Restoring a hot rod takes about 1000 hours and that is if you have experience. It will take money, tools, space, and many of your weekends and nights after work. For certain restoration tasks, it is better to outsource which can help you finish your project faster and to a high degree of quality. Below I will share where to get hot rod restoration help, how to evaluate a shop, and how to leverage their expertise. I’ll also share my experience with the hot rod restoration near me.
Find a Hot Rod Restoration Near Me…
If you searching for “Hot Rod Restoration Near Me”, see the map below…
Restoring a hot rod takes time, money, space and skill. Beyond doing a classic car restoration, I think of doing a hot rod as stripping down a car or truck and then modifying it to go faster, put down more power, and look meaner!
Doing a hot rod restoration takes a plan upfront and knowing what specs are you going to take this vehicle to. If you have never done it before you will need to know where are you souring parts, whether are you going to create the engine, used the engine, or rebuild, etc. These are the kinds of questions that led me to finding the hot rod restoration near me. I don’t outsource them the whole hot rods project, but specific tasks and I use them for guidance and direction.
How the Hot Rod Restoration Near Me Works
A hot rod restoration is not a body shop or standard garage. These places literally tear down and modify old cars to make them street and race-worthy. They take a restoration project to the next level and fully modify a classic car from the trunk to the hood.
These shops have a crew of mechanics that specialize in various automotive disciplines. So you have got experts in paint, rust, engines, fabrications, fiberglass, interiors, and more.
You can pay a hot rod restoration shop to do your complete restoration project. Literally, drop it off and pick it up when it’s done. Of course that is going to cost a lot of money and what is the fun of that? What I suggest is to use the sparingly as needed for help. Bring them in for tasks that you don’t have the time, tools, or skills for. This helps get high-quality work and keeps your resto budget under control.
Why Get Help On Your Antique Hot Rod Restoration Project?…
When I first started doing automotive restoration, I thought I had to do it all. A successful project would be done by me and only me, maybe a friend or two to help guide the engine in. After spending a lot of money and time for vehicles that could have been much better I learned to outsource. I know even outsource work I don’t like, such as rust work.
If you are taking on a hot rod restoration, here are some ideas for areas to get help:
- Repair on the frame (if the frame isn’t right, you are in trouble)
- Rust removal
- Instrument & Gauge Cluster Upgrades (You can go to them for ideas)
- Powertrain mods and upgrades (You can go to them for ideas)
- Suspension mods and upgrades (You can go to them for ideas)
- Paintwork (especially if you want something flashy)
- Frame off work
- Electrical work and diagnostics
- Performance upgrades and custom engine tuning work
- Interior upholstery work, mods, and upgrades adding new technology
- Engine or transmission rebuilds
When you try and tackle everything yourself, it costs you time. Not only that if you aren’t the expert you can do more harm than good. For example, If you have never done a transmission rebuild before you can destroy the timing and the transmission.
Word of Advice Before You Start…
When you start a project you need a plan. If you have never done a hot rod restoration before you should talk to someone who has. What I like to do is call around to different hot rod restoration shops near me. Tell them what I am doing and get their advice and opinion. They do this for a living and know what goes into it. I will ask about what services they offer and where perhaps they could see themselves fitting into my project. They are also good to talk budget with and keep your performance expectations within reason for your budget.
When You Call Be Specific About The Type of Restoration
Hot rod and classic car restorations are all about modifications, but there is still a level of purism that exists. When you outsource any work to a restoration company you need to be specific about how much originality vs personality you want. Be specific if you are going, original, restoration, or full resto-mod. Giving your vehicle to them means they make decisions on your behalf. You should be very specific about what you want and how important or not important original parts are to your custom build.
Pain Points You May Want to Outsource…
You don’t need a hot rod shop to do a full restoration. You can pick and choose which tasks you need help with. As long as they can fit you into their build schedule your work can get done by a pro. Here is a deeper look at what to outsource…
Paint and Body Work
Paint and/or bodywork can be done yourself with the right tools. With paint, though you may want to get the shell on the ground with a spit and spun for uniformity. Also if you don’t have the paint skills and you want something custom, outsourcing this is a no-brainer.
Bodywork is easy enough if it is hammering out dings and dents. Things get more complicated when you decide you need custom fabrication, fiberglass work, or need to work out some extensive rust. Spot welds are also common to do at home, but if it involves the structural integrity of the vehicle outsourcing is the way to go.
Then there is the chrome issue. If you are dealing with chrome pieces that need work, getting pro help restoring the chrome is the key difference between a showroom hot rod and your local car show hot rod.
Finding Original Parts
Sure you picked up a hot rod to go full mod, buy half the charm is the time period they come from. Finding parts like original shifters, seats, dashes, dog dish hub caps, bug catcher scoop, etc. is critical to completing the look of dream car. These shops know the forums, catalogs, and junkyards to get parts from. They may even bring ideas to the table like, if you can’t find the original door handles to just shave them.
