Bright Trim
Nothing detracts from a collector vehicle's appearance more than pitted, dull, and rusted chrome plating and brightwork. In many cases, the brightwork is stainless steel and can easily be restored to a brilliant luster just by buffing and polishing processes hobbyists can do themselves with a modest investment in tools and time. Renewing the gleam of chrome, on the other hand, takes a commercial plater's highly specialized equipment and expertise. But here, too, there are steps that hobbyists can do themselves, both to save money and to enjoy the satisfaction of renewing highly visible parts of the vehicle.
Beginning in the 1960s, manufacturers began to use plastic for many "chrome-plated" parts, especially interior trim pieces. Actually, the bright finish isn't chrome but an extremely thin coating of aluminum that, when new, shone with the brightness of chrome. Today these "plastic chrome" trim pieces, which often include instrument gauge panels, are likely to be dulled and may even have lost their bright coating. Since the trim piece's composition is plastic, not metal, the hobbyist may assume that the piece can't be restored and that a remanufactured or new replacement part has to be found. This isn't the case. Plastic chrome plating services can renew these trim items to like-new appearance if the plastic pieces themselves aren't badley damaged or deteriorated. Later on we will describe the processes for the plating of both brightmetal parts and plastic pieces, with tips and guidelines for receiving top quality service at reasonable prices.
Interrior Attention
Except in rare instances where a vehicle has received extremely good care and been driven few miles, the interior seat coverings, floor carpeting or mats, door coverings, headliner, or convertible top are likely to show wear and need to be replaced. One of the greatest boons to the car restoration hobby has been the appearance of upholstery kits, now available for a wide range of year and model cars and trucks. With a kit, hobbyists can be their own trimmers (the term for auto upholsterers) by installing seat, door panel, headliner, and carpet kits to make a vehicle look like new. Another advantage of kits is that most duplicate original materials in both color and weave pattern or design, something trimmers typically can't do. All the steps from removing old upholstery to purchasing and installing a complete interior kit are covered much later as this blog progresses.
Storage and Preservation
When you've completed your goal and rthe restoration project is finished, you'll want your work to last. How can you protect a restored car from aging? Proper storage is essential. Fortunately, modern products make it possible to seal a car as hermetically as if it were a museum piece which for all practical purposes it is. Later on we will describe these products and explain their use. Important, too, is protecting your prized car from theft. Helpful tips are offered against this possibility.
Restoring an old car is, indeed, a learn-as-you-go adventure. It isn't necessary to know everything before you begin. Learning is more than a part of the process; it's one of the rewards the satisfaction of mastering a challenge and developing new skills in the process, and then seeing the result of that skill emerge before your eyes. Of course, it doesn't hurt to hear admiring comments like, "You mean that you painted that car?!"
While it's possible that you are reading my blog because the restoration candidate is sitting in your garage or backyard, it's also likely that the project car has yet to be found. In the coming posts that I will soon publish we'll discuss cars that are promising restoration candidates, from both the standpoint of their styling and mechanical features, as well as their collector status (desirability and potential value), possible uniqueness, or performance and enjoyment characteristics.
You've joined a great hobby. Let's begin the journey.
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