12
votes
Accepted
Keeping track of removed screws?
This is the sort of thing where one should let common sense prevail¹.
Based on my experience, a thorough job will keep track of the following aspects:
storage - ensuring that the part isn't ...
- 39.1k
9
votes
Keeping track of removed screws?
One trick I've used before is to draw an outline of the part on a sheet of paper, then push the screws/bolts through the paper in the right places - this does both the association with the part and ...
- 28.7k
5
votes
Sealing / effectively preserving restored headlights
The best way to keep them looking good is to utilize clear spray lacquer which is is not affected by UV. UV light is what causes the cloudiness in the first place. By spraying the clearcoat on there, ...
- 153k
5
votes
Accepted
What is the process of "mini-tubbing"?
From Hot Rod magazine:
Mini-tubbing is the act of widening a car's rear wheelwells, moving the inner halves inboard to the location of the stock frame-rails to achieve maximum tire clearance ...
- 237
4
votes
Accepted
Sources of Torque-To-Yield bolts?
The TTY bolts need to be specific to the application, but don't need to be sourced through the dealership. Fel-Pro makes a lot of bolts which replace the stock bolts in a TTY application.
Usually ...
- 153k
4
votes
Accepted
What would the result be of re-painting a slightly rusting door?
As several others have indicated, you need to address the rust prior to getting it painted, otherwise the rust will be back and will probably be worse. There are several videos on YouTube that show ...
- 76
3
votes
Accepted
Ford steering restoration
As a priority - Checking and replacing worn ball joints is far more important than replacing worn bushes.
If a ball joint separates while driving, then you will loose steering, which is obviously very ...
- 24.9k
3
votes
2005 Dodge Stratus that won't start after sitting for 5 months
When you put the key into the ON (not start) position, do you hear the fuel pump? Have someone stand at the back of the car, or better yet with their head under the rear bumper, turn the key to ON and ...
- 773
3
votes
2005 Dodge Stratus that won't start after sitting for 5 months
I would replace the ground to the battery , they are known for corroding internally , it will cause same issues but will not do it all the time, that's where I would start , good luck hope this helps
- 91
2
votes
Sealing / effectively preserving restored headlights
I have just spent an inordinate amount of time researching this, and as best I can tell there are numerous methods for headlight lens restoration. Most of them include common first steps:
Remove the ...
- 1,193
2
votes
Sealing / effectively preserving restored headlights
I used the 3M headlight restoration kit to restore my car's cloudy headlights and once they were clear, I sealed them with the Sylvania UV Block Clear Coat. This seems to have worked for me.
Also, ...
- 21
2
votes
What are these dots on my roof?
It's more than likely the clear coat, and not rust. Here's why.
Temperature change is one factor. The clear coat can sometimes expand differently than the base coat. Areas where snow get piled on can ...
- 4,730
2
votes
Restoring a Laverda 750 SF - Where to start?
Ambitious first project but rescuing a beast from Breganze is worth the effort.
Number one tip: take too many pictures as you disassemble—priceless because even though I have completely rebuilt my ...
- 131
2
votes
Accepted
Restoring a Laverda 750 SF - Where to start?
I will start by saying there is no single right answer.
Where to start will depend on what condition the bike is in now (does it start? Is there anything known that obviously wrong with it?) The ...
- 1,552
2
votes
Accepted
Motorcycle restoration steps
These are the steps I would take:
Clean and assess
Start by making it safe to be worked on. Re-assess
Aim to make it run. Re-assess.
Aim to make it rideable
Aim to make it legal.
Make it reliable.
...
- 1,552
2
votes
Accepted
Sanding motorbike bolts and abs sensor plates?
Unless the fasteners are made from stainless steel, which yours are likely not since you said that the have rust on them, then they will have some kind of anti-corrosion coating.
This coating could ...
- 24.9k
2
votes
How to hand-crank a Toyota Prius engine?
The following is assuming you've checked the oil to ensure it is up to level (even changed it to fresh oil if you feel so spunky). Find the fuse for the fuel injection and pull it. This will prevent ...
- 153k
1
vote
Headlight Restoration Question
Go ahead and do step 4, apply the clear coat.
3000 grit corresponds to stones around 4 microns. In order for something to appear smooth and transparent, it has to be smooth close to the wavelength of ...
- 420
1
vote
Starting a vehicle that has been sitting for 2-3 years: Gasoline/Petrol/Fuel
I doubt anyone with even half a brain would want to drill a hole into a partially-filled gas tank
Wow, if you're even thinking of drilling a hole in a tank, you don't know how to work on cars!
...
1
vote
How to hand-crank a Toyota Prius engine?
A Prius doesn't have a traditional starter. You might be able to get to the crank pully and twist it, but I doubt there's much room. Doing this won't spin the oil pump enough to lube the bearings, ...
- 138
1
vote
Hot Tank Solution for Aluminium?
I tried many normal household products to clean engines and parts...
And for 1 off then petrol, thinners etc may work, but the best solution by far was to take my disassembled engine block, heads, ...
- 34.7k
1
vote
What would the result be of re-painting a slightly rusting door?
Here, check this out,
https://youtu.be/n4vusY2-rkQ
I'm going to be rattle canning my truck, I've done this before. I came across a great DIY video by ChrisFix on YouTube. Here is link to the video: ...
- 26
1
vote
Accepted
Best paint to paint windshield wiper arms?
I personally wouldn't bother with this if parts are available and inexpensive because it's a lot of work for little benefit, however I respect your motivation to reuse and learn at the same time.
...
- 16.2k
1
vote
Best paint to paint windshield wiper arms?
I would get some cold-galvanizing paint as a base and then whichever satin black is in stock at my local hardware store.
- 8,848
1
vote
Restoring Stainless Steel Part
Just remove the crud, dust, dirt and grease then fit it.
The stainless will be fine. Trying to get it to a poloished mirror type finish is not worth the effort, especially as it is an exhaust heat ...
- 34.7k
1
vote
Accepted
Can I spray paint a engine's heat shield?
There are special paints that will withstand temps of 2000 degrees. The problem is to get this type of high temp performance you have to be meticulous in your parts prep. Look for a paint labeled ...
- 19.9k
1
vote
Can I use cutting compound to take graffiti off my car?
I've used T-Cut in the past (albeit on a test car panel), and it worked great.
Apply it onto the whole body panel (although, if you're going to do this, I'd personally commit to the whole car) and ...
- 644
1
vote
When painting a bare shell, why mask it up?
It all depends how long the paint stays open for so when dry spray goes over an area you just painted it will settle in to the wet paint so when your doing a full re spray you would want to use a ...
- 11
1
vote
Accepted
When painting a bare shell, why mask it up?
My brother used to be a paint tech and sometimes would do restos:
This is done to avoid spraying that will not be painted in detail at that very moment. Overspray requires another round of prepping. ...
- 3,363
1
vote
Keeping track of removed screws?
i prefer the IKEA way. you may have tons of screws but the actual number of screw types will be far less (to keep manufacturing costs as low as possible). Number the types, group the screws by type ...
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible