Mustang Restoration Chapter 11: Maintenance

Restoring a Mustang is a great project, and the best part is that at the end, you get a classic Mustang. It's one of the most coveted and beloved vehicles in the world. Whether you're taking it to shows or just using it for a Sunday cruiser, you're guaranteed to get admiring looks.

There's just one catch. Now you have a classic vehicle to maintain.

Even when driven gently, a Mustang will need more maintenance than a modern car. There are a few routines that will help keep the maintenance process simple and stress-free.

Covered In This Chapter:

• Maintenance Checks - When, where, and how to look for potential issues
• Keeping Your Mustang Clean - How to prevent future issues related to dirt and rust
• Storing Your Mustang for Long Periods-Keep your Mustang preserved, not neglected

General Maintenance Checks

On average, most classic Mustang owners estimate that they do one minor mechanical fix every three months. This can range from changing out brake pads to replacing a radiator hose. Unfortunately, until you find what's wrong, there's no way to know what you'll need to fix.

Make time to give everything a good look over at least once a month.

A good look over will include:

• Checking your oil, coolant, and brake fluid.
• Looking under the hood to make sure all your hoses are springy and your connections are secure.
• Checking your exterior and interior lights for functionality.
• And listening to your engine when you crank it up.
• Check all rubber parts for cracks - hoses, tires, belts, etc

Driving for Maintenance

Though driving your Mustang means taking it out into a world full of errant rocks and clueless drivers, it's a necessary part of proper maintenance.

That's not to say you need to drive your Mustang far or particularly hard. A simple fifteen-minute casual drive once a month is more than enough to avoid some common upkeep issues.

Fifteen minutes is enough to get your Mustang warmed up. What you're doing from a mechanical perspective is giving all the parts that need to rotate a chance to. This helps keep your Mustang properly lubricated and gives your battery a charge.

It also gives you the chance to catch mechanical issues before they cause serious problems.

Keeping Your Mustang Clean

Considering all the work you put into making your Mustang look like the piece of art it is, this should be an easy task to remember.

Every few months, or as needed, you should wash your car.

Though automatic car wash stations are convenient, for a Mustang, you'll want to splurge on a handwash.

You probably learned all about washing a car as a kid, and for the most part, it's the same process.

Select an automotive soap that's non-abrasive, mix it with water, and start cleaning at the top.

Use different rags to clean different parts of the car. That way, you won't carry the grime from your undercarriage anywhere else.

When you're finished washing, you'll want to thoroughly dry your Mustang. Rust loves water, so don't give it an opportunity to take root on your freshly restored Mustang.

Once your Mustang's totally dry, you should consider wax or ceramic if needed.

Carnauba wax offers UV protection. That means hopefully your paint will keep the fresh, bright color you've applied to it rather than becoming sun-faded. Applying wax requires a lot of time and elbow grease, but it's not particularly hard. Even if it doesn't look great when you're finished (and it may not at first), it's almost impossible to cause damage by doing it poorly. You can also hire a detailer to do it for you if you'd like.

Ceramic coatings last longer than wax, but they take more detail and time to apply. Many people opt to get the help of a professional detailer to get a ceramic coating.

Depending on your budget and time constraints, one of these methods probably stands out as the better option. Regardless of which you choose, your Mustang will be well-protected.

Don't forget to wash your chrome surfaces as well to avoid pitting. Use a quality chrome polish for the best results.

Storing Your Mustang for Long Periods

Whether you're bundling your Mustang up for winter or just storing it until the next car show, there are steps you should take to protect it.

To prepare it for storage, you should first clean your Mustang. This will wash away any dirt that could harm the paint overtime. Top off all of your fluids, and move your Mustang to its storage location.

Ideally, your Mustang's storage space should be dry and temperature-controlled. If you have a concrete floor, you may want to lay down a plastic barrier first to keep moisture at bay.

Moisture doesn't just affect the outside of your Mustang. The inside of a vehicle is incredibly susceptible to temperature fluctuations. Moisture absorbers can keep your interior dry, which will limit the growth of mold and mildew.

There are high-end moisture absorbers, but you can find cheaper options if you're resourceful. You can use silica packets, which you'll find in any pair of shoes or most packages. Another easy solution is an open box of baking soda, which will also improve your Mustang's smell.

Once your Mustang's clean and dry, a properly sized cover provides the best final layer of protection. A well-sized tarp can also work, though. For those who don't have a storage space, outdoor-rated car covers are available.

Finally, disconnect your battery or keep it on a battery tender. Batteries still discharge power even with the car off, and they can damage themselves and your Mustang if left sitting long enough.

Check on your Mustang regularly, and you'll have nothing to worry about when it's time to take it back out on the road.

What Kind of Classic Mustang Owner Will You Be?

What will you do with your classic Mustang? There aren't any wrong answers. While some prefer to drive their Mustang sparingly, others enjoy the looks they get as they drive around town every day.

A well-restored classic Mustang looks at home anywhere from a drag strip to a local parade.

The real question is, what to do now that you're finished? If you find that you miss spending your weekends working under the hood, try joining or forming a local club to share your skills.

The Mustang restoration community continues to grow because of people like you who love the work and want to share that enthusiasm with others.

Check out our full Classic Mustang restoration guide to learn everything you need to tackle your next project.