Smokey & The Bandit TransAm Ep.11 Bondo Hunting

#snowmanspeedshop #firebirdcentral #twinstickgarage
Ever since I found that pile of bondo behind the rear right lower quarter, I’ve been wanting to cut that out of there and today was the day. However, whenever you go hunting for bondo, you usually find more than you bargained for. In this case it was way worse than I was expecting but all is good, since Firebird Central sell premade panels that weld right into place and I’ve got a friend who’s a master welder so we’ll get it fixed up. I also open the mail and take Snowman for a little snort … enjoy!
Hope you enjoy the video and thanks for all the comments, suggestions, and support!
Keep in mind, I know a little about a lot but not an expert in anything … just doing the best I can, learning as I go ... I do all my own stunts
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[@TwinStix]

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[@malbers35]

Just order a full quarter ...that whole quarter is toast.

[@Hard_Right]

less welding to put a quarter on it !!

[@howardhendrickson2933]

I'd say get quarter panels for both sides, be less hassel than trying to build small pieces to patch it up

[@jeffbear5317]

Less body work at this point to just do full quarters. Going to be a lot of block sanding to get those things straightened out after patching them

[@Mr_Springy]

Replacement quarter panels make more sense and will give you time to focus on other aspects of your various projects 👍🏻

[@Fanisfanny]

Fr

[@bjkemp4295]

When looking at old cars, CARRY A MAGNET!

[@mbritton1984]

Doing the entire quarter panel is actually quicker and easier. You are doing a great job!

[@Hard_Right]

100%

[@glenndoherty6864]

Order 2 quarter panels, trunk floor extensions and inner Wheelhouses.

[@areyouavinalaughisheavinal5328]

You mean build a whole new shell? Haha

[@ricksmith4736]

@@areyouavinalaughisheavinal5328 Yeah HAHA....

[@Hard_Right]

@@areyouavinalaughisheavinal5328it needs it

[@BeagleFanatic1]

Mark you walked into the bane of all old car owners/restorers. Rust hidden by Bondo. I cannot tell you how many times that I looked at a car and decided to walk away without buying because I located oceans of Bondo trying to hide the cancer. You are on the right track though with cutting out the rust and replacing with good metal. Your patch panels will require some amount of massaging to fit properly (they all do) and yes a skim coat of Bondo to finish them off. But your body filler should never be more than 1/8" thick. Good luck and please keep the videos coming, they are the first thing I look for every Thursday morning.

[@stovebolt448]

Mark rebuild the car the way you want, if you want the license plate up higher, do it yep it's more work, different bumper but your going to be a lot happier. Lots of memories right where you found the mouse nest, on our 56 chevy I found wadded up newspaper they had used for the base of the bondo, good stuff.............😁Remember Mark back in the day they didn't have replacement panels so bondo was the stuff to use, but now you can replace bad steel with new, build it the right way, and build it the way YOU want.🙂

[@TCB-1]

As more of an auto restorer than a semi truck guy, once I saw that rear passenger fender rust, I knew you’d be finding more. A lot more.

[@jeffbear5317]

I bet the fenders and doors are full of bondo also

[@Josephboley81211]

Good morning all you amazing, awesome, and gorgeous people. Hope you have an amazing day ✌️👍🙏🙏

[@markfisher5335]

Can't beat the sound of a jake thru straight pipes 👌....damn I miss it !

[@conwayconway2177]

Nice .. ending credits c'mon wooooooo 🤘.... awesome awesome gifts ...thanks Twinsticks Garage Family ✝️❤️🇨🇦✝️💙🇺🇸

[@Paul-ov6kd]

Mark as i have previously stated send it away for soda blasting, some blaster are using walnut shells, or send it for chemical dipping which will strip to bare metal then you can address any metal issue - i can assure you you will find more especially around the cill area, i would remove the outer cill skin on both sides and you will be surprised what you find probably what we call a tea bag full of holes Cheers Paul from the UK.

