling shine to the surface, but will also protect the body from exposure to aggressive environments due to the formation of a thin film. The water-repellent qualities of the coating are maintained for at least six months.
A program for tuning Russian cars is presented in our material. An automatic transmission requires a certain skill in using it. Our article will provide the necessary knowledge.
You can learn more about polishing your car in our material at https://avtopolza.ru/remont-i-ekspluataciya/kurs-po-zashhite-lkp-kuzova-avtomobilya-polirovkoj/ link.
Such polishing gives an impressive look even to a car that is far from new. Therefore, for a VAZ 2103, car tuning using liquid glass is an operation that will unrecognizably change the appearance of a veteran of the domestic automobile industry. When using liquid glass, a thicker layer is obtained when compared with conventional polishes (the difference is more than two times). The high qualities of liquid glass used for car body processing are due to the use of nanotechnology in the manufacture of polishes of this type.
Stage 11. Manufacturing and repair of electrical wiring.
Naturally, when making a wiring harness for a retro car that is being restored, we use authentic materials and not only the color, but also the cross-section of the wires fully corresponds to the car that came out of the factory 50-80-100 years ago, thanks to this, the car after restoration will be ready to withstand the most strict examination and will have maximum financial and collection value. And for our clients who are preparing a car for operation, we will be able to add a package of modern options (from an audio system and a rear view camera, to air conditioning and heated seats) and style them to match the overall design concept of a retro car.
Jaguar XK140
ZIL 41047 tuning, connecting the instrument panel
Manufacturing a wiring harness for Mercedes W113
Connecting electrical wiring BMW 340 coupe
Mercedes 129 roof controller repair
ZIL radio repair
Mercedes 300 SL electrical wiring assembly
Installation of the Mercedes 300 SL dashboard
Restoration of the power structure
The car's "heart" is completely disassembled. The engine, gearbox, driveshaft, front and rear axles, steering, brakes are carefully diagnosed. Parts suitable for further use are cleaned, washed with kerosene and placed in electrolyte. The anodizing process will resist corrosion and improve the appearance of parts.
Most often, piston rings, starter, fuel injection nozzles, generator, flanges, and cylinder liners require replacement. In most cases, it is not possible to do without boring the block. The engine is then carefully assembled.
Other parts of the power structure should be completely rebuilt to achieve factory power. At the same stage, the restoration of rims and tires takes place.
After completing the preparatory work, the car is completely assembled and the process of installing the equipment for a convenient and comfortable ride begins.
Video about car restoration in the company’s workshops:
Video report on the restoration of Oldsmobile 98
Video report on the conversion of ZIL 4104
Video report on the restoration of Alfa Romeo
Video report on the restoration of Lagonda V12
Video report on the restoration of GAZ 21
To learn more about the work performed, go to the “our work” section (click on the link to go).
Stages of car restoration work
Stage 1. Complete disassembly of the car
The first stage is not difficult for an experienced car enthusiast. Indeed, disassembling a car is much easier and faster than assembling and starting a newly restored car. However, at this stage it is important to follow the following recommendations:
- Take a photo of each detail, sign the elements and all the necessary marks. For this purpose, it is advisable to keep a separate notebook - this way information about the assembly will always be at hand.
- Prepare in advance a sufficient number of boxes and racks for sorting a certain group of elements. Do the work slowly and meticulously so as not to lose small parts and remember the design of the machine.
- After the car is completely disassembled, it is necessary to clean and prepare the body parts. First of all, the remaining paint and putty are removed from the metal. There are several ways to remove old paint from a body, the most convenient is mechanical. It involves cleaning the body using a grinding machine or sandblasting equipment. You can also use a chemical or thermal method - each of them has its advantages.
The cleaned body must be primed, since moisture in the air has a negative effect on the “bare” metal.
Stage 2. Chassis repair and restoration
The car frame is the most important structure; it is the mounting location for the main components of the car and its body. At this stage, inspection, troubleshooting and identification of chassis problems (geometry violations, cracks) are carried out. Then the faults in the “skeleton” of the car are eliminated. High-quality frame repair is important because the most important thing—safety—depends on its condition.
Stage 3. Painting body elements
Prepared primed body elements are subject to painting. Before applying enamel, it is important to properly seal the car and hide parts that will not be painted.
Using a spray gun, we apply enamel to the surface of the body - this is the first, “base” layer. The enamel is applied in parallel, horizontal strips that overlap each other by about half a centimeter.
Apply the second layer of paintwork in vertical lines. Then, in the “drying” mode, let the paint completely harden. Dry the car at a temperature of 50-80 degrees, about 50 minutes.
