Getting into Restoration work

[68charger]

I have a 68 that I would like to restore most of it because I would like to make it 100% mine. Does anyone know what steps to take to learn and perform restoration jobs?

[clausoe]

If you are totally green I would restore a not so valuable car first. Better to do mistakes on something other than a dream car.

[mopar_madman]

read all the books you can on the subject, watch the how to shows on tv and the best way to learn is to actually do it. message boards like this are great. go to a web site like barnes and noble and type in auto restoration some books will come up. There is a cool show on the diy network called classic car restoration, check it out. Good luck and keep posting and asking questions.

[68charger]

Of course right now I'm just "talking" about it but in the future I hope I can get into it, I think it would be fun.

[clausoe]

I might have sounded a little negative in my first post but I've seen so many people take their cars to pieces and never get them together again. Mopar_madman's advice is good and if you don't have 10 thumbs and not afraid to ask for advice you'l be fine.

[MichaelRW]

Here's a link to a good book that explains all the major steps of restoring a 1970 Charger.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/193199322X/qid=1123025884/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-7345508-1772764?v=glance&s=books

[hotrod98]

I manage a large body shop and hire and fire "would be" bodymen on a regular basis.
Trust me, you'll never learn how to do the job right by reading a book.
You need to enroll in a good body repair school at a vo-tech. Minimum two years.
Then when you get out you can start by practicing on that car of yours.
Good Luck.

[Highbanked Hauler]

  If you have a( never surrender) attitude and do the voc. school like  hotrod98 said, and don't mind buying a bunch of tools and aren't the type to cut corners you can do well. HH.

[BB1]

http://www.mcpherson.edu/technology/ This is for the career resto person.


I would in role in Mc Pherson college. As they say it's the only accredited four-year college that offers a degree in automotive restoration technology.

It's here in central Kansas, Jay Leno puts his money there for automotive scholarships. Barratt Jackson also gave the money they made off their auction show to Mc pherson.

Boy if I was younger, sign me up.

[41husk]

I would have to agree definatly practice on something less valuable than a 68 Charger, but the more you do on your own the more pride you will have in your car.  I know every little flaw in my Charger and that will bother you at least is does me.  Good luck!

[hotrod98]

The beauty of doing body work is that if you screw it up, you can do it over.
I've been doing this a long time and I still screw up occasionally. It's part of it.

[Drop Top]

Unless your going to make a living at it. I wouldn't go to school for it. You need to go on and get a good job first and get the money that its going to take to do the job. Then get on hear and ask questions and join a club in your area to get someone to show you the ropes.

I started at 13 (just turned 47 in July) on old farm trucks. Then in the early 90s met someone very famous for customizing cars. Worked with him up until he passed away. I felt very lucky to have met him and his knowledge has helped me in what I do today.

Many people on this board have done just what you are thinking about and have done very well with their projects. Just remember to ask a lot of questions and I hope your mechanically inclined.

[mustanghater]

some one should sticky this or move it. i need this thread my dad could teach me some stuff but its all old late 70's early 80's stuff I need new stuff when I get out of school I'm going to a tech school to learn this stufff.

[Troy]

some one should sticky this or move it. i need this thread my dad could teach me some stuff but its all old late 70's early 80's stuff I need new stuff when I get out of school I'm going to a tech school to learn this stufff.

Bookmark it in your browser. I'm not going to sticky a topic until you get out of school...

Troy

[hotrod98]

First, I hope that people don't think that I'm saying the only way to learn body and paint is to go to school for it. I'm not. It's just the fastest way to get hands on experience while working on someone else's cars with someone else's materials. The cost of the school would probably be far less than the time and materials that you would waste while trying to learn this. I actually became a much better body and paint guy after taking this body shop manager's position. I was surrounded by talent and couldn't help but learn from it. The cars that I build now are far superior to the ones that I built a few years ago.
Secondly, are the tools and equipment. You would be impressed witht the equipment that I have accumulated in the last few years. I have a $1200 stick and pull system that makes removing dents a breeze. Very little filler needed now. I have a $2000 rotisserie that changed the way that I restore these cars completely. Now when I look at the underside of my 71, I get a little embarrassed at the poor quality. I have somewhere around $3000 invested in gravity spray guns alone. It just goes on and on.
However, I've seen a lot of nice driver type showcars that I wouldn't hesitate to drive done by guys in their garage at home or maybe out in the driveway. Don't let me or anyone else ever discourage you in any way. Do the best job that you can with the resources that you have available. When you're happy with it, drive it and show it proudly. Oh, and post pics of it here so we can share in your pride.

[Dodge-Charger]

Here is my $.02
  Go to school learn what you can ( unless you are like me and just want to do it the hard way )
Even if you do go to school and learn it you need to go to the junk yard and get parts close to what you are doing ( they dont have to be from the year car you are doing ) If you get into rechroming then get a few mirrors that need to be fixed up before you can chrome them. When you get it right on the TEST parts then you can start on your own.

  If you know a 75 yo guy ( or older ) that has done body work for a living you need to talk to him if he will teach ya. The amount of knowledge the old guys have will out weigh a book or school any day of the week.

Good Luck , and keep us posted !