DIY Dashboard Restoration & Rebuild | EP 14 RUSTORATIONS: 1972 Chevy Nova

[@boatnut64]

I'm Super Happy to see that you repaired the cowl, instead of just buying a new one. My cowl wasn't as bad (I didn't need to do any patches) my dash was junk and had to be replaced... It's metal... Cut, Weld, Grind, Paint, Repeat... You're doing a Great Job Buddy... Don't let doubts creep in and discourage you... 💪💪💪

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Yeah you are right its just metal it can be fixed or replaced. I tend to overthink and get overwhelmed at times... trust me I lost quite a few nights of sleep thinking about how the hell i am going to put this back together... do the wiring, engine my god.... But I know its like a game of percentages. First you do 1%.. next 2%.. you keep moving it goes up. Move on if you get stuck. And its good to ask for him if you cant move on. I can honestly say after 6 months fulltime work on this car I have not yet got stuck... but I came close. Thanks for the kind words and good on ya for getting yours done!

[@boatnut64]

@SubdivisionAuto 🤣🤣🤣 I'm a long way from done, but the percentages are going up... I spent the evening making a new crossrail, for behind the rear bumper. The car had been rear ended at some time in it's life, and the crossrail and frame rails were damaged (not terrible damage to the frame rails) I made and replaced the last 4 inches of the frame rails, and decided that I would replace the crossrail (but it would be around $600 with shipping) so I decided to copy it... Once I actually got going at it, it really wasn't that hard. Keep up the Great Work, and the Little Victories. 💪💪💪

[@SubdivisionAuto]

@@boatnut64 oh wow awesome man it's amazing what can be done if you just try. Good for you! I am making my own frame connectors when the time comes. The ones I like are a grand which is criminal to me cause it's just square tubing cut and welded. Keep on keeping on my friend !

[@Eldude350]

Welder, duct tape, farmer's wire.....the possibilities are endless Dude! I know you will get it done!

[@SubdivisionAuto]

@@Eldude350 haha he's sir and you as well know your quarters will be done soon brother

[@Novarider72]

Bro,remember l told you if you want a nova, this is what it is !! Aint nothin just more metal work !! keep moving forward .if it makes 6 feel better, l gotta fix my dash, too .good luck

[@SubdivisionAuto]

very true they are all the same it seems! rust in the same areas... poorly weather protected cars but hey we can save them!Thanks again much more to come on this...

[@Novarider72]

Yeah, I'm almost done with rust repair on my nova.but not yet lol

[@ezekielmoorejr3145]

Looking good my friend! And by the time your done your wife is going to be a good welder too!

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Thanks Man! Yeah I try to get her involved too so when shes cruising around (yes he drives manual and she sure as hell will drive this car) she will know the work that went into it.. different appreciation that way.

[@user-xz1zj2ff9z]

Your doing a top notch rust removal and dash replacement on your Nova project. Brings back memories of a few that I've done on my own Novas over the years. On one Nova project I did,believe it or not,lol,,,, I made a detailed drawing on cardboard, cut out the holes. Then I traced the template on to a piece of 2 by lumber,with holes marked .Then I took wood working tools and "whittled " out a buck (or form) Then I fastened body metal to the buck and went to hammer forming a new dash top. It looks pretty much original . Several people have seen it and liked how it turned out. Took a lot of time for sure but its still there and (I think) it looks pretty darn good for home made. Keep it going on your restoration Bud, you are doing it right! Cheers :)

[@SubdivisionAuto]

@@user-xz1zj2ff9z wow that is a wild process haven't heard that ome before... However if it works then why not right? I think I'm thesr projects you have to be creative to get it done especially if you don't have all the pro tools. Thanks for the kind words will keep going on this lots to come. Thanks for the support

[@chuckirwin7334]

I started the same way with Camaro, you think I'll just get it here but in the end you will touch every part and panel before it's over, but don't feel overwhelmed with the work you've done in past you got this, I have complete conference that you will be fine, keep it up.😅

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Familiar scene eh Chuck? Sounds like you had the whole experience with the Camaro glad you can relate and reassure newbies like myself in this. Thanks for the confidence boost I do think we can do this... just going to take longer than expected. Thats okay good things come to those who wait! Cheers my friend

[@chuckirwin7334]

I was overwhelmed at first but I talked to a few older guys and they helped tremendously, and comes a point in time where you just have to say what the heck I can do that, I guy built it and a guy can fix it , and if you make a mistake just fix it and learn, it's pretty gratifying to fab, weld , shape a piece and it's perfect, that's my favorite work, keep it up if you need anything else just let me know I'll try to guide you in the right direction, cheers my friend.

