For owners of classic vehicles, there's often a natural inclination to pay the most attention to internal components that allow the vehicle to run and remain intact. And while such internal components are definitely important, one similarly important area that should not be ignored by classic car owners is the body of the vehicle.

At Andersen Restoration Parts, we proudly offer a wide range of classic car restoration and upgrade parts, from polyurethane kits and suspension kits to idler arms, center links and more. And while most of our parts are the kinds of internal components we're referring to above, here are some important reasons why body work and maintenance remain important concepts for classic car owners.

What Does "Body Work" Refer to for Classics?

For those just entering classic car ownership for the first time and wondering what "body work" actually means, it's a term that applies to any repair or maintenance needed for the body of the car itself. This could include replacing rusted panels, repairing dents and dings from collisions or accidents, re-painting parts of or the entire car, adding custom touches like pinstripes or decals, and more.

For classic cars, body work often tends to be more than just the regular maintenance you would think of for modern vehicles. Classic cars must be taken extra care when it comes to body work due to their age and value, as they are often irreplaceable and therefore have to be treated delicately.

What are some of the chief benefits of sticking with classic car body work needs? Our next several sections will go over these.

Needed for Any New Paint Jobs

One common project for many classic car owners is changing or upgrading their vehicle's paint, whether to better match its original look or simply give it a new coat of paint with a fresh color. Either way, body work is necessary here as the car must be prepped and sanded down prior to repainting. Otherwise, you might end up getting an uneven finish that looks worse than what it did before!

For instance, let's say that you want to change up the look of an older vehicle by giving it a fresh new coat of paint. The bodywork would first include sanding, priming, and any other necessary preparation for painting. Once that's done, then you can apply the primer and paint as needed.

Simple Cosmetics

Down simpler lines, body work can also refer to any sort of minor cosmetic touch-up you may want for your classic vehicle. This could be something as simple as replacing rusty or beat-up panels, adding new pinstripes or decals, or even changing the color of trim pieces on the car.

Cosmetics are important to classic car owners for various reasons. Some just want their vehicle to look great on the road, while others may want to increase the resale value of their classic car. Whatever your reasons, it's important to take good care of your vehicle's body.

Keeping Rust Away

One issue that falls under both cosmetic and practical concerns is rust. Rust can slowly eat away at the body of your classic car, leading to corrosion and potentially even critical structural weakening. Keeping rust at bay requires regular care and maintenance which should be done anywhere from every few months (in areas with a high salt content) to once a year in other cases.

Ideally, you'll want to keep an eye out for any signs of rust and address them as soon as possible. This could involve replacing rusty panels, applying a rust-proofing product, or simply sanding off the affected area.

Removing Visual Evidence of Any Accidents

Finally, body work can also refer to repairing any damage from previous accidents which your car may have suffered. In many cases, the only way to get your classic car's exterior back to its original glory is through some sort of bodywork.

This could involve fixing dents, replacing panels, repainting a section or even the entire vehicle – depending on how much damage has been done. Just remember that classic car body work isn't just about aesthetics – it's also important for safety and should be done as soon as possible to reduce the risk of any major damage or accidents in the future.

At Andersen Restoration Parts, we happily provide a huge range of classic car restoration parts to meet all client needs. Contact us today to learn more about our selection or begin an order!