Bodywork Will be the end of me; The Perfect Subaru 2.5 RS

I dream of the day we do not have to do any more sanding... But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. we are almost done with this bodywork stuff. This was a bigger undertaking than I remember the RX-7 being. All we have left are the doors, bumpers and the hood. Getting all of the old paint, primer & Goop (Yes goop, lots of goop) off of the old panels to make this thing new again has been HOURS of work. The end result will be totally worth it.
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Paint Gun: amzn.to/3CEULSD

[@joshanderson1122]

You may be sick of body work but this kind of dedication is why so many restomods are asking 6 figures. Love the use of an RSM unequal length. Dude that smashed fingernail looks so painful

[@Smeedia]

It’s been smashed for like a month now, no pain though 😅 The Tublar RCM manifold looks siiiick and I can’t complain with some Subaru rumble either 😅

[@aregaminghd]

@@Smeedia @joshanderson1122 has a point though, if you sell this thing (lets be fr, you will probably sell it eventually), you cant just auction it off or anything, this is a special car. IMO this car is a perfect demo of the skills you've learned through all these years. i never thought you'd be this big, man!!!! you're killing it.

[@andrewharris7868]

Always great seeing Matt! Let him know he's missed!

[@Smeedia]

Oh he is aware 😅 my guy needs to get out more lol

[@andrewharris7868]

@@Smeedia maybe if we ever get out your way we'll kidn p him and take him out for a beer 🍺 lol

[@R1Armadill0]

A rare Matt sighting! Nice! You got this Tanner! We're all sanding with you! Cheers!

[@Smeedia]

We almost out of the other side of the body stuff 😅

[@nicholassmith787]

Hey, I'm new to the channel and have been binge watching this car. I just thought it let you in on some tips of the trade for painting, you have a lot of it correct. The best practice process is as follows, this is for bare steel. 1) Epoxy primer, this seals the pannels and stops moisture, getting to the steel. 2) filler/body work. Get this as close to flat as possible. Scuff all surfaces to be for next step. 3) epoxy primer again, this sandwichs and seals the body filler and bare steel. ( you got all these steps spot on) 4) 2k polyester hi-build ( give this 5-7days to cure, if you rush into sanding this, the primer will shrink and show sanding marks that were not visible. So give it plenty of cure time) 5) Blocking. This is how you get a paint job like glass. Cover the pannel with guide coat and use the longest block you can that fits the pannel. I you go through this coat you will have to apply more. Now your into paint. 6) Sealer coat ( the gray basecoat you used. 7) basecoat. 8)Clearcoat. As a tip from what it looks like to me, your clear is too thick, hence the orange peal. Also the 15 min flash time is for a controlled environment, basically you want every coat to be touch apart from clear, this should still be tacky but doesnt come off onto your finger, the best plase to test is on the masking right next to the pannel. Keep up the good work, it all becomes easy when you have a few paint jobs under your belt. Ps my 2nd paint job was the same as this.

[@swoosh8474]

We all appreciate you not giving up on this project... It's gonna be awesome, and you'll enjoy it far more than anyone else. Keep it up.

[@Smeedia]

We going all the way with it but I can only take so much sanding 😂

[@jamest5149]

If you can leave the bodywork until the spring, do anything else you can. Paint, primer and paint do not like the cold and humidity, you are potentially causing issues that can back and bite you.

[@Smeedia]

So far everything but the hood has come out well. But if we can delay it past this cold snap that would be ideal. Running through a ton of propane heating the shop 😂

[@erickther3d387]

Hopefully people now understand how hard this stuff is. Let alone why it costs what it costs to do it right! You’ve also taken advice really well when it’s all said and done you’ll be stoked

[@My.Lame.Perspective]

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Keep it up, bodywork will be done soon and is coming along great!

