How to Store a Car Long-Term  

Written by

Storing a car long-term

There are many reasons why vehicle owners might elect to store a vehicle, but there’s both a right and a wrong way to do it. And if you want to truly preserve the vehicle and keep the garage or storage unit where it’s being held in good condition, it’s imperative that you go about storing the vehicle in the proper manner. After all, you can’t just go out and buy a remade classic car if something were to go wrong.

In this post, we’ll cover what you need to do if you’re looking to store a car long-term. Here’s a closer look:

Fill all Necessary Fluids

Before putting your vehicle in storage, make sure all the fluids are topped off. This is especially important when it comes to fuel and engine oil. An empty gas tank is more likely to lead to rusting from moisture buildup and old engine oil may contain contaminants that could damage the engine. We also suggest adding a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank to further avoid any potential for damage or moisture buildup in the tank. If you’re uncomfortable carrying out this task yourself, we suggest working with a credible mechanic.

Don’t Put the Car in Park

Don’t apply the parking brake when storing a vehicle. If the parking brake is applied for too long of a time, it can fuse with the interior of the wheel, which can lead to some major issues. Rather than apply a parking brake, we suggest a wheel chock or preventing tire roll by placing wood or cinder blocks in front and behind them. Additionally, we suggest elevating the vehicle on jacks to ensure consistent weight on the tires and avoid premature tread wear.

Wash Your Car

This is the easiest thing you can do before storing your car for an extended period of time. Over time, the likes of dirt, grease, dust, and debris can take their toll on the vehicle’s body and impact the finish. A good wash and a wax is always good practice on a classic vehicle, especially when it comes to protecting it before placing it into storage. While you’re at it, don’t forget about the interior. A good cleaning and dusting inside of the vehicle can help ensure it is ready to go when it’s time to take it out of storage.

Put a Cover on it

There are a few other steps you should follow before you say goodbye to your vehicle for an extended period of time. For starters, we always recommend covering your vehicle with an appropriate car cover that’s soft, breathable, and wraps tightly around the vehicle. Don’t use a tarp or sheet that tends to fit loosely and offer inadequate protection.

Additionally, we always recommend placing a plastic sheet underneath your vehicle before storing it. This will prevent any drips or leaks from damaging the floor of your garage, storage unit, or wherever it is that you’re storing the vehicle.

Contact Us Today

For more information on how to store a car long-term, contact us today.

Is Restoring a Car Worth it?  

Written by

Is Restoring a Car Worth it?

Restore or replace? When it comes to a classic automobile that you might have a deep attachment to, it always makes sense to explore its restoration before its replacement.

But is restoring a car worth it? In this post, we’ll break down some of the key considerations to weigh when making this decision. We’ll also break down the pros and cons of vehicle restoration. Here’s a look:

Should You Restore Your Car?

Whether or not you restore your vehicle or look for a new one boils down to a few key questions you need to ask yourself. For instance:

  • What’s the vehicle’s current condition? If it’s in poor condition, it could be easier to purchase a new vehicle or select a less expensive classic car to restore. Other factors to weigh include the cost of parts and materials that are necessary to bring the vehicle back from its pre-loss condition.
  • What are your intentions with the vehicle? If you don’t mind a good pet project and have plans for the vehicle after it’s fully restored, then there are some things that aren’t worth putting a price tag on.
  • Are you emotionally attached to the vehicle? Some gearheads just can’t bear giving up their classic vehicles, no matter how much time, effort, and money it’s going to take to fully restore them. Sentimental value is another thing you can’t put a price on.

What Are the Benefits of Restoring a Car?

Aside from the opportunity to retain a vehicle that you like, there are various other benefits that may come with restoring a vehicle. These include:

  • Higher resale value: Classic cars are already worth money, but putting in the time, effort, and money to restore them can only go to help their value – regardless of whether you want to hang onto them or sell them.
  • It’s often a bucket list item: You don’t have to be a gearhead to appreciate owning a classic car and want one of your own to drive and maintain one day. For many, restoring a classic car is a hobby.
  • Pride in ownership: There’s a certain level of swagger that classic car owners have – especially knowing that they were the ones who put much of the work into getting their vehicle looking the way it does.

What Are the Cons of Restoring a Car?

The biggest con of restoring a vehicle is the cost that’s involved in doing so. Parts alone could cost upwards of $10,000, and that’s not even considering labor costs, which could be upwards of $200 per hour for mechanics that specialize in classic car restoration. Then, of course, there’s the paint job. Low-end paint jobs can cost several thousand dollars and high-end ones can cost tens of thousands.

