Body and exterior tips

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(Handling paints and materials)
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**Put small parts, nuts, bolts, clips, etc. in bags together for each assembly. Mark each bag.
 
**Put small parts, nuts, bolts, clips, etc. in bags together for each assembly. Mark each bag.
 
**Tape nuts and bolts into their holes, or tape them to their part. Write notes on the tape.
 
**Tape nuts and bolts into their holes, or tape them to their part. Write notes on the tape.
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*Save old magnets that are being thrown away (from old car speakers, or refrigerator/freezer sealing strips, computer hard drives, etc.) They have many uses:
 +
#Place magnets over masking material to keep from blowing around.
 +
#Use magnets to hold fire blankets in place while welding.
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#Use a magnet in a plastic bag to pick up nails and screws. When done, turn the bag inside out; the metal parts are in the bag, and the magnet stays clean.
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#Put large magnets along the outside of your tool box, and you can suspend your tools from inside.
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*Socket sets with plastic inserts may be useful for protecting bolt heads. However, they are reported to strip out easily.
 +
*Use a squirt can for dispensing small amounts of lacquer thinner.
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*Use proper techniques for removing old or rusted bolts. See [[Removing rusted and broken fasteners]].
 +
*To protect painted bolts, place a sandwich bag over the bolt head before pushing on the socket.
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*If you are going to be aligning a body part, and it will require a lot of loosening and tightening, use mock-up bolts with plastic washers. When the panel fit is perfect, go back and change out the bolts one by one.
 +
*To hold nuts in a socket while assembling hard-to-reach body and exterior components, use masking tape stuffed in the socket -- sticky side out. Similarly, bearing grease can be placed on a washer to hold it to a socket for re-assembling parts.
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*When disassembling small hard-to-reach parts, use grease in the socket to prevent losing fasteners.
 +
*Use caution when installing hood springs. For more information, and a diagram, see Brian Martin's article posted on the Hotrodders Bulletin Board: [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tip-day-28-hood-spring-installation-74269.html Hood Spring Installation].
  
 
==Miscellaneous -- '''click the [edit] link on the right to edit ==>'''==
 
==Miscellaneous -- '''click the [edit] link on the right to edit ==>'''==
 
*Allow plenty of air circulation around your air compressor. Put it outside if possible, or point an inexpensive fan at it.
 
*Allow plenty of air circulation around your air compressor. Put it outside if possible, or point an inexpensive fan at it.
 
*Make paper templates for easy cutting and drilling. For more information and photos, see Brian Martin's article posted on the Hotrodders Bulletin Board: [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tip-day-13-a-71092.html Basics of Basics: Templates for Accurate Cutting and Drilling].
 
*Make paper templates for easy cutting and drilling. For more information and photos, see Brian Martin's article posted on the Hotrodders Bulletin Board: [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tip-day-13-a-71092.html Basics of Basics: Templates for Accurate Cutting and Drilling].
*To hold nuts in a socket while assembling hard-to-reach body and exterior components, use masking tape stuffed in the socket -- sticky side out. Similarly, bearing grease can be placed on a washer to hold it to a socket for re-assembling parts.
 
*When disassembling small hard-to-reach parts, use grease in the socket to prevent losing fasteners.
 
*Use caution when installing hood springs. For more information, and a diagram, see Brian Martin's article posted on the Hotrodders Bulletin Board: [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tip-day-28-hood-spring-installation-74269.html Hood Spring Installation].
 
 
*Be creative when sourcing patch metal. Potential sources include:
 
*Be creative when sourcing patch metal. Potential sources include:
 
**old refrigerators
 
**old refrigerators
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**old computer cases
 
**old computer cases
 
**fenders, roofs, or other body parts from vehicles
 
**fenders, roofs, or other body parts from vehicles
*Use proper techniques for removing old or rusted bolts. See [[Removing rusted and broken fasteners]].
 
*To protect painted bolts, place a sandwich bag over the bolt head before pushing on the socket.
 
*If you are going to be aligning a body part, and it will require a lot of loosening and tightening, use mock-up bolts with plastic washers. When the panel fit is perfect, go back and change out the bolts one by one.
 
 
*The shell of an oil filter can be used for making recessed tail lights. They come in many different sizes, and the larger ones for commercial trucks may be especially useful.
 
*The shell of an oil filter can be used for making recessed tail lights. They come in many different sizes, and the larger ones for commercial trucks may be especially useful.
*Socket sets with plastic inserts may be useful for protecting bolt heads. However, they are reported to strip out easily.
 
*Use a squirt can for dispensing small amounts of lacquer thinner.
 
 
*For careful application of penetrating oil, put the oil in a hand spray bottle, and set the nozzle to a stream.
 
*For careful application of penetrating oil, put the oil in a hand spray bottle, and set the nozzle to a stream.
 
*To make a custom body grommet, use a section of vacuum hose that's been split down the middle with a razor or similar tool. A photo of this can be seen here: [http://hotrodders.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/17678/size/big/cat/500/page/ Hotrodders Photo Gallery].
 
*To make a custom body grommet, use a section of vacuum hose that's been split down the middle with a razor or similar tool. A photo of this can be seen here: [http://hotrodders.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/17678/size/big/cat/500/page/ Hotrodders Photo Gallery].
*Save old magnets that are being thrown away (from old car speakers, or refrigerator/freezer sealing strips, computer hard drives, etc.) They have many uses:
 
#Place magnets over masking material to keep from blowing around.
 
#Use magnets to hold fire blankets in place while welding.
 
#Use a magnet in a plastic bag to pick up nails and screws. When done, turn the bag inside out; the metal parts are in the bag, and the magnet stays clean.
 
#Put large magnets along the outside of your tool box, and you can suspend your tools from inside.
 
  
 
==Questionable or disputed tips -- '''click the [edit] link on the right to add or edit ==>'''==
 
==Questionable or disputed tips -- '''click the [edit] link on the right to add or edit ==>'''==

Revision as of 18:51, 14 July 2006

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