[@Smeedia]

We’re almost to the other side of it all 🥳

[@theinternationalhobo001]

I know bodywork sucks the life out of you but just remember, the candy at the end of the meal is always sweeter because you had to eat your brussel sprouts. One thing I'm surprised your not doing is using the hoist to hand the parts to paint them. You can run wire through the window seams and secure it with bolts through the hinges and stricker. same with the hood, it will give you more room to work and you can do both sides of the pieces at the same time, and cut down on the watching paint dry time. just a though from a guy watching you do the work.

[@Smeedia]

I almost used the house for the taillight garnished 😅 I just need a couple day break from sanding. It’s so time consuming and monotonous that I need a break from it. I could use the 2 post but I HAVE to pull the RX7 in at night until it goes away so I can’t let things hand from it for more than a couple hours

[@theinternationalhobo001]

@@Smeedia oh come on now, your a smart guy whos good with problems, watch a couple episodes of the original mcguyver to give you a spark of creativity and you will find a way.

[@lildonnie7607]

Please. Like this video and subscribe for the sheer amount of work this dude is doing DIY. Come on, who else you know that'd do this without a behind the scenes team?

[@Smeedia]

Doing everything I can to keep this thing moving quickly 😅💪

[@EverySingleSunday]

I feel your pain in the content creation side of things. When I was doing this channel full time and a couple for others I always ended to get stuff out even when it wasn’t what I wanted to be doing But, if it’s weeks of body work … then the videos are weeks of bodywork Still letting this play start to finish Excited me waiting for the next steps with the build

[@Smeedia]

Fighting with the algorithm to at least get something out does get annoying at times. But that’s part of the game. Once we’re past this part I will be so stoaked to get moving through the fun stuff

[@jamest5149]

When priming make sure you use a primer designed for bare metal for any bare areas, makes a big difference… just ask your paint supplier

[@Smeedia]

This epoxy primer is DTM, would be a nightmare to use something that’s not 😅

[@ethanmunt]

I cant wait to see this thing finished! Every one of your builds are quality😤

[@Smeedia]

I’m just looking forward to not have to sand another panel 😂

[@jtsp84]

The way you said "sanding" 🤣 My dad is an autobody guy, and I did a good bit of paint prep with him when I was younger. And that is exactly how I felt about body work. Much respect to all the body and paint guys out there! And loving this car, its gonna be great.

[@Smeedia]

Dude idk how body work guys do this every single day 😭

[@jtsp84]

@@Smeedia grit, determination and pure stubbornness to quit :).

[@C_Elias2728]

The progress is really coming along! Although the body work is consuming your motivation, the progress and the result is so worth it! It is all coming out super minty and the final result will be so worth it. Fire progress as always!

[@Smeedia]

It is definitely taking a tool on motivation. I’m just looking forward to seeing the entire car in one color 😂

[@Stevo098]

14:01 yeah i feel that, nice fresh detail lasted a month at best on my black STI 😢

[@Smeedia]

Gotta keep that quick detailed strapped 😂

[@foxunfocused]

It's a lot of work, but this car is going to be so nice. PS: IT'S MATT!

[@Smeedia]

Matt came out for a bit 😂 I severely underestimated how much work this was 😂

[@foxunfocused]

@@Smeedia Underestimating the work is why you do so many cool things, though. And it's more content! Painting in the dead of winter might not have been the best idea, but it is what it is 😆

[@Smeedia]

@@foxunfocusedprobably not my smartest choice 😂

[@abelsgarage]

Bro I have a 24 wrx and I thought I was losing my mind with the clutch this video has saved my sanity

[@Smeedia]

Worth the mod to do 🔥

[@travisquire3386]

You can also remove the Spring, Plunger, and Regulator with the pin holes in it and reinstall the OEM bolt with o ring. It’s the same thing but you need to bleed the slave good to get the air out.

[@dandiaz4052]

WOOOOOOO!!! Progress is progress brother! One step at a time no matter how small!

[@kimthomsen1109]

Hang in there Tanner Mate you can do it the end is so close💥salute to you

[@Smeedia]

We taking a couple day break from sanding. Body work will come to an end soon. I can see the finish line 😂

[@FernandoJQuevedo]

Mat!!! His alive !!! I do miss videos with the both of you!

[@Smeedia]

Sameeee it gets lonely without my dude 😅

[@FernandoJQuevedo]

@ the 22B deserves a holy prayer like you did with Matt a while ago with Karma! I think only OG followers will know what I’m talking about as well as a re-drop to the prayer merch !! Idk 🤷 I’m just spitting ideas hahahaha

[@DiggerDevil]

Man needs 2 projects. Basically hizzy fitting because hes bored 😂 love it. Your diet may be stiffing you here. Bodywork is an athletes job so eat like one. Nothing in life worth having is easy. Get it done. For the glory 🎉 Hurahh. You cant build rome in a day.

[@Smeedia]

You not wrong 😂 it’s doing the exact same thing every day that’s getting to me 😂

[@MGA_83]

Yay! I can't wait for the next sanding video! 😅 All jokes aside, it'll be worth all the blood, sweat, and tears. Don't let it break you!

[@Smeedia]

We taking a couple day break from sanding. I can’t keep sanding every single day 😂

[@MGA_83]

@Smeedia You definitely deserve a break from it! She looks amazing with the bumpers on!

[@SwaydOUT]

Good stuff man! Pumped to see the rest of the build

[@Smeedia]

Panel by panel we getting through this 😂

[@wimmj6952]

Glad i bumpered into this video. Its clearcoat its coming along great. Yeah im low on bad puns this week.

[@Smeedia]

Still a good pun 😂

[@HeidiFegles]

The unequal length headers sound good but also I feel they spool better I know flat irons did some testing and basically as long as it’s a 4:1 collector it’s a good header .

[@Smeedia]

It is a 4:1 tubular header. It honestly looks pretty good and can’t complain with some rumble either 🎉

[@da9pauly]

Body work is really trying but as you know when you do it right it’s worth the effort!! Good progress!!!

[@thain94]

You can do it brother!

[@Smeedia]

Taking a couple day break from sanding 😂

[@professorlife1619]

I bet after this resto, it will be a while before you want to touch body again! That sounds a lol twisted 🤣keep up with the amazing work

[@Smeedia]

I refuse to sand another body panel for a year after this thing 😂

[@professorlife1619]

@ 🤣I bet! We will see for the next year if that holds true😜

[@justinbellante685]

it’s been so satisfying following along on this build. keep it up it’s looking 🔥

[@Smeedia]

Almost through the poopy part 🙆‍♂️

[@hatefunwrx]

Loving the progress man

[@Smeedia]

One panel at a time it’s getting there 😅

[@chrislancaster6986]

This is gonna be so cool. Really stoked for you man! Keep it up

[@Smeedia]

We’re almost out of the woods with the body work 🎉

[@chrislancaster6986]

@@Smeediathat is the ticket dude! Really excited to see all the mechanical get done. That engine is gonna be rad

[@braxton.p.s]

Truly dedicated! This thing is looking great can’t wait to see the finished product. Keep it up my man🔥

[@Smeedia]

It’s coming out sweet, final stretch for this body stuff. Then we can get to the fun part 🙌

[@braxton.p.s]

@@Smeediacan not wait 🙏

[@markthomas155]

Tanner you are doing awesome, it takes time but it will really be worth it in the end.

[@inactivemogul403]

You think Heavy Metal WRX knows about that clutch cap thing? Your boy had me rollin with the " I looked at it wrong , I got to buff it now" 🤣🤣✌ Keep up the body work!!!!!! art.

