HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-04-10, Page 21THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2008. PAGE 21. Classic car restoration: Tough but rewarding
Keep your car looking new
Mother’s Day car gift ideas
“It looks like new! I would have
never guessed that car was eight
years old.”
That is what we owners want to
hear, but keeping our cars looking
like the late models is tough, even
with today’s long-lasting finishes.
Dents, dings and cracked glass are
several items that age the appearance
of a vehicle.
Fortunately, technology has
helped advance the solutions to these
problems, making the fixes quicker
and less expensive. A new trend is
mobile repair units, where these
items often can be repaired on site at
your home or work, adding to the
convenience.
Without sanding, filler or painting,
preserving the integrity of the
vehicle’s original factory finish.
Technicians use specially designed
tools that allow them to access the
problem and actually massage it out.
If paint touchups are required, the
technology is available to match
your vehicle and repair scratches,
minor chips and blemishes on most
surfaces.
There are a couple of factors that
have an effect on the success of this
process:
• The location of the dent on the car
is important. For example, a dent
on the edge of a door, trunk or hood
probably can’t be fixed using this
process.
• If there is paint damage or scrapes
across multiple panels, this
may indicate that the damage
is too severe, as the paint
may crack as the dent is
removed.
Like dents and dings, chipped
cracked glass can also diminish the
value of a car. However, the fix is not
necessarily a new windshield.
Seventy percent of all glass damage
is repairable. Using resins that are
constantly being improved,
technicians not only can fix your
glass, but also make it stronger. In
addition, the resin can create a repair
that is difficult to detect. This
technology can be used to repair the
following types of glass damage in
automobiles: star breaks,
combination breaks, bulls-eyes and
cracks of any length.
Before having any repairs
performed, Car Care Canada
reminds you to choose the facility as
carefully as you would choose your
automotive repair shop. Be sure to
get all estimates and warranties in
writing. Ask for two or three
references and call them. Finally,
find out what happens if you’re
dissatisfied with the job.
With Valentines Day behind us it's
not too soon to begin thinking about
Mother's Day. One place to look for
useful ideas is from the driver's seat
of the car, especially if Mom spends
a lot of time behind the wheel.
Her vehicle is her home away
from home and gifts that enhance
her enjoyment of that second home
are likely to be appreciated, suggests
Rich White, spokesperson for the
Car Care Council. "We tend to
gravitate toward gifts like jewelry, a
framed photo or flowers," he says.
"But why not break from the
traditional and dress up her car?
Maybe she's always wanted a sun
roof or has admired someone's wood
grained dash trim. Her wish could
come true, with the help of your
local auto specialty shop."
White suggests that, beyond the
obvious gifts such as a car phone or
floor mats, Mom might appreciate
having her damaged steering wheel
replaced with one that's stylish,
possibly leather covered. Her sun-
damaged and faded padded dash
could be repaired, replaced or
recovered to upgrade the interior.
"Security devices such as a remote
keyless entry or alarm systems are
popular add-ons," says White, "as
are custom wheels or wheel covers.
Women usually are interested in
safety and appearance accessories,
as opposed to those which are
performance related. Gifts can be
inexpensive, too. Those net
shopping bags, for example, that
hook on back of the driver's seat, are
great gift items."
For more ideas and prices visit
your auto supply store or specialty
shop listed in the classified phone
directory.
Classic car restoration projects canbe very rewarding, giving restorers a
chance to bring life to an old car that
might once have appeared beyond
repair.
Though trial and error is an
integral part of the vehicle
restoration process, there are steps
first time restorers can take to avoid
some of the many pitfalls that can
pop up when trying to get that ‘57
Chevy or ‘41 Buick back up and
running and ready to hit the
road.
· Do your research and take your
time. You must first do your research
so you can choose a vehicle wisely
and ensure you get exactly what
you’re looking for. If you’re not
quite sure of what you want, several
publications can act as strong
resources that can help you make a
decision.
Also, before choosing your car, go
online and see what the car might
look like once you’re finished. If
possible, ask others you know whorestored the same model what you
can expect to pay.
Restoring classic cars is not a
hobby for those with tight purse-
strings, so knowing a ballpark list of
expenses beforehand is a good
idea.
· Know from whom you’re buying.
Weekend classified sections in
newspapers are filled with antique
autos for sale, which increase your
chances of finding a car and getting
ripped off. Similar to most other big-
ticket expenses or jobs that will
require you to invest lots of time and
money, getting a referral is a great
way to go, even if it is difficult to
find.
Oftentimes, sellers will tell you
only the great things about a car and
regale you with tales of how much
money their car can save you on
restoration expenses. It’s important
not to be too trusting, especially if
you weren’t referred to a
seller.· Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
A large investment earns you the
right to ask however many questions
you want. Make sure you ask if the
car runs, if the brakes work, if
anything is leaking, as well as other
questions you might have pertaining
to the vehicle’s condition.
One very important question to
ask is how long the seller has owned
the car. Beware of any seller who is
selling a car after only owning it for
a brief period of time. This likely
means the seller has decided the car
is more trouble than it’s worth, or
finding parts for it is too
problematic. Asking why the seller
is selling the car is good, too, as his
response can help you gauge how
well he took care of it while he
owned it. If the car runs, ask to take
it out for a drive.
· Be prepared to spend just to get it
home. If the car runs, this shouldn’t
be a problem, as most states will
issue you temporary tags if the car isnot registered. The fee for such tags
is typically not very large.
Where you can expect to pay a
steeper price is if the car doesn’t run
at all. If you purchase the car
particularly far away from home,
trucking costs can be expensive.
Most companies have standard fees
of $1 per mile uncovered, $2 permile covered.
Naturally, these fees can add up
depending on where you purchase
your car. But this shouldn’t dictate
where you look, as the trucking fee
is a one-time expense and you
shouldn’t limit your search only to
those areas close to home.
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&CUSTOMIZING
519-523-9726
email: countryside@tcc.on.ca
82589 London Rd.
South of Blyth
• Insurance claims • Collision repairs
• Refinishing • Restoration
• Spray in truck box liners • Oil spray undercoating
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Don’t want to make an insurance claim for
that fender bender? See Raymond for an
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Now doing car cleaning
Call for appointment
519-357-4305
597 Cedar St., Wingham
PENTASTIC MOTORS
Specializing
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4x4
Trades
Welcome
2001 Harriston Rd. Gorrie
www.pentasticmotors.com
USED CARS
& TRUCKS
Dave Robertson
Heather Robertson
pentast@wightman.ca
Bus: 519-335-6565
Cell: 519-357-7090
Fax: 519-335-4090
“Specializing in on-the-farm-service”
Bruce Willits
456 Ross Street, Lucknow
519-528-2103
ALL MAKES OF
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