Have you ever looked at a pile of old car parts and seen potential beyond the junkyard? The beauty of upcycling lies in transforming discarded items into something new and functional. This week, we’re diving into an exciting DIY project that showcases exactly that: turning scrap car parts into a stylish and unique breakfast bar. The inspiration struck unexpectedly while dismantling an old Citroën BX to salvage aluminum for CNC casting. It’s a testament to the power of hands-on learning – taking things apart reveals brilliant design and sparks innovative ideas for repurposing. If you’re eager to create cool things, dismantling objects is an invaluable learning experience.
Taking apart a car is an adventure filled with greasy, oily, yet fascinating discoveries. The sheer number of rescued components hints at the vast possibilities for upcycling. For a visual guide to this project, you can watch the video by clicking here or on the image below.
The Necessity of a Parts Washer for Car Part Upcycling
Working with car parts means dealing with grease and grime. To tackle this, a repurposed parts washer became essential. Using an old Belfast sink, salvaged from a university discard, combined with a repurposed coolant pump, created an effective cleaning station. Kerosene, a favorite among mechanics for its effectiveness and lower volatility compared to gasoline, was the cleaning agent of choice. The components being washed are engine block crankshaft mounts, destined to become modified wall mounts in this project.
The array of tools used in this process, as pictured, all required thorough cleaning afterwards. Engine oil and grime have a knack for spreading everywhere!
From Swing Arms to Wall-Mounted Brackets: Reimagining Car Parts
Below is a front suspension swing arm, also known as a ‘wishbone’, paired with two cleaned crankshaft mounts. The vision is starting to take shape, isn’t it?
To transform the crankshaft mounts into functional wall mounts, internal modifications were needed to secure a drilling point for the 16mm swing arm pin.
Mild steel pieces were welded into place to provide the necessary support.
Drilling through these modified mounts proved challenging, but ultimately successful. The video offers a closer look at the process and why the metal surfaces lost their initial shine.
After cleaning on a large disk sander, attention turned to removing rust from the wishbones. An angle grinder and wire brush attachments on a drill were employed. The drill is excellent for intricate areas, while the angle grinder efficiently tackles larger surfaces. A room fan helps to disperse rust dust during this process.
Once satisfied with the rust removal, the wishbones received several coats of clear UV resistant lacquer for protection and a polished finish.
Finally, using the modified crankshaft mounts, the entire repurposed car part structure was mounted to the wall.
And just like that, repurposed car parts become a functional and eye-catching breakfast bar!
This project demonstrates the exciting potential of Car Parts Repurposed. By embracing creativity and a bit of elbow grease, you can transform automotive scrap into unique and functional pieces of furniture. This breakfast bar is just one example – imagine the possibilities for desks, shelving, or even artistic installations using upcycled car parts. So next time you see discarded auto components, consider their hidden potential and how you might give them a second life in your home or workshop.
