VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions How many members do their own repair work?

How many members do their own work? I've broken this down into 3 classifications:

1. Normal maintance.

2. Mechanical work.

3. Body work

All of the above? Or none?

I do all of 1. Some of 2 & a little of 3.....joe

wd,

I'm able to do all three, with the quality technical assistance provided by the good fellas here and the vcca tech advisors...


epi

I do all of 1,2,3. And love every minute, hour, day spent on it. Thanks for asking.

I do all three, but none very well

I do it all, because...no pro's would have put up with me and my rediculous attention to detail for the last 20 years!

Well I am brand new to this but I try to do all I can, leaving the big stuff for the pros. Some times the special tools force me to seek a pro....

But I’ll tell you, with all the info/experience/patience/understanding people have shared with me, the tasks do seem a bit easier.

To me this site is worth it's wait in Gold. From Chevgene, to Bob in WA and so many others responding to my basic questions I have gained a lot of info and confidence in doing more work.

I was also lucky and found a car that did not need much but I always seem be working on something. Next week it’s detailing the undercarriage. Boy do I know how to have fun or what ??

That was the long road to, over all I do about 75% of my own work.

Michael41

Good for you Mike!
Just remember it's supposed to be a HOBBY! Try to enjoy every minute of it and take your time.

Most of us here keep cars for a very long time. A lot of us are second and third generation members and share our little tricks with each other. But, you know what? Some of us, including myself, still post some of the most elementary questions. Don't be affraid to ask even what you think is a dumb question. The only dumb question is the one not asked...

Good luck!

Been doing it all for the last 35 years :rolleyes:

100% except for body work, and that is minnimal.

I do 90% , I have once or twice had some paint and body work done outside and usually have had to re-do it. One thing I do take out is exhaust work, I have used a couple of independant muffler guys that did a good job. I have had some starters and fuel pumps rebuilt, rather than try to find all the parts I need. I also have tires on drop center rims done at a local tire shop, but I do all the mounting of tires (detachable rims) on the 28.

I do most all of 1.
Some of 2.
A little of 3.

Sweetie Pie was my first Chevrolet. I traded in my **** Expedition and now drive a new GM Truck and love it!! GM all the way for me.

1, 2 & 3.....Can't afford other peoples wages!
And I just adore Hammer Rash, blue/black nails, minor cuts & bruises?
Definitely "The dumbest question is the one not asked" And remember "He who knows everything learns nothing!"

When I had a shed at home to put my chev in I done all the work. At the moment they are stored at a friends shed several miles from home and I dont have permission to work on them where they are. Mechanic by trade and done a night course in panel beating, trial and error spray painter.
Tony

I'll do normal maint. on mine. Mechanical work depends on what needs doing. Yes I can do it, but some things are better paid for. :rolleyes: Especially when I have to do it in the drive way on my back.
Paint and body work go to a very good friend and professional.

I do all of the above. Was a certified Machanic in youger years. Now in cabinet making and have a spray booth with same spray equipment as body shop.

I try do just about everything to the best of my abilities and within the limits of my tools and equipment. I've only farmed out a little machining work and chrome plating. The rest of it I do to my standards and on my schedule, which sometimes exceeds any reasonable time frame!

It's a hobby, not a job. And the project isn't official until you bleed on it.

I do ALL

I do all and I'm like RGwiz, I'd drive everybody nuts if I tried to hire someone to do it. Even if I did hire it out, I'd end up mad and broke. Mad because I wouldn't be happy with the work, and broke because it cost me so much to have it done (incorrectly).
Besides that, working on them is 1/2 of why I like this hobby.
Thanks!

Wait a minute, if working on them is half the fun and driving them is the other half - does this mean it's 100% fun to have a breakdown? Something doesn't seem right about this!

When you're broke down, you're not driving.

I do it ALL (so far). This is all about the learning experience. It may take me 10 times as long as a pro, and I may redo it a few times, but I'm always proud of the final result. But my son keeps asking "Are we ever gonna be able to drive this thing, Dad?" "Someday, son...someday".

Most of 'normal maintenace.'

Little of 'mechanical work.'

None of 'body work.'

All normal maintenance, all mechanical, and most of the bodywork with the execption of painting body panels.

Hey Warren,

Where ya goin' with all this "who does and how much and who doesn't" info?????????

Just curious.....

Bill.

Just maybe! He's looking for someone to work on his car.
Or - starting a class for mechanics!