Do's and Don'ts for Maintaining Your Classic Cars

Restoring a classic car back into its elegant shape is6. Don't use polishers unless the paint won't shine
just the beginning of your hard work. In order toeven with all the cleaning. Polishers work by 'scraping'
retain the value of the car and to keep it in properoff the surface paint, thus revealing a new layer. If
shape, you need to engage in maintenance work.you use it too often, the paint will thin down too
Maintenance is the part that's most often overlookedmuch.
by classic car owners. Some may think that cleaning7. Do wax the car, especially after polishing. Wax
and detailing a car is as simple as washing it andprotects your classic car's paint. What would be
waxing away. The truth is, improper practices mightbetter is if you apply a paint sealant first, and apply
lead to a degradation of your car. In order to avoidcar wax after. This will protect your car for a good
that, just read and keep in mind this very simpletwo months at the least, and if your sealant is a
guide to maintaining your classic.good one, maybe even up to six months. (But of
1. Do keep a schedule for maintenance work. Youcourse, you still need to clean your car.)
don't need to do it everyday, since it might take up8. Do clean your engine. Degrease the engine first
a lot of time. Once a week will be fine for lightwith a good engine degreaser, and wash it using a
maintenance like surface-cleaning the exterior, andspecialized engine brush and cleaning formulations. Dry
twice or once a month for vacuuming, applying wax,your engine afterwards, and apply wax and
polishing, and cleaning your engine.protectants.
2. Do wash your car first. If you apply polishers or9. Do clean the glass last. This is to avoid
wax on a dusted car, there's a good chance thatre-contaminating it when cleaning the other parts of
you'll ruin the paint. Use great cleaning products thatthe classic car. Look for cleaners which are free from
wash and catch dirt and dust, while still beingammonia. Household glass cleaners are a big no-no.
pH-balanced.They contain ammonia, which dries out leather,
3. Don't air-dry the classic car. If you air-dry the car,plastic, and vinyl. Not too good for the other parts of
you will find yourself in a bigger mess than what youyour car, or the glass itself especially if it's tinted.
possibly have started with. Water-spots will form.10. Don't clean your car while it's still hot. Make sure
Use cotton detailing cloths and wipe off the excessthat the engine is cool, and the paint has not been
water. These cloths are non-abrasive, and could soakexposed in the sun for too long. Cleaning a hot car
up water real good.will only be more damaging.
4. Don't use silicone-based protectants when cleaning11. And finally, do use a properly fitted car cover to
the rubber and vinyl of the interior. Silicone-basedprotect it from weather effects and dust. An
protectants leave oily residues which serves as aenclosed garage is not enough. Car covers will make
magnet to dust. Use water-based protectantsyour paint last longer, as well as keep dust and bugs
instead.away. It will save you much time, as you won't need
5. Do clean every inch of your interior, even theto clean your car as frequently.
vents. Use a small brush specialized for cleaning theMaintenance is a lot of hard work, but it really pays
small parts of the car. Any other brush will just leaveoff. Follow these simple maintenance tips for your
hairs behind, and could probably clog up a vent. Andclassic car, and you will surely have a dazzlin' and
don't forget the floor mats--shake them off andshinin' ride.
vacuum-clean them.