If you are about to pick up your first classic car, you might be wondering how to keep it in good enough condition so that it can compete for first prize at the Show and Shine contests in your area.
By following a few cardinal rules that collectors like Robert Bassam swear by, you’ll be able to keep your roadster in tip-top condition for the foreseeable future.
1) Detail your car once per year
This is one of the most obvious steps, but it is also one of the most dreaded. Detailing your car is a very labor-intensive procedure, as it involves deep cleaning, vacuuming, washing and waxing the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
Neglect this important task, and your classic car will gradually accumulate dust, dirt, and grime, which are all things that will cause its good looks to fade.
Remember that you only have to do this once per year: put in one solid weekend afternoon of effort, and your car will look amazing for the rest of the year.
2) Keep your garage rodent-free
As much care as you put into the prior step, your effort will be for naught if your garage ends up becoming infested with mice and rats.
If they are allowed to invade its walls, they will eventually find their way inside, and they will end up chewing up the upholstery of your classic car.
While you may be certain that your garage and home does not contain rodents, it is it best to consult with a pest control expert, just to be sure.
3) Take it out / start it up once per month
If you’re like most collectors, you don’t acquire cars just so they can collect dust in your garage. You dream of being able to take them out during the summer and drive them down the main streets of your community. However, there are some times, especially during the cooler months of the year, where your car will sit dormant for extended periods.
Not starting the vehicle for a long time can be stressful on its systems, as moisture and condensation conspire to create leaks that can hasten the aging process.
By taking out your car at least once per month, you will be able to dry up any sources of moisture by heating up the vehicle.
If it is too cold outside, run the vehicle in your garage with the doors and windows open during the off-season.
4) Park them well away from other vehicles
There’s a reason why you rarely see any classic cars on the road after the first snow flies. It’s has nothing to do with with classic cars being out of style once summer is over, and everything to do with what is put on the roads once they begin to freeze.
Road salt is incredibly destructive to classic cars, so unless you have no choice but to move your vehicle, it is best to leave your baby parked in the garage until spring arrives.
