Budget bodywork on a beater

giving my old 51 Chevy a clean up. nothing fancy just a simple "taxi special" paint job. I'm doing do some major repairs very simple and without the use of a welder.

[@scottkrise1867]

Tony, You don't have to apologize, we love all of your videos. We learn from everything you do.

[@rgc1961]

Well-said!

[@theramblingrobertson62]

Yeah, stop apologising, Tony. The people you're apologising to aren't worth your time and effort. You're still a metal god in my eyes!

[@tomchristopher71]

The segment where you are talking with yourself in different hats is hilarious!

[@domecrack]

Can you time stamp that plz? I tend to watch while I'm working & missed it.

[@rgc1961]

17 minute mark.​@@domecrack

[@domecrack]

@@rgc1961 17:00 thank you

[@alfaradbean]

Perfect strategy, I'm 61 and don't have time for full restaurations any more

[@ericrhyne3407]

Cave and pave! Screw the ones that complain. They all probably have a 10 year long project they think has to be perfect and miss out on having fun with it!

[@johnfry9010]

In the 60''s when I was in High School I worked one summer at a place in Oakland , CA right next door to the Earl Scheib painting , they would literally bring in a 7 car transporter with old Taxi Cabs in the morning and by the end of the day they would be done with all 7 , they painted everything including the tires and then would just paint the tires with tire black , $29.95 , oh those were the days .

[@michaelbristol6467]

I hear about them 1960's Earl Scheib $29.95 paint jobs and I can't believe it but it was really a thing. I was born in 76 been doing bodywork since 1990 and it just sounds insane to me! $499 is the cheapest I can remember from Macco. I used to do $400 in the early 90's to compete with them. Used car specials wham bam thank you ma'am. And that was cheap! Nowadays $29.95 wouldn't cover the masking tape. Unbelievable 😉✌

[@olliewashington3215]

Thanks Tony, your true fans and followers appreciate this episode. No apology necessary for us,we know what you are capable of. Thanks for the tips and keep doing it for us.

[@tonytavolieri1663]

Lol!! " I never thought I would see the day!" Your absolutely right when you said that this method is for certain cars only! (Beaters, cabs, winter cars, delivery cars, ) this is how we did it in the 70s. The cars were so cheap to buy but they always needed bodywork! Nobody back then had a mig welder so it was all rivets and bondo! Its so funny to see you do this because I believe that your work is the best fabrication on U-tube!! Im proud that you are Canadian!!

[@Liberatus]

95% of DIY restorations never get finished. Good

[@blackscotydog]

I think this great..... Thanks Tony for showing us broke guys a different way. Love the trash bag trick..

[@shotsrodder]

The good body man bad body man routine was hilarious 😂😂 always entertaining Tony 👍

[@mully89]

I love the truth here, to many channels would hide a quick fix, thanks for keeping it real 👍

[@michaelvandenhoy1021]

Wow, what a cobble job! But, before getting a wire feed welder we have all have done this but almost none of us will admit to this. Thanks for bringing us back to reality.

[@joell439]

They guys who make do with what they got drive their cars and enjoy them. They don’t waste time pretending it’s something it’s not. You’re my hero Fitzee 👍👍

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

That's it, I'm selling off my welder! You have me convinced that "low crown additive" is the answer to all my problems!

[@fitzeesfabrication.thefl-nf7hp]

Hahaha. Also called holebegone! Lol

[@patrickchristie82]

❤ 🇨🇦

[@snocrushr]

You're a brave man Tony posting that on KZbin 🤣🤣👍👍

[@fitzeesfabrication.thefl-nf7hp]

I'm not brave, just being honest. A good tradesmen in any trade can do the down and dirty as well as perfection. That's what makes them a good tradesmen

[@MyBlueZed]

Typical car friends! They were all advice and judgment but they disappeared once the work began! 🤣🤣❤️🇨🇦🇦🇺

[@gordonstarship]

I am such a fan of budget builds. Thank you for showing this. Cool series!

[@willlothridge3197]

I’m going say there’s way more of us diy guys doing bodywork like this at home than those doing it “the right way “ besides it’s your car to do as you please

[@fonhollohan2908]

Brings me back to the old days when I did body work for several years in the early 80's that's all we did was sling mud quick jobs in and out the door. You got what you paid for, it was that simple no shame in that, it was the way it was for years. Back then folks didn't have the money, it was just that simple. Not like nowadays where folks invest $50,000 dollars or more in a restoration.

[@normajune3478]

Tony I know what you mean about the changes in body work over the years. I’ve done body work for 50 years and I’ve smeared 100’s of gallons of filler. I love watching your videos and I’m still learning from you now 50 years later. I wish I had seen your videos back when I was making patches and using gas torch to weld them in. Thanks a bunch and keep up the good work!!!

[@GarH56]

Don't need to explain or apologize Tony because of those who do noting but criticize and take cheap shots.

[@WhiskeyDents]

Great comment

[@minnesotatomcat]

Some cars aren’t worth fully restoring. Taking something down to bare metal and doing everything correct is an incredible amount of work. There’s a lot of cars out there that cost $30,000 or more to restore and at the end of the day they’re not worth half that. Nothing wrong with just making something look good enough and having some fun with it, as long as you’re not trying to sell it as something it isn’t.

[@bradreeves7534]

Never seen trash bags always did fiberglass screen . Slick

[@lynnnordby6924]

My first car (in 1966) was virtually a carbon copy of this beater, a 52 Chevy 2dr sedan with only the single chrome strip, two Buick hubcaps in back, none in front 53:07 and faded black paint. What a trip!

[@Chevypowered5766]

Tony, I was having flashbacks to brazing rods and steel coat hangers to put patches in if you wanted a good job. sticky back foil tape, screen door mesh if money was tight. One or two pop rivets and a lot of mud filler and then we would finish the top with red nitro-stan putty and if we ran out of primer we would thin the nitro-stan down and spray it, and then finish it off with rattle can paint and the job was done. Ah, The good old days. Thanks for the video and for the memories. Later

[@rickjackson3414]

I used to scuff up the metal tape while it was still on the roll….some repairs when I sand blasted, then metal taped the holes, then bondo held up for 20 years !

[@vortexgen1]

Just quick and dirty and back on the road again. You can always fix everything down the road, because we have seen your work and know that nothing is impossible for you.

[@laurensmith1828]

Perfect video because some cars need to be done this way and thats the way it is. I got one right now that needs this.lol thanks Tony!

[@Kendallian132]

LOL! "Mountain Road in Moncton." Yup! Been there... Done that. My wife's grandparents lived out on Trans-Canada (the OLD Trans-Canada, not the new super highway) in Salisbury. We'd often go up over Steves Mountain and then down past Magnetic Hill and into Moncton that way, or Berry Mills Rd. Wife has people in Dieppe, one of whom drove cab for years and years going back to Prohibition. No further comment is needed on that, but he told me of the taxi cab thing exactly as you described. As much as I enjoy your fantastic insight into body work and metal fab and things in general, what I love the most is your "place" narrative. When we were in Newfoundland, among the many things I learned and loved about the place is how much the people there love on where they're from. Like they say; "You can tell the Newfies in Heaven... they're the ones that just want to go home." Carry on my friend.

[@russdavis1960]

Back in the late 70's and into the 80's we had 5 guys (including myself) doing bodywork and paint jobs out of our garages...much like what you have shown. Quick acrylic enamel paint jobs and ship em. We all stayed VERY busy in our little town of approx. 2300 residence.

[@chriskappes9170]

Oh boy do i remember those days when i was younger that was excellent body work then but thanks to fitz and a few others i dont do that anymore but i do understand exactly what you was doing and sometimes its all that is needed love the videos

[@mikedimaio1237]

I kept waiting for Sgt. Schultz to walk around the corner and say "I see nothing". Looks great, do an old school lace paint job on the roof for fun.

[@Idontwanttosignupist]

Let her rock. Parking lot presentable cars are the most fun.

[@dennisbeauchamp6193]

Really enjoyed this and certainly learned things from watching your work. Thanks for sharing.

[@davecroucher732]

Tony there was a time that I would disagree with your approach to this, but now after a good few years of my project being off the road I can see the logic and am determined to get back on the road soon.

