How to document your project
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| + | ==Overview== | ||
Your project may take longer than you expect. Most projects will change owners multiple times during a build and sadly many end up as junk. Get a grip on that initial enthusiasm and document every step of transforming that pile of rust, dents and missing parts into your dream rod. Your hotrod will be unique, so it needs a unique service manual. Who better to create that than you? You may desperately need that manual when something interrupts your project for an extended time. Also, if and when the time comes to sell your car, proper documentation will be very appealing to any prospective buyers. See, for example: [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/mustang-ii-year-99836.html Mustang II ...which year?]. | Your project may take longer than you expect. Most projects will change owners multiple times during a build and sadly many end up as junk. Get a grip on that initial enthusiasm and document every step of transforming that pile of rust, dents and missing parts into your dream rod. Your hotrod will be unique, so it needs a unique service manual. Who better to create that than you? You may desperately need that manual when something interrupts your project for an extended time. Also, if and when the time comes to sell your car, proper documentation will be very appealing to any prospective buyers. See, for example: [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/mustang-ii-year-99836.html Mustang II ...which year?]. | ||
| + | ==Planning and disassembly== | ||
For details on planning and disassembly, see this article by Centerline, posted on the Hotrodders Bulletin Board: [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/new-project-before-turning-wrench-get-organized-37655.html New project? Before turning a wrench, get organized!]. | For details on planning and disassembly, see this article by Centerline, posted on the Hotrodders Bulletin Board: [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/new-project-before-turning-wrench-get-organized-37655.html New project? Before turning a wrench, get organized!]. | ||
| + | ==Photography== | ||
Get a good digital camera. Make sure it can do macro closeups. It's also handy to have one that focuses in low light, since you will be crawling into all the little crannies of your project. Get enough storage for the camera so you don't have to worry about counting photos. Likewise for batteries. Forget claims of "digital zoom"; you can do the same type of "zooming" with image editing software. What is important is optical zoom, the quality of the lens, color correctness and image size (misnamed "resolution" in many advertisements). | Get a good digital camera. Make sure it can do macro closeups. It's also handy to have one that focuses in low light, since you will be crawling into all the little crannies of your project. Get enough storage for the camera so you don't have to worry about counting photos. Likewise for batteries. Forget claims of "digital zoom"; you can do the same type of "zooming" with image editing software. What is important is optical zoom, the quality of the lens, color correctness and image size (misnamed "resolution" in many advertisements). | ||
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Remember that cameras capture light, not intentions. Show the photos to others who know about cars. If you have to explain the photo, for example, "There is a bolt in that dark spot", it's a failure. A progression of photos matching the progression of work will increase the odds of getting all necessary information recorded. | Remember that cameras capture light, not intentions. Show the photos to others who know about cars. If you have to explain the photo, for example, "There is a bolt in that dark spot", it's a failure. A progression of photos matching the progression of work will increase the odds of getting all necessary information recorded. | ||
| + | ==Logging progress== | ||
Keep a diary on each car that you are building. When you finish a day's work on the car, make an entry into your diary. Enter part numbers of parts that you used, as well as what the parts were originally supposed to fit. Record the prices of each part, as well as the type of fasteners you may have used, and their torque specifications. Don't forget to write down the part numbers of paints, primers, and other finishes or materials. If you end up paying out any labor, write it down. Write down a detailed description of any modifications as if you're explaining them to a non-technical friend. Include many photos. | Keep a diary on each car that you are building. When you finish a day's work on the car, make an entry into your diary. Enter part numbers of parts that you used, as well as what the parts were originally supposed to fit. Record the prices of each part, as well as the type of fasteners you may have used, and their torque specifications. Don't forget to write down the part numbers of paints, primers, and other finishes or materials. If you end up paying out any labor, write it down. Write down a detailed description of any modifications as if you're explaining them to a non-technical friend. Include many photos. | ||
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