If you want to prolong the life of your prized vintage vehicle, taking care of a classic car requires some diligence and loving care. The first thing you might think about is the car's exterior and certainly, a gentle washing and careful drying can prolong the paint job and leave your vehicle with a flawless finish. There are many people that keep their car in the garage, but you should still be careful, when it comes to removing dust and when removing foreign matters you might encounter, when it is not garaged.
You might need to remove paint-damaging things like tree sap, bird droppings, or leftover bug splats, but be sure you use the proper formulations. When taking care of a classic car, many people use car detailing polish, but you need to be careful before using solvents, rubbing compound or harsh cleaners, because they can damage the finish on your vehicle. It does not matter whether it is a 1965 Ford Mustang or a new model, this fact is true.
Taking care of a classic car might require a regular mechanical inspection, especially if your vintage vehicle is seldom driven. It is best if you can start the car and drive it short distances once a week, but at least if you move it occasionally, you can avoid flat spots on the tires. Keep in mind that your hoses and belts can become dry and brittle, if they sit for long periods of time. Using lubricating and protective oils or cleaners might be recommended on many of the rubber parts, hinges and regular mechanical inspections might be in order. Be sure to check all of your fluids because leaks can develop in gaskets that have dried out, causing severe engine or transmission damage.
If you think about taking care of a classic car in the same way you would a newer vehicle, you might need to consider a regular maintenance schedule. Protecting the interior surfaces can keep it from drying out and cracking, even if you think taking care of a classic car means keeping it garaged or under a car cover. While these covers are breathable and water impermeable, there can still be damage lurking, once you remove the storage cover.
Taking care of a classic car might involve regular waxing and constant examination for chipped paint or surface rust, which are things that develop over time. These can wreck the stability of the vehicle's structure, besides ruining a custom paint job. Even the sun's rays can cause a breakdown of the materials in these covers and your paint job can become damaged through blistering. You would hate to think that mindless neglect was responsible for damaging a prized vintage vehicle, like a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1, which was kept covered and you assumed was adequately protected, for example.