Re: Whats the worst thing to do when restoring cars?
[Re: poorboy]
#3132807
03/27/23 05:28 PM
03/27/23 05:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,924 Calgary, Alberta Canada
a12rag
master
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master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,924
Calgary, Alberta Canada
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I don't think I could handle 80% of a restoration. The stupid ways most factories did many things just doesn't make much sense. I'd be going crazy in a few months. I kept telling myself that this is a hobby and I am supposed to ENJOY it !! . . .lol . . . that being said, more than once I had to just put the tools down, walk away from the garage and come back to it another day. Amazing what a fresh perspective can do for you . . . think someone else said, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it !! . . . Not sure how those that hand their car and keys over to a shop to restore the car, can do that . . . I handled everything myself,except for bodywork & paint, seats and vinyl top although I was prepared to try my hand at any of it - glad I didn't though ! LOL . . . got car back from bodyshop, figured, this will be easy, 6mths tops, to get it back together . . . . 2 YEARS !! . . .heh heh heh . . . Restoring my car myself, was a validation of fact I do know what I am doing (for most part), and that I can do it !! . . . and that was only way I would be able to afford the car ! . . . a couple thousand $$ spend each year, over 12-15 years, way easier to handle than cutting one HUGE check . . . Anyhow, always great to hear others experiences . . . . M
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Re: Whats the worst thing to do when restoring cars?
[Re: dssaa]
#3132814
03/27/23 06:02 PM
03/27/23 06:02 PM
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12,245 Looking for a way out of Middl...
IMGTX
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12,245
Looking for a way out of Middl...
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You are going to think I am stupid but tire rotations and oil changes are the worst. I cut my teeth on drum brakes. In fact I worked on cars for years before I ever changed disk brakes. Bad wiring was the norm in the old days so I got used to wiring too. I can work for hours when I get in the zone doing bodywork, or anything else. BUT I can never get into oil changes or tires. I just hate it with a purple passion. Go figure.
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Re: Whats the worst thing to do when restoring cars?
[Re: IMGTX]
#3132844
03/27/23 08:26 PM
03/27/23 08:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,938 Central Florida
larrymopar360
Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,938
Central Florida
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The very first thing that came to mind was rear main seals. Finding the right brand and style, and finding a good quality one, and figuring out the best way to get it to seal!!!
Second is just the poor overall quality of available parts!!!
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Whats the worst thing to do when restoring cars?
[Re: topside]
#3132862
03/27/23 09:34 PM
03/27/23 09:34 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,233 Someplace you aren't
SomeCarGuy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,233
Someplace you aren't
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I've found the windows - especially quarter glass - to be a PITA. Another is the '68-'69 dash switch panel & troubleshooting/replacing those switches.
Been through the re-work hassles, too.
If it was all easy, I'd be fine with that; but the satisfaction of getting things corrected might not be as good. What's intriguing to me is how some cars are easy, and some fight all the way through. Oh those 68-69 switch panels are a real mfer. I tried to forget those for sure. Deeply rewarding to get everything going, probably why every car seems to have stuff not working.
I want my fair share
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Re: Whats the worst thing to do when restoring cars?
[Re: Ramrod39]
#3132916
03/28/23 05:03 AM
03/28/23 05:03 AM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,412 Weatherford, Texas
RapidusMaximus
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,412
Weatherford, Texas
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I’ve had to pass on 2 projects where the “dissassembler” did not bag and tag…this was after doing one…and only one, that was in boxes when I got it, never again. I suppose the most annoying thing I can think of is cleaning nuts and bolts, I’m a stickler for reusing original bolts and nuts whenever possible, hardware store grade 8 bolts stick out like a sore thumb
1968 Plymouth GTX 1974 Dodge P/U Long Bed Stepside 318 2019 Ram 2500 6.4, auto, 4WD
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Re: Whats the worst thing to do when restoring cars?
[Re: jlatessa]
#3132957
03/28/23 10:59 AM
03/28/23 10:59 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 669 Los Osos, Ca
CKessel
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 669
Los Osos, Ca
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Dealing with car owners who have Alligator arms and can't reach their wallets.
