We meet a lot of car restorers in the world of CM, from first-time amateurs to seasoned pros. What are their top 10 tips for hassle-free restoration?

1 Know your limits

Be honest with yourself before you end up with a car in bits! Can you really tackle bodywork and engine rebuilds at home? Before you get started, decide what you’re going to send out and what you’ll do yourself.

2 That petrol emotion

Nobody in the history of car restoration has managed to stick to their budget but try not to let emotion cloud your judgement when you’re costing it up. Prices for most things are online so a couple of hours spent Googling can at least give you a ballpark figure for getting on the road.

3 Bits ’n’ bobs

This one from regular CM contributor Scott Higgins: keep a bits ’n’ bobs box. It will come in useful, especially when you’re trying to finish off a job late on a Sunday night.

4 Keep it tidy

Another from Scott: keep organised and tidy so you can avoid loss of time looking for parts. “A messy work space equals messy work,” he points out.

5 Join the club...

... and meet real people! The trend for clubs to move online is all very well but when you get really stuck on something there’s bound to be someone in the club who is local enough to pop round in person and show you how it’s done... or lend you the special tool you need.

6 Upgrading?

Take heed of our own Morris fan Will Armston-Sheret: when you modify one part of an older car you’re opening a Pandora’s Box of work when it has a knock-on effect on other components. Be prepared for much head-scratching and fabrication.

7 Plan your work

The slightest missing part, however small, can often hold up much bigger jobs and leave you wasting time, points out Scott.

8 Photographic evidence

Here’s one from another regular CM contributor, Martyn Morgan Jones: keep a photographic record of the stripdown, particularly with regard to the more complex areas. These photos will be invaluable when it comes to the rebuild.

9 Quality tools

Another from Martyn: invest in the best tools possible. They not only work better, thus making the job that much less stressful, they also last much longer.

10 And the final word from Scott:

Health ’n’ safety! Always have goggles, gloves (latex and leather) and ear protection to hand. Nothing will slow you down more than a trip to hospital!