Classic Car Restoration Process
The classic car restoration process at Luke Martin Coachworks follows six carefully considered stages, from first conversation through to the moment you drive away.
1. Inspection, Vision Setting & Planning
Your classic car restoration begins with a conversation.
We listen carefully to your needs, wants and dreams to define the vision. This is where you decide how faithful or bold you want the restoration to be.
If you want to do the work in stages over time or all in one go.
And whether your vehicle is your daily driver or destined for concourse. With this understanding in mind, we begin a detailed inspection either at our workshop or on site.
Every member of our team evaluates the vehicle, offering expert guidance to shape a restoration plan that fits your budget and specification.
You receive a clear, structured quote with estimated costings and recommendations.
Once approved, we agree a timeframe, book your project slot, and begin documenting its condition with a full photographic record.
At this point we will kindly request a 50% deposit to hold your restoration build slot and to begin preparations, including ordering parts.
For high value or bespoke parts, we may request further parts instalments, but we will agree this with you in advance.
We listen carefully to your needs, wants and dreams to define the vision. This is where you decide how faithful or bold you want the restoration to be.
If you want to do the work in stages over time or all in one go.
And whether your vehicle is your daily driver or destined for concourse. With this understanding in mind, we begin a detailed inspection either at our workshop or on site.
Every member of our team evaluates the vehicle, offering expert guidance to shape a restoration plan that fits your budget and specification.
You receive a clear, structured quote with estimated costings and recommendations.
Once approved, we agree a timeframe, book your project slot, and begin documenting its condition with a full photographic record.
At this point we will kindly request a 50% deposit to hold your restoration build slot and to begin preparations, including ordering parts.
For high value or bespoke parts, we may request further parts instalments, but we will agree this with you in advance.
2. Strip Down & Preservation
The first hands on step is a complete strip down. Every nut, bolt, washer, trim piece and component is carefully removed, catalogued, and stored under your project’s unique reference number.
A dedicated lead technician oversees your car throughout the entire build, ensuring continuity, accountability and craftsmanship at every stage.
This stage sharpens and confirms the restoration plan, and we will keep you in the loop with regular updates.
A dedicated lead technician oversees your car throughout the entire build, ensuring continuity, accountability and craftsmanship at every stage.
This stage sharpens and confirms the restoration plan, and we will keep you in the loop with regular updates.
3. Blasting, Metalwork & Structural Revival
We begin by removing heavy underseal, seam sealer, paint and filler to protect the shell during blasting. The body is then blasted using a combination of glass bead (for chassis, floors and heavy gauge areas) and soda (for delicate exterior panels).
Any outer panels requiring replacement are removed beforehand to expose hidden cavities for rust treatment. Once blasted, the shell receives a light coat of etch primer to protect it before metalwork begins. Our expert panel beaters repair only what’s necessary, letting in metal with bespoke, handmade sections or whole panels as needed.
We replicate original seams, welds and panel shapes, utilising traditional metalworking tools and practices, including handmade body-forming bucks, the English wheel and swaging machines.
Using spot welding, MIG, gas and TIG techniques, we rebuild the structure with authenticity and precision. Enclosed seams are treated with weld through primer, cavities are cleaned and protected, and any areas requiring lead loading are hand finished using traditional factory methods.
We’ll keep a photographic record of all the work for your future reference and to share progress with you.
When all panels are shaped, aligned and trial fitted, your vehicle is ready for paint preparation.
Any outer panels requiring replacement are removed beforehand to expose hidden cavities for rust treatment. Once blasted, the shell receives a light coat of etch primer to protect it before metalwork begins. Our expert panel beaters repair only what’s necessary, letting in metal with bespoke, handmade sections or whole panels as needed.
We replicate original seams, welds and panel shapes, utilising traditional metalworking tools and practices, including handmade body-forming bucks, the English wheel and swaging machines.
Using spot welding, MIG, gas and TIG techniques, we rebuild the structure with authenticity and precision. Enclosed seams are treated with weld through primer, cavities are cleaned and protected, and any areas requiring lead loading are hand finished using traditional factory methods.
We’ll keep a photographic record of all the work for your future reference and to share progress with you.
When all panels are shaped, aligned and trial fitted, your vehicle is ready for paint preparation.
4. The Paintcraft Process
This is where the shell transforms from beautifully-crafted bare metal into a flawless, show quality surface. This stage is equal parts science and artistry, the moment the car begins to look alive again.