Carl Kessel
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Re: Whats the worst thing to do when restoring cars?
[Re: TJP]
#3133029
03/28/23 02:57 PM
03/28/23 02:57 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,706 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,706
Fulton County, PA
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In 50 years of doing car work, I've done just about everything at least once. Except mud work and paint. Will not do any of that outside of a minimal amount of work on a repair. Windshields and back glass are left to glass guys.
Degree of difficulty depends on how bad the car is and who has worked on it previously. And the availability, or lack of, proper tools and equipment.
We had guys pull Camaros out of fields and drop them off at the shop with snakes and mice crawling out of them, and not much good original metal left. Paid good money for it since they watched TV and "know what it's worth". And they thought they had something that shouldn't take much work, until I started walking around it poking holes in it with a pocket screwdriver.
Know when to delegate. Upholstery, windshields and rear glass, mud work and paint, etc, someone else can do that. Someone who does it for a living and could do a better job than me with less headaches.
The worst...stuff that some one else has butchered up before I get it. We had a '67 Chevy II dropped off once. Running, driving, looked okay from 50' Guy want a mild restomod done. Had been wrecked and had rust repair done multiple times. Had 3 partial or full quarters done on one side and two on the other. None were done well. Not much left once the trash and mud was cut off.
Owners who don't know what they are doing, but think they do. Owners who think they should get $120K worth of work for $20K, tops. Owners who think their car, that's not much more than a brown spot on the floor, can be "patched up" and most of it reused. Owners who want to use China trash off Amazon. Owners who watch TV shows and think it takes a week and a half to build a car.
Guys who say "No one will ever see it".
If you can stay in your shop and do nothing but your own stuff, you're fortunate. If you can just do work for people who know what it takes, wants it done right, won't nickel and dime, and drop money off when you ask for it, you're fortunate. If you have to take in everything that comes along and work for clowns who want first class for crap money, and want you to patch and halfa$$, it sucks.
Buddy of mine has a shop. He's right up front. We do it my way, which is the right way with good parts and materials I spec, we don't cut corners, and we do it for this much money. Not negotiable. He sends plenty of people up the street. He's also booked out a year and a half with people who want to pay him, and wants me to come work for him.
Last edited by CMcAllister; 03/28/23 03:03 PM.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: Whats the worst thing to do when restoring cars?
[Re: CMcAllister]
#3133043
03/28/23 03:41 PM
03/28/23 03:41 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,393 St. Charles, MO
wingman
Uncreative Title
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Uncreative Title
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,393
St. Charles, MO
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The worst thing? Believe that when you go to sell it that it will be worth at least what you put into it...
1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 383 A4 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 440 FC7 (sold)
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Re: Whats the worst thing to do when restoring cars?
[Re: wingman]
#3133069
03/28/23 05:25 PM
03/28/23 05:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,706 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,706
Fulton County, PA
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The worst thing? Believe that when you go to sell it that it will be worth at least what you put into it... Never. Race cars, muscle, classics, always cheaper to buy one done and running.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: Whats the worst thing to do when restoring cars?
[Re: CMcAllister]
#3133073
03/28/23 05:31 PM
03/28/23 05:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,584 Motor City
6PKRTSE
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,584
Motor City
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The worst thing? Believe that when you go to sell it that it will be worth at least what you put into it... Never. Race cars, muscle, classics, always cheaper to buy one done and running. Not necessarily true. I never buy to flip. Most of the time it seems I hang on to vehicles. However, I have only lost money on one vehicle my entire life. My first truck, which was a 79 Ramcharger S.E. we four wheeled the hell out of that thing, so it more than paid for itself in fun.
1963 Belvedere 440 Max Wedge Tribute 1970 Charger R/T S.E. 440 Six Pack 1970 Challenger R/T, 528 Hemi 1970 Charger 500 S.E. 440 4 BBL 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 383 1974 Chrysler New Yorker 440 1996 2500 RAM 488 V-10 4X4 2004 3500 Dually Cummins 4x4 2012 Challenger R/T Classic.
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