[@donaldbaker6961]

I love it I love your outlook just drive it it’s old it’s no a concorse restoration it’s a driver ❤

[@stanallport6746]

heres my technique....make holes big enough to coat inside walls with oil based clear polyurethane by bendable brush....then coat inner walls with axle grease....fill holes with expanding foam..put thin metal over foam but below outer skin to cover holes loosely.. apply 2 part epoxy over metal patches..sand down to slightly below level.. apply thin coat of plastic filler.....that makes a permanent fix that won t come back ever.. i did that because i cant weld sheet metal replacement panels.

[@shotsrodder]

Mud slingers unite 😂😂 that’s how it was done when I was a lad 🤓 the mig welder and side grinder changed everything 👨🏻‍🎨

[@johnds6621]

that poultice tip was great i never thought that the filler wouldn't stick to the plastic. thanks for the tip although I don't do much body work anymore. Buddy it's your car you can fix it up anyway you want. I always watch and like your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@wayneforbes7671]

This whole video was a great tip! You got to ask yourself at the start of a project... To what level am I going to do this? Knowing this approach is just as important as knowing how to achieve perfection. We all know the level of your metal work. This video shows how broad your skills are. Keep the tips coming. This one of your best.

[@monadking2761]

I still enjoy your videos because you do really good work. Thanks for the plastic tip. I thought that would work but never tried it.

[@mikegrotte3953]

Exactly like mine, fifty years of surprises that still looks good.

[@roughboygarage1475]

There's definitely tips here! Can't wait to see it done!

[@darico8437]

Boy did that bring back memories. We used to use a body file and save the filings in a big bucket. We would mix the filings with a batch of body filler and use that to fill large holes. I used to hate friends that just wanted a cheap a job as possible because next year they were going to sell it anyway. No matter how many times you would tell them that it's only will last 2 years at the most, they would be back in 3 years wondering why it was breaking out. We were just a bunch of young kids with no money and could do a car for under $300.00. Those were the days. Thanks, Tony, for the memories. 4

[@tombob671]

A good friend of mine is a retired army helicopter pilot. He told me that in Vietnam they patched bullet holes with JB Wwld vs cutting the panel out and replacing the panel with a patch panel. There wasn't time to do that as the combat operational tempo was too high. JB Weld held just fine.

[@charlesterry5234]

Hey thanks for showing me some stuff about how to repair a rusty vehicle I'm doing a 35 Ford truck and it has previously been bonded up years ago and I'm doing it as a favor for a friend and I told him I would put lipstick on a pig and make it look good for a few more years .

[@gewing61]

Great video. I have done the same thing with vehicles over the years. Thanks for sharing.

[@jamesluv6387]

I'm shaking my head cuz I like it!!!😃😃

[@arnierock9558]

Nothing to be ashamed of we all have done that for years on the budget jobs keep up the great videos my friend

[@FredericksGarage]

Thanks for assuaging my guilt as I recall some fiberglass repairs I made in the 70’s and 80’s when gas welding and spot welding were my only metal options. Ones that spring to mind: reconstructed the doglegs and rear quarters on a customer’s ‘54 Plymouth with fiberglass and Bondo, inner rockers on a customer’s 68 Shelby convertible patched with fiberglass, built the panel under the trunk lid on my ‘55 Chevy with Venetian blinds and fiberglass. Ugh!

[@erwindrenth7091]

There is something satisfying in fibreglassing up rust holes. I have an old book from the 1970's, "how to fix your own car" , explaining how to repair your rusted out rocker panels. Tapping in with ballhammer , fiddling in some chicken wire and fibreglass over it. We always had old beaters in our family, and i remember we fixed a lot of them by soldering on pieces of zinc plate, that worked well also!

[@mycroft925]

If you're going to restore it, yes, do it right. If you're going to drive the wheels off of it, it isn't going to stay perfect for long anyway, so get it good enough and on the road. I might have left it and kept driving for a few more years TBH because I would have been too dumb to stop and made a 5 (okay, 10) year long project vs driving it the next week. Awesome video, and I appreciate the sentiment behind it. EDIT: Watching how easy you make it look to spread filler smoothly is hypnotizing. 20 year old me certainly took a LOT longer to get it even close.

