Whiteboard or Blackboard in Garage for Maintenance Info?

[svtrit]

On the farm we used a sharpie on the sheet metal. Also would mark the hours of the change on the filters.

Dad still does this on his cars.

 

[paulo57509]

A few summers ago I was really bored and needed a project to work on. I converted my old Day Runner into a reloading log book. I think it could be adopted to an auto maintenance log/quick reference or for any other quick reference needs.

 

[Astro14]

Each car has receipts kept in a folder. As well as a logbook, in which I write down the maintenance performed.

I do plan my shop work around a whiteboard. List all the things I plan for that block of work.

 

[burbguy82]

I am now performing general maintenance on three vehicles. I like the idea of mounting a whiteboard in my garage with notes on various maintenance items, dates, mileage, etc. for all thee vehicles for "at a glance" reference. I am looking for ideas about what information to include.

At a minimum I am thinking (for each vehicle):

1) Date and mileage of last oil and filter change
2) Brand and grade of oil
3) Type of Filter
4) Oil Capacity
5) Oil drain plug size
6) Lug nut size
7) Last transmission service, brand of fluid, and amount changed
7a) Transmission drain plug size
8) Date and mileage of last tire rotation
9) Brand and Date of Last Air Filter Change
10) Tire Size

And maybe:

11) Transmission Capacity and Fluid Type
12) Date and mileage of last serpentine belt change
13) Date and mileage of last spark plug change

Does anyone else do this? What categories of information are useful and that I may have missed?
If folks do this, could you post a picture of how your format your board?

Thanks in advance!

I think you are a very smart person for wanting to use such a stone aged system for information. I use paper to organize a project if I cant remember the steps in my head.

 

[burbguy82]

Each car has receipts kept in a folder. As well as a logbook, in which I write down the maintenance performed.

I do plan my shop work around a whiteboard. List all the things I plan for that block of work.

View attachment 229394

I am appalled that you have so many boxes not checked off as complete. Very disappointing.

"rebleed" sucks, been there when I did a rear disc conversion on my GMT400. Almost committed suicide.

 

[Astro14]

I am appalled that you have so many boxes not checked off as complete. Very disappointing.

"rebleed" sucks, been there when I did a rear disc conversion on my GMT400. Almost committed suicide.

Green is the long range color.

Future plans. Off to the side.

“Rear main seal” on the V-12 isn’t happening anytime soon, for example.

Blue is current ops. Front and center.

That picture is a bit out of date.

All the blue boxes are complete.

The XC-90 is back in Boston.

I re-bled the brakes on the V70XC already. They’re GTG.

 

[burbguy82]

Green is the long range color.

Future plans. Off to the side.

“Rear main seal” on the V-12 isn’t happening anytime soon, for example.

Blue is current ops. Front and center.

That picture is a bit out of date.

All the blue boxes are complete.

The XC-90 is back in Boston.

I re-bled the brakes on the V70XC already. They’re GTG.

No explanation needed, just making a joke, kind of. I likely have a list close to the same size, with much less boxes checked.

current ops

 

[Astro14]

No explanation needed, just making a joke, kind of. I likely have a list close to the same size, with much less boxes checked.

Hey, at least it’s not PowerPoint!

 

[meep]

They’ve got that chalkboard paint now…

I think either is great if you have a clean garage. But mine gets dirty and stuff gets rubbed on, regular clean outs with the leaf blower would erode chalk. White board will bake in the heat and the ink might be difficult to remove. And depending on where you land in this, it could be good or bad when others decide to draw on it…