For the Do-It-Yourselfers out there, I wanted to share a few tips I’ve picked up over my years of working on different kinds of cars in various conditions. Whether it be in your own garage, shop, dealership, or even on the sidewalk, there are a few things you should have in order before diving into whatever service or repair you are about to perform. I recommend following these guidelines to be more efficient and effective for whatever you are doing on your car.
Homework
If you are going to do something you have not done, do your homework. Google, YouTube, forums, are all good resources to follow in order to see how the job goes at the expense of someone else’s attempt. There are various versions of the same job so you might have to watch a few videos to see which one is best but a five-minute Google search might help inform you of the necessary steps you will need to follow.
Organization
It helps to have tools organized and readily handy. If possible, lay out the tools you think you will need beforehand and keep them on a tray or cart next to you so you are not constantly searching for what tool you need. Give yourself extra space to maneuver around the car and anything that is taken apart, set aside out of the way. If possible, bring the tool box or cart as close to you as possible to prevent multiple interruptions of going back and forth to the toolbox.
Cleanliness
This part coincides with organization but I can assure you that if you know you are about to do a messy job; have the ability to contain spills as cleaning it up quickly will pay off immensely. This will prevent accidental slips and lengthy cleanup times. Wipe up little oil drops, use a small vacuum to pick up dirt and debris. You can never be too clean when working on a car.
Proper Lighting
Having the ability to see what you are doing is one of the most overlooked parts of DIY work. Invest in a proper LED flashlight or overhead light bar that illuminates the entire area you are about to work in. This will help identify tough to see parts and will allow more visibility incase you drop a tool or to see a tough to find connector.
Time Management
Andy Warhol took his time, you can too.
No matter how big or small the job is, do not put yourself against a time constraint. Buffer for extra time needed because unexpected things will pop up. Every job on a car is one stripped bolt away from an all-nighter. I have experienced this more than once in my career, and unless you have the proper tools or knowledge about how to handle something unexpected, intend on the job taking longer than originally planned.
Safety
Do not risk it, do not cut corners. Invest and practice is proper safety equipment and practices. Use jack stands to support the car. Wear safety glasses no matter what you are doing. Use latex or nitrile gloves to prevent small cuts and to keep chemicals and oils off your hands.
