Can This Ever Look New Again!? 1975 Tonka Grader Restoration

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The impossible restoration is here! Can this 1975 Tonka Grader ever look new again?! Watch this awesome toy restoration video to find out!
I start with the most trashed Tonka toy I could possibly find. After a little research I discover that this is actually a 1975 Mighty Tonka Road Grader, Model # 3945. Spoiler alert, I talk through the first part of this video. If that isn't really your thing, feel free to fast forward to 5:33
to avoid all of the talking.
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#toy #restoration #restored asmr rust patina sandblasting corroded

[@jaystarsky7271]

Wow. Someone finally talks & shows their face on these Videos. Simply Amazing.

[@vickiefowler1429]

Now I remember why I love Tonka trucks. They’re just so flippin cool!!! You did an outstanding job on this one! It probably didn’t look this good when it was brand new!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@gr8guitarplayer]

oh man, wow! I got one of these for my birthday from my aunt when I was a kid!! LOVED playing in the dirt with my Tonkas and Matchbox & How Wheels cars. Most summer days I'd have some friends over, we'd get all the cars out and take turns picking which ones we wanted, then we'd cut all these roads with little driveways to represent houses, park the cars at each "house", then drive back and forth visiting each other. The simplest things gave some much pleasure back then.

[@Omahabigbill]

The painting of the letters and number was awesome!! I have never seen it done that way before......simple, yet brilliant! Good job!!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@thomasthompson6799]

Excellent! You saved it for generations to come.

[@bigbuck1318]

Well played with toys. Glad you are restoring them for future generations to see.

[@joe_diy]

Nice work Tim! Looks great!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@TerryProthero]

I thought I was watching the Antiques Roadshow for the first part of the video. But I like that you actually did that much research to figure out exactly what you were dealing with. And I thought you were completely off on the wheel rims being orange until had it apart. And sure enough. You were right. It's completely weird that it faded to exactly that color of yellow. The standard color of yellow used for these sorts of toys.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching! Make sure to hit the subscribe button!

[@dannyhenson3141]

That was an excellent job and an excellent video. I really enjoyed the beginning where you gave us your knowledge and understanding of the toy.

[@daddynutz024]

Great job love the paint trick for the white letters 👍

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@modergav]

Since i'm Brazilian and in top of that, born in the early 90's i wish i had toys like these to play with. Good thing now i'm getting successful enough to live somewhere else and now we have internet to buy those things. Awesome work.

[@johnarmenta2199]

Okay, the technique for painting the white walls - BRILLIANT!!!! When i saw you do that I gasped! "OH! . . . . you flippin CHEATER!! LOL

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

lmao! Thanks!

[@steven2212]

Very impressed. Reminds this old guy of his youth.

[@michaelrzeszuto777]

Awesome work thanks for sharing. I'm 52 yrs old and I remember that tonka had blue,green and white to go with the orange and their familiar yellow color line up. Again beautiful work. Have a blessed day from the Albany NY area.

[@myronbedner5163]

Great Job Restoring!!

[@64kchip]

Very good worlk. Congratuletions!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@fynbo1007]

Beautiful restoration you have done. Thank you for sharing your story. God bless you and your family

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@brucemorris6319]

You did a really nice job to that.

[@joelbaker1593]

Very nice Tim looks amazing

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@kristopherwhite2698]

Awesome to see the aftermath of restoration

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@thebaconbrotato]

These old Tonka toys bring me back. Back before toys were idiot proofed. Turned out real nice. I had the front loader and dump truck.

[@allanmanley6340]

I love sandblasting! I am going to buy one and "blast" all my tools, my outside furniture, my wife and anything else that is getting rusty... My son was given one of these graders; he pushed it, sat on it, stood on it for years.... I wish I had kept it.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@Jaxsta001]

Hahahahahahahaha GOLD!

[@CelticViking57]

Safest way to "blast" is eat taco bell and aim

[@paulharris5541]

Allan Manley 😂

[@netoluna1]

Me too Allan Manley, i love sandblasting

[@bgdavenport]

The detective work on determining which model year you have was really interesting! There's only one other restorer who works to the same level of quality as you. Merry Christmas!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Who is the other one?

[@bgdavenport]

@@TRGRESTORATIONS Rescue and Restore: kzbin.info/door/hzhFNSV-OuHQiYpwDMImsw

[@FrankKnight8846]

Beautiful job ❤️👍🏻

[@dbtech7914]

Nice job! I didn't know there was that much to know about Tonka.

[@tynaedwards8452]

My favorite restoration so far.

[@donparker8246]

Beautiful job 👍

[@jesusfernandodrylander1201]

Awesome restoration, man!! A lot of working but it worths it...!! Congratulations and all my admiration from Sevilla (Spain). 👏😄BIEEEEEEN...!!!!!!

[@jacobcallahan4813]

I like the surprised bear look from the pivot holes

[@TheSciFiWasabi]

It was pretty neat to learn the research behind the restoration of these toys. This model or one close to it in year, looks like one a friend of mine had way back. It must have been given to him because we were both very young (I was born in 1974) when it would have been on market originally. Seeing something in this rough of condition getting a new life is really amazing. Tonka toys just really never seem to die without a lot of effort.

[@BigTex8319]

Back in my day we played with dirt and we were happy

[@moonbear5929]

Back in my day, we played with these IN the dirt, and we were happier. 😄

[@moonbear5929]

@Prowler Cam LOL

[@THECHOSENONE-bk7xg]

Sounds like you're old as dirt. haha J/k

[@tuberfying]

Looks awesome! I liked having the explanation at the beginning

[@MariaPereira-cu9fi]

@@moonbear5929A

[@rleb4545]

That is amazing work.

[@buildthings6966]

Great restoration! I finally finished my own grader restoration too! Up next is an old Tonka dozer!

[@lewishill64]

Your work is fantastic bud.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thank you so much 😀

[@joelsucksatgames]

I really liked how the tires looked before the clear coat you put on it, it made them look like real tires, which I thought was a cool effect. Love what you’re doing, and appreciated the beginning where you explained how you figured out what year it is and what decals to get.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks 👍

[@Madlintelf]

Beautiful as always, thanks!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@theropesofrenovation9352]

Super nice. Watched all of it!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@JAResto]

Dang Leo's gotta talk forever and be thorough. Yack yack yack. Bwahahahaa

[@thetwogardens6048]

Lovely job as usual !

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thank you so much 😊

[@thetwogardens6048]

@@TRGRESTORATIONS Be good to see a video of your collection. !

[@jeanetteburton9873]

Beautiful job. One of my favorites.

[@muzkat101]

I wasn't aware that Tonka toys came in Chedder, but I love the color... really pops nicely.

[@schristy3637]

HE A REAL PERSON!!!! I thought it was just Magic hands doing the restoration. Like the intro dude. Real person who would have guessed( not me). HA!. Great esp. as always.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@albertdeloach1382]

Fascinating!! That is quite a remarkable but of detective work!! Kudos!! Nice restoration, as well.

[@lawrencereid9375]

Thanks for the research lesson. Never knew Tonka made orange stuff. What a job you did on this one!

[@williamharris8367]

I had a Tonka forklift in orange, ca. 1977 or so.

[@leiatyndall8648]

That jack-o-lantern "face"!! I had to play this w/ the volume muted, so when I noticed it looked like a face, I said exactly that. Then you zoomed in, & then again, & I had to laugh!! Don't know if you said anything at that point, but it's obvious you were thinking the same thing. Thanks for the laugh!!

[@davant2319]

excellent job - a true artist at restoration

[@raulramirez9302]

Nice work!!!!!

[@jaxthibert4293]

Awesome and the orange just works so well. Great video!