[@chrisrobinson8937]

A genuine Cave and Pave job. Lots of cars are done this way. Problem is, when people get duped into thinking it's "original " when the sills, floors, and rockers are more plastic than metal, and the seller is asking top dollar. No problem doing it for yourselves, or being honest about a relatively low dollar car. Its just not worth the cost to rebuild. Best part is, you're keeping an old Chevy on the road, and not sending it to the crusher. And after all, it's your car. Do whatever you want with it. Keep up the good work.

[@jessemontgomery60]

Excellent working man’s repair.

[@tomc2748]

Hack it pack it and enjoy it. You do you. No explanation necessary.

[@KaM-bb1fk]

Fitzee I must say you might be the most real you tuber out there, anyone that works in the trades can relate to the work you do. If i had a penny for every time my boss said "Your not making a swiss watch, time is money now move it" I'd be a wealthy man. I mean what you did here is what goes on in the real world of working class stiffs like me, money is not plentiful and you make do with what you got. I really appreciate your videos and your realism keep it up.

[@lcar9871]

I've done my share of this same stuff too! When you make the first layer something waterproof, like your Evercoat short strand, Kittyhair etc., it's surprising how long they will last. I'm surprised you don't use the cheese-grater files! We're about the same "vintage," I thought all of us from the 70s & 80s used them lol! I think the cheese grater really shines on that second coat of filler, because it lets you take it down quick but it won't cut into the first fill coat. I did a bit of this on an old Subaru about 10 years ago. I needed a beater for when my truck was on the operating table. Bought the Subaru for $3000, hit the few spots it had with the short strand filler, undercoated the back side where I could. Surprise! That $3000 car is still going and none of the spots filled that way have rusted out again, and I'm in salty New Hampshire! I like your plastic trick. The Subaru had rotted lower door inside corners - I used waxed paper to fix. First, put the short strand filler over the rotted inside corner. Next, put a piece of waxed paper over it and use your hand/fingers to mould it into shape as it sets up. You could probably use plastic for this too, but I like how the waxed paper works, I get a better feel for it through the paper. Thanks for the video!

[@380.motorsports]

Wow, love the poultice idea, that’s a great tip. I totally agree with your methods here and for this car. I always struggled with filler falling out of holes and will definitely use the plastic idea. The only other step I’ve added to these types of repairs is to spray the areas good with some rust converter. It just serves to delay the return of major rust a bit longer and ids easy and cheap. Otherwise can’t ever complain about this repair to get you back on the road cousin for the summer.

[@davidkimsey9591]

Thanks for showing this, Tony. Love seeing you work perfection but there’s a time when work like this is equally proper. Gets you back to enjoying the car vs watching it sit. Thanks again!

[@royestala6944]

Tony, since both of my cars are Checker Marathon taxis, you made me fully appreciate and understand what is and isn’t important about quick turnaround body work for me to enjoy my cabs on the road!

[@waynesimpson3138]

Did same thing back then. This is a eighties bodywork documentary. Haha . Really enjoyed this .

[@blaircrocker9845]

Done similar stuff myself. Did it to an old S10 used fly screen as a backer and used the plastic like you did. Just needed it to pass inspection. It actually lasted for years.

[@lawncuttingplusdelta]

22:49 - i used wax paper to form wheel lips on cars that would otherwise be crushed …. glad to see a guy who is a metal magician , proving that it isnt always practical ….

[@crnutsmotorsports]

Perfection or at lest to attempt perfection has always been my biggest downfall. As I age, I chuckle at those who demand it. A pleasure to see you do a little down and dirty. Better to drive your project than to look at it in the garage and think about how you need to redo it.

[@mikemitchell7575]

That poltice trick is just what I needed...thanks man..

[@hemibreath]

“Carter Auto Restyling” would be proud 😂

[@johnlee8231]

oh the horror you were right i should of turned it off but I couldn't look away.

[@johnfalco9528]

Roll with it and enjoy it. Working on my be fun but driving it is arguably WAY more fun! Live life and enjoy the battles your willing to fight and enjoy the time of life from projects you can walk away from!

