Is your trusty truck finally breaking down after years of use? Need a new car, but don’t want to spend exorbitant amounts of cash on something fresh from the factory?
You might be interested to learn that even when a vehicle is old, you don’t need to send it to the scrapyard. With enough time and dedication, you can make long-in-the-tooth cars look and function like new automobiles. Here are tips for how to fix up an old car.
Not All Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks
First, it’s important to know that not all old dogs can learn new tricks. Sometimes, it’s cheaper to scrap a vehicle than to attempt to restore it. The main reason for this is that the older an automobile model is, the harder (and more expensive) it becomes to find parts for it.
Think the extra expense and time are worth it? Go for it! Don’t want to go through the trouble? Stick to restoring vehicles that are no older than ten years.
Stock up on New Parts
What’s the main reason your antiquated vehicle is a sluggish nightmare? In most cases, it’s that the parts are ancient and worn down beyond repair. Therefore, the next step in how to fix up an old car is to replace the internal components. Trade these components for new ones, and you’ll be shocked at the difference in performance. If you really want to beef up the performance, don’t forget to make some mods that increase horsepower and torque while you’re at it.
Of course, new parts can be expensive. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to cushion the expense. Don’t purchase OEM parts, which the manufacturer makes directly. Instead, search for a place that has aftermarket parts for sale. Aftermarket parts are cheaper, and they can work even better than OEM parts when you buy them from a trustworthy shop.
Polish It Up
All that’s left is to spruce up the exterior of the vehicle. You can replace doors, hoods, and fenders with parts salvaged from a scrapyard. On the other hand, you should always have the tires and glass professionally replaced.
These replacements should eliminate most signs of visible damage, such as scratches, dents, etc. If there’s anything left over, a new paint job, a wash, and a wax will finish the job.