[@Hard_Right]

sill, not cill

[@meganallensmithjr2670]

Good morning Twinsticks "Mark" Your fleet is looking great Happy Thursday!!! She Needs Dual Glasspacks!!!

[@theycallmefranco]

I just watching Smokey and the Bandit again and noticed there looks to be a Day Cab version of the Bandit truck. During the convoy when bandit is in the middle being hidden the truck is right behind him. Also look at the Blue color scheme of the last truck shown in the convoy when Cledus passes them all. Its nice. Dark blue with light blue stripes.

[@donaldoyler2092]

It needs to be called a Trash Am

[@banzaii6285]

Behind both front wheels too, can't believe the trunk is solid above the frame rails. Had a 6 Yr old '75 in HS, run in the upstate NY snow and salt, they rotted quickly. Wish I still had that car🙂

[@majobis]

I agree with other commenters, order up full quarters both sides & inner filler panels. It will be faster, easier, less body filler work. Oh and get a plug cutter to aid in cutting out the plug welds. Just be sure to put in rust preventer in the inner panels before sealing it up. Keep up the good work on it.

[@troypatton7290]

national parts depot has every panel you need, id put complete quarters on it mark, it will look much better

[@marysoldeeley2218]

Gross bondo, enough on there to fill holes in the driveway. Good thing you looked! Great fan mail! Enjoy that drink. Looks like need it after this episode!

[@wtfover4931]

Classic Industries sells firebird tin and all kinds of other parts. They are in LA , California.

[@bigpaulrc3531]

Hi Mark all the way from Yorkshire England the flag is northern Ireland love your content old trucks and car just have more style than new ones

[@user-if8nz2yo5n]

Love those jakes!!

[@rosshall641]

Mark that is what Friends are for , but you have to return the favor.treat your tools right they will work for you, treat your Friends right , you can borrow their tools! plus get help, LOL

[@earlycuyler8719]

I love the diversity of your videos, I can’t wait to see what the bandit turns out like!

[@madmit2483]

Whoa whoa whoa, Love Smokey and the Bandit Love Dukes of Hazzard Love Waylon Jennings No chopping Knight Rider. We love all Trans AM's. Knight Rider was awesome too. Come on I was 10 I didn't know any better. Just having some fun with you Mark. Keep up the great videos.

[@jeffreyhoughland2715]

I watch other guy that brings 20s, 30s car back to life and I learned back in the day they used led to fix cars, still learning as well. But I sure do learn so much from everyone I follow, just awesome

[@rbc5878]

Hey Mark, stop and reevaluate your project. You’ll want to check out the car completely, quarters, rockers, outer panels and inner panels! This is also the best time to make the changes you want to make, like the rear license plate panel. These panels are pretty reasonable. Mrs Twin Sticks might have to ride in Snowman cab for a year or two, but you’ll have the car you and she want!

[@slagcat]

Hi, Mark the town in Ohio is Chilla-coth-y. Chillicothe. I really love the work you're doing on the old iron of the rhe specially on t Smokey and the Bandittractor and trailer. I saw this move in the cinema in 1977. And from the city where the 1976 Pontiac Trans Am where made.

[@spottedhoss1920]

Mornin Mark, I feel your pain my friend I'm working on a 1968 Plymouth VIP and I have found way more bondo than I expected and it's almost to the point of replacing large portions of paneling, but I love my Plymouth square bodies so I will do what I have to do. But on a better note a few months ago I was talking to the fella that I bought my 66 Kenworth from and I told him about the bondo in the car and he told me I won't find one ounce of bondo in that truck, he said it's guaranteed all rust and metal. Hope to get together soon for a a coors and a chat, take care my friend say hello to Mrs. Twin stix for us have a great week.