[@riverflyswatter]

The metal shaving tips that was my favorite

[@keithroute8906]

Good way to do it, rusty up north cars not worth big money are done like that. Most of the time we replace the metal on a car that old in my shop only because it is quick, we are setup to be quick for metal, body and paint work. Newer stuff with foam integrated into the panel, no, it is cave and pave with bondo glass, rough sanded, bondoed with regular bondo, sanded, glazed, sanded, primered and painted. A cheap car bubbling with swelled bondo and rust in many spots can be done in a day that way. I can tell you have slung a lot of mud in your days. I agree with what you stated about that car, nothing wrong with that repair. You have to judge the car for what it is worth and formulate a plan of repair and set a budget based on the car. Rough cars are money pits, the right makes and models are worth a top notch 30 day metal working, 95% of them require decisions based on the car and those need to be made based on money. Unless you are not in business, have an emotional attachment to that car or just don’t care how much you spend on your dream car then sure go for perfection. Just know it takes major time and money and in the end the muddled up car looks just as good when it is done and if done right will last a long time. I have seen plain Jane cars at car shows that someone lost their mind on. The paint job costs more than the car is worth, all the brightwork is near flawless buffed and polished and any flaws are few and not easy to pick out. Great dream car for that person to shine up, rarely drive and take to car shows. Not a great business decision due to that particular make and model normally not worth a whole lot even the very best ones. They may proudly say they spent twenty grand on the body and paint when another car that looks and appears just as nice costs 17k and may never have had a rust hole anywhere in its life. You are so very correct, it is your car, you do what you want. You are smart, you want to drive it, want it to look good and last a decent amount of time. I like that car, who cares if it is loaded with mud. 95 percent of people would not know anyway. All they see is a nice clean looking old car and they get excited with a smile on their face with their eyes dancing soaking it in. They wouldn’t know a 50k car from a 17k car, they just know what they like to see, a nice looking old car.

[@calparsons2502]

I have been doing the same thing on my rusted vehicles, only i just use the long or short strand and finish it with that I don't use the polyester fillers. Those fiberglass fillers are good,and make a very strong patch, better than steel, cause they do not rust out. Great video.

[@mrgreezy1]

After watching so much quality work done by you this is seriously throwing my ocd for a serious loop !!! I get it.. I understand.. but it still doesn’t help my ocd..🤣🤣🤣 I know that you know quality work so I’m in my mind trying to decide what’s worse, a guy who knows the right way doing it the wrong way or a guy that doesn’t know the right way and does this.. I love your work sir, but this is seriously hard to watch.. but I do understand it’s your ride and it’s a make up job, not plastic surgery.. and I do understand the difference, love ur content sir !!!

[@ganoncollins1]

Lol, I feel ya, it was painful watching, yet I watched it all. I will blame my old as well...

[@goptools]

Hi Tony. Good start on your old Chev. No explanation needed. It's your car. You know what you are doing, better than most people! A little touch up before summer cruising weather. Sounds good to me.

[@wtaylorg]

Thanks for the demo. You’re still good with filler, looks pretty damn good.

[@mjm7187]

She's mint, drives. Gas er up, point and push Tony. Looking fwd to the tips!

[@BrucePierson]

We used to apply body filler in batches, so that by the time we did the last batch, the first batch had set and was ready to sand. It saved a lot of time waiting for filler to set.

[@dubCanuck1]

I just told my kid this the other day because I totally hacked some rust prevention on his car with a wire wheel, rust paint, and some Crappy Tire base/clear "It's way easier to repair something that is there than to fix something that isn't". At least there's going to be metal there when I go to fix it in a year, as opposed to my truck rockers.......

[@minnesotatomcat]

I’ve given many ford trucks the taxi cab treatment over the years, make em look good again and ready to use up the rest of their miles. I always tell people…it’s got some mud on it, it’s not gonna look good forever.

[@tombob671]

Note to perfectionists: Perfect is the enemy of good.

[@partonkevin]

I love it! This is perfect for driver quality cars and budget builds. It's also perfect for guys getting into the hobby. We can't all afford full restorations and many cars aren't worthy of it. The goal is to have fun and learn!

[@anttia5921]

Thanks for the tips!👍😎

[@waltbellamy9739]

good for you!!!!! i was there!!!!! thanks!!

