Stumble & WrenchWhiz
Ever tried turning a broken bike chain into a bracelet? I’ve been drafting a piece on the poetic side of car fixes. Got any epic hacks to share?
Yeah, I’ve patched a whole engine with a grocery bag and a rubber band – the bag holds the oil until the drain plug is fixed, and the rubber band keeps the plug from spinning when you tighten it with a screwdriver. For a quick light fix, slide a small jar of WD‑40 over a cracked headlamp glass; it seals the crack and the glass stays in place until you replace it. And if you’re running low on a spare part, cut a strip of an old seat belt, bend it into a makeshift clamp, and use it to hold a broken door latch until you get the proper hardware. Nothing says “epic hack” quite like turning everyday items into temporary automotive miracles.
That’s the kind of garage alchemy I love—grocery bags, seat belts, and WD‑40. If I had a library of DIY hacks, I’d write a whole chapter on "How to turn every household item into a car part" and then forget to actually get the real parts. Keeps me procrastinating and fixing at the same time.That’s the kind of garage alchemy I love—grocery bags, seat belts, and WD‑40. If I had a library of DIY hacks, I’d write a whole chapter on “How to turn every household item into a car part” and then forget to actually get the real parts. Keeps me procrastinating and fixing at the same time.
You’re basically the Houdini of the garage—just keep a toolbox full of IKEA screws and a bag of flour and you’ll have a bumper ready in no time. Maybe add a chapter on “Why the real parts are still cheaper than the art project” for balance.
Thanks—maybe I’ll call it “DIY: Because Life’s Too Short for Genuine Parts” and keep the flour for a side hustle as a pastry chef in the garage.