[@CalebGibbsAvenue]

Crap didn't realize you were going to mention the air tool So in the future , you will probably use a lot more air tools , particularly Ingersoll Rand suggested...👍 You can modify your air compressor with Some sort of tank. You can get as creative as you want or buy a portable tank. All you needed is more air capacity. Old propane tanks work great. Next thing to consider is investing in a oiled air compressor Stay away from the oil free. Thay may only last a year. Speaking of oil air tools need oil. Don't know what you don't know. Welds look good just so you know integrity wise.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Yeah someone mentioned daisey chaining another large capacity tank to get more out of my compressor and I know thats a great idea... I was gonna do it for a sandblasting video but Im not sandblasting so I havent. I will do that eventually. Yeah I dont know how long this amazon compressor will last... Since im doing it as an amateur im using cheap crude tools. Which has been painful at times but honestly thus far its all working out. the next car I would use another approach but that takes more money. Thanks for the comment on the welds.. especially coming from someone who does it for a living... I am happy with the process despite the fact its still flux core. Next car will be done all with gas but this one gonna do it flux because the majority of people I know are doing it the same way. I know now why nobody does videos like thsi this take forever and its the hard way. But itll get done and hopefully help some folks out. I will tell you this one thing, my timeline of getting it done in June of 2025 sure as hell isnt happening. that was just a silly goal.

[@CalebGibbsAvenue]

@SubdivisionAuto lol ok 👍 good to have a goal to push your limits anyway. Enjoy the process of what it is. And have that integrity in front of you as a priority. You'll receive respect and support. I know it. Your doing great already. I see professionalism in what you do (it's noticed). I struggle with this myself. It's hard to do. You might like a full cap for a hat or a welding hat. For your wife in the future. I get so dirty I love them. Just something cotton will work. Shirts even I fly sparks so much. I practically take a shower. I set myself on fire all the time. FR material is OK, but not worth the money. Plus, you can make it yourself. I prefer lether jackets it holds up better for harsh work. can't burn it. I ues RF sleeves mostly when I'm hot. It's just enough protection on hot days.

[@johnnyduplantis]

I'm amazed it only took you 43 1/2 minutes to do all that! 😂 Max, did you really make Jess weld again? Wow! She got at least one I saw that was damn near perfect!

[@SubdivisionAuto]

@@johnnyduplantis hahaha I wish I believe it took two weeks believe it or not. Yeah got her in there again she did not too bad was pretty impressed. How ya been JD

[@johnnyduplantis]

@@SubdivisionAuto Two weeks is pretty impressive from my perspective. I've been good but busy, busy, busy. Cheers.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

@@johnnyduplantis keep on keeping on 😎

[@papergatorzfedducca7998]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@CalebGibbsAvenue]

In the future, on the next car, a vibration tool makes thunder on rust. Use a needle scalers or chisel. Some tools are cheap crap so do research. Works best The thike material like the chassis. Or just be careful on thin steel. Of course, sand blasting is something you'll be using in the future.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

@@CalebGibbsAvenue yeah you are right. Next car will be full sandblast and full replacement of damaged panels. Takes a little more skill to fully replace things to spec maintain things like door jams but it's worth the effort. but hey there is more than one way to do things so I will try all the methods. This nova is going to be the slowest most painful way

[@Mr1technician]

I replaced my cowl inner and outer.and upper dash. Tool me 11 months to get the cowl from AMD

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Wow yeah it can take forever to get parts. How did you find the cowl replacement/dash went? Did you have trouble lining it up at all? id ont think id restore mine again i think id try to replace it like you did...

[@Mr1technician]

@@SubdivisionAuto I found that Goodmark offered an inner and outer cowl unit complete. The installation went good. Had to tweak one small spot and straighten a few spots on the edges that were bent a little. Also it had 2 vent holes that I didn’t want, so I capped them off. They are supposed to have them in stock now. I got mine shortly after COVID

[@travlite8496]

It's just metal make template and weld it in I have faith in ya man.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

@@travlite8496 thanks man it's coming together slowly but still long way to go Thanks for the support

[@Mr1technician]

Sorry, got mine from Goodmark industries. Took me about a day to replace it

[@SubdivisionAuto]

@@Mr1technician yeah same one I got worked well fits pretty good. My cowl was a mess though what about yours?

[@daviddaniels6818]

Muriatic acid from Walmart will dissolve that rust I use it in a pump sprayer

[@SubdivisionAuto]

@@daviddaniels6818 I'll try it out thanks man

[@daviddaniels6818]

@@SubdivisionAuto it works with very little effort in a matter of just a couple minutes