Have you ever looked at an old car and seen potential beyond just transportation? As car enthusiasts and DIY aficionados at cardiagxpert.com, we’re always exploring creative uses for automotive components. This week, we’re excited to share a project that perfectly embodies this spirit: transforming scrap car parts into a stylish and functional breakfast bar. The inspiration struck while dismantling a Citroën BX, initially to reclaim aluminum for CNC casting. But as we delved deeper, the upcycling possibilities of the various parts became undeniable. If you’re keen to unleash your creativity and build something truly unique, remember this golden rule: take things apart! Understanding how things are constructed and function opens up a world of repurposing opportunities.
Taking apart a car is an adventure in itself – a hands-on, albeit greasy, journey of discovery. The sheer variety of components, each with its own form and function, is inspiring. From sturdy brackets to elegantly shaped suspension arms, the potential for Repurposed Car Parts is vast. We salvaged a selection of these treasures, and the ideas for upcycling furniture began to flow immediately. For a visual walkthrough of this process, check out the video below.
Cleaning and Preparing Repurposed Car Parts
Before transforming these greasy components, a thorough cleaning is essential. For this task, we built a DIY parts washer using a reclaimed Belfast sink and a repurposed coolant pump. Kerosene proved to be an excellent cleaning agent – effective and less volatile than gasoline, a favorite among seasoned mechanics. Among the first parts to be cleaned were crankshaft bearing caps. These robust pieces, originally designed to secure the crankshaft in the engine block, were destined for a new role as wall mounts in our project.
Working with salvaged car parts requires a good set of tools, all of which needed a serious cleaning after this project! Engine grime has a knack for spreading everywhere.
Assembling the Breakfast Bar with Upcycled Auto Parts
The vision for our breakfast bar started to take shape as we laid out the cleaned components. A front suspension swing arm, or “wishbone” as it’s commonly known, was chosen as the main support. Positioned alongside the crankshaft bearing caps, the concept for wall-mounted supports became clear.
To securely mount the wishbone, the crankshaft bearing caps needed modification. We needed to create a solid anchor point for the 16mm swing arm pin.
Pieces of mild steel were welded into the bearing caps, providing the necessary reinforcement.
Drilling through these modified parts proved challenging, but persistence paid off. The darkened surfaces are a testament to the heat and effort involved, as detailed in the video.
Finishing Touches for Repurposed Car Part Furniture
With the mounting points prepared, the next step was surface finishing. The bearing caps were cleaned up using a large disc sander. For the wishbones, rust removal was tackled with an angle grinder for flat surfaces and a drill with wire brush attachments to reach into corners and crevices. A workshop fan helped to disperse the rust dust during this process.
Once satisfied with the rust removal, the wishbones received several coats of clear, UV-resistant lacquer to protect the bare metal and enhance their industrial aesthetic.
The Final Repurposed Car Parts Breakfast Bar
Finally, using the modified crankshaft bearing caps, the wishbone was mounted securely to the wall.
And just like that, it was functional!
This project demonstrates the incredible potential of repurposed car parts. By thinking creatively and getting hands-on, you can transform automotive scrap into unique and functional pieces for your home. So next time you see an old car, consider the possibilities – you might just find inspiration for your next DIY masterpiece!
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Posted: 01|23|18 at 2:31 pm. Categorically squeezed into: Upcycling. Tags: breakfast bar, car parts furniture, make furniture from car parts, up cycle, Upcycle, upcycled furniture Follow this entry via RSS 2.0. Comment | Trackback