[@donchoate13]

You done the right thing with the Chevy , it was kinda like do what you done with it or part it out and scrap the rest would take a ton of work to replace all the areas with new metal as you definitely know .

[@faroironandcustoms6577]

Nice Tony!!!! That is where I'm at with my 54 Ford. Down and Dirty and get it back on the road. We might go for a restore later. Just want to ride while I'm working on my other cars.

[@rjung_ch]

Thanks Tony, this is a good solution and it's good enough, your car, you decide! Take care 👍💪✌

[@rjung_ch]

50:15 I am not shaking my head at all. Taxi job 🙂

[@lancemclean9273]

Cave and pave still gets the job done

[@bunning63]

My sensitivities always had issue with this sort of repair, but some decades ago did a similar job on a HQ Holden. That thing was mechanically great but the body was rubbish. Doors, guards, C pillar, everywhere. The guy just wanted it bogged up and tidied up for a year or so. Ground it all out and off, treated all the edges and poohed it up, and pretty sure we sprayed something on the back of the repairs, oil?. Anyway someone who knew him told me he was still driving it years later and apparently was amazed how long the 'repair', (I struggle using that word), lasted.

[@robertquartier9379]

when i was a teenager we would pickup cars like that for 50 bucks from farmers and drive the snot out of them and didnt care what they looked like and if they where to bad we pop riveted sheet metal over the rust holes and painted them with brushes or rollers....those where true rat rods before rat rods became popular.

[@kellssheehan8578]

Excellent video 😊 love it 👍, get er done and on the road 😁

[@jrehtil1494]

Fitz you look like a young man again

[@surgecab22]

When you said "taxi special" I got excited. I have three Checkers I'm working on. They've definitely benefitted from you videos!

[@Joe.Doucette]

Oh Tony.. I hear ya. I hated taxis back in the 70s. They wanted their junk looking like a million bucks, pay 10 bucks a week on the bill and want you run along side doing the work while they drove it. Make do with ya got. Preach it, brother! Multiple Fitzys! Imagine how much work you could do. ;) Low crown additive and holebegone. Good times. Thanks for the video!

[@johnstuby8036]

Its still a good looking bondo buggy.😂 Just remember ever steak starts with a butcher

[@brianhaw9398]

Just the way you applied the filler shows your years of experience. So smooth.

[@Smurphenstein]

Totally agree with you. As a 20 year old I was able to purchase a lovely low mileage, low owner family car. A while afterwards the trans started slipping. Instead of sending it in, I decided I would repair it. I got into the magazines showing show cars, restored cars, etc. Their articles made it look so easy. I stripped the car, sent it away for panel work but I wasn't happy with it. Even though it had been in our family for years I wanted it to be the best. In the end I didn't manage to finish it, like most projects where people dig too deep. One of the worst decisions I made was deciding to go all out rather than just get the trans fixed and a respray. Still think of that car, the next guy never finished it either.

[@cheapandeasymods]

Great Trick and Great Video like always!

[@BrucePierson]

This reminds me of the old cars we had in the 70's and we did exactly the same thing, but we only used body filler and not the long strand Fiberglas. And yes, the hardener was red back in those days.Big holes we just riveted a piece of sheet metal over and then filled. I did this for a few people also. It was a case of just making the car presentable for the registration inspection, because you could not have rust holes in your car. I also did some proper repairs with welding in panels for anyone who wanted a proper job done and not just a patch up for registration. Structural stuff, sub-frames and frames were always welded properly of course.

[@johnkranyics281]

Nothing wrong with being a practical realist. Good advice Tony. 👍👍🇨🇦

[@markfuchs9385]

....Great job Fitz....

[@murraymeekel7842]

It's a driver sweet. I've heard to also stuff steel wool into open areas lol. Be nice to be back on the road!

[@user-ym4sf2er2p]

Video is spot on! Back in the 70's-80's everything seemed to have patches of bondo in them. There wasn't mig welders at home, brazing or pop rivets. I picked up a 70 corolla for my brother, it made crusty look like the prom queen when we got her. Pop rivets, bondo and a tremclad paint job. Those were the days.