Stage 4. Restoration or replacement of technical components of the machine
The time it takes to complete this stage depends on the technical condition of the car and the serviceability of the parts. In most cases, restoration of nodes takes up almost a third of the total work time. The difficulty lies in the fact that many of the necessary spare parts are no longer available for sale, so the restorer has to turn to the services of turners to recreate the necessary element.
At this stage, a thorough diagnosis of the brake system, steering, chassis, cooling system, fuel system units and their repair is carried out.
Stage 5. Overhaul of the internal combustion engine and gearbox
Restorers rarely manage to avoid this stage, since the age of the vehicle negatively affects the technical condition of the car’s heart. The stage begins with complete disassembly and troubleshooting of engine components and gearbox. Then the question of how you want to restore the engine is decided.
There are two options: restore the original motor or improve it, giving it new, more powerful properties. In both the first and second cases, you will have to spend time searching for the necessary components or, if they are not on sale, order them from a turner.
Sometimes the best solution is not to overhaul the engine, but to replace it. Do not forget that the engine needs to be switched to modern gasoline and run-in after major intervention.
Stage 6. Galvanic work (chrome plating of elements)
Almost all vintage cars have a lot of chrome-plated parts, which have lost their appeal over time. Restoring such elements must begin with removing the old layer and thorough polishing. Then the parts undergo a copper plating procedure, which helps achieve a perfectly flat surface. At the end of the stage, the spare part is plated with nickel and chromium.
Stage 7. Complete car assembly
This work must be taken seriously and responsibly. This is where all the notes and photos taken at the first stage, as well as the instruction manual, will come in handy.
Stage 8. Restoration of the car interior
The amount of work required to restore a car's interior depends on its original condition and the intended design. The following are considered mandatory restoration procedures:
- complete dry cleaning of the interior, removal of all stains and stains;
- removing and cleaning upholstery and panels;
- restoration of small decorative parts, as necessary.
It is also necessary to wash the seat covers or reupholster them with new fabric or leather. Updating the interior will help your restored car look chic and expensive not only on the outside, but also on the inside.
Stage 9. Equipping the machine with the missing parts
This may include decorative elements such as ashtrays, emblems, sun visors or wheel covers. Sometimes you have to work hard to find a missing part, especially on vintage cars.
Stage 10. Testing a retro car and running it in
The final stage of this complex work consists of test runs and elimination of detected deficiencies, if any. Running in a car should be long in order to check its technical condition and safety performance. Usually the race lasts 500 - 1000 km.
To completely restore a car, it is necessary to carry out serious and lengthy work. But after seeing and appreciating its result, you will definitely not regret the time and effort spent. Currently, the number of restorers is growing, because restoring cars is not only interesting and useful, but also profitable.
Personal experience of oldtimer restoration
You desperately need a plan
Not in my head or in the notes on my smartphone, but written in my own hand and hanging in the most visible place in the workshop. Improvisation is good at a jazz concert and in a bar after the eighth glass; in our case, you must have a clear and most detailed plan of action. This is the only way you will save yourself from the prospect of going out on the highway with loose fittings of the brake system and finally stop wasting precious time thinking about what to tackle today. Well, as a free bonus, by crossing out items, you will receive visual evidence that the process is underway, and this, whatever one may say, is a killer motivation not to abandon your project.
Safety precautions
A sea of articles has been written on this subject, and the sad statistics simply do not imply any double interpretation. Everyone knows that you need to wear a mask when cutting with an angle grinder, even if it sweats, and your experience gives you armor-piercing confidence in your actions. Naturally, you’ve already “done this a hundred times,” but a screwdriver that stupidly came off because you were too lazy to wipe your hands after replacing the oil filter can prevent you from working for a week. Well, the risk of the car falling right on you from a hastily placed jack is non-zero. There were incidents, and I don’t want to remember them.
Everything has its place and it is one
Anyone who has dealt with self-repair of their “cracker” can remember a thousand cases when the search for a ten-size drill bit, which you just drilled a couple of holes with yesterday, turns into absolutely unmethodical wandering around the garage and ultimately leads to nothing. Of course, there is always hope in your neighbor, who, in turn, will most likely tell you something like: “Somewhere out there, I think I came across him six months ago.” And unlike the guys in the garage cooperative, the neighbors next door very rarely keep drills at home. And even more so inch keys. So fifteen minutes at the end of the evening spent on cleaning will save a lot of nerves and time the next day.
You'll never stay within budget
You shouldn’t deceive yourself with conclusions along the lines of “The bridge is still in good condition, it looks like the previous owner changed all the guts in the gearbox, and it must digest four hundred mares, after all, it was created in the seventies.” Be prepared for the fact that if something may go beyond the allotted budget, it will be there before you even start troubleshooting. The only way not to go crazy with the costs in the process is to stoically accept the inevitability of very large financial investments, come to terms with the most indigestible numbers and endure all the pain at the initial stage. So type out your business plan to the maximum, and then feel free to multiply the amount in the “total” column by two.
