How to Care for an Antique Car

Antique cars are some of the best vehicles to own. Not only are you able to own a piece of history, but the financial benefits of an antique vehicle are huge. However, when you have an antique automobile, you must learn how to care for it so it will last you many years. Caring for an antique car is quite easy, all it takes is a little time and a desire to keep this piece of history beautiful for future generations.

One of the most important steps in caring for an antique car is to keep it out of direct contact with sunlight. This is the easiest way to ruin not only the exterior, but also the interior of the vehicle. If an antique automobile has too much sunlight the exterior paint can become dull and the interior will begin to warp and fade as well. You will also want to protect the vehicle from the elements, such as rain, snow and of course, hail. If you cannot keep the vehicle in a garage, than you will want to cover it with a heavy-duty tarp, such as the Garage-Pro Water-Resistant Outdoor Universal Car Cover, Online Price, $60 (reg. price $93).

You will want to keep your antique car completely free from dirt and dust. This can be done by performing a daily wipe-down for the interior and exterior of the vehicle. Use a terrycloth towel to remove any dust and small amounts of debris. Once a week, you will need to gently wash the vehicle, but remember to only wax the vehicle once every month or so.

If you have leather interiors, you will need to apply leather polishers or moisturizers. I recommend the ArmorAll Leather Wipes for a simple way to clean leather. And to protect your leather interior, I would use the ArmorAll Leather Care Protectant. These products can be found at any auto-car shop, or at Wal-Mart.

Perhaps the worst thing you could do to your car is keep it stationary too long. Vehicles were made to move, and if the engine is not exercised it can actually hurt the car. It is suggested that you drive your car around the block every other week. This is extremely important to do during the winter months. By doing this, you will be able to recognize any type of transmission, brake or engine problems that would otherwise go unnoticed.