Whether you’re trying to maintain its value as best as possible to eventually sell it, or you simply love some of the older designs, owning a classic or vintage car can come with its fair share of extra headaches. They’re not always built to the standards of modern vehicles, which means that they might need a little extra care. Here, we’re going to look at how you can ensure that they’re kept in the best condition they can be in.
Work Hard To Preserve That Finish
One of the things that typically stands out the most about a classic car is its paint and bodywork. As such, you should work hard to maintain that exterior, using a pH-balanced car shampoo and microfiber mitts to clean it gently without scratching or affecting the paintwork. A high-quality wax can help protect against UV rays and water spots, as well, preserving that finish as best as possible for longer.
Handle The Interior With Care, Too
Classic cars often have older materials inside, which can be more fragile than the modern alternatives. If your car still has its original interior, then you want to avoid harsh cleaners, solvents, or abrasive scrubbing tools that can strip out color and damage fabrics or leather surfaces. Choose products that are specific to the materials they’re being used on, such as conditions for seats, vinyl cleaners for dashboards, and soft brushes for any vintage fabrics. You want to condition these often to avoid the cracks that can form as a result of exposure to sunlight and drying out.
Keep It In The Right Place
If you want to avoid the long-term damage that can be caused by sunlight, rain, and other environmental pollutants, then proper storage is a must-have. If you have a garage, ensure that it’s temperature-controlled and use a breathable, high-quality car cover to allow airflow while preventing dust and moisture from settling. If you don’t have such, as a space or yours isn’t well-maintained, then car storage can help you just as well. Of course, even when in storage, some cleaning and material maintenance might be in order to prevent materials from degrading due to neglect.
Find Your Specialist Mechanics
When it comes to vintage cars, not every mechanic is going to know how to best care for your vehicle. A lot of them won’t know how to handle older engines, carburetors, or out-of-date electrical systems. Take the time to find a specialist mechanic or even a restoration expert who can help not only make sure that the vehicle is running, but also give aging materials the care they need to look and feel as best as possible, or even help you source rare components when you need replacements.
If you’re not particularly willing to follow the tips above and make sure that you give your classic car the best treatment you can, it’s probably better ot sell it sooner rather than later. Otherwise, it can easily start to plummet in value as wear and tear work their way through it.