EXTREME Rust + Dent Repair. Can this RARE Classic Truck Tailgate be Restored? 1948 GMC Restoration

[@428eliminator3]

Like my ex wife that tailgate got way more love than it ever deserved.

[@guyfuller1369]

The panel whisperer does it again. Your work is astounding, and your explanations make so much sense. Love how you brought the stamped GMC logo back from nearly illegible.

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that some of my rambling makes sense!

[@christianheidt5733]

Panel whisperer 🤣🤣🤣

[@Smitoons]

The whole project has been fun and guilt-inducing to watch. My truck, a 1950 chev, could stand a few touchups. But I’m watching you work instead.

[@iancameron198]

​@@CarterAutoRestyling using that stud welder won't screw up the tool

[@rockypergin2216]

The California car duster is epic

[@rickardjohnson4524]

I'm Glad you saved the original one.....

[@chrisallen2005]

Don't know how anybody could be compelled to criticize your work. You are showing us how to do stellar repairs with the simplest hand tools. Keep it up. I will continue to watch for what that is worth.

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks Chris!

[@guvnorduff]

I admire your work you're a true craftsman. Keep saving these old trucks.

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks, I'll try!

[@islandlife9127]

I'm never disappointed in your work. The tailgate turned out nice.

[@rickardjohnson4524]

It's cool how you saved that GMC emblem, sweet...

[@38Chev572]

Agree with Island Life, never disappointing.

[@rickardjohnson4524]

That Bad Boy is going to be a Great Daily Driver, Cheery Yo....

[@buchonite]

the lack of dents in the ginger cat was marvellous

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Yes he is a clean one owner cat!

[@PicleRic]

He said in the beginning of the video, it’s gonna be a rough just functional tailgate then spends the next 35 minutes pounding and sanding and pounding and grinding 😁

[@billnlori3149]

Fine job right there. I can't believe how you take a totally trashed piece like that and fix it. Very talented!!

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thank you!

[@dewalt10-2-4]

MeoW NiCe WoRk

[@volktales7005]

I remember my Dad back in the early '80's welding a flat plate into the backside of his '69 Chevy truck's tailgate to desperately try and give it some structural integrity. Watching him quench it with water and seeing that plate warp by inches was very memorable. He bought a new tailgate later... Dad is no longer with us, but the old '69 is still rolling along. Dad owned it 25 years, and I have had it for 29! Your '48 should be good for another generation or two!

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

That's great you still have your dads old truck!

[@1942xa]

Thanks!

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks for losing the bet! Someday I will fail and you'll get your $25 back!

[@dcwebb1]

Dang son.......you did it again! Stay awesome.....

[@nickbowker5134]

Thanks, I'm not loaded so I'll give what I can when I can because I like your content and would like to keep seeing more , pls don't buy cat food with money my dog won't talk to me again if you did 🤐

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thank you Nick, it's much appreciated. I won't tell the cats!

[@lukesnyder9816]

If you didn't record these repairs I'd swear you just bring in stand in panels. Just truly amazing!

[@charleykeenan6171]

It occurred to me while watching you work that when most people think "bodyshop" this what they think goes on there. I admire your craftsmanship very much. If someone never lifts a hammer or seamsplitter at least they know why others charge so much.. Great episode 👏

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks! Unfortunately people will still complain about money. When I worked at a restoration shop my boss tried inviting the customers to the shop so they could do some of the grunt work, or just watch us work...he also tried setting up a camera to record each days work to show the customer. We also had to take 1000s of pictures of every little task. In the end the customers still couldn't comprehend why it was costing so much and the majority of the cars we worked on never got finished

[@larryshriver7112]

@@CarterAutoRestyling Maybe that's why so much bondo is used on some of the jobs in less quality conscience minded shops, as compared to you and Scott in Cold War Motors. Each of you display ability that I wish I had, and are true craftsmen.

[@clydepodvin5026]

This is a craft you don't see everyday, most if not all body shops today orders replica parts to put on vehicles. Fantastic job.

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks!

[@kennethdahlgren-dt4kk]

Thank you for your tips.sir I have restored all my panels on my 68 el camino .no bonds you rock.

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Right on! Thanks for watching!

[@davidcoudriet8439]

Ray Charles called. Says he can smell it.. Lol! I'm impressed! And I impress easily!

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Haha thanks David!

[@stantilton2191]

So much patience, you gotta love it to give it. I need to get busy on my old rig. Thanks Kyle.

[@BobBaruth]

Kyle ,again old school ways are the best way!

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks Bob!