[@andrewharris7868]

Digging the beats 3:28

[@Smeedia]

Finding decent music now is so hard to do 😅

[@andrewharris7868]

@Smeedia good music that isn't copy written? 😆

[@DavidSmith-mf8ik]

don't give up keep going

[@Smeedia]

Oh we ain’t stopping. Just taking a break from sanding 😂

[@dennissterner3350]

Looking great

[@Smeedia]

She getting closer and closer 🎉

[@MatlasDI]

GGs friends. - If you have a VB, do the delay valve delete. Omg it's so much better now 😆 I knew something felt funky. 😅

[@Smeedia]

Is it actually THAT much better? 🙆‍♂️

[@MatlasDI]

@Smeedia yaaaas 🤙🤙 before was like the clutch was on beginner mode lol

[@cjhouse8666]

Hellyeah more Matt!

[@Smeedia]

He’s coming out again 😅🎉

[@DonSlahern]

More bodywork!!!!! LETSSSS GOOOOOOOO

[@Smeedia]

Alll the body work 😂

[@sabastiandale7279]

keep it up man! your doing amazing!

[@Smeedia]

We taking a break from body work for a couple days. I gotta do quite literally anything else 😂

[@spaceonix_5882]

All that sanding Marek would be proud.

[@Smeedia]

😂😂😂

[@chuckcribbs3398]

The epic build continues!!!! You need to sell some t-shirts with the final build on them! Do it!

[@Smeedia]

Panel by panel this thing gets closer. 💪

[@iamjezuzchrist]

Yeah, man, that car is looking good!!!!

[@Smeedia]

I just wanna be past this body work 😅😂

[@iamjezuzchrist]

@Smeedia Those hands need a vacation 🤣 great job and in the words of rob dickinson "everything is important."

[@gerryguzman5983]

Man, Can't wait.... Keep killing it

[@Smeedia]

This body work stuff is killing me, cannot wait until it’s all finally done. 💀

[@Thechaoscrusadors]

Awesome as always!! Body work takes the longest. Please dont go for perfection and opt to sell the car again 😅. RANDOM UPDATE!!! i have corrected my schedule to do car stuff weekly. I also have most of the drivetrain for my 4wd swap. Now i can measure and mock parts up so i can measure driveshafts and axles

[@Smeedia]

Who are you having do the axles and shafts? 👀

[@Thechaoscrusadors]

@@Smeedia i have a buddy who makes driveshafts and i have no idea where to start for axles 😅 just kinda gonna adjust and adapt whatever till it works

[@elie.k93]

Making a 22b clone is fun they siad 🥲

[@Smeedia]

All of it’s fun but the sanding 😂

[@Telesko]

like button for UEL

[@Smeedia]

I knew there would be UEL lovers lol

[@pwnzama9403]

Matt jumped on discord last night talking about that dumb valve. Idk why subaru would do that. GC is gonna be so sick once you put wheels on that body

[@Smeedia]

Matt doesn’t in?! lol I am looking forward to your sanding adventures with your future One 😂

[@pwnzama9403]

@Smeedia i do a lot of sanding making carbon parts so I'm ready for it lol

[@pwnzama9403]

@@Smeedia the hunt for gcs still continues

[@scottphillips364]

Wooo! Hi Matt!

[@Smeedia]

🎉🎉🎉

[@AmirPomen]

Definately worthall the time spent on properly soing the bodywork...

[@Smeedia]

I dream of the day I do not have to sand anymore 😂

[@AmirPomen]

@Smeedia i believe that day will come soon... Keep on "bicepting" work 👏👏

[@themiraimage]

You can install the airbag delete with the dash installed pretty easily.... i did it with mine in about 30 min

[@TGPerformancefa20]

Seeing the fa24 is nice lol, can’t wait to finish my Va fa24 swap

[@Smeedia]

That will be a sweet swap 🔥

[@kazitahzid6558]

I remember you saying you aren't gonna go balls out on the 2.5 RS unlike the FD. How the turntables. 😂 Love your dedication to automotives, Tanner!

[@Smeedia]

Oh how the shoe is on the other table now 😂 I ain’t doing this ever again 😂

[@YourHobbyDad]

@@Smeediawe’ll see about this in next project 😂

[@followtheornghat]

On Mon-Friday we Sand to get Swole, if you don't get Swole, the project doesn't get done 🤣🤣 it's looking great brother 🔥💪

[@followtheornghat]

Oh damn... I'm purple now 😂

[@omialmanza1900]

It looks awesome!

[@Smeedia]

It’s getting there. Fighting the cold 😂

[@alexandernichols3774]

12:10 it's mofukkn matt!

[@Smeedia]

He lived again!🎉

[@alexandernichols3774]

@Smeedia I think alot of the viewers miss him and you saying stop cussing 😂

[@alexandernichols3774]

@@Smeedia he is like the keebler elves

[@howdyags5149]

Matt!"🎉🎉

[@Smeedia]

He has come out again!

[@shiloh5199]

Matt!!

[@Smeedia]

He lives again 🙌

[@da9pauly]

Matt !!! Nice WRX!!

[@iamchrisdammit]

4:47 clay bar the hood And yeah man body work sucks ass. Definitely un motivational. Think about that when choosing an FC. Try to find one with no body work. Maybe around desert area you know. Places it don’t snow. Either way it’s a huge W man. It has to get done either way it goes so it’s big progress. Also, RCM oil pump and I think you’re only saying no customer manifold because of doing body work. That’s the un motivational part speaking lol. We gotta make a manifold for it. By default

[@iamchrisdammit]

What are you doing reading? That’s not looking up flanges, straights, 90s and 45s. Maybe some cutting wheels if you’re out. 😂

[@Smeedia]

It just needs re sprayed, the lines in it look like they’re under the clear 😩 I won’t be doing a full body resto again for a little while 😂

[@TeamCupNoodles-nn9og]

You know as soon as you're done with this car, you're gonna jump into another one 🤣

[@Smeedia]

As long as it’s NOT a full resto I’m fine with it lmao

[@steeveamedee5021]

😂sand sand mr sandman make up a dream ❤🎉

[@Smeedia]

He haunts me dreams 😭

[@kevind_53]

Hey Mat is here🫡 Waiting game 🚗💥💨🔥

[@Smeedia]

Matt lives! Painting in the winter without a booth was not a smart move 😂

[@kevind_53]

@Smeedia haven't hurd from him in a while! You do your best with what you have. You will be able to call it a whole winter project for sure! Best part is you will be able to enjoy it this summer🥳🤩

[@SamuelJayDixon]

Ooo rcm headers👀 you’ll love them, you should try rcm team ice back box it sounds amazing

[@Teovega369]

Yessss the outro🎉

[@scoobysean555]

My man 👊

[@Smeedia]

🙏🙏🙏

[@ashin7718]

“I looked at it wrong, I gotta buff it now” ROFL

[@Smeedia]

It’s too true 😂

[@pitbullhaven]

Holy crap is this on the 2021 STI as well? I know my clutch feels so odd compared to what I'm use to. That is very annoying.

[@Smeedia]

It does fit the STIs too 👀

[@cslammon]

Matt!

[@Smeedia]

He lives!

[@AKGWolf]

how is mochi? love the progress!

[@Smeedia]

She’s doing good now! No more emergency vet trips 🎉

[@HeidiFegles]

Those wierd spots on the fiber glass was static electricity super hard to get rid of on fiber glass parts

[@Smeedia]

How do you get right if that?!

[@HeidiFegles]

@ IV seen the stat gun they call it that most shops use, or they make anti static cloth rags to wipe them down with although I feel the stat gun is probably the best option, maybe insulate it from the stand, IV struggled with it before and with how much moisture we have in the air which helps the static factor, the anti static rag was a cheap option that helped me, also ensured all the parts were clean cus I wiped them down with the rag 1 more time in the process but it should help.