Some other cons of restoring a car involve sourcing the right parts and the lead time involved in getting the vehicle drivable again based on its condition.

Contact Wrecktify Today

For more information on restoring vehicles, contact Wrecktify Collision and Restoration today.

Why Don’t Car Companies Remake Classic Cars?  

Written by

Car restoration

Car enthusiasts are a different breed. They attend car shows, go on classic car cruises, and never miss an opportunity to show off or discuss their hot rod. We can’t blame them, as there’s just something about that classic look and feel, not to mention the labor of love that’s keeping the automobile in good condition.

Noting all of this, one of the questions that we often receive is why automakers can’t just reproduce a classic car. Well, if they did, the car couldn’t be considered “classic” anymore. Let’s dive deeper into this concept and why it’s just not possible.

Designs Aren’t Modern Looking

As times evolve, so too does design. It’s a big reason why automakers have model year vehicles – as the design, safety features, and other components are able to be updated and new models mass produced on an annual basis. Today’s designs just don’t match what automakers were doing 30, 40, 50 or more years ago. Another design-related factor is that safety standards have undoubtedly changed over the years, and many of the old designs don’t allow for the incorporation of today’s safety features without some major, often off-putting adjustments.

Not Everyone is a Car Enthusiast

One of the biggest reasons that automakers don’t reissue old models with updated specifications is profitability reasons. In other words, these vehicles would be unlikely to sell – and being that automakers are for-profit entities, it wouldn’t be the best business decision. The fact of the matter is that classic car enthusiasts are a small group in the grand scheme of things. Most drivers just want a vehicle that can get them from Point A to Point B. They care about fuel economy, reliability, and safety – not so much about classic look and feel. Of course, there are the gearheads to whom something like this might apply – but there isn’t likely to be enough of them for any reissue to make a decent enough profit to justify the means.

Safety Issues

We noted this in the above section, but it’s worth mentioning again here: Most classic designs can’t accommodate the modern-day safety features that have been grandfathered into the automotive industry over time. It would likely lead to one of two things: significant alteration of the design to accommodate the safety features or developing a car that isn’t exactly street legal because of that. Both are problematic when your market is gearheads.

Classic Car Restoration

In short, don’t expect automakers to reissue the development of any classic cars. Instead, your best bet is to have a classic vehicle restored yourself. This is also likely to be a more rewarding journey as well. For more information on classic car restoration and to park a hot rod in your garage the tried and true way, contact us today. 

How To Make A Classic Car A Daily Driver

Written by

Red classic car driving down the road

There’s nothing better than taking a Sunday drive in your classic car, then carefully storing it until the next chance of beautiful weather. While this is what most classic car owners do, who’s to say you can’t use your classic car as a daily driver? If you have found a classic car and you want to drive it daily, then you should! However, there are some factors that you need to consider. Learn how to make a classic car a daily driver:

Classic Car Maintenance Check 

Several things will determine a car’s safety- the year, the mileage, and the past upkeep of the vehicle. When changing your classic into a daily driver, you’ll need to do a full maintenance check, including replacing or restoring some vital parts:

  1. Change oil, plugs & all filters.
  2. Replace the fan belt.
  3. Recondition the starter and alternator.
  4. Replace the battery.
  5. Replace the coolant.
  6. Replace the thermostat.
  7. Replace radiator hoses.
  8. Change transmission oil and filter.
  9. Replace the timing belt.
  10. Replace shocks, mounts, and springs.
  11. Replace the tires and perform an alignment.
  12. Check exhaust.
  13. Replace the fuel pump.
  14. Replace power steering fluid.
  15. Use lube on window rails.
  16. Replace rotors/drums.
  17. Replace wheel cylinders.
  18. Check/ replace brake lines.
  19. Replace pads/shoes.
  20. Replace brake fluid.

Weather Issues 

Depending on the year of your car, it’s likely to lack the same safety features that modern cars have. Therefore, it’s essential to be mindful of weather issues before driving. Whether you live in a rainy climate, one with harsh winters, or a scorching desert, weatherproofing your car is essential. 

Heat

Most classic car owners fail to consider the adverse effects of heat and sun on their classic car. However, consistent exposure to direct sunlight can cause paint to fade. When possible, either park in a covered spot or cover your vehicle.

Heat can also damage tires, so it’s essential to check the wear and tear and air pressure to avoid a possible blowout. 

