Questions tagged [restoration]

The process of bringing a long-neglected vehicle back to top condition and running order

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51 votes
4 answers
88k views

Reviving a vehicle that has been idle for a long time

Some related topics: How to maintain a sometimes-used vehicle? How long does it take for gas to go bad? The first related topic addresses preparing a vehicle for long-term disuse, and maintaining ...
Iszi's user avatar
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17 votes
2 answers
12k views

What happens to a car when it hasn't been driven for 12 years?

I'm hoping that I'll soon be the owner of 2l turbo charged, 4wd hatchback that's been sat in a garage, undriven for over a decade. Trouble is that I won't be able to give it a full inspection until I ...
BenLanc's user avatar
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13 votes
5 answers
23k views

What is a good car to start with if I want to learn auto repair?

A couple of other "getting started" questions have been closed (as redundant with these questions), so I hope that my question is different and specific enough. I'm interested in learning to repair ...
kmm's user avatar
  • 375
11 votes
2 answers
2k views

What are these dots on my roof?

I'm currently in the process of restoring an older car (a 1988 BMW M5, in particular) after it sat in a driveway in the Pacific Northwest for ten years, waiting on an engine rebuild. My paint ...
Matthew Haugen's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
909 views

When painting a bare shell, why mask it up?

I've seen any number of restorations where somebody strips a car to a bare shell, media blasts it, welds it up then paints it. For some reason, when the shell is in it's final stages of paint, you ...
Steve Matthews's user avatar
8 votes
5 answers
7k views

Keeping track of removed screws?

Put simply, are there any good tricks for keeping track of removed screws and bolts when you're dealing with a lot of them? I'm officially one evening into an interior restoration job on my '88 BMW ...
Matthew Haugen's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
14k views

Sealing / effectively preserving restored headlights

There are many methods for polishing and restoring clouded, discolored headlights. My question is: once headlights have been polished and appear quite clear what sort of treatment effectively ...
ebpa's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
1k views

Long term storage of parts

I recently bought some spare parts for my Subaru Forester XT and would like to store them the right way until I need them. Specifically, I have a turbo, injectors, exhaust and intercooler that needs ...
Captain Kenpachi's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
1k views

What is the process of "mini-tubbing"?

I heard someone mention they were considering "mini-tubbing" their restoration project car. What does that mean? Can you just "tub" a car, or can only "mini tub" one? Can you "maxi tub"?
Bohemian's user avatar
  • 173
5 votes
2 answers
237 views

Video: 1970 911T starts for the first time in 15 years - What next?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QQzbEQTWAo&sns=em My brothers and I have been working on this car since last fall. So far we've done the following: Had the zenith carbs rebuilt and bench ...
Peter Walke's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
113 views

How much to get an old restomod running?

potentially a difficult question here. It's looking like I'm going to be moving out of state for a new job here in the next few months, which is throwing a big wrench into projects I have going on. ...
Ellocomotive's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
7k views

Necessity of draining gas for a vehicle that has been sitting for 2-3 years

Related: Reviving a vehicle that has been idle for a long time A car has not been started for over 2 years. No fuel stabilizer was added to the tank. According to some sources it's best to drain ...
intuited's user avatar
  • 469
4 votes
1 answer
112 views

Sources of Torque-To-Yield bolts?

I'm wondering if there is such a thing as a "generic" torque-to-yield (TTY) bolt or if they are application specific and have to be sourced through the dealer/manufacturer? What happens when a car is ...
dlu's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
156 views

Can I use cutting compound to take graffiti off my car?

Can I use cutting compound to remove graffiti sprayed on my car?
fred hiley's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
67 views

Restoring a third party Sailcloth soft top

I'm helping get a '97 Jeep TJ with a third party sailcloth soft top out of retirement. This was a top quality lid in its day but it is showing signs of fatigue and brittleness due to its inactivity ...
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3 votes
1 answer
1k views

what type of mask should I use?

When sanding a panel down to bare metal getting ready to correct the damage before primer, paint and clear. What kind of mask should be warn to protect my lungs. I'm assuming one of those diy ...
oshirowanen's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

Restoring a 1985 Yamaha AG200

I was given a bike (1985 Yamaha AG200) and was dedicated to get the thing running so I can learn a bit more about how motors work. Its been sitting in a shed for about 20 years and the rats have got ...
202's user avatar
  • 151
3 votes
2 answers
533 views

Restoring a Laverda 750 SF - Where to start? [closed]

My intention: to (re)build myself a road worthy 750cc whilst reusing as much of the original parts as possible. Mostly to learn as much as possible about motorcycle engineering and mechanics for use ...
Ryan McCoy's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
142 views

Motorcycle restoration steps

I have an inherited an old motorcycle. From what I can tell, an early 70's Yamaha 2 stroke. The gas has varnished, and the oil has been sitting for 40+ years. It has been sitting in a closed area, so ...
colbyt's user avatar
  • 133
3 votes
2 answers
27k views

Where can I get button graphics/decals for car interior (preferably for specific models)?

I have seen around a few threads by the business that created this video. They supply (supplied?) kits to replace the surface of car interior buttons (radio, climate control, etc) that have become ...
sebf's user avatar
  • 245
3 votes
1 answer
4k views

Can I spray paint a engine's heat shield?

