Organize Your Workspace Before You Dig Into That Restoration

You finally got that project you’ve been dreaming about building. But the more you look at it, the more you realize it’s going to need a lot of work. In fact, it might need a full restoration – body, chassis, mechanicals, interior – the whole enchilada. That’s the situation I encountered with my current project, which is why it took me five years to get started.

A complete vehicle restoration is a testament to any owner’s dedication and patience. And when they’re doing the work themselves in their home garage, it’s also a test of their skills. One of those skills that’s often overlooked before the first wrench is ever turned is preparation. Whether you’re restoring a classic muscle car or a beloved family heirloom, preparing your workspace for the job is key.

Here I’ll share some of my own experiences in setting up a workspace for the unexpected challenges of restoration. These tips will apply regardless of whether you’re working in a one-car home garage (been there, done that) or have access to more spacious accommodations. From organizing your space to figuring out how to deal with all the loose parts, I’ve learned a few things to help you embark on your journey with confidence.

Clear Out Clutter

It might sound obvious, but this is an often-overlooked step. Before you dive into a new project, make sure you have a clean workspace. If you’re sharing garage space with family members, make sure to carve out a dedicated workspace for your projects and remove all non-essential items from that area.

Even if you already have workshop space, you should claim space specifically for your resto project. Start by removing unnecessary clutter from the garage, especially parts that might get mixed with those from the new project. Allow yourself enough room to work on your vehicle comfortably.

You can always make space by getting rid of things you don’t need. Go ahead, you know you’re never going to use those old brake drums you keep tripping over. And no one wants that old rusted-out tailgate you’ve been holding onto. Let it go – it’s your workshop, not a museum.

Establish Work Zones

If you haven’t already done so, consider dividing your garage into specific zones for different tasks such as mechanical work, bodywork, painting, and storage. Pick a clean corner away from all the dirty work to deal with interior parts that can easily become damaged or stained, for instance. The same for paint – pick an area where it’s clean and has good ventilation

You can also allocate specific workspace based on access to electrical power, compressed air, workbenches, or lighting for tools, parts, and equipment. For instance, set up a dedicated workbench for assembling and disassembling parts that is well-lit and has sufficient power outlets.

Find an out-of-the-way corner for scrap or recycling; they might have resale value that can feed the project fund. Keep your waste fluids out of the way and in containers that won’t spill. Just in case, keep cleanup supplies like dry absorbent (Oil Dry) or Pig Mat on hand.

Invest in Storage Solutions

I once managed a restoration shop where all the take-off parts were stored in poorly marked old cardboard boxes. I can’t stress this one enough. Get durable storage containers and label everything. I like large plastic storage containers – the stackable type from big-box hardware stores – to keep similar parts together by groups. I also label the outside of each container to make it easy to find what I need at a glance.

For small parts and items like hardware, pick up some inexpensive small storage bins, sometimes called tech trays. I’ve also gotten these from hardware stores, buying multiples of the same type for stackability. You can set up multiple trays for different types of parts such as electrical components, body hardware, and interior trim.

Think vertically to get the most out of your square footage; a standard body shop storage cart can be customized to hold body panels, storage bins, baskets, and other large items if configured smartly. The two carts I’m using on my current project each take up a modest 4’ x 5’ footprint. But they are set up with platforms, shelves, and baskets that reach over six feet high. And they’re on wheels, making them far more versatile in the shop.

Organize Your Tools

Before you start tearing things apart, it might be a good time to take stock of your toolbox. Examine it to make sure it’s sorted logically, keeping frequently used tools within easy reach. Helpful organizers like socket and wrench trays can make it easier to locate the tool you need quickly or make it more obvious when something is missing.

Once you’ve taken out all the random things that end up in your tool drawers (I always seem to have broken-off bolt heads and used-up tubes of anti-seize, ironically), take inventory of your tools. Do you still have any 10-mm sockets? Is the torque wrench actually in its storage case? How many drill bits are broken or totally missing from your index? Restock before you need to make an emergency run.

I separate my power tools from my pneumatic tools in separate drawers, making sure replacement blades and bits are together with the tools. I prefer to get large tools out of the drawers entirely, using pegboard hooks or wall-mounted tool racks to save space.

Workshop Considerations

Adequate lighting and electrical supply is crucial for good work. Make sure your garage has sufficient power outlets for your tools and equipment. Install bright general lighting in key areas throughout the space, even if it’s just powered by extension cords. And don’t forget to have sufficient cordless task lighting as well, with chargers close at hand.

When it comes to flooring, at the very least give your shop a thorough sweep and degreasing before you get started. If you have the chance and the budget, consider installing a durable and easy-to-clean surface like epoxy or urethane floor paint or hard plastic garage tiles. These make it easier to clean up spills and find dropped parts.

Don’t overlook good ventilation if you’ll be working with paints, chemicals, or other fumes. You may even want to install an exhaust fan for fresh air circulation, especially if your garage is attached to your living space.

Safety Check

Accidents happen, but they don’t have to be disastrous. You have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand in your garage, right? If not, get one. And even if you do, take a look at what’s in it. Replace any out-of-date pain relievers or antibiotics with a fresh supply. And while you’re at, go ahead and restock the bandages with a full assortment of sizes and types.

Confirm you have the proper safety gear on hand for the work you’ll be doing, such as work gloves, safety glasses, welding helmets, ear protection, and other personal protective items.

The same goes for your fire protection. Ensure you have up-to-date fire extinguishers that are properly rated for electrical as well as oil and grease fires located in easily accessible spots in the garage. You may also want to consider having a working carbon monoxide detector on hand if you’ll be running an engine.

Documentation

While not technically a workspace consideration, documentation is an important part of the restoration process that should be addressed before work begins. I start by taking hundreds of digital pictures of details both inside and outside. I’ll take close-ups of easily-forgotten specifics like vacuum hose or wiring harness routing from multiple angles. My photography continues throughout the teardown as well, organizing the pictures in folders by location on the vehicle.

I also like to stock up on plastic wiring labels, fine-point permanent markers, and multiple sizes of Ziploc-style clear storage bags. I label parts religiously during teardown, assuming nothing will be remembered when it’s time to rebuild. Hardware that can’t be individually labeled gets bagged first, marking the component type and location on the bags.

Finally, it might seem like unnecessary homework to keep a log for your restoration project, but I do it anyway. I use an aluminum “job box” or estimator’s clipboard to track my time spent on work, parts and service expenditures, and a wish list of parts or accessories still needed. The process gives me a service record for the vehicle, validating the true cost of restoration. The storage box lets me keep receipts at hand in case there’s ever an issue requiring a return or replacement. It’s also great for keeping reference materials, a calculator, pens, and pencils within reach.

By implementing these tips, you can create a better organized and more efficient workspace before you start your restoration project. Anything you can do to make the process more enjoyable and productive will go a long way to making the end results all the more worthwhile.