[@andhotrodshop]

Get yourself a spot weld cutter for your drill. You can remove the outside layer and save the inside metal 🙌🏼👍🏻👊🏼 and I’m sure Blake knows but when welding the new panels in, most are super thin metal and will warp like crazy if you put too much heat in it 👍🏻🙌🏼👊🏼 when you knocked that bondo out I felt that down deep, I been there on that moment when you find those “surprises” 😂😂😂

[@mikebrien201]

Chin up mark, sure you and your welding man will get the back panels sorted, small issue for a man of your capabilities

[@fader2701]

a couple quarter panels, some door skins, and assess your front fenders also a good idea. drill out the metal on that rear inner pannel all the way. gotta do it right, youve done the rest A1. might as well.

[@user-wx8zj1jk7b]

Nice mark you got some great gifts a lot of love from everyone cheers.

[@hotrodfarmer2193]

While you’re at it make sure to check around the t-top back at the round part of roof. My Z28 rotted there letting water down the B pillar on internal of body. Also for new rubber seals contact a company Steele rubber the best I’ve ever seen. The seals were soft rubber like inner tube not foam

[@jaymiller2213]

Better check the door bottoms as well for filler not to rain on the fun but check now before paint good luck mark!!

[@michaelobrien8761]

I hope your up to date with your technis shots, best of luck with your ban1 rebuild, big fan Michael from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@randydobson1863]

Hi Mark & it's is Randy and i like yours video is cool & Thanks Mark & Friends Randy

[@thomasaley8839]

Thank you very much brother for all you do blessings One Stop Tommy

[@blakewhitchurch8118]

Love the channel. How come you don't have the whole car sandblasted? That way you can see all the problem areas better.

[@TwinStix]

Where’s the fun in that? 😂

[@jessemerriam9732]

Hope you can find a 77 bumper that would make the build. Keep up the awsome content marc

[@ddyodaman5515]

Thanks for another enjoyable video!

[@JohnSmith-lw2bm]

Chilicothe is like chili coffee

[@johnforgy2494]

Feeling your pain. I HATE RUST!!! Thank you for inspiring me to get in the garage and attacking my car projects.

[@CSTA2024]

I missed 2 days and just getting caught up. I am 13 minutes into this show and you just found more issues in front of the rear right fender. If I wanted to restore this car, I would spend a week tearing into the body and see what you need to upgrade it back to normal. Or, send it out for a dipping and see what comes back. Either way, this project is a time project.

[@Dana-nv4ej]

Good morning Mr. twin sticks thank you for another Thursday morning video I have known people in my life that at the point you were at halfway through the video would’ve been beating the car with the sledgehammer out of frustration for finding all the rust in the mice, etc. you just look at it for an optimistic POVI tried to do the same thing when hit adversity always remember what you have. That’s positive wonderful family a beautiful home the ability to work on three trucks and to have the resources to fix the Firebird correctly in the future.

[@chadwynia5021]

That finger sander you have works great on spot welds, and full quarters are way easier than patches, less body work.

[@tbcseaside]

inside the door jam there's a plastic vent by the striker for the latch with 1 screw holding it in remove that and look insde with a light to see inside the quarter where the leaf shackle bolts on use the light both inside and out

[@Firebird400]

Cowl and lower front fenders on the back are probably toast to unfortunately. Don’t tig weld those panels if you can help it man. Mig with gas and.23 wire. I always found classic industry’s to be good to order from but David t in Edmonton also has panels in stock if you need them. Good luck sir

[@daveymiln81]

Hi Mark just want to say I love watching you content and am so so jealous of your cool collection of really cool collection. Dave from Ireland keep her light and between the ditches . Oh and that flag is from northern Ireland not Republic of Ireland our flag is 🇮🇪

[@StevenKerr-tx3mf]

Just order 2 quarters because they look the same under the lipstick.

[@unnecessaryroughness4681]

On the rear bumper, I believe i would go with the original Bandit bumper. There's to big of a difference in the license plate hanging to far down compared to beinging in the middle. Just my thoughts but that's too noticeable. I love all your videos and incredible work ethic. Continued success!