Labels, photos and a million grippers
When disassembling a complex mechanism or several simple ones at the same time, spend time putting all the fasteners in bags, labeling each of them in as much detail as possible, and even better, document each stage of dismantling with a couple of photographs. When you start assembling later, you will repeatedly say “thank you” to yourself for this. And, in principle, stop relying on your leaky memory, because yesterday you were the one who ate all your friends’ bald spots on the topic “It seems I forgot to turn off the oven.”
6. Not all services are equally useful, and you are not a jack of all trades.
In any case, sooner or later you will have to face something that you do not understand at an insufficient level. If you have time and desire, forums, real people and YouTube, as a rule, know more about everything than you do. You shouldn’t reinvent the wheel by gaining your own sometimes very dubious experience, bitter mistakes, endless rework and wasted time, which is always in short supply in such matters. Sometimes entrusting certain jobs to trusted specialists, the search for which will be your homework, will end up being less expensive in terms of money and much more effective in terms of the same time resources. If there are strict deadlines, they dissolve at an alarming rate, and hectoliters of coffee and other invigorating poisons in jars will not add hours to the day.
Mark the template seven times, try it on eight times and don’t be lazy to spend a really long time adjusting the finished part
Climbing under the car, trying on a piece of body panel made from scratch that stubbornly won’t fit together, and returning to the workbench, where there is a vice and a file with a sharpening machine, is always too lazy. But in case of an error, the element will have to be completely and necessarily redone. Therefore, think three times before grinding off extra millimeters “just to be sure.” Under favorable circumstances, you will have to spend a couple of hours creating a new part, in the worst case, you will have to fork out heavily and suspend work while a new threshold, for example, floats by sea from the States.
Anything that can be damaged during certain work will definitely suffer.
Including yourself. If a drop of welding cools down in your sneaker, that’s not so bad, but if this happens on a freshly painted wing, then the torment, albeit moral, will be much greater. Sparks from an angle grinder are quite tolerable to the skin of your hands, but they will destroy interior plastic, paintwork and seat trim much faster than you can cut off “just one soured bolt.” Dust from paint also settles in the most unexpected places, and it takes a long time, it’s tedious and difficult to wash off. Therefore, throw your laziness into a bucket of oily rags and carefully cover with suitable materials everything that could be damaged during the work.
If your friend/son/father still fell for the fact that the garage is fun and cool, and agreed to help you, then again you should have a clear plan of action
The car is yours, which means that among all this hardware you are the first after the gasoline devil, so you are responsible for the productivity of the process. And if your partner hangs around and attacks you with stupid questions, then this miscalculation is solely on your conscience. Divide the responsibilities in accordance with the qualifications of those involved and the availability of the necessary tools, while trying to spread the workplaces as far apart as possible geographically so as not to get under each other’s feet, hands and heads. Otherwise, such an assistant will be of no more use than a wife who silently sips a mojito, lounging on the back sofa removed from the car somewhere in the corner of the garage.
Don’t skimp on tools and don’t neglect working conditions. It's a matter of self-respect
The light bulbs in the carrier should not burn out when you are curled up and cooking the bottom. Chinese wrenches will fly off due to soured nuts, and you will get tired of carrying a cheap drill for repairs after the first breakdown. Firstly, it’s a pleasure to work with a quality tool, and secondly, stopping work and going to the store (if it’s still open) for a new hammer costs time and money. And with this, as we found out, you will experience shortages everywhere. And keep control over the availability of consumables. If you've run out of grinder discs and reciprocating saw blades, write everything down on a piece of paper or in your phone, because we've already sorted out the quality of your memory.
And something else...
Never compromise with yourself on anything. Try to be a perfectionist in every detail and bring the job to the end, without wasting time on half measures, because you will always have time to make mistakes and make a car in the “it will do” style. Moreover, sworn promises to redo everything later in the overwhelming majority of cases remain promises. You can't change it, rest assured. Because “that will do.”
Sources
- https://www.77professional.ru/remont-avtomobilej-retro
- https://raceport.ru/restavratsiya/
- https://kuzovnoi-sao.ru/price-restavraciya
- https://antiqcar.ru/restavraciya
- https://fastmb.ru/soveti_auto/2144-kak-sdelat-restavraciyu-starogo-avtomobilya.html
- https://www.kolesa.ru/article/lichnyj-opyt-restavracii-oldtajmera-10-oshibok-kotorye-sovershajut-vse-2016-03-29
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