Rain

If you live in a rainy climate, rust is likely to form on your vehicle. However, by ensuring that any exposed metal on the car is covered and treated, you can hopefully avoid rust. 

In addition, parking in a covered area will lessen the risk of rust. 

Cold

If you live in a harsh winter climate, ensure that your vehicle has antifreeze, wiper fluid, and proper winter tires. 

In colder climates, salt is applied on the roads to avoid cars skidding on the ice. However, this road salt can corrode any exposed metal.

To avoid corrosion, wash or detail your car thoroughly, emphasizing the exposed metal work. In addition, waxing your vehicle will provide an extra layer of protection. 

Impact on Value 

While some view classic cars as an investment, others find great joy in using them.

If you plan to increase the value of your car or at least maintain it, using it as a daily driver may not be the best choice. Daily driving will cause wear and tear on your vehicle that otherwise wouldn’t happen in storage. In addition to wear and tear, most classic car collectors tend to prefer low-mileage vehicles. 

If you are looking to restore your classic car to a daily driver, we can help you. We have vast experience in the restoration of classic cars, including a 1962 Impala SS Convertible, a 1970 Chevelle, a 1979 Volkswagen Bus, and a 1964 Malibu. From detailing to collision repair and complete restoration, our team will get you back on the road with a beautiful vehicle as soon as possible. Not only will we help you with the insurance process, but we’ll provide a fast estimate and assist you with a rental car.

What is Auto Detailing?

Written by

Man polishing a car

If you are selling your vehicle, working on a restoration project, or just in love with your car, it’s worth looking into a detailing service.

A professional auto detailing service cleans, restores, and protects all surfaces of a vehicle. The goal? To get the car looking as close as possible to how it did when first purchased. Auto detailing covers top to bottom cleaning, even removing small scratches and scuffs.

Ever left unsatisfied by the results of a car wash? Detailing is a worthy upgrade that will leave you unwilling to return to a normal car wash again.

How is Detailing Different from Washing?

A car wash cleans a vehicle, typically through automated means. A car wash may remove dirt, snow, and debris from the exterior of your car, but a detailing service goes much further.

Done by hand, auto detailing removes what a car wash will miss, reaching every space of the car’s surface. Detailing intends to restore the vehicle to a like-new condition again. Beyond washing the car’s exterior, detailing focuses on renewing the interior as well.

Benefits of Auto Detailing

Is getting your car detailed worth it? Detailing offers benefits beyond simply washing your vehicle. All cars experience wear and tear, even while sitting untouched in a garage. But auto detailing gets your vehicle looking new again, and helps maintain that appearance.

Getting your car detailed can help with:

  • Resale Value: When it comes time to sell your vehicle, you will see a better return if the car looks new.
  • Preserves Car’s Features: If you want to hold on to your trusted car, increase its longevity by maintaining and protecting the paint, wheels, and other parts.
  • Air Quality: A good cleaning of the interior not only looks nice, but will free the inside of any dust trapped in vents.

Interior Auto Detailing

Detailing the interior is a perk often overlooked by a normal car wash. The interior is scrubbed down, from the dashboard to small details like seatbelts. The detailing process will include:

  • Vacuuming: Interior detailing starts with removing dirt and debris from seats and floor mats.
  • Vinyl/Leather Cleaning: All seats and surfaces will be cleaned and rid of stains.
  • Glass Cleaning: All windows and windshields will be washed.

Exterior Auto Detailing

Exterior detailing restores the appearance of the paint job, windows, trims, tires, and wheels. Stages of exterior detailing include:

  • Deep Cleaning: Detailing begins with a thorough wash using special brushes and cleaning products. Once completed, microfiber towels are used to hand dry the vehicle.
  • Repairs/Corrections: After washing, the detailer can remove any water spots or other imperfections with a clay bar.
  • Polishing and Buffing: Depending on the condition of the car, polishing can be the most time-consuming stage. This is where you will see small scratches buffed away.
  • Coating/Sealant: As a final step, the vehicle receives a protecting sealant to protect the paint from the sun, water, and dirt.

Get Detailed Done Right at Wrecktify

In the Madison, Wisconsin area? Learn more about our detailing services. We offer multiple packages to offer you the right level of detail. Plus, we’re transparent about our prices. Our extra attention to detail will shine through, literally! Contact us or stop by today!

Who Restores Old Cars? 

Written by

Maybe you want to bring a classic hot rod back to its prime. Or perhaps you’re a gearhead that just loves hitting up the show circuit. Then there are the hobbyists that love the challenge of taking an old car otherwise relegated to the scrap heap and bringing it back to its glory days.

