Important question about working on your Reatta

[Shelby]

What is the most important thing to do when working or detailing your car?

This is a loaded Question. You will all say " Oh I known that"

[harry yarnell]

I know, I know; have a beer first!!

[Guest spongebob]

engine off and in park ?>??

[Guest EDBS0]

OH Harry;

Please, beer first, a couple during <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> and a Drambuie <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> after!

[65buickgs]

Shelby, it would be a good idea, at least to me, to make positively sure the first thing you do is to make sure the car you are working on or detailing is yours. And that you are even on your own property. Consumption of multiple containers or large glasses filled with alcoholic mixtures can certainly cloud ones judgement and vision...though, if you have great neigbhors they may appreciate your community spirit and the free work completed on their cars. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest EDBS0]

The SECOND most important thing is [color:"green"] <span style="font-weight: bold"> BEFORE the test drive </span> , take out the white tape and change the #4 on your tags into a #1 and the #1 into a #4 using the black tape <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

For extra safety you could turn the #8 into a #3 also <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Then "Drive it like you stole it"! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Guest tempest68]

Either one of two things:

1). make sure you have every part you need BEFORE digging in, or

2). make sure you have a second vehicle available to run to the parts store to pickup what your forgot!

Sometimes I feel like four cars to two people is too many. But when one car is under construction and you need to buy another part for it, I'm glad I have the extra cars sitting around.

[cpu]

If working with sparks or open flame, make sure there are oily or gas-soaked rags nearby to catch the sparks.

Keep a few bottles of the Hoegaarden nearby.

[Guest Reatta1]

I'd say make sure you are awake, and have a glass of GOOD wine standing by. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[ALF1]

Perhaps a pineapple/mango-marinated tabby-kabob on the grill and a bottle of Napa Valley merlot open and breathing....

<span style="font-weight: bold">-- ALF </span> and his hungry friend Jerry <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[FlyByNite]

Now for us old stuck in the sixties hippies, a couple of grams of Red Lebanese hash and someone else to do the work will suffice.

[Shelby]

My answer Is: Don't leave the keys in the ignition or else roll the widow down.

I was cleaning away a locked my self out.

Wallet with plastic key in it. House Keys to get the other extra key. Cell phone to call some body to bring extra key. All sitting there on the front seat.

I did put a hide a key in and an extra at the shop.

<img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

1:Have kids to go fetch the parts.(start on this atleast 17 years in advance)

2:Make sure you have phone numbers to where you send the kids or else you might end up with parts for a gremlin.(Keep in mind if you own a gremlin too then pick another car you don't own to replace gremlin.)

3:Hire a good mechanic because you for dang sure can't trust your kids to work on anything and after you load up on alcohol you might hurt your self.(better to wake up with a working car and all your digits than to find your car spread across the yard.)

4:Last and not least Have fun.

[Arrallen]

In the service I worked on Sikorsky helicopters which had the engine in the front and according to the army manual the first thing to do for any engine repair was,"Open the clam shell doors." which is equivalent to saying open the hood. I always wondered what kind of dumkoffs they recruited that didn't know that to work on the engine you had to open the doors. After reading the thread suggesting the first thing is to have beer, wine, hard liquor, and a toke or two it might be a good idea if the Reatta manual read, "To check the oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid or do any work on the engine, open the hood first. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />