I Bought a Totaled Skyline GT-R 3 Years ago & Here's how it's going.

I gotta say. Ive impressed myself with this one. Let's finish it off strong!
Follow me on Instagram: @kalvin_malli
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[@KalvinMalli]

I gotta say, the GTR is coming out insane! Looking forward to seeing it come together! Happy Monday!

[@MrHianga]

Still the best and only indepth restoration of a JDM gem, I'm here for it, supporting you from New Zealand

[@simonrushen2484]

It's crazy how far you and the R have come keep pushing bro you gota hit that dead line keep using it as motivation bro can't wait for its completion

[@christopher88719]

I would not take it to a body shop, too much of a risk of them ruining it. You are very detail oriented so if the body shop isn't it will bother you forever.

[@dizzyike7986]

I’ve learned over the years as a tech, shop owner etc… you are usually the best mechanic around. If you want it right, do it yourself and hold yourself to a high standard. You’ll never go wrong. Don’t take it to any body shop lol.

[@larrylampshade1734]

Unless you suck

[@Skooby59]

Seeing you stoked and energized warms my heart man. Your determination and persistence is truly inspirational. Stoked to see how all of the cars come along!

[@KalvinMalli]

I appreciate that!

[@dante_fx]

The best part about this SAD TRAGEDY is that you are now the best mechanic you can ever have 😂 Been here a while, but still have nostalgia for the Black S14 RB30 build. Sad that it went the way it did. Looking forward to seeing the GTR complete. You deserve it ❤

[@ronniehuerta4582]

Most KZbinrs slap on a body kit and some wheels and call it a build! You have literally built your GT-R!

[@KalvinMalli]

Haha I’m not in any competition dude. Just building my car and hope to help others out there that want theirs restored as well!🙏🏽

[@ronniehuerta4582]

@@KalvinMalli I know, and that to me, is what separates you from them!

[@elborikua951]

exactly! Someone orders spacers, wheels, tires, random led bulbs and slap it on, and will inundate the internet with pictures of the “build”. Kalvin is ACTUALLY building this GT-R.

[@Mart77]

Most of car-content youtubers are just running after "beating the algorithm" and get most views possible. They dont really care about build quality, they just build shit that looks good from 20ft away. They are just content creators. For example take a closer look at trucks from SEMA, all of them have shiny paint, tons of chrome and rgb leds everywhere. But overall welds and build quality is like 4/10

[@reidonz5848]

Killing it bud! Personally i think u have come so far alone that u wouldnt get the same satisfaction outworking it to a body shop. I would just drill and plug weld it if i were u. U know what u doin!

[@KalvinMalli]

Fair call.

[@jerrellrice3413]

I wouldn't get hung up on the whole "doing it the right way" thing when it comes to the pinch/spot welder. Welding is welding. What getsc that OEM is consistency and precision. You can buy a kit(Eastwood for example) that gives a tip for your welder that sets the perfect distance every time and locking pliers that work with tip. The rest is typical welder setting which you're a pro at now. You can knock those quarters out yourself. Don't look at it as a lesser method because it definitely isn't. You got this.

[@mattw4662]

A resistance spot welder is what you are describing, the ones that can do the entire 1/4 panel with changeable welding arms are about $40,000. You would be better off just plug welding it on and making sure after the car is painted that you spray every cavity and seam with a cavity wax with a 360 extension wand so all the seams don’t rust again like you have seen before

[@langstedtsautomotivecare8791]

Currently watching the video on and off but mainly listening to you talk while I wrench on my Mercedes CLK... Good chill times. So nice to finally see all your work come together!

[@Turbo_Tractors]

After 3 long years I finally rediscovered this channel.

[@_dennis_7]

I have been watching since the zupra days, and from the day that you got this GTR, i have seen you disappointed to not posting a single video for months. I have seen it all, now that i look at you i can see how much you have grown in skill, there was once a time in some videos you looked tired, over worked and from there to here was a long long journey. Your hard work and dedication to not give has played a big role in your development and i can see a very skilled person when i see your work now, i can see the growth. So happy for you and this build & Thanks for not giving up. Peace...

[@802Garage]

The car doesn't have to be 100% perfect to be fantastic. Not like you're planning to sell it. Every part has a story. Looking amazing.

[@Jay_emm]

hope you’re covering the other cars in the shop from the overspray… love that the end is near for the gtr repairs, been a long time coming

[@KalvinMalli]

Of course🤝🏽

[@clarenceperkins3115]

It is been awesome seeing this progress over three years! Outstanding work man!

[@zerohourdrift]

This thing is looking so damn good homie! The last stretch of the resto is here, then the build can begin! Gonna be the nicest damn skyline on the planet🤘

[@LuckyFruitRacing]

The idea of spot-welding as per factory is quick, minimum heat, solid fusion. My 2 cents would be that because you have basically rebuilt the chassis from the ground up, theres no added value in factory style spot welding aside from aesthetics. However a linished plug weld would be a step above a tidy circular divot anyway. Also, it's possible to get spot welding kits for use with TIG which will reproduce the same effect and appearance of factory spot welds

[@MultiXMeGa]

You're one of a kind kalv. Like most of the comments are saying, you are the best mechanic around and do it yourself. Feel like their standards aren't gonna meet yours.

[@NathanAMG]

Seeing this makes me happy 💜

[@Tigersmundo]

*You got it brother, good mojo on your progress, and when the time comes to sale remember the personal sacrifices you made and be rewarded properly. Team Kalvin Mali!!!!*

[@JohnAlexanderramboparyjrthe3rd]

Every few months this guys videos pop up on my feed and although I’m not into this whole car builders community I want nothing more than for him to finish this build and have a 100% finished GTR . I literally feel the weight of it on my shoulders and it’s brining me down .

[@1carlsworth]

Your work has come such a long way. Literally can't tell there's repairs and that is awesome Love this

[@VS98111]

Can’t wait to see it finished!

[@ExploreJimnyDK]

wish i could bring my Suzuki Samurai Tintop, so you can do rust repair on it!!

[@685trucker]

Been watching your vids for a while. Even went out and bought my own mig welder, did my own rust. Thanks for the motivation.

[@saaamyk]

Great great work Kalvin, you're smashing it, keep up the awesomeness

[@antonmvm]

Clean work man!!

[@alexwilson9776]

Incredible work it’s like a piece of art. Well done

[@Phinsterwilla]

Love the progress so far, man!!

[@Alissontw]

so happy to see the progress man. been folowing since you bought the car. its gonna turn out amazing !

[@Hakiri27]

stunning work

[@lightvideovideo]

great news man! lets go

[@EnvyyMate]

Always nice to sit down after a long day and grub down while watchin' some Kalvin vids. GT-R looks amazing my friend, keep hustlin'! Much love from Cali.

[@CowboyProtectionUnit]

So Happy To see Ya BACK Enthusiastic About The GTR Brother!!! Keep Up The Hard Work! LOVE the build!

[@walterharris6191]

ProSpot is probably what you're looking for, that's what we use. You'll need the proper amount of power/ air and they aren't cheap but easy to use and professional quality. Worth the investment if you're going down that route

[@shawnhedin510]

Keep up all the hard work!

[@KalvinMalli]

Always!

[@bustersgarage]

Quality is to a Maximum! Love the progress and the refinement man!!

[@GiannisZax]

This has sure taken a really long time, but it's finally starting to take shape. Honestly it looks like it's going to be the most immaculate R32 out there...

[@centralcoaster33]

I loose track of time, been watching since the giveaway 240. It's been this years? I should say Thanks for so much and keep it coming!

[@Rwdsach]

The build is coming together💯, cheers from Canada 🇨🇦🍻

[@Folkert123]

Damnit man I am so jealous haha, you will be able to sleep so well that your GTR doesn't have any rust anywhere haha Great job! lots of respect!

[@P2DAPIPE]

Great vid the progress is amazing

[@HondaSpotClassics]

Hey brother Bryant from ig. Loving how the 32 is coming out brother ! Keep up the great work ! Almost done ! Closer than before stay positive!

[@Deeraan]

Loving the progress. This is my favourite project on KZbin. Keep up the awesome work bro!

[@KalvinMalli]

Appreciate that🤝🏽

[@commentmancommentman1658]

"Rust is to a minimal" no more!❤

[@Quanteck]

Been watching since you got the car, the progress is insane and the dedication is even crazier! Keep on trucking dude it's actually inspiring!

[@KalvinMalli]

Appreciate it!!

[@XLoad3d]

Awesome news your reinforcing the body Since you got it stripped down it's right the best time to do it. Reminds me Of the Mustang fox body and reinforcing the rails they sell.They sell like a reinforcement kit That gets right well did on to the frame rail. I'm still voting for the stroker kit for the r b though. Can't wait for the Engine build.

[@Treads_Media]

Haven’t followed since the beginning, but man great job!!!!! Keep it up.

[@Mart77]

Every young car guy buying their first car should see your videos. If car has "minor rust" on the outside it's usually bad, like really bad. I've been there when i was looking for my first sport car. Car looked solid when i bought it in the dark... reality was that absolutely everything was rusted out. Biggest financial mistake i have ever made. Also tell me, do all the video views pay for your build or how much of your own savings have you put into it?

[@Nbomber]

my experience buying an rx8. it was orange underneath and black on top. lol. The guy had new sills welded on and repainted, but the paint had orange peel, which i could have wet sanded out. and was planning to. but after it sat on my drive for a while and i got to thinking about it, i started to think "i wonder if they repaired the structural inner sill layers?" Having had a mazda 5 sport from the same year, it dawned on me that the rx8 was almost certainly a complete basket case death trap. so i got rid of it. The signs were all there, i just didnt pay attention to them. It also had very low compression on the engine too, so it was shot. £500 to buy it, £1200 for just the seal kit. lmao.

[@williamcricket7931]

You're a 100% certified Skyline GT-R technician at this point.

[@Deg8666]

Heck yes dude! Exciting!

[@Brody_Huss]

Seeing the primer go on is so satisfying

[@jeffneely1990]

This is the most craziest part... He's gonna be the only one in history with a mint GTR body wise

[@0MartyMcFly]

Kalvin 'you know what I mean' Malli. Keep up the good work brother. Enjoing the process.

[@mrgcc]

Such amazing work mate, nice little shoutout to Steve too, I am not sure if you have seen the build hes doing on my brothers R33, you should seriously fly over one day to come visit and I would more than happily arrange some good GTR stuff for us to get up to haha.

[@SavageInstinct1180]

As an oldddd fan,respectfully bro the hype is insane right now. She looks mintttttt brother. What an accomplishment though,not only just the car side of it but just the commitment to something is just incredible to be here the whole time and see the work finally paying off dude.

[@fvkaciv]

ive been trying to keep up with your vids, especially the r32, but i couldn’t find you and i realized i was subbed, finally subbed this car coming out super nice

[@KalvinMalli]

Thanks for the sub! And thanks for the kind words. 🤝🏽

[@santiagoestevez623]

Don't forget the sound insulation on the panels so it's as nice to drive as is to look

[@Shoota211177]

Awesome stuff mate! Don’t worry about spot welding it. Plug welds all day. Grind them back to perfectly smooth and it will look better than factory. That’s what you’re chasing isn’t it?? Keep it up!

[@freechagosislandjohnpilger]

cars looking good, your looking much better, learning. building, great project, moving along just fine, no shop ,better you, content/learning ,epoxy the best

[@ashleytempleman5242]

This is crazy! Love these vids! Keep it up bro 🔥🔥🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@KalvinMalli]

More to come!

[@claudioandres6252]

Looking good bro, keep up the great work 😎👍🏻

[@KalvinMalli]

Thanks, will do!😎

[@robertmercer5759]

Kevin long time sub here, man you have involved tremendously, a man your age taking on such a project I can imagine where you will be in 10 years if the government don't fuck it up like they doing California where it's getting harder to build cars

[@jessitzhaki7501]

Seen guys add stich welds for chassis rigidity. In my line of work, I see guys use the spot welders all the time im sure you won't have an issue getting the machine in those crazy spots.

[@doug774]

Kalvin is the goat

[@Bigjoestone]

You look pretty tired man, I hope you're looking after yourself. It's some very impressive work you're doing, love how it's coming along 👍

[@jacobharding2880]

Broski if u end up back in Texas I got to meet u and see this beast ur killing it 💪

[@KalvinMalli]

👀

[@TokyoFN1]

Keep it up

[@deucetres23]

W update

[@NeoAndersonReloaded]

The car better ur skills. Dont let it fool you!

[@marceldewit8159]

I honestly would say just plugweld it yourself. If you really care about those spot-weld marks in the trunk area just skim a really light coat of filler and use the back of a 8mm drill bit...LOL

[@ryandonoghue1703]

KAL. Good work man

[@KalvinMalli]

Much appreciated!

[@isaachollmann4145]

I would call around to some local body shops and see if you could rent a spot welder, or trailer the car and use the welder in the shop for a day

[@Mldavis1214]

Crazy is that some people have talked so much crap about this restoration like muscle car guys don’t do the same thing all the time

[@caseyscott6009]

I bought your RB20 McKinney mounts way back and now they’re in my S13 wagon and I’m fucking hyped on what you’re doing. I feel the want for the best, but honestly look at yourself. Youre basically a Nissan factory in your garage. Whatever you decide, keep doing what you’re doing! Much love -@dudewiththedatsun

[@CarbageRacing]

If plug welds are good enough for the master SRAuto then I think that's your answer. The harbor freight one works fine and could get a large majority of the welds and you could plug the rest. Don't bring it somewhere else. Also as others have mentioned a spot welder that can get all the tricky spots is big money not worth the investment.

[@antonmvm]

Man I personally would have gave the whole bare metal chassis, like you had, to a rust removal bath and after that e coat bath. and after that you could spray epoxy primer like you did now.. the e-coat bath is good because it gets all the coat in every single little spot between two metal parts .. now you could have bare metal in spots where you could not reach with the spray gun... but its still very very good like you did obv.

[@Pezzbrah]

Love this build and everything you do, been following since the start. Just wondering tho… how does the shop go for overspray when you are painting with other cars nearby? Also, does every piece you add to the frame rail get the primer on the inside? I’ve always wondered but when you deleted the drain holes I though about it especially… just wondering if it needs the holes to vent moisture.

[@twinturbo1989]

great stuff, Kalvin. I would plug weld them as I do not really see the benefit of the spot weld with logistics and no real benefit at the end. If I were you I would plug it, cleanup and skip the whole hassle of freight and/ or buying a spot welder. My grandfather used to have a spot welder and was passed down, honestly - I haven't really used it on a car...

[@zehlersan]

Let's see that Atoto headunit review I'm thinking bout getting that brand myself. They change products so much it's hard to tell which one is the most up to date version

[@KalvinMalli]

Coming soon!

[@deceptigrom_8946]

You heading to florida, i remember you saying that was a option awhile back

[@Dehqo]

Ask Brian of the Jimmy Oakes crew. He got a spotwelder. Can remember a video of a civic he welded with that.

[@kdee3492]

There's no similar feeling to when you finally see things coming together and collect the fruits of your hard work. I heard you are taking this one to SEMA, you know. By the way, do SR autobodies have a KZbin channel?

[@oxidelive]

rust to a minimal truly😂good job man keep it up✌

[@collarbonecam]

If you have a way to source a professional spot welder and get a good lesson on how to use it I would love to use it for the visible areas of the car. But as you mentioned there’s some spots that can be hard to reach. The factory likely uses subassembly’s of panels spot welded together with simpler machines, and then has the big expensive ones with complex arms for getting into weird spots to actually turn big sections into a chassis. I was looking over my 240z and you can actually work backward from the layers and see what they did in chunks vs what was individually welded onto the car. I’m doing plug welds on mine, I can’t afford a serious machine that I can only really use in the most accessible areas. Whichever way I would go I would still be just as paranoid about my work as I am right now lol

[@slvrbakslpz4690]

Good work. I definitely like that u epoxy behind the panels. Is that your only paint gun. The small pattern is gonna take you forever to spray the entire car when that time comes lol I can donate you a gun if you're need

[@smilesperhour1853]

commenting for the algo brotha.

[@bluetwirk300zx]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@MajorFactor]

🍿🔥🍿🔥🍿🔥

[@Akiss]

Wow, in my mind you're "almost done" since you're starting to primer. Is one coat of that 2k Primer enough to completely seal the metal though? Personally I'd rather weld it myself than taking it to the shop, because you never know how happy you'll be with the job.

[@isaachollmann4145]

Ideally though, I think you should invest in yourself and buy the $2500 Italian spot welder

[@Nateyans]

Curious are you keeping track of how you spent so far in all?

[@elborikua951]

For those panels, would you also spray sealer over the primer before welding? Asking because I believe primer is porous and it would drive me insane thinking of rust creeping back up after all that work. I have ZERO experience doing this type of work. Getting started on a restoration myself.

[@AlvarezAdrian1]

Epoxy primer is waterproof and seals the metal

[@elborikua951]

Thank you!

[@chrismontgomery885]

Determination.

[@andrewsimmons3344]

Why not use 3m epoxy and rivets like the new cars? It’s no major heat, it bonds better and is stronger overall. Have a brother that works in body shops and showed me the strength of the new age of epoxy bonding and it’s unreal. Definitely recommend that over spot welding.

[@haifai3916]

I second this. I have a new BRZ and after reading the body repair manual, I was shocked how many panels are just attached with some kind of adhesive. Zero welds! I also have a friend who worked for Dupont and 3M, and he told me the same thing before I bought my car. Modern adhesives for manufacturing are insane.

[@PubliqueEnemy]

maybe a stupid question, but can you not rent the welder you need from somewhere?

[@itsreallytheo]

Get the machine measure twice weld once

[@Nimbus.]

🌤

[@ry996]

Shout out Larry June

[@Gabrieuuu]

take a look at PrizzaMike restorations, he's done a full restoration on his t-boned s13