[@billleigh615]

Nice save, also the fix was free except grinding discs, wire and gas. ;)

[@ProblemChild-xk7ix]

And lots and lots of time!

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

...and my sanity!

[@KiwiStag74]

My friend, how you do what you do is fantastic to watch. I also have a quiet laugh when I hear you say the phrase "We're not going to do much to this panel - just make it presentable" and then proceed to turn out something that takes the minimum of filler to finish off and make a showpiece out of. This video is a true example of that - one trashed tailgate that (at best) someone would bash top and bottom as straight as they could with a mallet and use as patina'd wall-art or (at worst) consign to the scrap metal pile. You take that sow's ear and make a silk purse out of it. Ok - I can still see a few blemishes, so the silk was contaminated, but it functions as it needs to and looks perfectly good on that truck....and to be honest, if the truck was being used as a TRUCK instead of a showpiece, would look good enough and function well enough probably for another 70+ years. I've enjoyed the series on the '48 GMC very much and seeing the different ways you used to tackle the rot and dents...as well as that brilliant 5-window conversion. Funny thing was, when I started watching, I half expected you to set the tailgate on fire and then blow it out.....and magically, there's a repro tailgate sitting there ready to bolt on! ....but no. That patented phrase appeared and then the work started....and I think part of it for you was the challenge to make the original metal look as good as it could. It still made for good viewing and the tips on using the Unispotter to shrink panels was inspired. A bloody good idea, mate. I'd never thought of using one that way, but the results speak for themselves. Something you said reminded me of a mate of mine and his Austin A35 van back when we were teenagers in the late 80s. This poor old POS of his had rot in many places and had been driven into the back of a Leyland bus by a previous owner, who then (I think) used the claw end of his hammer to straighten the panels. The previous owner's panel-beating skillset rivalled that of an empty cardboard box, although at least the box could have been used to make a template. The little van looked more like a disinterred and rotted corpse that still sported all its fatal injuries than a daily driver, but it had a good heart and got him from A to B and back again. It was always my mate's intention to straighten it all up with replacement panels off a donor car he had bought, but it never happened. However, he drove it into the back of another similarly-aged late-50's vehicle and the already stressed and stretched metal got another stretch and stress. The funny thing was that the front panel and fender had only shifted back (ie: folded up again) by about a half inch, bending at the places where the metal had previously folded and had never been stress-relieved or sorted to anything resembling normalcy. So, he starts belting on the inside of the fender and front panel with a rubber mallet and all that did for him was prove that rubber bounces off metal in accordance with Newton's third law......and if you manage to hang onto the hammer, you can nearly dislocate your wrist or smack yourself in the face. As for the fender, it did nothing, so he got his 2-pound ballpein. Nope. Movement level = minimal at best. Right! The 4-pounder came out and he swung at it hard. Many times. He reckoned it took him near half an hour of swinging to get the bottom of the front panel and fender back to where they had been. When I saw the front of the A35 van a few days after the accident, it really didn't look any worse for wear than it had done before, so his bush repair (applying Mechanic's Law 101 - "if it's not working, hit it with a hammer. If it still isn't working, get a bigger hammer"), did the trick.....but it is not a tactic I would have employed then and certainly would not utilise now unless it was to get a rough shape back from a total mess. I did suggest to him at the time that he continue on and correct the other stressed areas and hep add some structural integrity (if not the original lines of the panel) back to the nosecone, but I got given an example from the book of Mechanic's Terms and Phrases that I cannot repeat here. I cannot recall what you did or said that made me think of the above, but I hope you enjoyed the story nonetheless. All the best!

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Hahah! Thanks so much for the great story Lance!

[@waynegouin939]

You can't fool us with that new tailgate you got off ebay!

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Hahah, shhh, don't tell anyone!

[@vidars2606]

You work fast. Already finish after the result of yesterdays poll. 😊

[@davidconley3610]

The results were never in question as we all want him to finish the truck 😃

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Yeah I pulled a little Hollywierd magic to get it done in time!

[@charlesatwell6658]

Scott would describe that tailgate's condition as very poor! Then he would proceed to save it just as you have. You Canadian's amaze me! Bless your hearts enduring those long winters too! Keep up the good work!

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Haha thanks Charles!

[@JustinPaul1st]

Which Scott would that be ...I know Fitzee Brent and Karl...

[@badgergarage]

Admirable work bringing that tailgate back. Love this channel!

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks, I'm glad to hear you enjoy the show!

[@jaywebb3105]

I bet if you welded some legs on it you could get $800.00 for is as a coffee table.. I can see art. Another great job Kyle.

[@thomasjain7207]

That tailgate looks good to me! Nice job! Love it!

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks Thomas!