Whatever your motivation, one thing is for sure: car restoration is a labor of love. In fact, it’s estimated that the average classic car restoration project can take more than 1,000 hours to complete. For reference, if you were to work 1,000 hours straight, you’d be working for 41 and-a-half days. Aside from the time commitment, there’s also a cost commitment with this time of restoration. In fact, estimates state that projects like this can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $60,000 depending on the extent of the job.

As we said, vehicle restoration is a labor of love, and in this post, we’ll discuss some of the people who often undertake it. Here’s a look at some of the key people who often take on such an extensive project:

Who Restores Old Cars?

Before we get into some of the people who are interested in restoring old cars, it’s worth taking a closer look at their motivations for doing so when you consider both the time and financial commitment. There are a variety of reasons why one may undertake such an extensive project. For starters, it can preserve a piece of American automotive history. Classic cars are also very valuable and sought-after vehicles, so if you ever go to sell, you could claim a significant return on investment. And perhaps above all, it’s fun to bring a classic vehicle back to its glory days.

Here’s an overview of some individuals who are particularly interested in classic car restoration:

Collectors

Collectors typically both buy and sell classic automobiles. They attend shows throughout the country, offer expert advice on vehicles, and are always looking to bolster their collection with additional models. Collectors also always have an eye out there for other vehicles that they can acquire to return to their glory days.

Dealers

Don’t confuse collectors with dealers. Collectors are more on the side of the vehicle enthusiast, with the goal of establishing that dream fleet. Collectors also serve as experts and as reliable sources for classic car advice. Some may even have their own showrooms or classic car museums. Dealers are those who tend to collect just to sell. That’s not to say that there’s anything wrong with dealers, they just come into classic car restoration with a different mindset than most others on this list.

Car Enthusiasts

Finally, there are car enthusiasts. Car enthusiasts typically aren’t motivated by money, but by their love for putting in the work to bring a vehicle back to its glory days. Car enthusiasts love restoring vehicles and then showing their work off at the bevy of classic car shows held each year.

Contact Us Today

For more information on who restores old cars, contact us today.

How Much Does a Car Restoration Cost?

Written by

how much does a car restoration cost

Restore or replace? When it comes to your car, for many people it’s a no-brainer.

As a society, we love our cars – and for most car owners, shelling out thousands of dollars on parts and labor to restore their favorite vehicle is done without hesitation. But is restoring a vehicle really worth it in the long run? In this post, we’ll break it all down – here’s a closer look at what you need to know about restoring a vehicle:

Is Restoring an Old Car Worth It?

There’s no real clear-cut answer to this question. It really depends on a variety of factors and how much money you’re willing and able to spend on restoration efforts. For instance, keep in mind that older vehicles and classic cars can cost up to 20 percent more to restore than a conventional automobile. Additionally, you should ask yourself the following during your decision-making process:

  • What’s the overall condition of the vehicle?
  • How many key parts do I need and how difficult are the parts to find?
  • Does the powertrain need any significant work?
  • To what quality do I expect the end project?

Cost of Parts

You should be paying particular attention to car parts when it comes to restoring any vehicle. For a classic car, for example, your total cost of parts alone could be upwards of $10,000 when you factor in the cost of the part itself, if it’s widely available and where you need to ship it in from. What’s more is that when you’re going to restore one particular part of the vehicle, you may notice a hidden problem with a part that you thought was otherwise just fine in that same area. These hidden costs can amount to several thousand more dollars in part costs – and it should go without saying that they’re more common on vehicles that are older. And keep in mind that part costs don’t even include the cost of labor.

Cost of Labor

It’s one thing to have all the parts you need on hand – it’s another thing to go about installing them in your car. If you’re Tim “the Toolman” Taylor from the classic Home Improvement sitcom and can restore the vehicle at your own pace by doing the labor yourself, that’s one thing. But if you need to rely on a mechanic to do it, it’s an added cost that you’ll need to account for. And when you consider that some mechanics charge more than $200 per hour for labor costs, these costs can certainly add up over time.

Think of it this way: If you spend $10,000 on parts and need tens of hours of labor at $200 per to get the vehicle restored, you’re looking at quite the bill. And then there’s the paint job to bring the restoration full circle.

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Classic Car Painted?

On the low end, a paint job on a classic car costs more than $2,000. On the high end, it can cost up to $10,000. The cost largely depends on the color of the paint, any trim that needs to be painted and any other bodywork. Learn more about the car paint process here.

