Owning a classic car is often the pride and joy of the owner’s possessions. If you yourself are an owner of a classic car, you may realize that you spend a lot of time thinking about how to protect your car from damages and keeping it looking as good as possible to retain its value. Here are a few tips on ways to care for your classic car so you have an easier time.
Keeping the Car Clean
One of the easiest and most crucial ways to care for your classic car is by simply ensuring it’s regularly and properly washed. We recommend avoiding automated car washes because they can be a bit rough on a car’s exterior. Instead, hand wash your car yourself. Some common but misguided advice is that you should use dish soap on your car. This should actually be avoided because the dish soap will ruin any other detailing you have or plan to have on the car’s exterior.
After you’ve given your car a fresh clean, apply a coat of wax. Not only will this keep the exterior looking glossy and fresh, but there are different types of wax that will provide further benefits. Examples include greater resistance against scratches or protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays that would otherwise fade and dull the car’s paint.
Assessing Possible Hazards
To be sure your classic car is still safe to drive, there are a few routine assessments you should make. To begin with, you should regularly keep tabs on your car’s fluids, like oil, transmission fluid, and coolant. Ensuring these are refilled or replaced before they get too low will keep your car running smoothly and prevent damage to your engine.
Second, you should regularly inspect your classic car for rust. This is easiest once you’ve cleaned your car and cleared any dirt or grime that may otherwise obstruct or hide spots of rust. If you do spot signs of corrosion, it’s a good idea to apply lubricants like WD-40 to stop the spread of the corrosion.
Provide the Right Storage
To prevent the weather from eroding the condition of your vehicle, classic cars should always be stored away in a roofed shelter—ideally a finished garage that does not have a gravel or dirt floor. A sheltered location will spare your car from the beating sun dulling the paint, or the rain that contains plenty of airborne contaminants that will corrode your car. Such a storage place will also regulate the temperature, so the cold and hot extremes don’t have a chance to ruin your vehicle.
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