Tips & Tricks to Complete That Project Car This Winter

Winter may be the off-season for most car and truck enthusiast activities, but that doesn’t mean diehards can’t make the best of the season. Frigid temps and the lack of landscaping pressures present an excellent opportunity to begin preparing that coveted ride for the next round of warm weather.

(Not to mention the fact that planning a winter garage project is great motivation for cleaning out and organizing your space so your significant other can finally get off your back about it. Two birds, one stone.)

Plan: Define Your Garage Project and Budget

To start, it’s important to determine exactly what you want to accomplish – and that includes how much time you have to invest and how much money you want to spend (allowing for any reasonably possible setbacks, of course).

Maybe your goal is to rebuild the engine or suspension in your car or truck, or maybe you’re thinking a cosmetic restoration is more a feasible project this winter. Or, heck, maybe you just want to keep it simple and perform some routine maintenance like a brake service or a fluid change while you have the chance.

Regardless, now is the time to map out a plan and figure out what the financial outlay looks like. You also want to develop a realistic timeline, taking into account the complexities of the project. How many hours can you dedicate each week? Don’t forget about the holidays – they’re perennial time-suckers. (They can also put a dent in your budget.)

Laying out the groundwork early will not only set the tone for a well-executed project, but also help you manage expectations and ensure a smoother ride throughout the winter.

Research: Required Parts and Pieces

Now that you’ve decided on the garage project or projects that are burning up your mental downtime, figure out which parts and tools are needed. Also, do a deep dive for any local specialty shops – i.e., machinists, upholsterers, etc. – that might lend a hand.

For example, if you’re looking to do a complete engine rebuild, a full set of sockets and wrenches, as well as an engine stand are a must. Other engines require unique instruments for a total overhaul. Now is the time to find out as much as possible about everything you need for the project.

Once you’ve determined the parts and tools you need to tackle your job, total up the cost to find out just how close you are to the initial budget. If you’re under budget (hallelujah!), keep a cushion of at least 10-20% to make up for any unforeseen difficulties. (Oh, and in case you’re new to the game, there are always unforeseen difficulties.)

On the flip side, if you’re over budget, then have a look at where costs can be reduced or omitted. Cost reduction may be absolutely necessary, and that’s okay. Cut back on the items that won’t decrease safety during or after the project, nor affect the finished product.

Can you source some materials second-hand? Or borrow or rent equipment instead of buying it outright? Don’t be afraid to shop around for parts and pick the brains of your local mechanics for tips and tricks.

Prep: Make Room

Since this is a garage project, it’s a pretty straightforward preparation – maybe. It’s important to have enough space to comfortably move around and work safely. How much room you have will not only determine where you store the vehicle, but also what you can have in terms of tools and equipment.

Wall organizers and peg boards are great ways to store tools and keep them readily accessible if you don’t have the room (or the budget) for a large-and-in-charge rolling tool chest. You’ll also want to have a workbench or long table and some shelving.

If you’re trying to get miscellaneous bins, bikes, and unnecessary space hogs out of the way, but are limited on floor space, consider ceiling-mounted shelving and hooks to get things up off the ground. This also has the added bonus of protecting items from accidental flooding or damage.

What about power sources? You don’t want to be tripping over a bunch of clumsy extension cords if you can help it. Cordless tools are super convenient if you’ve got the budget.

Once you have the basics sorted out, then move your vehicle (or vehicles), tools, and parts into place. Now is also the best time to organize things, as parts and tools can easily get misplaced or forgotten unless you establish a space for them from the get-go. For more tips and tricks on how to maintain a clean slate in the garage, check out our article on toolbox and work area organization.

Execute: Getting to Work

Now that you’ve got your winter-wrenching Shangri-La all ready to work, it’s time to create mechanic magic. Time allotment and skill level will, of course, partially determine how long the project will take to accomplish. Luckily for us, “There’s probably a YouTube video for that,” along with a plethora of useful advice on online car forums.

Just remember to follow a proven recipe for success. If you’ve found what you believe to be a brilliant shortcut, keep in mind that there’s likely a reason why people aren’t doing it that way. So, do your research – and if you get stuck in the middle of the project, don’t hesitate to take a break and revisit those resources as questions arise.

Finish: Completing the Job

It should come as no surprise that projects of all types can take longer, cost more, and be harder than you thought from the start. That’s not only okay, but also true for both the experienced pros and novices alike.

Being an enthusiast first and a mechanic, restorer, customizer, or modifier second means that a project won’t always work out exactly as envisioned. That’s why – before starting a project – it’s a good idea to establish small checkpoints along the way in order to gauge your progress and stay on track.

For example, if you are restoring the interior of your vehicle and want to accomplish this over the course of 12 weekends, you can have an outline along the lines of:

• Remove and Catalog Interior Pieces (1-3 weeks)
• Clean and Repair Interior/Parts (1-2 weeks)
• Install New Carpet/Ship Parts for Resto (1-2 weeks)
• Fit Main Interior Pieces (1-3 weeks)
• Final Details (1-2 weeks)

To Sum Up

No two garage projects or plans are exactly alike. But having a plan in the first place puts you ahead of unorganized types who tend to “make it up as they go along” and end up with a project car that never gets done and ends up being “grounds for divorce.”

In the end, a good plan is also more likely to wind up with a respectable result. Having an actionable and reasonable plan puts you on the track to getting things done and enjoying the fruits of your labor where it counts: on the road!