[@gregolson4754]

You should play the music from Smokey and the Bandit when you’re working on the Trans-am

[@daveooten7459]

Glad your doing it up right will look sharp as always keep up the great work I really enjoy watching have a great day Mark

[@andrewparry6106]

Might finally watch the movie

[@NICKSSHOP]

When I got my 83 Chevy suburban it needed a lot of work the body work was alot wish I did more videos I love watching ur videos and awesome fan mail

[@user-fd6tg3rn4m]

OH DEAR MT, A BIT OF UNEXPECTED BODY WORK, A WELL YOUR MT WILL FIX IT FOR YOU SIR, GOOD LUCK, LOVE THE VID.

[@billywhite3020]

Great video

[@KR-hg8be]

That was a surprisingly decent looking bondo job.

[@Hard_Right]

no it wasn't , i could see it through the camera before he touched it , especially in the drvers side wheel arch

[@KR-hg8be]

@Hard_Right it appears to be good enough that he bought the car and has owned it for a while, crawled all over it for months working on it on the lift and didn't realize it was as large a area as it is.

[@jeffbear5317]

Your in the same place a lot of people find themselves when fixing up old cars. Fix it right or patch it up and send it. Unfortunately the patch it up way won't last but it's expensive and time consuming to fix it right.

[@dougbailey392]

If Graveyard Cars can build a Mopar around a vin number you got this no problem!

[@troypatton7290]

you can buy every panel for the car aftermarket

[@scottlangille9900]

Ouch, their hard to get full quarters? Texas I think you might get a set. Looking good Mark keep the videos coming. Best regards

[@leofrac435]

Good morning mark happy Thursday.

[@JackFord-kr5xc]

You can get a brand new quarter panel for both sides it would be easier than patching. Also go to the junkyard and get a 77 spoiler and bumper

[@deeprollercustoms8474]

Keep up the hard work. The flag is a northern Irish flag.. that's the red hand of ulster..

[@matthewgoff9970]

Classic Industries

[@flyweldfabricate]

17:44 Blake watches in horror at the work he committed himself too

[@TwinStix]

😂

[@tater_relocater]

Full quarter for the win

[@ta4867]

Not sure if anyone’s mentioned already but Classic Industries, Year One, Ames Performance are good places for Trans Am parts.

[@al66572]

Hey Mark I'm a long time viewer and I love all of the projects you have tackled over the years you are very talented person just a little info they make a drill bit just to drill out spot welds good luck to I enjoy watching this comment will probably to late to find a bit they do a pretty good job oh yeah Smokey and the Bandit was my favorite movie growing up thanks thanks for us showing us

[@TwinStix]

Yeah I actually have those bits but there was no way to fit a drill in there 👀

[@al66572]

I didn't know if were aware of them just trying lend a little help have a great day

[@adriannicholson8819]

NICE

[@KnugenMooMoo]

Smokey and the bondo mobile

[@user-kg4eb7nl5b]

the good metal starts in 1980 😁

[@aaronslagman4211]

Im not a pro body guy but a suggestion would be to sand the paint until you find where the filler is and where the good metal is.

[@ezranobles1528]

Lot of bondoa atleast your saving a trans am and I hear Pontiac coming back? Well love what you do I enjoy watching thank you

[@stevencaka]

Yeah, Mark, the good ole “oh shit” & unexpected cancer ♋️ areas suck on these old cars at some point. They must’ve loved that bondo. Geez! 🙄 Yeah, it only gets better but just wait until you get it done ✅ right & I KNOW Mrs TwinSticks will be a whole lot happier afterwards. Wow 😮 What a mess!

[@chrisbrown7994]

There's an old podcast interview with Jerry Reed on Spotify, he mentions about the Transam he donated, if I remember rightly I think Burt Reynolds bought him it.

[@1chish]

On those old spot welds I use a belt sander and grind each one out to leave the back metal safe then just split off the damaged metal with a blade. There are 'spot weld drills' but you can't always get them into small spaces. Hence the belt sander answer. But all that bondo was almost artwork... very creative! Sadly once you unearth rust that bad its back to the good metal and replacement panels. As for that Buford T. Justice replica car I just bet 'ColdWarMotors' YT channel up in Alberta could find you one. Maybe even has one in the boneyard.

