When to Use an Auto Rotisserie
Car rotisseries are indispensable tools.
They give mechanics and hobbyists access to all sides of a vehicle chassis, as well as the ability to lift it to an optimal height. This makes working on cars easier, safer, more effective and more efficient.
So, what jobs would benefit from the 360-degree rotation a rotisserie provides?
In this blog, we’ll cover the top five tasks you can complete with a car rotisserie, from full restoration projects to basic maintenance and repairs.
Access vehicles from all angles with a car rotisserie for sale from Tufflift. Contact us at 1800 88 33 50 to find out more about our range.
1. Full Vehicle Restorations
An auto rotisserie is the perfect piece of equipment to use when undertaking a full body restoration to return a vehicle to its original condition - as if it has just rolled off the assembly line!
By allowing you to rotate the entire vehicle shell, a rotisserie provides access to every part of the car’s body, including hard-to-reach spots like the undercarriage, inner panels, and wheel wells. This makes it much easier to inspect, clean, repair, and restore the vehicle from top to bottom without having to work at awkward angles.
A full restoration can take 12 months or more to do, but with a rotisserie, you can complete most of the work safely, efficiently, and precisely. Especially tasks that require stripping, welding, and refinishing the body.
2. Bodywork & Rust Repair
Bodywork is one of the most time-consuming parts of any restoration. It's also one of the easiest to get wrong without proper access.
A rotisserie car makes bodywork tasks like detailing, painting, rust repair, and sandblasting far more efficient and accessible. You can reach every panel, seam, and cavity with ease, which is useful for vintage vehicles with curves and contours.
When repairing rust, a rotisserie makes it easy to cut out corroded sections and weld in fresh metal with precision. When painting, it keeps the car’s body level and steady, helping you apply an even, professional finish. It’s also ideal for sandblasting, enabling you to thoroughly strip away old paint, rust, and grime much faster than if you were working on a fixed body.
3. Chassis & Undercarriage Work
Chassis and undercarriage repairs are typically the toughest jobs to complete on a car. That’s when a car chassis rotisserie comes in handy.
With the car elevated and securely mounted, you can rotate the shell to gain full access to the frame rails, cross-members, suspension mounts, and underbody components. This is essential when welding in new panels, reinforcing the chassis, or inspecting for hidden damage.
Putting a car on a rotisserie also helps ensure a cleaner, more thorough job by allowing better visibility and working angles. It removes the need to crawl underneath and lie on your back, making the process not only safer but also far more precise.
4. Engine Swaps
While a car body rotisserie isn’t used during the engine swap itself, it can make preparation work much more manageable.
With the body off the frame, the rotisserie gives you clear access to areas like the engine bay, transmission tunnel, and firewall. This makes it easier to clean, repair, or adjust these sections to suit the new engine.
If you're upgrading to a bigger engine or switching to a different transmission, you may need to install custom mounts, make changes to the firewall, or adjust space for clearance. Having the vehicle on a rotisserie makes this detailed work much simpler before the new engine and gearbox go in.
5. Maintenance & Mechanical Work
Although an auto body rotisserie is typically used for more intensive projects, it can also come in handy for routine work.
You can perform basic care and maintenance tasks more easily, including cleaning the underside of the car, checking for leaks, inspecting brake lines and fuel lines, or rotating tyres. It’s also useful during rebuilds when you want to test-fit components before the final assembly.
For mechanics working on stripped-down vehicles, having a rotisserie in the workshop can streamline a wide range of underbody mechanical tasks.
Access All Areas With a Tufflift Automotive Rotisserie
A heavy-duty vehicle rotisserie from Tufflift offers unmatched versatility. It allows easy access, improved safety, and increased productivity, providing a stable and convenient foundation for a wide range of restoration and repair jobs.
360-degree access to various angles means a car rotisserie can accommodate various sizes and weight capacities, too, from 450 kg up to 2,000 kg.
At Tufflift, we are dedicated to excellence and customer satisfaction, and all of our hoists and rotisseries are made to comply with Australian standards.
When you choose the right rotisserie for your needs, you can achieve exceptional results. Get in touch with the Tufflift team today to find out more about our main models.