Tips for Washing a Classic Vehicle

As any automotive enthusiast can confirm, a freshly washed antique vehicle is truly a sight to behold. If you’re relatively new to car collecting and want to keep your classic cars looking their best before selling them off, it behooves you to learn the ins and outs of washing the vehicles of yesteryear. When washing antique automobiles, you can’t afford to ignore the following pointers.

1. Avoid Automatic Washes

In the interest of preserving your classic auto’s paintjob, take care to avoid automatic car washes. The heavy-duty scrubbers used in these washes tend to be very rough — which doesn’t bode well for delicate paintjobs. While automatic washes certainly have expedience on their side, they’re not a good fit for classic vehicles. If you spent a pretty penny on a showroom quality paintjob, there’s no sense in allowing an automatic wash to ruin your investment.

2. Wash the Vehicles Yourself

If you cared enough to invest in classic European cars for sale, odds are you have no objection to washing these antique vehicles yourself. While this may not offer the convenience of an automatic wash, it’s sure to help you vehicle retain its showroom luster. When washing antique autos, all you’ll need is a soft, nonabrasive sponge, some soap, and a hose. To play it safe, stick to detergent-free soap, as it tends to be gentler than its chemical-laden contemporaries. 

3. Exercise Caution When Drying

Drying your freshly-washed vehicles with an abrasive washcloth or towel is guaranteed to result in streaks and light scratches. For this reason, it’s recommended that you gently dry off antique autos with nonabrasive chamois leather towels.  

It’s only natural to want your classic vehicles to look their best. Be advised, however, that this will require a little bit of effort on your end. Still, as long as you’re not afraid of putting forth a little elbow grease, you should have no problem keeping your antique autos squeaky-clean.