[@deanm4138]

Hey Mark just to let you know I seen an ad on kijiji in Ontario a guy had trans am parts 78-81 for sale in black

[@eldoradony]

Check the quarter panels under the corners of the rear window and the filler panel between the deck lid. Very common areas of rust because of moisture in the trunk. Full quarter panel replacement may be the best route to go for someone who is going to keep the car long term.

[@johnellis9147]

Love those Jakes. Can’t wait to see the finished product on the Bandit They’re gonna look good together as a matching set. You’ve mentioned building Buford’s cop car. Which version though, beginning or end of the movie😅

[@TwinStix]

🤔

[@awittenburg1977]

Another quick way is use a magnet, since you’re rebuilding/replacing… Unless the vehicle is Aluminum. 😏

[@ianatkinson8464]

😎👍

[@stevencaka]

Good morning ☀️ Mark!! Well,…you might as well order some new quarter fenders for “Ban-One” sir. I know Mrs TwinSticks will be a whole lot happier as well. Kinda sad 😞 that you gotta do all that extra work 💪 Well, your parts car turned out to be a bummer.💁‍♂️😏 It’ll be better than new once you get “Ban-One” completed 👍 hopefully 🤞 by Sept. for Lesco. You’re doing fine/great as you go along with these projects Mark! Keep up the awesome work because I’m looking forward into helping my dad rebuild his one owner 1960 Chevy Impala he’s had since it was new & garage kept.

[@alleyoop1234]

The one evil in my auto restoration business here in BC is rust repair. Sorry, but I always have a chuckle seeing pounds of bondo falling out of our Canadian cars!

[@matthewbloom6715]

I’d replace both quarters there toast. Then you can address and issues with the inner structure.

[@scottbamasime4338]

Mark body supply shops sell a spot weld cutter you place it over the spot weld and it takes it out. Also go ahead and get a few tube's of seam sealer..you'll need it too..that's the hard putty like material you cut through to get to the spot welds

[@al66572]

Yes I see what you mean sometimes I'll go from the other side and go all the way through it stinks you're so far away I would really like to see your Rig at one of the truck show keep up the great work 👍

[@reverendodarn4295]

Mark, watch Salvage rebuilds, two of the nicest guys in the business, in the south UK what they can do with bodywork is amazing, I'm sure if you reached out to them they'd be happy to offer advice/tips for you, they are experts at splitting body panels.

[@joesmith1926]

Rear wheel arches look goosed to Mark, I’d replace them too 😬

[@lbzmx213]

For the spot welds you need to use a spot weld drill bit…….it only removes the material around the spot weld and doesn’t damage the good material

[@joshuadille5005]

Keep jamming brother. If it were a rare vehicle???? A 426 cuda ???? I’d say save as much as the original car as possible. How ever I’d just do full 1/4 on it buddy. Love the show!

[@robertquast9684]

Should see what that laser cutout looks like in front of a piece of polished stainless or chrome

[@The_Slippery_Slope_NZ]

Might have to change the license plate from BN ONE to BOG ONE with the amount of bog used to fill the holes.

[@jetegtmeier71]

At least your doing it right and replacing plaster with metal :)

[@chrisrauch9717]

There's alot of restoration companies out there

[@richardgreenlaw1442]

You need a spot weld drill bit

[@billyhaddock5540]

Mark, too bad about the rear panels. hope the front fenders are ok. that blue metal sign is cool.

[@JonNo86]

I’ve seen you have some setbacks Mark, but this one feels like your biggest yet! Although I feel like this is a good opportunity to just pull it all out and replace everything the way you want it. Not the cheapest or quickest option, but I know you want to do things right. Chin up!

[@snoman003]

Opens panel..."uh oh"...(insert screaming goat sound here) Generally, a spot of "rust" the size of a quarter, usually ends up a repair that is just under half the panel it's installed in...after someone decided to "repair" it. I've always hated bodywork, it always seems to turn into a "stepping into the ooblick" scenario.