My "Basic Chick's Guide to Restoring Old Cars - So Far" :
* Degreaser is good. Especially when it is $1 a can.
* You can fit 15 cans of $1 degreaser in the baskets they give you at Supercheap Autos.
* 15 cans will not be enough. You will need 2 baskets.
* While you are rubbing down your shiny buffed alternator with turpentine to get all the black stuff off, do not hold it against your stomach. Turpentine soaks through clothes. It also burns. Turpentine burns take 2 weeks to go away.
* Grease, oil, turpentine and paint all soak through to your underwear, no matter how many layers you are wearing. Don't wear good underwear.
* It is not compulsory to wear underwear under your work clothes. No-one will notice.
* Except your partner. And he will appreciate your efforts to keep your clothes clean. It may take you longer to restore the car, though.
* If your partner doesn't wear safety goggles when using the wire wheel on the bench grinder, it's not because he doesn't need them. It's because he wears glasses. You will need goggles to achieve the same level of protection. Otherwise you will get dried up paint flecks in your eyes. That hurts.
* More body filler is not necessarily better. It just takes longer to sand back.
* Don't be tempted to use degreaser as a short-cut to getting grimy stuff off your hands. It also burns. Especially the cheap stuff.
I'm working on a website with before/after pictures, and I'll post a link when I get it up. It's taking a while, because every spare chance I get is spent making engine stuff shiny! Hey, I know my limitations. I'm not good with mechanical stuff, but I can buff...
Primm
Just for fun...
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- dbrick
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One thing to add to your list:
Never use a wire wheel marked "Max RPM 9000" on an angle grinder that spins at 12000 rpm. I was wondering what the little sharp pains were and the occasional sound of riccocheting metal. When I stopped to look, I had a few dozen 1 1/2" wire wheel bristles sticking out of my pants and shirt from mid thigh up to mid chest. I looked like a porcupine.
Glad I did not go along with this rule:
Never use a wire wheel marked "Max RPM 9000" on an angle grinder that spins at 12000 rpm. I was wondering what the little sharp pains were and the occasional sound of riccocheting metal. When I stopped to look, I had a few dozen 1 1/2" wire wheel bristles sticking out of my pants and shirt from mid thigh up to mid chest. I looked like a porcupine.
Glad I did not go along with this rule:
It is not compulsory to wear underwear under your work clothes. No-one will notice.
Dave Brisco
Take my advice, I'm not using it"
66 2000 The Bobster
64 1500 in pieces for sale
1980 Fiat X1/9
2009 Volvo C-70
08 Expedition EL, STUPID huge but comfy
1962 Thompson Sea Lancer, possible money pit
- S Allen
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RE:Just For Fun
That is a great start to what will become a very entertaining list. Looking forward to your website. Nothing like scrubbing a 30 plus year old car and all of its bits to make it look good again. Keep 'em coming.
Steve

Steve
66 Stroker-Going Orange
67 SRL311-00279-resto project
Stock '72 240Z-Blue
2002 Ford F250 7.3 Diesel 2WD Hauler
2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser
2009 Smart ForTwo Passion Coupe
2013 Fiat 500 Abarth
67 SRL311-00279-resto project
Stock '72 240Z-Blue
2002 Ford F250 7.3 Diesel 2WD Hauler
2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser
2009 Smart ForTwo Passion Coupe
2013 Fiat 500 Abarth
a bit of the topic - but a local!
Ruth
Glad to see Alan is finally getting his hands dirty and delivering!... how is the red sporty going - or is it?
Just back from NSW and trying to get in touch with the QLD club the website hasnt been updated since before i left so do you have Geoff Tysons Email??
Look forward to seeing the little blue car on a run soon
Cheers
Brent
PS say hello to allan for me!
Glad to see Alan is finally getting his hands dirty and delivering!... how is the red sporty going - or is it?


Just back from NSW and trying to get in touch with the QLD club the website hasnt been updated since before i left so do you have Geoff Tysons Email??
Look forward to seeing the little blue car on a run soon
Cheers
Brent
PS say hello to allan for me!
