Beautiful Dodge Dart rust repair revival

In this video I repair some failed bodywork that has caused serious rust issues on this classic Mopar. While not exactly a muscle car, this is one of the nicest Darts I've seen! I go through the steps with you, from disassembly ,bodywork, primer,prep, and explain basecoat clearcoat paint systems!

[@mattsgarage61]

Great job, I love your attitude towards showing people the repair process. We need more people like you to show people how to fix classic car bodywork and show them it’s often something they can try themselves. It’s nice to see something that’s not a 50k restoration but rather a “make it better and get it on the road situation” I’ve got a 68 dart myself that I did a lot of work to in my tiny garage. I’m only 18 years old so I don’t really have much experience but I’ve found many people like you online that are a big help. Next project is installing bucket seats and a console. Great video.

[@Johnnymidnight]

Thanks so much! Glad you found it helpful. If you ever have questions about the process feel free to reach out 👍🏼

[@garryhatchett775]

Turned real good. The color blends nicely.

[@georgemundell6892]

Nice work, your experience shows. Body work/Blending the paint is an art. Knowing where to stop when a customer is on a budget is tough!

[@Johnnymidnight]

Thanks 👍

[@garageforcerestos]

nice work

[@Johnnymidnight]

Thank you 👊🏼

[@ashtonbatterson5309]

Nice old swinger! You did a great job love the videos

[@Johnnymidnight]

Thank you, this really is a great car, I saw the owner driving it everywhere throughout the summer after I tidied it up👍🏼

[@evilash570]

Looks great!

[@rwendell0912]

Nice job

[@chrisparsons7043]

This was a great video, I have a 73 A body with exactly the same issue. I'm going to be more confident in removing the vynil roof trim and having a nose under the vynil now. 👍

[@russy59ry]

Good video

[@ragingbull3406]

One question. When can I drop my Duster off? 🤣🤣

[@Johnnymidnight]

Anytime, But could be a while before I can work on it though…😁😁

[@Carlos-hn8mu]

Nice job.

[@Johnnymidnight]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@alanhardy5072]

Great video, I’ve just bought a dart and this is an area that caught my eye , maybe mine Isn’t as bad as I first thought.

[@Johnnymidnight]

I think this one was so bad because of how the previous repairs were done in that area, although for having been done in 96 the car stood up very well!

[@greysgarage7020]

Weird cause this car actually uas 71-73 rear bumper bur has 73-76 from nose and from marking light bur rear mark of light is 70/71 .

[@Johnnymidnight]

Good eye, I’m not that familiar with mopar stuff.

[@mback12000]

Good job but I fear the rust is coming back because you couldn't get it all under the vinyl, and it's also likely going to map where your new filler butts against the old filler. It is what it is, you couldn't do better with the limited budget. This was a sensible repair.

[@Johnnymidnight]

I agree, but in this case it was more a matter of buying the car some time for the elderly owner to be able to enjoy it 👍🏼👍🏼

[@mback12000]

@Johnnymidnight Yep, makes sense. The owner will enjoy it and afford it. Thanks for the reply!

[@Suddenlyits1960]

I would definitely take off the vinyl roof and NOT reinstall one. Vinyl roofs look stupid and are the reason that so few darts,dusters and other cars saddled with that stupid option survive. Moisture condenses underneath for years in the cold during the night and mornings and they rust out the roof. It’s weird to see so many people peeling the vinyl off and seeing rot holes everywhere and then repairing the metal and putting the another damn vinyl top on which was the cause of the problem to begin with.

[@Johnnymidnight]

In this case, the owner was an elderly fellow who just wanted the car cleaned up enough to enjoy for a few more years, within a certain budget. The thing with most of these cars now, they no longer live outside or see bad weather, so they’ll survive with vinyl tops, not like when they were new and driven year round, parked out in the rain and such

[@TreadMotorsports]

I have a 69 dodge dart in a simularr situation..... i would like to have you look at it and see what you can do.

[@Johnnymidnight]

Absolutely 👍🏼👍🏼

[@josephlemieux5981]

How to you match the color, taking into account sun fade or anything other conditions? Great work!

[@Johnnymidnight]

Check out this video, it explains the process we typically use 👍🏼👍🏼kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6ibeqejarSXprcsi=lWKrTeVB8QgWiGdJ

[@josephlemieux5981]

@@Johnnymidnight Ah, now I understand, thanks for the reply and info!

[@dieselgrandpa4181]

That 72 has a 73 front end for some reason. I think it's a 73

[@robertsmith5525]

How would you even begin to give someone an estimate on that job

[@Johnnymidnight]

Often with this kind of work it just has to be hourly, while keeping the customer in the loop if things escalate

[@jeffreyeaton9934]

When you do an all over start on exhaust side or inlet side?

[@Johnnymidnight]

Not sure I understand the question, do you mean when painting a complete?

[@jeffreyeaton9934]

@@Johnnymidnight Yes some ppl say all over re-respray complete lol

[@Johnnymidnight]

I guess every vehicle is different for me, I’ll usually start with the roof, trunk then work down the sides towards the front

[@jeffreyeaton9934]

@@Johnnymidnight Ok the vehicle pointing towards inlet or exhaust

[@Johnnymidnight]

Because I paint in a homemade booth, I like to have the front at the exhaust, that way any dust that makes it through the filters hits the back of the vehicle instead of the hood, and I start at the rear and work forward

[@BigThomTattoos]

I’m pretty sure that’s a 73 because it has that ugly front end🤷‍♂️

[@Johnnymidnight]

Yeah, pretty sure this old girl was a bit of hodge podge

[@thatboylos9080]

I have a huge question how do i change the vinyl on the top of my 1977 chrysler lebaron?

[@Johnnymidnight]

I’ve never personally done one, but have seen it done. The right glue and the right amount of stretch…. Usually a job for an upholstery shop 👍🏼