How to Restore Pedal Cars

Photograph the original pedal car toy from all angles. Close-up photos of each pedal car part are helpful to reassemble the toy after work is completed.

Disassemble the wheels, chain-drive and steering column from the pedal car body. Most pedal cars come apart with screwdrivers, wrenches and a hammer. Loosen rusted parts with metal lubrication spray.

Place the car body on a padded firm surface, and then pound a rubber mallet on the backside of the body to remove dents from the metal.

Strip paint from the pedal car body, steering column and wheels with industrial paint remover. Follow all safety precautions listed on the product.

Wash and dry each pedal car part to remove all residues from the metal.

Remove rust with a wire brush, steel wool pad or qualified rust-removal product.

Wipe each pedal car part with rubbing alcohol to remove remaining residues.

Fill and smooth the remaining dents with automotive polyester-resin repair putty.

Sand the putty with multiple graduated fine sandpapers until the car body is smooth.

Apply metal primer paint to prepare the car body for painting. Let the primed car dry for one week in a dust-free location.

Paint the pedal car with automotive paint. Old pedal car colors can be matched using the assembly photographs at an automotive supply store. Let the paint dry in a dust-free location for one week or as directed on the product.

Clean chrome pedal car parts with chrome-cleaning paste. Send damaged chrome parts to a chrome replacement service.

Clean rubber parts with furniture oil followed by a rubbing alcohol bath.

Disassemble upholstered pedal car seats when necessary. Trace old material pieces onto new material, and cut out this pattern with upholstery shears. Replace horsehair padding with modern padding material. Attach reupholstered seats to their wood-based forms with upholstery brads or staple guns.

Lubricate the chain-drive with bicycle gear oil. Reassemble the chain-drive outside the pedal car body.

Reassemble the pedal car parts according to the close-up assembly photographs.