Things to consider before restoring the interior of your classic car

9 Tips Before You Begin an Upholstery Restoration Project

​When you think of a classic restoration, your mind may instantly go to the exterior. However, the interior is just as serious as an undertaking. Take a realistic approach to the project of restoring your classic car. In other words, take your time, shop around, do research and prepare a realistic budget. Keep in mind that you can find original factory specification, and photographs for guidance. Or have some fun hunting down the perfect parts, and accessories. If you don’t have that kind of time, or the patience, let your auto restoration specialist help you. It is important to remember that very few things go as easy as you assume it will go, to help yourself ,making plan is the best approach.

Here is a list of a few things you should consider before you start restoring the interior of your classic car.

Educate

​Learn all you can about the classic car you are about to restore. If you don’t know a personal auto enthusiast who can help, don’t be afraid to search the internet, books, magazines, or even seek a professional to help steer your project in the right direction. What are you trying to learn about? Learn about anything, and everything that could possibly help you with the restoration of the car of your dreams. For example, look at vintage ads, photobooks, and classic portfolio, anything that may help inspire the authenticity of your restauration. By learning all about your vehicle, it will help you realize what you want your restoration to be like, and the spirt you want your completed classic car to have.

​Hobby vs. Everyday

​Before you begin consider whether this auto restoration vehicle is for a hobby car, or for your main form of transportation. Restoring anything takes a lot of time and money, so you want to make sure that your goal and intentions are clear from the beginning. The upholstery for a hobby or an everyday car will be very different depending on what your needs.

​Set A Budget

​Find out how much your interior replacements will cost, and add a little wiggle room for unexpected fixes. However, once you set your budget, it should be a solid figure, commit to yourself, and don’t exceed it.

Get a Professional Detailing

​While you may think you can handle buffing, and polishing the finishes, you’d be amazed at the magic that professional detailers can reveal. You may realize that certain items, you thought would need replacing, now look good as new.

​Take Stock

​Do a thorough inspection of the vehicle, scrutinizing each section. Take note of the conditions of each interior body part, and electrical.

Get Estimates

​Your project will undoubtedly need the help of a professional at some point. A professional will save you time, and money because they will complete tasks the right way, the first time. With your own best interests at heart, make a detailed list of all the items you will want to get done by a professional, and get quotes. You can use this information so you can properly form a budget. Remember to honor yourself, and stick to your budget. 

Prepare a Work Schedule

​To avoid getting overwhelmedmake a detailed schedule of all the tasks you will complete, and when. This not only will help you keep a level head, it will also encourage you to stay on track, and have your classic restoration completed in no time.  

Organize

​Once you have a detailed idea of what elements this restoration will involve. Regardless of the extreme or slight level or tear down, document all the parts that need to be repaired or replaced. Don’t be shy, take photographs, detailed notes, and index items as you disassemble. Your detailed list will be your life line, when you are ordering parts, and plan to use the list again when you reassemblein the same order as your notes. 

Select a Pro

​Let’s say you’ve already painted the body, a unique color that you forget the name of, and the classic photo indicates intricate needle work on the upholstery. A restoration specialist will be able to help you make sure your entire restoration design is harmonious from the inside out. They also have their own tools. I’m not just talking about tools to properly restore your vehicle. But tools in locating original vehicles specifications, finding matching parts. A restoration shop also has standards to uphold, that means that your restoration must live up to their standards, making sure that your classic car is in capable professional hands.