Ok.  This is a really small step, BUT, I checked the brake fluid and actually added some (it was low!)  Didn't get greasy, but my fingers were a little dirty!

Gotta start somewhere!
Be careful when dealing with Brake fluid. If you happen to drip some on the paint, it will damage it. Always use some type of rag/paper towel to handle the master cylinder cover/lid, and wash you hands when you're done.

Thanks for letting me know, Joel.  I did use paper towels mainly because I had just washed the car and didn't want to get it dirty!  But, now I know brake fluid will do more than just get the car dirty.  Are there any other fluids that I need to be extra careful with?  

[QUOTE=kkfinch]Are there any other fluids that I need to be extra careful with?   [/QUOTE]

Bird sh*t's real bad for the finish also, gasoline too...

Davette

Brake fluid is the most damaging liquid you'll have around the car, except possibly carb cleaner, or fuel additives. Just be careful of anything getting on the paint. Always use a fender cover, or even an old, soft towel. This will protect the paint on/around the fenders while you're working on it.

there ain't much you can do about what "Davette" said, except keep it in the garage!

[QUOTE=Autom8r]Bird sh*t's real bad for the finish also, gasoline too...

Davette[/QUOTE]

i think it's great you ladies want to work on your vettes. lot of women out there say they do and when it gets down to it they disappear. funny, i have a brother-in-law that way. anyway, i learned a lot about working on cars from my father. he was a master back yard mechanic along with my brothers and a different brother-in-law than the mentioned before. one thing my father taught me was not be afraid to try and fix something. his thought was if you took something apart that was broke--1. you learned more about it and in the process it could be something easy to fix. 2. even if you didn't fix it no big problem as you had to buy one anyway.  it has always been easier for me to learn something by actually doing it than someone doing it and then telling me about it. i would tell you ladies to go to the tech days for a head start but don't be afraid to try things. just my thoughts.

I had a bad and dumb experience with plain old motor oil on acrylic enamel on the hood of my '59 Biscayne. I wiped up a puddle of oil and laid the shop rag on the hood and forgot about it for 2 months. When I removed the shop rag there was a cloth pattern in the paint. Luckily the paint was real thick and I was able to work the pattern out with a buffer and 3M "Finesse It" compound in about an hour.

(Dumb)DavetteAutom8r2007-03-19 08:08:24

[QUOTE=Hmel '74]Hi ladies.