Aston Martin DB7 Restoration

Aston Martin DB7 Restoration

At Classic car lab we do not only do full car restorations we also do the smaller jobs too. One of our most popular services is maintaining the longevity and safety of the car. By this I mean making sure the elements do not infiltrate into areas which could lead to the integrity of the car being compromised.

How do I protect the cars integrity?

This can be done by a variety of ways. Regular classic car servicing, including putting the car on the ramp and checking the underside to see if there any areas that are compromised. An oil change and a general inspection are vital.

Annual MOTs. Even though your classic or retro car may not fall in the legality platform of having to have an MOT, you are however still required by law to maintain the safety of the car.

Undersealing a car.

What is Undersealing?

Undersealing a car is very important. It acts to safeguard the undercarriage against the continued barrage from the elements, especially during Autumn and Winter. It involves providing a protective layer that is applied after inspecting and cleaning the underside of the car. At its core it is the process of providing a barrier in the form of a sealant to the very vulnerable parts of your car.

Prevention is the best form of protection. In the first instance we will put your Classic or Modern-day sports, performance, or luxury car on the ramp. It is then very carefully inspected to identify whether there are any problematic areas that you need to be aware of and then the underside is carefully cleaned by wire brush.

All 4 wheels will be taken off so that the wheel arches can be cleaned and inspected before applying the sealant and again to see if there are any more problematic areas that the client needs to be made aware of.

By having a sealant applied to protect your modern or classic car you also gain the benefit of your car being inspected in detail which you may not have done in the past.

When we are completely satisfied that there is a good clean undercarriage, we will then spray the sealant on and let it cure, usually overnight. Once cured a further inspection is done and when we are happy you will be informed. You can collect your car.

We will also provide you with before and after photos so you can add them to your file regarding your Classic or modern-day sports car. If you ever wish to sell your car you can pass the information on.  It is a good bonus to have the information to pass on as it proves that you care for your car and it may also add value on to it if the car is ever sold.

We also suggest when a car is undergoing a restoration, we also apply an under seal before any components are fitted to the car in the engine bay or under carriage.

The Process of undersealing your car.

1. The car will be put on the car ramp and then raised up on a hydraulic lift. This provides us with excellent access in order to clean and apply the sealant which offers superior protection against the elements.
2. The surface of the under carriage is then cleaned usually by jet wash in the first instance to remove surface dirt and contaminants. Once the under carriage is dry a preliminary inspection is carried out to see if the client needs to be aware of any issues before the next stage of deep cleaning is carried out. The wheels will be taken off and the wheel wells will be cleaned and inspected.

Surface rust or loose corrosion will be taken off  by a wire wheel, wire brush, needle gun and other tools. This will give us an excellent surface so that the sealant will have an excellent surface to key to. Again, we will inspect the undercarriage once more.

3. A degreaser is then applied to the undercarriage which helps break down grease and any contaminants that have gathered over the years.
4. Masking off areas once the car has been degreased is critical as it protects your paintwork and any sensitive areas such as any associated brake components, exhaust pipes and shock absorbers.
5. Once the area has been masked off we can begin applying the sealant to the under carriage to guard against the elements and the impact damage of small stones. Small stones can penetrate the undercarriage and cause the surface to be made vulnerable to rust if not protected in the form of a correct under seal.
6. Once the sealant is applied the correct drying time is needed for it to be cured. We will inspect the car once the sealant is applied to make sure we have not missed any areas. This usually means overnight. If possible, try to avoid rough roads for 24 hours.
7. The wheels will be replaced, and final photographs are taken so you have before and after photos.

What are the benefits of applying underseal?

Protection against rust

Increased durability

Maintenance savings during the lifetime of the car

Sound insulation

Increased lifespan of the car

Resistance against the elements

Please consider us not only for just restoration’s but also servicing, general maintenance, SMART repairs , MOT work and even car resprays. All our services that we offer are all under one roof and you can be reassured all our work is guaranteed. We now offer all our garage services for any modern car so please give us a call or pop in to see us. We are based in Yorkshire but we cover all of the country.Yorkshires finest classic car restoration and general maintenance  workshop for Classic, Retro and Modern cars. The best classic and modern car garage, well we think so but don’t take our word come and see and make your own mind up.