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

I wonder if most people have any idea just how much craftsmanship, patience and time it takes to do things like repairing a panel most would have trashed. Maybe disclose how much time it takes start to finish on some of these projects. Judging by the time I've spent on my 62 C10 I'll guess the tailgate was 7-8 hours or more?

[@donhoughton271]

Looks great

[@ndirt2512]

Cue dramatic movie trailer music...against what were surely insurmountable odds, he went into battle...

[@martygonazga8732]

Tailgate came out awesome great work

[@nboldrini]

Awesome.....Again!

[@boblister665]

Nice work on the tailgate. I don't know many that would even attempt to fix that including me with 49 years experience. Thanks for schooling us

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks Bob!

[@joeandmichelle7375]

So far ive seen two rear fenders that weren't fit to send to China for their garbage and a tailgate that looked like it came off a manure spreader all restored to amazing usuable condition. You should be proud Kyle. Fantastic work!!

[@johnwinden8511]

Anyone can buy (usually) new parts but a true craftsman fixes them. There is something special about saving the original parts.

[@DNomer]

I don't watch these to see hammer work. I only like to see miracles. Kyle seems to specialize in those. You look at one of these panels, and you see right away that it's got leprosy, and obviously nothing short of a magic wand can save it. Then terms like 'Lost Cause' and 'Junk' come to mind. Then Kyle restores it, and it looks like part of a truck. Pretty cool.

[@Telephony954]

There is no better. Be well. We look forward to the next.

[@bobsadogtoo]

I would have just done the ‘Louisiana Lap Weld’ because that’s all I can do. Great video.

[@johnswick4593]

I like the resourcefulness of your methods. "Waste not want not." Who knows, there may be a guy or gal out there that has the time but not all the money some do. Nice work!

[@ptrcmrn]

From here in New York, it looks great!

[@kenerickson8836]

Another video begun with my mind thinking, “Not bloody possible!” And you make it so! Again, I’m amazed.

[@robinimpey101]

More magnificent Muppet metal manipulation! Merci!

[@kalnieminen65]

I'm always impressed how fast you can move your hammers when pounding panels

[@highlandhoneyfarm5852]

Nice work. Thanks.

[@tcplace]

good job

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thank you!

[@l.p.9221]

This car has best chances to be a roadrunner again! Thank you for the healing rescue!!👍

[@markwills6452]

some people have time and no money so this is valuable.

[@dougtodd305]

The thanks goes to you.I learn from you,and l find it entertaining. I just wish you were my neighbor. I don't want to buy a Chinese tailgate for my truck.

[@garymccord4277]

Enjoyed this video Kyle and watching you hit your index finger nail on your right hand had to hurt.. Love your work a great sheet metal fab gu and I am learning a lot..

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks Gary!

[@HarmonHodge]

Wow!

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

The panel looks pretty good from here. I need to get one of those California car duster thing, that way I can keep my scrap metal nice and clean and get top dollar for it when it goes to the metal buyers! Great tip as always.

[@alcyr5655]

Well knowing full well I can get a replacement panel from the Dollar Store. I followed this video intently.. 57 Dodge tailgates are a dime a dozen. Sarcasm a side. Saskatchewan DNR to shop truck, to farm truck. 2 thumbs up I learnt a lot.

[@gwstubbs7046]

Ah, Kyle works his magic again.

[@EdOfTheNorth]

I think the entire truck looks factory fresh and just as good as it did when it was brand new. Very nice work by a very talented individual. Well done!

[@BLAINMORRIS-ii8tf]

Turning Turds into Roses! Awesome work.

[@kevinjohnson8758]

You do an excellent job of explaining the Idiocracy of metal manipulation. In other words keep teaching teacher .

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks Kevin!

[@glennnickerson8325]

Nice job Kyle! Every single wall tailgate I've ever done is pound the dents down and mud the backside so you can't see the script on the inside of the bed! That's why you have over 13K subscribers and I have only 4! 😆

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks Glenn! I may have to steal your time saving idea for a future project!

[@chriscurry236]

Kyle, another awesome metal working class sir!!! You, Scott and Fitzee are the metal master's!!

[@sdbougeno]

truck looks great!

[@ericargo9157]

Once again the amazing Poundini works his magic. Right on Kyle, nice job.

[@kenstevens5675]

Again you’ve taken junk and made it into something presentable. Thanks for sharing.

[@JourneymanRandy]

You did it all wrong Kyle. I would have thrown it on the road on garbage day and the garbage truck would have driven over it. Probably would have turned out better. Great work my friend. Interesting what that stud welder can do.🔧🔩⚒

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks for the tip Randy, your way definitely sounds better than my approach!