Contact Us Today

How much does a car restoration cost? Not all vehicle restoration efforts are the same, so not all of them are going to cost the same. For a more accurate picture of what you can expect to spend on a vehicle restoration project, contact Wrecktify Collision today.

A Guide to Full Car Painting Process

Written by

car paint process

Classic cars are a thing of beauty. They give people today a glimpse into the past and are an iconic representation of yesteryear. If you own one, you know the painstaking process to keep the car in the best shape possible. The attention to detail is imperative to ensuring the car can last for decades to come- and a lot of that starts with the paint job. There’s nothing worse than going through the process of restoring and maintaining a classic car just to have a poor paint job.  That’s why it’s best educate yourself and know that you are working with a professional who understands the car paint process!

A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER

Since restoring a car can be a long and expensive process, there are a few things to consider when beginning the process and can help you determine the best path to take if and when you arrive at the time to get that classic beauty ready for a new paint job. 

What do you want to do with the car?

  • What is the condition of the vehicle?
  • Is it a rare car?
  • What is your budget to restore the vehicle?

Answering these questions can give you a better idea on how much time, money, and effort you are willing to get that classic ride looking just like it did in its heyday. 

WHEN TO PAINT

Painting your classic car is an essential part to keeping the vehicle in the best shape possible. If you notice rusting or other damage, it’s important to get the car repaired. More extensive bodywork, rust removal and replacement parts will be necessary to bring the classic back to life. These are all things that can factor in your future plans for the car to determine how much work you’re willing to put into it. 

Once your vehicle is ready to be painted, you want to make sure you make the best selection for paint. One thing you do not want to do is spray paint. Not only will it take forever, but it will also look rough, and it won’t last. What is important in preparing your vehicle for painting is to make sure you remove all the dirt and grime. Basically, everything that will cause inconsistencies. Once you have primed, cleaned, and sanded the car, you then need to mask off your vehicle. Pay attention to make sure you do not miss any spots on your car that need to be covered. You don’t want to wreck all your hard work!

KEEPING THE CLASSIC LOOK

When painting your classic car, it’s important to try and stay true to the original look and color. This will have a great impact on its value- especially if it is a rare classic car. If you have no plans on entering shows or competitions you can really choose to do whatever you want but do keep in mind that the closer you keep the car’s original color and style, the higher the value will be. Certain cars have distinguished looks and colors that are iconic to making sure the classic car still remains a “classic”. 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

While preparing your classic ride for painting can take a while, so can the actual process of painting as well, depending upon how intricate a paint job the vehicle requires. All in all, the process of getting your classic car a new paint job can take anywhere from a few days to a couple weeks. Obviously, this will ultimately depend on how much body work and prepping is needed to get the car ready as well as the paint job itself. The painting itself is a multi-step process. It starts with the primer coat. From there, depending upon the number of coats, paint type, and specialty designs each step can take a multitude of hours or even days. 

WHAT IF THERE IS BODY OR FRAME DAMAGE?

A big part of preparing your classic car for painting is ensuring the proper body work and restoration is taken care of. If you are making the large investment on your vehicle’s paint job, you want to also make sure you do all the steps to ensure your efforts are not wasted. This can be included in your total expenditure when you take your vehicle in for restoration and painting. 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The cost of getting your classic ride a new paint job can vary greatly. The average price of a new paint job is in the $3,000-4,000 range. In some cases, it could even be as high as the tens of thousands of dollars depending on the car, paint scheme, trim, and bodywork needed for the vehicle you are restoring. If you have an elite car, you can expect the paint job to be more on the expensive side. Keep in mind, to maintain the “classic” status, the car has to be 100% original- paint and all. On top of the painting, bodywork and restoration can also add greatly to your costs. The largest contributor to this is the cost of man hours. Body work labor can rack up quickly, but it’s important to correct these issues to make sure your new paint job lasts. That’s why it’s best to trust the car painting process to the professionals.

WRECKTIFY: YOUR HOME FOR CLASSIC CAR RESTORATION IN MADISON, WISCONSIN

Wrecktify Collision and Restoration provides complete frame-up hot rod, streetcar and classic car restoration services in Wisconsin. We pride ourselves on quality workmanship and the ability to provide all your body, paint, and mechanical needs. Our team has a passion for cars and 100% Customer Satisfaction is what we pride ourselves in. So, if you are looking to build a dream ride from the ground-up or restore your “first Love” back to its original condition, look no further than Wrecktify! Contact us today!