While planning some tasks for "restoring" my engine bay, I noticed one of the things that significantly affect the way it looks is the heat shield. It's rusty, since the corrosion was probably much ...
IanC's user avatar
  • 386
3 votes
0 answers
75 views

Remove coating from chrome headlights

I'm restoring an old moped. It's a 1964 NSU Quickly N23. One of the next steps on my restoration project is to work on the paint and chrome parts. My headlights are covered with a layer of paint. I'm ...
Lizzy's user avatar
  • 31
2 votes
3 answers
741 views

2005 Dodge Stratus that won't start after sitting for 5 months

We have a 2005 Dodge Stratus that sat parked outside for 5 months (Feb to July). We replaced the battery with a new one. The car started briefly but then died. Again started briefly and then died. ...
Lisa's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
3 answers
95 views

What would the result be of re-painting a slightly rusting door?

Im going to be getting a Macao paint job inn the coming weeks. they're not doing any primer or anything, the car has its factory paint job, just getting something to match up door paint after ...
Jim's user avatar
  • 123
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

Giving an old car a refresh

I have an old car (1990 Volvo 240) which I am rather attached it. Lately it seems like it has been creaking and groaning rather more than usual. Is there some sort of spring cleaning(except it's a 20 ...
Connor Albright's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
4k views

Turtle wax headlight restorer kit not drying

Is used the Turtle wax headlight restorer kit to remove the yellowish haze from my headlights. I followed the instructions and as the last steps I applied the "basecoat" wipe, after a few minutes it ...
David Balažic's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
300 views

What is the best way to go with quarter panel repair?

I’m working on my first DIY car restoration project. Of course the car had a lot of rust spots I needed to fix. After a lot of practice and learning, I started with floor panels and underbody repairs ...
Jan Imrich's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
315 views

How to hand-crank a Toyota Prius engine?

I want to hand-crank the internal combustion engine (ICE) in a 2010 Toyota Prius that hasn't been started in 2+ years. The idea is to allow oil to lubricate the engine and reduce friction before I ...
End Anti-Semitic Hate's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
61 views

Ford steering restoration

I just got a used 5.4 v8 Ford van from 1998. It's rear wheel drive. It doesn't feel like a new vehicle no more. I'm suspectin that a big reason for that it is that the front wheels and all the stuff ...
Bubba's user avatar
  • 51
1 vote
3 answers
152 views

Headlight Restoration Question

I spent some time with a headlight restoration kit today...the process for them all is prtty muchthe same: 1 - clean headlights with soapy water, or whatever, and rinse. 2 - remove oxidation and rinse....
AA040371's user avatar
  • 455
1 vote
1 answer
958 views

How to spot remove high temp engine paint?

I've recently painted an engine post reassembly, due to cost reasons. No doubt I've encountered overspray on certain parts. I know sandblasting the engine proper is a huge no-no, and soda blasting ...
Ellocomotive's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
5k views

Honda Car Door Leather Tear and Restoration

I have a Honda with leather interior. Recently, there was an incident while carrying stuff in my car and the leather on the door got torn because of that. Here is a link to the pictures of the damage ...
Satya's user avatar
  • 111
0 votes
2 answers
2k views

Best paint to paint windshield wiper arms?

20 year old vehicle, my windshield wiper arms are all faded and paint is starting to wear off. We live in a pretty wet climate (Pacific Northwest). Considering that when painting, the prep is 90% of ...
wild.coast's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
110 views

Sanding motorbike bolts and abs sensor plates?

I want to do some cleaning up on my 2 motorbikes whilst in lockdown. I was just wondering do the manufacturers put any protective coating on bolts, or the abs sensor disc on the wheels? As there is ...
Martyn Ball's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
864 views

Starting a vehicle that has been sitting for 2-3 years: Gasoline/Petrol/Fuel

What to do about the fuel (gasoline/petrol) in a 2010 Toyota Prius that has been sitting unused for 2-3 years before attempting ignition? I found this related QA and one answer mentioned using SeaFoam....
End Anti-Semitic Hate's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

Hot Tank Solution for Aluminium?

My aluminium cylinder head is caked with oil and carbon. I’m going to be cleaning that along with other steel/iron parts. I’m planning to make a DIY hot tank to boil the parts in but what can put in ...
Junaid's user avatar
  • 101
0 votes
1 answer
30 views

Restoring Stainless Steel Part

I am working on various parts with a similar condition, the one pictured is an exhaust heat shield which is I believe Stainless(it is non magnetic and the condition as pictured is after 17 years of ...
Copy and Paste's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
30 views

What's the deal with window tint? [duplicate]

I got a Ford van. 5.4 v8 1998 e150. It has all kinda of deluxe features on it like power windows and seats. It even has a seat with a coaxial cable output on it for the vcr. Anyway... one of those ...
Bubba's user avatar
  • 51
0 votes
3 answers
120 views

Part numbers for older GMC truck

I recently bought a 1982 GMC K1500 4x4 that I'm looking to restore. The truck body is in great shape but some of the mechanicals need work. I want to make it a daily driver, not a show truck. I'm ...
Dan's user avatar
  • 23
0 votes
0 answers
132 views

Getting Started in Auto Repair [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Reviving a vehicle that has been idle for a long time. How to begin learning engine tuning? My dad has an old Mazda that has been sitting in the garage for a long time. He ...
rhololkeolke's user avatar