Sequence For Restorations

[Bingster]

When I first got my old car, I immediately went for the front brakes and most everything bolted onto the car.  I did label most of them and they are all in containers.  Some things like sheet metal I did restore and paint.

 

Now, with a few years to think about things, I am trying to figure out where to attack first?

 

I have most of the parts to do the front brakes and such.  But then I wonder about things like ball joints and parts that receive wear and I should repair or replace.

 

Naturally, the interior should be either before or after paint.  I've redone some under-the-hood stuff like the air cleaner, generator and of course the dip stick!!

 

I'd appreciate your experience in these matters.

[Plymouthy Adams]

if the car is question is the car in the avatar..then your question on ball joints is mute..not on this car.....king pins ..

 

now for the big question..are you removing the body from the frame  that will have a lot to do with your order of attack..there is really not a set path

 

Most folks when doing the chassis like to renew the suspension both front and rear..on the rear only the shackles seem to take a hit..the forward spring silent block I have found to be in very serviceable condition...I replaced a couple in my time only because I bought them before I found out they were not really needed.

 

I have seen some people individual chart for rebuilding an old car broken into major segments on line..maybe a look there will give you a base guideline that you can adapt to your working needs.

[greg g]

I always counsel Mechanical before aesthetics.  If stuff is worn replace if not why tear it apart?  Get it running, and driving, and safe, they worry about the looks.

[desoto1939]

Most guys get the mechanicals working to at least get the car road worthy to make sure they have a car they can drive for awhile. Then decide it they want to do a full up resto or a partial resto.  Also alot depends on how mush $$$$$ you have to spend on the car, the cost to value ration is one thing to consider.  You can spend alot of money for a 4 door sedan with a full resto, including the interior, redoing the dashboard and all of the garnish moldings. This alone will cost you a lot of money if it is done professionaly figure 2K and then you have the interior cloth and headliner and rubber mat and ro rug for the car.

 

If the car is a low production model and then car is in great shape and is not missing alot of parts then you have a great foundation to start with.

 

So the first questions that you need to ask yourself is,  What do I plan to do with this car.  Am i going for a full resto and Point judging, then cannot drive the car until you have gotton to the point that you want as a finaly judged car.  AACA National 1st car then you need to do a full up resto. Attend at leaset two AACA meets so your car can be judged. First you need to win a 1st Junior adn then the next show you can then compete for a 1st Senior, But if there are better cars you still could not make enought points to get your 1st Senior award. Then you have to attend another AACA event.

 

You will also have to protest the car in between each show and fix any issues that theymight find.  You will also need a good vehicle to pull the car on your trailer since you do not want to get any road grime on the undercarrage.  The car has to look as if it came out of the Dealership today just like a freshly made car, Perfect in every way.

 

Or do you want a nice driver that has a nice paint job and the mechanicals are good and you have a safe car?

 

This is the first step then decide from that point on what to fix and repair.

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[Dave72dt]

It somewhat depends on the type and depth of the restoration. Some things have a natural sequence. Example, brakes and suspension components. It makes little sense to do the brakes, install them and then take them off to repair suspension components. Here again, painting the frame would be done before putting reconditioned parts back on it. New brake lines should be formed and mocked up in place, then removed for frame painting since the fresh paint can get scratched if trying to form them after it's painted. Interior is usually last, especially if the car is getting painted. Body work and paint is dusty, dirty and messy and will get all over an interior. Paint overspray on upholstery is bad. Body work dust also gets all over frames and engines so they need to be encapsulated well, especially if you've already detailed them.

[Daliant.]

Make sure the mechanicals are up to snuff before addressing the cosmetics. I've seen plenty of nicely "cosmetically" restored cars that can barely make it around the block without overheating or burning/leaking a quart of oil every 500 miles or having electrical gremlins that leave 'em stranded. Doing repairs on a car with nice paint sucks, no matter how careful you are nicks and scratches are bound to happen. Save the paint and interior for last.

Edited June 19, 2014 by Daliant.

[RobertKB]

Mechanicals, body, interior. Each component has several sub-components which can vary in the order you do them, but overall that is the order I use.

[ptwothree]

Rust repair first, mechanicals, body/paint then interior in that order.