Restoring vintage, classic and veteran cars is a wonderful hobby with the potential to take over your life. For the beginner, even the simplest restoration job can be very time-consuming. Here are some of the kinds of equipment you need to have on hand. 

Floor Jack And Axle Stands 

A great deal of work when restoring vintage cars takes place on the underside of the vehicle. Changing oil, fixing exhaust corrosion, swapping out wheels, rebalancing steering systems, and a whole host of other tasks can only be completed if you can actually get underneath the belly of the beast. A combination of conventional jacks and more sturdy axle stands should keep your car steady while you work. 

Rust Converter 

Rust is the natural foe of the vintage car restorer. Rust is formed when iron-based metal is oxidized. If left for too long, then rust can seriously weaken the structure of a vehicle. A good rust treatment chemical should always be kept on hand for patches of the red stuff. Most rust is not a danger to structural integrity, but it can really hinder any attempt to make a car look pristine. 

Wrenches And Screwdrivers 

It goes without saying that a good set of wrenches and screwdrivers is essential when restoring a car. If you are working on a foreign or particularly old vehicle, you should be aware that some outdated wrench sizes may have been used in the original construction. If your vehicle was made in the USA during the slow metrification of machining tools just after World War II, then you might find it takes very strange sizes. 

Dent Puller 

The chances are that you will not have purchased a vintage car with a completely dent-free body. Unless you are a multi-millionaire, most classic cars that are even slightly affordable will have some kind of body damage. For the skilled restorer, this should not present too much of a problem. Dent pullers are invaluable tools for removing dings. They use powerful suction cups to pull out dents without damaging the vehicle’s body. More experienced restorers sometimes use mallets and hammers to remove dents, but this is extremely skilled work that takes a while to learn. 

Welding Equipment 

When restoring a vintage vehicle, there are going to be times when you encounter areas that have rusted through or detached. Unless you have welding tools and the ability to safely weld then it will be impossible to make your new ride safe in these circumstances. Cars will not be considered roadworthy by inspectors if they need welding work done on them. With this in mind, it is worth acquiring or renting an arc light welding torch and teaching yourself how to weld. This is a genuinely hard task, so don’t be surprised if it takes you a long time if you have don’t have any experience. Welding is also dangerous. Make sure that you wear the correct safety gear such as gloves and a mask with a dark visor to avoid problems like arc eye.