Restoration Tip From Forum Members

[Geetex]

Are we still talking about polishing the car....

Well, that's sort of a gray area. But I will say this: This thread is worthless with pics.

 

[Hey-O]

Are we still talking about polishing the car....

I don't polish anything, except my car!!! LOL

 

[Sixpactogo]

Damn.. that pipe is a good idea.... i used a awl and torch to heat it, not as pretty but hidden.

BTW.... the drill+carpet lesson... that's a lesson that hurts and you only need one time...

View attachment 1767456

Exactly! Once was enough for me.

 

[Coelacanth]

I don't polish anything, except my car!!! LOL

But if the car's a turd...can it be polished?

 

[Hey-O]

But if the car's a turd...can it be polished?

You can get it slick, but it's still a turd!! LOL

 

[RR Fan Dan]

But if the car's a turd...can it be polished?

You can shine the tires.

 

[Moparfiend]

Thanks for contributing to all the tips here guys! I hope this thread will help others as time rolls along!

 

[beanhead]

Using a small portable steamer with a small handheld wand attachment works wonders when installing your new carpet.
It'll make the carpet fit every bump and hump and stay that way.
Put the carpet in and do your trimming like you normally would, and then start going over it in small sections, getting it nice and warm until that section lays down the way you want it. It'll form to all those pesky contours like next to the door sills and transmission hump very nicely.

I use this one from my wife's "cleaner closet" (shhh don't tell her!)---

 

[Sixpactogo]

Using a small portable steamer with a small handheld wand attachment works wonders when installing your new carpet.
It'll make the carpet fit every bump and hump and stay that way.
Put the carpet in and do your trimming like you normally would, and then start going over it in small sections, getting it nice and warm until that section lays down the way you want it. It'll form to all those pesky contours like next to the door sills and transmission hump very nicely.

I use this one from my wife's "cleaner closet" (shhh don't tell her!)---
View attachment 1768967

Good tip! Wish I would have thought of that when I did mine. I laid it out in the hot sun all day when I could have been installing it.

 

[beanhead]

Good tip! Wish I would have thought of that when I did mine. I laid it out in the hot sun all day when I could have been installing it.

I lay them out for awhile first too, just to help 'unroll' them.

 

[Coelacanth]

Using a small portable steamer with a small handheld wand attachment works wonders when installing your new carpet.
It'll make the carpet fit every bump and hump and stay that way.
Put the carpet in and do your trimming like you normally would, and then start going over it in small sections, getting it nice and warm until that section lays down the way you want it. It'll form to all those pesky contours like next to the door sills and transmission hump very nicely.

I use this one from my wife's "cleaner closet" (shhh don't tell her!)---
View attachment 1768967

Thanks for the tip, I just bought a steamer this past summer, and next spring will be a sound deadener and carpet install.

 

[HawkRod]

Before you start your restoration decide what your goal is for the car. This maybe sounds simplistic, but it is important.
Do you want a perfectly restored car as it left the factory with factory chalk marks?
Do you want a decent restoration with upgrades (i.e. restomod)? If so, what modifications?
Do you want more of a race car?
Do you want a functional car with a lot or original patina?
etc.

Each choice will determine what kinds of parts you need to buy and what your budget will be.

The most common problem I see is people who buy all these race parts, and then get disappointed when the car runs like crap or is too noisy when they try to take the family out for ice cream.

Plan out the use for your car and then do everything to help you achieve that goal. For example, my Road Runner goal was to look as original as possible but still be comfortable and functional for driving it across country and other long distance trips. So everything I did went towards that goal.

 

[Moparfiend]

Before you start your restoration decide what your goal is for the car. This maybe sounds simplistic, but it is important.
Do you want a perfectly restored car as it left the factory with factory chalk marks?
Do you want a decent restoration with upgrades (i.e. restomod)? If so, what modifications?
Do you want more of a race car?
Do you want a functional car with a lot or original patina?
etc.

Each choice will determine what kinds of parts you need to buy and what your budget will be.

The most common problem I see is people who buy all these race parts, and then get disappointed when the car runs like crap or is too noisy when they try to take the family out for ice cream.

Plan out the use for your car and then do everything to help you achieve that goal. For example, my Road Runner goal was to look as original as possible but still be comfortable and functional for driving it across country and other long distance trips. So everything I did went towards that goal.

Great input! This should also be used to form both a budget and approach to costing out the plan. I didn’t do this or budget my restoration and it certainly got out of hand. If your married this is especially important and it may save your marriage! Fortunately I have a great wife but I can certainly see this being a big problem for most couples.

 

[moparwacko]

Nothing is more important than a good paint guy. Especially one who can touchup damage without having to repaint an entire panel, and make it look invisible. It is a talent rarer than anything else in the auto industry. These guys are usually very eccentric and don't advertise their services, like witch doctors or hitmen.

X2! I know a guy they call the "Jersey Jesus". And if I ever land a car worthy of it, I want on his list.
Witch doctors or hit men lol