[@just4guitar558]

That Ol’ truck is gonna make one helluva nice daily driver! Awesome Fix-it series, Kyle!

[@larrykroger3100]

Looks perfect from my house !!

[@williambasinger5859]

Shrinking disc is great for those little dimples

[@archiejohnson4594]

Remarkable!

[@dcallan812]

Have you been shopping at CWM again? This looks like something Dean would have in stock.🤣🤣 Still it scrubbed up nice in the end. 👍👍

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

I don't think this tailgate will fit an Ltd!

[@dcallan812]

@@CarterAutoRestyling LOL you might be right. 👌

[@kennethstaszak9990]

My Hero! Even if the tailgate could have been bought new there is something to be said for having all original era steel. By buying all new parts you wouldn't really have an early truck.

[@glennmiller9031]

A lot of work. Good job.

[@randyburdick9022]

That repair was amazing, don’t kid yourself

[@glennp6759]

You will eventually have that truck in excellent shape from bumper to bumper. Your methods of doing then explaining how and why is very much appreciated. Not every panel is not in a catalog. Many of us don't live on the prairies where more old cars survive so your presentations are invaluable. In short you are relatable as everything we have seen you use is with in the means of many or a friend may own. It takes a lot of time and patience to put together such a strong video. All I can say is very well done.

[@francoisbouchard602]

Good.job 😄👍👍👏👏Nice job. Cool

[@smasher1956]

amazing as usual

[@erichutchins2113]

Once again you've turned rusty scrap metal into something beautiful. Thanks as always.

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks for watching!

[@hankhessig6586]

LOL I enjoy your sense of humor as well !!!

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Haha I'm glad you enjoy it!

[@jaredgray7872]

Why didn't you just... Well, I thought you might be chasing some of those dents around on that flat panel, clearly I've underestimated you. There're probably lots of ways to "grab" the video clips from your previous videos, what comes to mind is using OBS Studio. You can screen record into a file you save on your computer then bring it into your editing software and crop out what you don't need. I don't know a lot about video editing but quite a bit about computers and software in general, if I could be of any help to you Kyle, let me know

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks Jared, it's much appreciated! I found out that I can just record video clips on my screen as I watch them, like a screenshot except for videos. Probably the wrong way, but it does seem to work

[@dougtexas9075]

Great salvage job !!!!

[@slicedbread9003]

Nice pants that you were wearing during your "tailgate talk". No holes, they look good enough to go to church in, not that I am advocating, I just wanted to say that they look good. The tailgate looks pretty good too. It does have the benefit of being the original tailgate and as you pointed out, this could help out for the not so popular tailgate restorations.

[@gwstubbs7046]

I actually learned some thing today. That shrinking is something that I can't wait to try. Thank you Kyle.

[@rockypergin2216]

Sir you have skills! I wish you were working on my 34!

[@jeremys1496]

Ok that was some awesome work

[@Stephen-ou4sy]

Magical transformation

[@danbenson5912]

Yes yes and more yes, thank you.

[@johnburch6927]

Cheers for carrying the torch, of sorts. With fewer and fewer schools offering classes in the trades, it is difficult for someone starting out to get the information that you share.

[@PauloLima-bm3eo]

The master at his best 👌

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks!

[@finishnailer1]

Do a video when you try the shrinking disc again I would like to try one sometime. I like the way you explain the procedures. Thanks Man

[@jameslewry2950]

G,day young fella, very good, very informative advice. Hooroo mate.

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks James!

[@jameslewry2950]

@@CarterAutoRestyling g,day young fella, you are welcome, my young mate. Hooroo

[@DavidJones-hl5om]

Nice Body work

[@kimmat40]

Pleasant day my friend watching you work is like listening to Mozart very satisfying indeed you are blessed stay safe keep the great videos coming thanks again

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Wow I've never been compared to a genius like Mozart! Thanks!

[@Must-StanginGarage]

Amazing work bud just amazing and I still say you have the fastest hands in the business 😂 how you can see and do what you do is a knack I've never seen and I know how to work metal well I thought I knew how to work metal

[@stevenwithanS]

It looks way better than "good enough", lol. That was a mess. The reveal is gonna be cool.

[@glencouls]

I love your dead pan delivery. You are almost as funny as you are talented. You bring alot to the videos besides "I'm filing now, I'm grinding now," and we appreciate it.

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Thanks!

[@IOPOrt51]

well done, thanks

[@guillermonieri4203]

It looks great. Thank you for taking the time to explain what you doing and why. Just keep on doing it your way. Most of us are learning a lot. Thank you.