Who does/who doesn't?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 638
From: Port St Lucie Florida
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Who does/who doesn't?
By my subject title, I mean, who does their own work and who doesn't. I have always had the greatest amount of respect and admiration for those who work on their cars - I don't...for a few reasons....no time, no patience, no skill, no interest (in doing the work). Yet, I'll bet I love my car just as much as anyone here. I do enjoy polishing and waxing but that's pretty much the extent of what I personally will/want to do. Please understand two things...first, my car is something I am very proud of and it does show well. Second, money is an object (as opposed to those who say it isn't) and I don't have unlimited funds - my intent is not to come off like some pompous ***.
By the way...I have learned a tremendous amount of things here (since 2009) and am grateful to those who take the time to answer my occasional question.
By the way...I have learned a tremendous amount of things here (since 2009) and am grateful to those who take the time to answer my occasional question.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,333
Likes: 1,311
C3 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
With the exception of a carburetor rebuild, I have done everything on my '66 that needed to be done since I've owned it for last 11+ years.
That's not to say I'm great, or anything- I'm just fortunate that the '66 has never been in need of anything that I couldn't handle.
Uh - oh! Do I smell jinx?
That's not to say I'm great, or anything- I'm just fortunate that the '66 has never been in need of anything that I couldn't handle.
Uh - oh! Do I smell jinx?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 45
From: nassau co. new york
i have done all my own work which has included some of the jobs no one wants to do.i have enjoyed making home made tools when required and found that most jobs can be done with a little prep work beforehand.the 4 wheel alignment was the most interesting to me.very expensive to farm out everything on these cars,always something hanging,loose or leaking.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
We'll one of the things you mentioned for yourself was $$. Since I can remember $$ has always been an issue with me. I learned at a young age to tackle stuff because I did not have the $$ to spend on "someone" else doing it. I fixed my own bikes, then motorcycles then cars. I even do 90% of all my home repairs. Building walls, back splash in kitchen, electrical. But I GET ALL MY SATISFACTION from doing a job and completing it. It just makes me feel good. And I like to brag. When someone ask's about my car, I let them know I did it. (Except for LARS rebuilding my carb.) Thank you Lars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 48
From: hickory NC
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Done all the work on ours since we've had it. Something about job satisfaction and standing back, admiring what got accomplished. Plus, I don't really trust anyone else to work on any of my cars.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 903
From: Warminster PA
I do all my own work. Everything except body work that is....... Believe it or not, after rebuilding many engines, transmissions, differentials, carbs, suspension, etc, the thing that gave me the hardest time was replacing the seat covers on my 1960. This is one job that I will farm out if I ever have to do it again........... My hands hurt just thinking about it.
Tom
Tom
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
I wanted but could not afford so I taught myself to do. I found that I liked to do, so I made a living doing cars for a time. Both as a mechanic, and an autobody technician. I found that doing all the time was injurious to the body so I learned now to sell parts to those that still do.
I still do it all for myself... except for those jobs which require either dedicated machine tools (like boring a block) or three young uninjured backs... like installing a three light 77 inch tall, 100 inch wide double hung window (for instance). I enjoy the process and even though I could pay someone now for many of these things I like the satisfaction doing it all myself brings.
I still do it all for myself... except for those jobs which require either dedicated machine tools (like boring a block) or three young uninjured backs... like installing a three light 77 inch tall, 100 inch wide double hung window (for instance). I enjoy the process and even though I could pay someone now for many of these things I like the satisfaction doing it all myself brings.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 99
Likes: 3
From: Salem Ohio
I have the tools from years ago, I have found a new addiction working on this Vette and really enjoy the results of my work. Work on it - drive it, work on it - drive it. I have a Vette problem and am unwilling to admit it so I am hopeless
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I have no knowledge or experience at putting paint on a car...other than doing minor repairs and fixing nicks/dings/etc. I do not have the equipment and tools necessary to do machining work.
Other than that, I've done about everything else on this car.
Other than that, I've done about everything else on this car.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have owned my Vette since 95 and it has had 6 different engines 3 different transmissions and 3 differ rears and countless different suspension systems. The interior and mods to it are extensive. I have done everything. The only thing I did not do was the paint. I did not have the equipment for the quality job I wanted. I have done countless engine and transmission jobs and rear end work on other forum members cars also. So yes I do enjoy the work on the cars as much as driving them.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 441
Likes: 1
From: Windsor Ontario
I do my own work, I have been tinkering with mechanical things since I was about 12 and it progressed throughout the years. I am a licensed toolmaker & industrial Millwright, and a backyard mechanic.
I restored my entire car(body on), except for painting, by myself.
Oh yea....I'm also a cheap B*st*rd who refuses to pay somebody else to do wat I can do myself for free,
I restored my entire car(body on), except for painting, by myself.
Oh yea....I'm also a cheap B*st*rd who refuses to pay somebody else to do wat I can do myself for free,
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg Manitoba
Hello, I am a new member and I'm learning to fix inside and outside of my 1975. I am going to restore it and have started by getting the some of the frame mounts out and others loose til I am ready to put on the dolly I am about to make. I have all the supplies to make the dolly And have gathered stuff on ebay such as a new Moog front suspesion, new frame mounts, new crossmember bushings,almost new tail lights, and 8004 Weiand intake manifold. I also bought driveshaft u-joints, haftshaft u-joints and the body lift harness. I am trying to figure out how to make a trolley to lift and roll to the other side of my two car garage to put on the dolly. I was woundering about putting in the frame mount and waiting for fall so I could do the restoration over the winter. Does anybody know if the frame mounts would still be ok to use after tightening the body down on them. I thought I would say that I am new at fixing the car and i'm going to do my best, but thought I would put a question in at the same time. Thanks
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 424
Likes: 9
From: Killeen Texas
Not that I'm old, will be 56 this coming June, but when I was a kid, all the guys w/ hot/performance cars, like cars w/ the back-up lights on all the time, remember that, any of the older guys w/ hot rods, all the old/ new back then, factory muscle cars and drag type cars, turned their own wrenches. You know, the guys that our parents called "greasers" mostly. The older guys and later on us, we loved to go to the drag strip, Raceway Park, National Speedway and Dover, up-state, and race on the street when someone called another guy out. All of us and the guys we learned from turned our own wrenches. It was an interest we had. Things are different now, as guys who like performance cars and who don't turn wrenches still own performance cars these days, unlike years ago-in most cases. My hat is off to any car enthusiast whether yo turn your own wrenches or not. You're part of the crew. Sincerely.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Nobody knows everything...they may think they do and try to convince you that they do...but they don't. You don't know what you don't know. I know my limitations (experience, skills and tools) and outsource expertise when required. The best way to learn is hands on...but may end up costing time and money to fix the screw ups.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12