Getting That Project Organized

Classic car hobbyists of all ages will relate to this story. Your latest (or very first) project has found a new home. It's now sitting in the driveway, just begging to be returned to its former glory. Maybe you have plans to restore it to its original condition, or go custom with updated running gear, or even hot rod it. Whatever the case, you're itching to get started. And why not. We've all watched those shows where the pros turn a clunker into a gleaming beauty in a matter of a few days or weeks. Looks pretty simple, and now it's your turn. As the parts begin to fly, that eager first-day-on-the-project voice inside your head tells you that sure, you'll remember what size the bolts are for the transmission bracket, which way that trim piece fits into the grill, and how the dash wiring goes back together. After all, this baby is going to be back together again and cruising down the road in no time - right?
Several weeks, months or (dare we say) years later you realize with dismay that your ambitious plans haven't progressed quite like they do on TV. Instead the work has slowed to a crawl, as evident by the pile of parts, clutter and chaos that now dominate your garage. If only you had taken copious notes to keep track of every nut, bolt and screw that came off the vehicle. If only you had cataloged every part and stashed them away neatly, so you could easily get your hands on them later. If only you could remember how everything went back together. Unfortunately, most of us have no more patience or discipline for such organization than we do for sticking to our original timetable (or budget).
So what to do? As any true hobbyist will tell you, your enjoyment will (or should) come as much from transforming that tired puppy into a gem as it will from driving it around and showing it off once it's done. So let's see how we might go about this a little differently and in the process improve your productivity and enjoyment, with some practical advice on how to get (and stay) organized and a few tips for how to implement that advice.

1. Planning - The old adage "Plan your work and work your plan" holds a lot of truth for any old car project. Even before you start looking for a candidate vehicle, its best to have a good idea of what you want to end up with. If you can't picture the end result in your mind, or even better on paper, then you're probably not ready to get started. Tip #1: Envision your completed project. This can come in severals forms including pictures from magazines, photos from car shows, or (if you're artistically inclined) your own drawings. Be realistic when making your plan. Consider your budget, timeframe, resources (workshop, tools, friends, etc.) and experience. Tip #2: The 'X' factor. If this is your 1st project, multiply everything by 3X. (If you think it will cost X, it will likely cost you 3X. If you think it will take X days to complete a task, it will probably take you 3X days.) If it's your 2nd project, factor everything by 2X. The more projects you do, the more accurate you will get at estimating time and cost.
2. Space - You can never have too much space when restoring or rebuilding a car. The amount you will need will depend largely on what tasks you plan to perform yourself. For example, if you plan to do your own painting you will obviously need a suitable place to shoot it. The key is not how much total space you will need, but how much space you will need at any one time (there is a big difference). Tip #3: Multi-use spaces. Set up your workspace so it can be used for multiple purposes. Consider using a workspace divider, like Goffs Curtain Walls. A good rule of thumb for the minimum amount of space you'll need is the space it would take to park two of your project cars with room to walk around all sides. You can stretch your usable space by making sure you can easily move your project car, even when its not running or missing some of its rolling gear. Tip #4: Consider using a car dolly or tire skates to easily move your project car around.
3. Tools - It's often said that a man is only as good as his tools. Here are 2 tools that will greatly improve your productivity, but that probably aren't in your toolbox today. The 1st is a digital camera. Use it generously. Take plenty of pictures before, during and after each work session. Snap away and just delete the unneeded ones later. Tip #5: Go for a small, inexpensive digital camera with a built-in flash that you can operate with one hand. Use one that you won't mind dropping or getting dirty. Set the picture resolution to one of the higher settings so you can later zoom in on pictures to see details. The 2nd is a PC. Use it to store and view your digital pictures, research online tech resources, search for vehicles and parts, etc. Tip #6: Utilize a PC software tool like Collector Car Companion. It's easy to use and a great way to keep your project organized and documented.
4. Process - How you work is up to you, but if you follow a few simple rules you'll become more productive and find the work more enjoyable. Here are a few of our favorites. First and foremost, always consider safety. Wear protective gear appropriate to the task at hand and use common sense. (If you don't have any common sense, ask your wife. She will be happy to tell you.) Second, develop a system for how you will work. Nothing complex, just a repeatable process that you are comfortable with. Tip #7: Try this simple 3 step process to organize your work - strip down, restore, assemble. As you work on a particular system (braking system), assembly (left front brake), or part (rotor) ask yourself these questions. Strip down - what will you have to take off the car? Restore/replace - what will you need to fix or replace? Assemble - how does it go back together and what components will you need? Finally, remember to allocate time for pictures, notes and clean up during and after each work session.

There you have it. Four ideas and seven tips to help you get and stay more organized, and make your work more productive and enjoyable. Now its time to get that project started (or re-started). Good luck!
What tips do you have for getting and staying organized? We'd love to hear them. Send your tips or comments to support@collectorcarcompanion.com.

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