How to Properly Store and Maintain Your Vintage Car

How to Properly Store and Maintain Your Vintage Car

Classic cars differ from modern-day vehicles not only in looks, age, and originality but also in storage and maintenance requirements. The need for special treatment is often due to the age and condition of individual car parts and is essential for making your vehicle look its absolute best. Proper maintenance is also crucial for avoiding any potential corrosion or rust and for ensuring a long and rewarding life for your beloved classic. At first sight, vintage car maintenance may seem very difficult and challenging, while, in reality, it is extremely easy to carry out once you understand the basic principles and familiarize yourself with the process. Moreover, taking care of your vintage gem is an important part of the joy of owning a classic, similar to gardening wherein care and dedication are essential for the roses to bloom! 

Fluids

People need water to survive, so do classic cars. Water, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and oil are crucial elements for extending the lifespan of your vintage vehicle and protecting it from overheating and hazardous engine damage. Checking your car’s fluid levels on a regular basis and fulfilling your car’s thirst in a timely manner will help you avoid unwanted catastrophes on the road and will ensure a longer, happier, and safer life journey both for you and your vehicle. Along with checking and securing proper fluid levels, you should also make sure that your car’s antifreeze-coolant is winter-ready, otherwise, the coolant might simply freeze if your car is not put into motion over extended periods of time. 

Brakes

Bleeding and replacing the brake fluid at least once per year is essential for keeping your car’s brakes in a good running condition and ensuring that your vehicle is able to stop at times when it has to stop! This is an important tip not only for the protection and wellbeing of your car but also for your personal safety and the security of your loved ones. Additionally, as old cars do not have anti-lock brakes, it is highly recommended to pump the brakes, which means that you need to rapidly and repeatedly push your car’s pedal in and out to help the wheels regain traction and stop the vehicle as quickly and safely as possible. 

Tires

Vintage cars are not taken to the road as often as modern-day cars are, and that is the main reason why classic car owners tend to forget to renew their vehicle’s tires and do it only when it’s imperative and inevitable. However, tires play an important role in ensuring safety on the road, so they need as much care and attention as other car components do. In fact, several factors such as age, UV exposure, and tread wear can be a major threat to the condition of your tires and your personal security. Even if your car’s tires look pristine and flawless, you should still replace them every six years (or earlier if necessary) to avoid unwanted road accidents and protect yourself and your beloved vehicle. 

Drive! 

Vintage vehicles are vehicles, which means they need movement at least on an occasional basis. Many drivers underestimate the importance of putting their vintage vehicle into motion, then they notice dried-out rubber parts and mysterious leaks, and wonder where all these problems come from and why the car has started to age much sooner than they could ever expect. In fact, it is essential to take the car for a short road trip at least once per month in order to put the car components into motion and fulfill the vehicle’s very mission: movement. You have invested a lot of financial resources, time, and energy in purchasing and maintaining your classic gem, so don’t be afraid to enjoy a ride from time to time to make yourself and your vehicle happy!

Clean!

Did you know that chipping paint and rust are oftentimes the results of accumulated dirt, salt, and moisture? Cleaning is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your car from decay both in terms of the condition of its inner parts as well as its outer beauty. After you have properly vacuumed and washed your car, don’t forget to dry your car with a soft cloth before putting it back into storage. Not only does drying help you avoid any soap leftovers and watermarks, but it also prevents any potential rust which is often caused by unwanted moisture on the vehicle. Another important tip is to rinse your tires thoroughly after a drive on salty roads, as any salt particle that touches your car has the potential to damage the car’s underside by causing unpleasant surface rust.  If you have already gotten unpleasant rust on your car, we highly encourage you to use a high-grade lubricant to treat the existing rust stains and avoid further corrosion in the longer term. After washing and drying your car, add a good amount of quality wax to protect your vehicle’s paintwork from any dirt particles, grime, and unfavorable weather conditions. Apply wax to your classic every few months (some waxes are designed to last up to six months) and enjoy full peace of mind knowing that your car looks and behaves its best! 

Store Well!

We have already explained how important it is to keep your car moving, but we also understand that you cannot always have your car on the road. Storage is an indispensable component of vintage car ownership and should be taken into serious consideration when planning your classic’s maintenance. There are several factors that determine the favorability of storage, ranging from dryness and insulation all the way to ventilation and temperature regulation. If you do not have any chance to store your vintage gem indoors, at least look for a place with a proper drainage system and try to avoid sand surfaces as, depending on the weather conditions, they can be a prevalent source of moisture and damage your car to a large extent. Moreover, do everything you can to avoid direct sunlight as it negatively affects the paint quality on the surface of your vehicle and decreases the car’s overall value. If you are lucky enough to store your car indoors, aim for a heated garage with a possibility for temperature control, as both extreme cold and extreme heat, coupled with high levels of humidity, can be detrimental for your automobile. Lastly, whether you store your car indoors or outdoors, please make sure to protect your car with car covers to keep it safe from rain, dust, or any other unnecessary particulates.