Classic Car Restoration - A Challenging Hobby

Classic car restoration is a hobby that requires know-how, creativity and patience to turn an old beater into a gorgeous show-stopper. Cars that were made a lifetime ago require special care and upkeep. Rather than letting them sit in the barn and rust, most classic vehicles need repairs, attention and a lot of TLC.

Since most daily driver vehicles today are computerized and made from corrosion-resistant metals and/or fiberglass, and even carbon-fiber in some cases, classic vehicle restoration projects often require hard-to-come-by body parts for inside and out. This is especially true for cars whose manufacturers are no longer in business. Many vintage car owners are forced to scab together parts, modify generic replacement replicas or get lucky and find usable pieces from other enthusiasts. Once the car lover has the parts, it can be tricky to maintain or install, even working on the basics.

While many car parts were standardized in the 1940s, '50s and '60s, the dealerships often exchanged optional and even stock features among different cars on their lots in order to make a sale. Air conditioners, for example, often arrived in the back seat in mid-'60s cars. The dealership mechanics would do the installation. If a customer wanted a/c on a car that didn't have it, the dealer would remove it from another and add the option to the sales price, complete with on-site installation. Fixing an a/c unit today without completely modifying the entire system is impossible due to Freon issues and wiring problems.

While finding car parts is hard enough, fixing them or installing them is even trickier when one is not well-versed in the inner workings of that particular vehicle. From carburetors to wheel bearings, step-by-step instructions are crucial to getting the car started and moving versus leaving it in the barn. Repair manuals and do-it-yourself restoration guides are the most reliable ways to lay the groundwork for any auto project, especially the classics. While they may come with the car from a benevolent seller, they are hard to find in regular bookstores or the public library. In most cases, they are no longer published and can only be found on websites where online car repair manuals are sold or at swap meets for car enthusiasts. Without the bible for the car's inner workings, completing a restoration is difficult, if not impossible.

Chilton repair manuals can be found online, as well as Bentley or Haynes auto repair manuals. Even the most knowledgeable car buff can be stumped when it comes to classic cars. Internet forums can be helpful as well, especially when the vehicle makes noises of unknown origin that you can't seem to pinpoint. It is most helpful to find a website catering to the same make as the project vehicle. For example, classic Chevy lovers will be more able to help the owner of a Chevrolet vehicle, than a Mopar or Ford owner. The risk with this is that while they mean well, sometimes the advice is sketchy or incorrect.

While classic car restoration can be a fun hobby, it is most satisfying for those with a lot of know-how, mechanically inclined friends or a vehicle that has already been restored and needs only minimal upkeep.

WoW Shaman Restoration Tree Specialization For WotLK - When and How to Use It

Leveling up as a resto shaman should only be done if you're either really experienced with the class, or if you have a group of friends that will need a healer as you level up together. Ideally you should level up as elemental or enhancement and then re-spec to resto when you're close to dinging the level cap, also at low levels getting good resto gear is rather difficult. So we're going to talk about a wow shaman resto build for someone who's either close to 70 and wants to stay there, or 80.

The possibility of going full-on resto for PvE content is always there, by full-on I mean investing all of your talent points in the Restoration tree, you will be a great healer no doubt about it but you may find it necessary to start dipping your toes into the Enhancement tree for some bonuses that will aid you in your healing, or for when you want to PvP, especially in an arena.

For a basic wow shaman resto build this is what you need to take into consideration from the Enhancement tree:

o Ancestral Knowledge, of course Ancestral Knowledge because why wouldn't you want to boost up your Intellect by ten percent thus gaining more mana and increasing your crit chance.

o Improved Shields; this is great for your water shield that you'll always keep on yourself as well as for the Earth Shield on a party member.

o Thundering Strikes; will give you five percent more to your crit rating.

o Shamanistic Focus will definitely be a plus.

o Elemental Weapons just one point here, indeed useful but only one point so we can gain access to it.

o Toughness; for an extra ten percent of your armor.