Surface Preparation; every panel is meticulously sanded, skimmed where necessary, and blocked to achieve perfect contours. Gaps, shut lines and panel flow are refined to millimetre accuracy.
Priming & Sealing: We apply high build primers, guide coats and repeated block sanding cycles to ensure absolute straightness. Seams, edges and cavities are sealed to protect the car for decades to come.
Colour Application: Whether you choose an original factory shade or a bespoke finish, the colour is applied in controlled layers for depth and clarity. We use modern paint technology while respecting the character of the era.
Clearcoat & Finishing: Multiple coats of clear are applied, then wet sanded and machine polished to a mirror finish. The result is a deep, glass smooth surface that elevates the entire restoration.
Surface Preparation; every panel is meticulously sanded, skimmed where necessary, and blocked to achieve perfect contours. Gaps, shut lines and panel flow are refined to millimetre accuracy.
Priming & Sealing: We apply high build primers, guide coats and repeated block sanding cycles to ensure absolute straightness. Seams, edges and cavities are sealed to protect the car for decades to come.
Colour Application: Whether you choose an original factory shade or a bespoke finish, the colour is applied in controlled layers for depth and clarity. We use modern paint technology while respecting the character of the era.
Clearcoat & Finishing: Multiple coats of clear are applied, then wet sanded and machine polished to a mirror finish. The result is a deep, glass smooth surface that elevates the entire restoration.
5. Mechanical Rebuild & Systems Restoration
Every mechanical component is assessed, stripped, cleaned and either rebuilt or replaced. We work with trusted partners for specialist machining, engine work, and performance upgrades.
Originality guides every decision, but we are experienced in incorporating sympathetic modern enhancements where desired, to increase safety, comfort and reliability.
Suspension, brakes, steering, electrics and drivetrain components are restored to factory fresh condition or better. This stage is one of the most time-intensive in the restoration process, but it's where reliability is built in for the long term.
Originality guides every decision, but we are experienced in incorporating sympathetic modern enhancements where desired, to increase safety, comfort and reliability.
Suspension, brakes, steering, electrics and drivetrain components are restored to factory fresh condition or better. This stage is one of the most time-intensive in the restoration process, but it's where reliability is built in for the long term.
6. Interior, Final Assembly & Road Ready Reveal
All trim and upholstery removed during strip down is restored or replaced by the finest trimmers in the industry.
Whether you want a faithful factory interior or custom upgrades:bucket seats, bespoke stitching or premium, materials we deliver craftsmanship that matches the quality of the build and creates your vehicle’s unique visual identity.
The car is then reassembled with precision, brightwork restored. We fire up the engine and your vehicle rolls out into the world again. We ensure it is thoroughly tested, tuned and road checked until everything is perfect.
We arrange a detailed handover with you, you inspect your vehicle and clear your remaining invoice balance. And then, at last, comes the moment, where you drive away in the car you have brought back to life.
From the first inspection to this moment, the restoration process has been documented in full, and that photographic record is yours to keep.
You are welcome to inspect progress at any point during the project.
We know this is your dream and a significant investment of time, energy, hopes and resources so, for your peace of mind, all our work comes with a 12-month warranty and lifelong support and advice.
Whether you want a faithful factory interior or custom upgrades:bucket seats, bespoke stitching or premium, materials we deliver craftsmanship that matches the quality of the build and creates your vehicle’s unique visual identity.
The car is then reassembled with precision, brightwork restored. We fire up the engine and your vehicle rolls out into the world again. We ensure it is thoroughly tested, tuned and road checked until everything is perfect.
We arrange a detailed handover with you, you inspect your vehicle and clear your remaining invoice balance. And then, at last, comes the moment, where you drive away in the car you have brought back to life.
From the first inspection to this moment, the restoration process has been documented in full, and that photographic record is yours to keep.
You are welcome to inspect progress at any point during the project.
We know this is your dream and a significant investment of time, energy, hopes and resources so, for your peace of mind, all our work comes with a 12-month warranty and lifelong support and advice.
Full or part restorations. Built with obsession. From bare metal to show stopping perfection
Explore our case studies
Each project we take on is different. Browse our case studies to see the range of work we do and the thought that goes into each one.
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Every project starts with a conversation. Get in
touch to talk through your ideas. There’s no obligation and we’re always happy to chat.
Exceptional classic car restorations and campervan conversions
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Luke Martin Coachworks Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 14216508. VAT registered, number 449 2128 86.