Where did I put that?

[b5blue]

 Ya know ya bought it/some/set of and put it somewhere safe for when ya need it....then your ready for it and where the heck is it?  I couldn't find my body bumper set so I couldn't install my new glove box lid. Looking for some other trim I found the bumper set and then I couldn't find the arm for the glove box door that keeps it from opening too far! 
The closer I get to getting my car back together the more this is happening. I have 2 big cabinets that are fairly well sorted with labeled bags and boxes but for the life of me I can't see how you guys keep track of all of the 1000's of parts, clips, trim, screws and nuts that make up an entire car!  I found the arm misplaced in a tray of electrical stuff after going through my cabinets but a set of seat hinge covers has eluded me now for 2 weeks! 
I'm in awe of you guys who tear a car down to just a naked body shell, spend 1,2,3 or more years perfecting it then reassemble the whole thing to such high standards!!    

[Ghoste]

You have to take a lot of photos and bag and label EVERYTHING.

[Cooter]

I don't,  I usually do what most do and buy new then find the old ones.

[tsmithae]

Bag and tag everything in order.  Then box the bags, organize the boxes with dividers and more labels (like a filing cabinet), and finaly close the box and label the top with contents. 

I haven't lost anything yet and it has made finding little bits fairly easy.  I even do this with the new parts I buy, they go in the box with the appropriate pieces (interior, electrical, trunk, engine bay, etc etc etc.) 

[ws23rt]

I don't,  I usually do what most do and buy new then find the old ones.

That's what I do.  Trusting my memory doesn't work very good. Especially if I put something in a special place that I won't forget.

My memory is very good but accessing it when I need it is where my trouble is.

[71green go]

I don't,  I usually do what most do and buy new then find the old ones.

that's my method also....sigh

[bill440rt]

You have to take a lot of photos and bag and label EVERYTHING.

Like others mentioned it helps to keep everything together in groups. Label everything.
Plastic divided organizer boxes also help, large clear storage tubs, etc.
Even taking all the precautions you'll still find a way to misplace something. 

[jaak]

You'll find it when you start looking for something else 

Seriously, I'm semi organized... I keep most stuff that goes together in the same boxes, say all my dash stuff will be here, all engine stuff there, etc.
My problem is tools. I leave tools laying all around my shop. Wherever I am working on something, that's where I leave my tools. Then when I need something specific, I CANNOT find it. I will spend 15 minutes looking for a socket or wrench.

Jason

[cudaken]

While it is odd, I can remember where I put something 20 years ago, but I cannot find something I had 20 minutes ago? 

Getting old sucks! 

Cuda Ken

[don duick]

I don't have the patience to label or bag anything. I throw everything into plastic buckets. Half the fun of re-assembly is working out what went where, like a jigsaw puzzle. The only part that worries me is when there are leftover bolts or screws.

[69wannabe]

While it is odd, I can remember where I put something 20 years ago, but I cannot find something I had 20 minutes ago? 

Getting old sucks! 

Cuda Ken

LOL!! X2!!   If I spent the time working on something that I spend looking for the last thing I just put down it would take me only half the time to get the job done!! 

[tan top]

While it is odd, I can remember where I put something 20 years ago, but I cannot find something I had 20 minutes ago? 

Getting old sucks! 

Cuda Ken

LOL!! X2!!   If I spent the time working on something that I spend looking for the last thing I just put down it would take me only half the time to get the job done!! 

yeah X3

[b5blue]

  I took you guys advice and ordered a new gasket for one of my Rally side mirrors. I went to install them after reading Warlocks topic on "what are you putting off" and sure enough I had both mirrors but only one gasket and one reinforcing plate even though I know I had a full set. With no helper I gave up on trying to use the plate under the door skin, I'd need a third arm, 6 foot long with double elbows to figure that one out alone. 
So....time to mount one mirror on the car with no inside trim or panel 2 1/2 hours counting "where is that stuff time". (Never found the parts!)

[bill440rt]

Neal, try some clear silicone to hold the reinforce plate for the mirror. I did the same with the backings for the door handles also. Let it set up just a bit before you install the mirror, not fully dry though. 

[ws23rt]

I have a lot of tools but a few get used much more than the rest.  I bought several of the most common ones to increase the likely hood I could fine one when needed.  Another tip is to wrap a bright color tape around what you need alot. It's easier to find.

[Mopar Nut]

 Another tip is to wrap a bright color tape around what you need alot. It's easier to find.

I know I bought some bright color tape, but I misplaced it somewhere.

[JB400]

The best way to lose something, is to put it right in front of you

[Tilar]

I don't,  I usually do what most do and buy new then find the old ones.

The fastest way to find something you lost is to replace it.

[b5blue]

Neal, try some clear silicone to hold the reinforce plate for the mirror. I did the same with the backings for the door handles also. Let it set up just a bit before you install the mirror, not fully dry though. 

Thanks Bill! 

[bill440rt]

Neal, try some clear silicone to hold the reinforce plate for the mirror. I did the same with the backings for the door handles also. Let it set up just a bit before you install the mirror, not fully dry though. 

Thanks Bill! 

It also provides a bit of a "cushion" to prevent distortion of the outer panel. 

[PlainfieldCharger]

While it is odd, I can remember where I put something 20 years ago, but I cannot find something I had 20 minutes ago? 

Getting old sucks! 

Cuda Ken

I am glad to see I am not the only one with this condition...

[HANDM]

Time spent planning the project 10%
Time spent doing the project    10%
Time spent looking for the tool I just had   80%

[ws23rt]

I work in an industrial environment where we plan for a machine shutdown and tight work schedule to accomplish a lot in a small amount of time.

We plan for man power / tools etc.  When the work begins and a tool that is needed is not there it could cost thousands of dollars for the lack of a fifty dollar tool. I've been doing this for 40 yrs and still don't do prep and planning for a simple home project.

Sometimes I just go into my shop area with no plan other than pick up the crap, throw away the trash and put stuff away.  It needs to be done and helps clear the way for any task.  And it is a rewarding accomplishment in itself.  A clean shop is a happy shop

[PlainfieldCharger]

Clutter spurs memories of projects past and causes loss of focus Clean shop happy shop

[b5blue]

I have 20 years of records, I've exchanged 12 year old shocks at NAPA with the receipt. As a rule I never tear down too much at one time, I leave it in place on the car. The body work/rust repairs had me miserable, it dragged out for 18 months of chipping away at it. Things that were removed/bought during that time are issue, getting epoxy on bare steel was job one at any cost. I can't imagine the pile a Charger turns into to get to a 100% stripped down body shell!