| Restoring a classic car back into its elegant shape is | | | | 6. Don't use polishers unless the paint won't shine even |
| just the beginning of your hard work. In order to retain | | | | with all the cleaning. Polishers work by ‘scraping' off |
| the value of the car and to keep it in proper shape, | | | | the surface paint, thus revealing a new layer. If you |
| you need to engage in maintenance work. | | | | use it too often, the paint will thin down too much. |
| Maintenance is the part that's most often overlooked | | | | 7. Do wax the car, especially after polishing. Wax |
| by classic car owners. Some may think that cleaning | | | | protects your classic car's paint. What would be better |
| and detailing a car is as simple as washing it and | | | | is if you apply a paint sealant first, and apply car wax |
| waxing away. The truth is, improper practices might | | | | after. This will protect your car for a good two months |
| lead to a degradation of your car. In order to avoid | | | | at the least, and if your sealant is a good one, maybe |
| that, just read and keep in mind this very simple guide | | | | even up to six months. (But of course, you still need to |
| to maintaining your classic. | | | | clean your car.) |
| 1. Do keep a schedule for maintenance work. You | | | | 8. Do clean your engine. Degrease the engine first with |
| don't need to do it everyday, since it might take up a | | | | a good engine degreaser, and wash it using a |
| lot of time. Once a week will be fine for light | | | | specialized engine brush and cleaning formulations. Dry |
| maintenance like surface-cleaning the exterior, and | | | | your engine afterwards, and apply wax and |
| twice or once a month for vacuuming, applying wax, | | | | protectants. |
| polishing, and cleaning your engine. | | | | 9. Do clean the glass last. This is to avoid |
| 2. Do wash your car first. If you apply polishers or wax | | | | re-contaminating it when cleaning the other parts of |
| on a dusted car, there's a good chance that you'll ruin | | | | the classic car. Look for cleaners which are free from |
| the paint. Use great cleaning products that wash and | | | | ammonia. Household glass cleaners are a big no-no. |
| catch dirt and dust, while still being pH-balanced. | | | | They contain ammonia, which dries out leather, plastic, |
| 3. Don't air-dry the classic car. If you air-dry the car, | | | | and vinyl. Not too good for the other parts of your car, |
| you will find yourself in a bigger mess than what you | | | | or the glass itself especially if it's tinted. |
| possibly have started with. Water-spots will form. Use | | | | 10. Don't clean your car while it's still hot. Make sure |
| cotton detailing cloths and wipe off the excess water. | | | | that the engine is cool, and the paint has not been |
| These cloths are non-abrasive, and could soak up | | | | exposed in the sun for too long. Cleaning a hot car will |
| water real good. | | | | only be more damaging. |
| 4. Don't use silicone-based protectants when cleaning | | | | 11. And finally, do use a properly fitted car cover to |
| the rubber and vinyl of the interior. Silicone-based | | | | protect it from weather effects and dust. An enclosed |
| protectants leave oily residues which serves as a | | | | garage is not enough. Car covers will make your paint |
| magnet to dust. Use water-based protectants instead. | | | | last longer, as well as keep dust and bugs away. It will |
| 5. Do clean every inch of your interior, even the vents. | | | | save you much time, as you won't need to clean your |
| Use a small brush specialized for cleaning the small | | | | car as frequently. |
| parts of the car. Any other brush will just leave hairs | | | | Maintenance is a lot of hard work, but it really pays off. |
| behind, and could probably clog up a vent. And don't | | | | Follow these simple maintenance tips for your classic |
| forget the floor mats--shake them off and | | | | car, and you will surely have a dazzlin' and shinin' ride. |
| vacuum-clean them. | | | | |