Electric and Wiring Work
Vintage work is pretty straightforward. If the vehicle has been sitting outside for given time though the wires have been exposed to moisture and may have had mice chew threw them. Still, though this is work you can do yourself if you have some automotive electric work experience. Where it starts getting complicated is when you start doing mods on your instrument clusters and technology. If you are putting in USB ports, new stereos, a sub, and a TV screen it’s good to look to a shop for help.
Mechanical Work
Replacing an engine or a transmission with a used one is just a swap out. If you have a crate motor for your hot rod, it is just a straight hook-up. Mechanical work can get complicated when you are doing a rebuild or a rebuild with mods. Getting someone else to rebuild the engine and mod it to your specs is much better than doing it yourself. This is especially true when you are trying more power through the motor than it was built for. The beauty of outsourcing is that most shops can rebuild a tranny or engine in just a few days.
Interior Work
Whether you have a bench or bucket seat, carpet or raw metal interior work is in a class of its own. While dealing with seats, equipment clusters, headliners, etc. isn’t too bad, what I would suggest is outsourcing deeper issues. If you find wet floor boards or mold it is a sign of water or moisture in the cabin that leads to ruining your beautiful interior. These are the types of issues pro help is recommended.
Choosing the Best Hot Rod Restoration Shop
You can find a one-off shop for one task or a hot rod resto to do a total tear down. I like specialty shops for certain tasks. For example when I was working a 3-window lowboy Deuce coupé with a traditional chop and I couldn’t find the right side pipes. I went to stop shop at my local rot rod resto who called another place and found them for me. I gave them a nice finders fee. Through that process they convinced me to drop the front axle and add disc brakes…both of which I did myself.
When choosing a hot rod restoration near me here is what I do:
- Call around to different places, get quotes, and talk shop.
- Get before and after pictures of their past projects.
- Read reviews and testimonials on Yelp and Google.
- Get them to estimate how long the work will take.
- Ask about what guarantees and assurances do I have.
- Share with them my project and get their opinions/ideas
Maintenance Tips for Restored Hot Rods
Regular Maintenance Advice
Maintaining a restored hot rod is crucial to ensure its longevity and performance. Regular maintenance involves several key aspects:
- Engine Care: For muscle cars and hot rods, the engine is the heart of the vehicle. Regular oil changes, checking fluid levels, and inspecting for any leaks are essential. Use high-quality oil and filters to keep the engine running smoothly.
- Brake System: The brake system in any car, especially in a classic car, requires regular checks. Ensure the brake fluid is at the right level and the brake pads are in good condition. For full restorations, it’s vital to check the entire brake system periodically.
- Electrical Systems: In hot rod and muscle car restorations, the electrical components are often upgraded. Regular checks of the battery, wiring, and connections help prevent electrical issues.
- Tire Maintenance: Tires affect the ride quality and safety. Check tire pressure regularly and look for signs of wear and tear.
- Detailing: The beauty of a restored car lies in its detail. Regular cleaning, both interior and exterior, helps maintain its aesthetic appeal. Use quality cleaning products that are gentle on the car’s paint and interior materials.
Long-term Care for Restored Vehicles
- Storage: Proper storage is key for a restoration project. Store your hot rod or muscle car in a dry, temperature-controlled environment to prevent rust and deterioration.
- Regular Check-ups: Schedule regular check-ups at a reputable hot rod shop or rod shop. Their crew and partners specialize in restorations and can provide expert care.
- Drive Regularly: While it might be tempting to keep your restored car as a showpiece, regular driving helps keep the mechanical parts in good working condition. It also helps you identify any issues early on.
- Record Keeping: Keep detailed records of all maintenance and restoration work. This detail helps in understanding the car’s history and is valuable for both the owner and potential future buyers.
- Passion and Pride: Owning a restored muscle car or hot rod is a dream for many. Treat it with passion and pride. Your commitment to its care reflects in its performance and beauty.
- Continuous Learning: Stay informed about the best practices for maintaining your vehicle. The ability to understand and care for your car evolves with technology and industry standards.
- Customer Service: If you’re part of a restoration business, remember that excellent customer service and high-quality workmanship are key. Always strive to provide the best care for your customers’ vehicles.
By following these maintenance tips, you ensure that your hot rod or muscle car remains not just a restored vehicle, but a cherished, functioning piece of automotive history.
Hot Rod Restoration Near Me – Conclusion
A hot rod restoration is a lot of fun, but can quickly turn your house into a money pit. While doing all the work yourself is rewarding, you can make the project take longer than necessary and end up spending more on your mistakes.
It’s also difficult to do it all yourself if you lack the tools and skills for every part and detail of the resto. Outsourcing to a shop gives you experts at your beckoning call. Sure you will spend a little money, but your job will be done right the first time. That is my experience with the hot rod restoration near me.