[@uknterror508]

I want to show customers this when we give them a quote to do a full body spray on their car and get mad when I tell them its over 10k. Its not quite the same but the amount of work isnt far off, imagine if you tried to repair the damage on the left quarter

[@Butterfingerme]

The light end of the at the tunnel

[@Smeedia]

I can almost taste ittttt

[@Butterfingerme]

@@Smeedia it looks so good dude, definitely go down as one of the best subies ever built

[@EverySingleSunday]

Doo it 👍

[@Smeedia]

🫡🫡🫡

[@jacobstephens8447]

Yo it's mat!!!!

[@Spec-cnik]

Mattius 🙌🏾

[@jonathanheye2370]

You should look at Kaizen headlights

[@mranderson3927]

The hard yards...

[@Smeedia]

The home stretch 💪

[@teeestime6202]

Great content!!! Evertime I'm watching your vids I say he's building my car. I have a caged 95 impreza on the back burner due to house. Keep up the great work and when you get to the dry sump can you test fit some equal length header to see if its possible?

[@mattc6769]

What wheels you goin to put on .cos they've got to gold..

[@Smeedia]

I’m not 100% certain yet. I want a set of 17s 😅

[@christopherthompson9642]

I wanna buy you IR lamps to help with curing. 👀

[@DJ_Driven]

Sanding sucks Milwaukee tools has a new body shop, sander, and vacuum system that should be released soon. You might wanna check it out for future projects.

[@NickBEADG]

That's funny I was just checking out the Perrin delete glorified expensive oil drain plug. I guess my 13 Impreza can't utilize them?

[@Smeedia]

Any Mt Subaru I believe should be able to use them 👀

[@NickBEADG]

@ Perrin told me no on facebook, so I looked at it and there's no valve on mine. Mine is insanely rusty though.

[@DavidSmith-mf8ik]

22.r 1of 1 make it your own

[@Smeedia]

She definitely 1 of 1 at this point 😅

[@Borp56]

Video 900 of asking about the purple hoodie

[@thomasgalvin9385]

How much when your done?

[@steeveamedee5021]

❤❤❤❤

[@fastdefender2150]

I have a quick question since you are the subaru master, my subaru a non turbo 2.5L keeps overheating and losing coolant like I have to reburp it/ refill it every week, does this mean my head gasket is blown or is there something going on with the coolant system itself? Sometimes it leaks a lot of coolant and sometimes it leaks barely any but I still lose coolant?

[@Smeedia]

Does the coolant leak externally or internally? Any white smoke out of the exhaust?

[@fastdefender2150]

@ it’s hard to tell in the winter here in the Midwest but I’ve seen puddles under the car multiple times but there’s no bubbles or bursts of pressure that come up through the radiator

[@Evergreenprospectors]

Did the rx7 sell for what you wanted?

[@Smeedia]

2K under my reserve so I can’t be too mad about that

[@tw1st3dw1ll7]

So you're saying body work is like watching paint dry?

[@Smeedia]

Quite literally 😂

[@nalekamaoo7807]

Hey I live in Puyallup and my Subaru 2.5 has blow by do you know of any shops that do rebuilds for a decent price. Or would I be better getting a whole new engine and doing an engine swap

[@thomasgalvin9385]

Matt needs to get back on youtube

[@morganhonnock5688]

Hurts to see the underneath of the car get all that primer overspray 😢

[@stefanvanbraam4378]

Your sprite is getting buffer just from surviving…

[@Smeedia]

It’s growing day by day. 😩👩‍✈️

[@bk3540]

Matts car reminds me of the stupid hill assist on the VA, THE WORST!

[@tommanning7337]

😎👍🏻👍🏻

[@meffffy]

All this primer makes me like nardo gray lol

[@n8scooby57]

Bro You know for the amount of work you have put in this car You can never sell it ! Otherwise at 1000k would unsub ! 😅