[@annieleslie5570]

Very cool, 😊

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching! Make sure to hit the subscribe button!

[@sbaddison]

Brilliant. Loving this channel 😎👍🏻

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@jonathonmason6394]

It's amazing seeing how they transform from a pile of rust into brand-new toys for kids to enjoy or to sit on a shelf for others to look at. 😎

[@crocus_leafs]

Masterpiece 👍🏻✌🏻

[@ahmadfarazshaikh5542]

Mind-blowing 👍👍

[@frankiearmstrong2777]

Absolutely love the tire "trick"!! Great Job!!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@ButchHolladay]

It looks more like a 78, though....hard to believe the sun would have made the rims a perfect yellow so evenly, as well as the paint showing yellow flakes. Great restore either way. Somethings you have to see with your own eyes, being color can be different on video.

[@tonyadkins8320]

Tonka trucks were practically indestructible. I remember my brother riding his down a hill in West Virginia. He probably still does it when no one is watching.😀

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching! What type of video would you like to see next? Tools, Appliances, Industrial Equipment, or More Toys?

[@pascalcoquerelle3181]

et "encore " une superbe restauration !!

[@randycordes464]

Nice job on that

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching!

[@andygummybear123]

A link to where you obtained replacement parts would be really useful great restoration.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Ebay

[@chadalcock7275]

@@TRGRESTORATIONS But what seller? I looked on EBay and don't know how to narrow things down to get to the parts.

[@edmawhinney3564]

I learned something new so i subscribed. Good video

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching! What type of video would you like to see next? Tools, Appliances, Industrial Equipment, or More Toys?

[@ds2271]

Good job

[@iangrange7124]

Love it 👍...@ 6:52 you like New Order

[@deanamorgan2643]

Nice!! Love these videos♥️ like the "metal -face" music. Haha! You do such an awesome job restoring those Tonkas. My opinion... Tonka was the best "Toy" a boy can have. Thank You for sharing your hard work and awesome talent.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Glad you like them!

[@michaelsylvester7272]

Simply wow 😳!!!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@michaelsylvester7272]

TRG RESTORATION keep up the nice work bud

[@medicms2001]

I liked the commentary at the beginning. Great restoration also

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks!

[@carlosjimenez9450]

Estupendo trabajo la verdad me quedé sorprendido te felicito muy cordialmente saludos desde Puebla México

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching!

[@andresmartinez981]

Hermosa esa restauración y también el juguete como quedó

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@Marcel22981]

This is good job

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@florianramier8161]

C'est du super bon travail

[@gordonkochan6660]

Where is the model research material available from ? Tonka or independent sources? Also are parts available from Tonka?

[@cindiberg7718]

Weren't the Tonka trucks yellow?

[@bobbertthebuilder4856]

Im glad you finnaly did this in your videos

[@williamkendall7412]

Good job, but what if you could not buy the broken and mangled parts? Are you able to make new ones? Including the windshield?

[@chinosts]

Beautiful restoration! Looks like it was tons of work. Just curious.. how much $$$ goes into a restoration like this?

[@scottouellette9411]

Labor,Parts,Materials,Tools and Utilites.... it does add up. Diffenitly a lot more than the monitary value of the toy.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

yeah it can get pretty expensive. It's great for a hobby, but there isn't a big enough market to "flip" these and make a profit.

[@law-ofohms7815]

Where did you get the spare parts from? I'm restoring my Tonka loader from when I was a kid and need to find axle hats and windshield

[@chadalcock7275]

I have a couple of those and dump trucks that I want to restore.

[@cbro777]

Try a Google search. Lots of parts can be found on Ebay.

[@jamesfield5346]

With the wheels/tires, do you just sand down the heavy scratches , amooth them out and put a clear coat on them to brighten them up or do you use a tire shine stuff?

[@brucemarshall5110]

Am so glad you talked about the research and history of this toy. I have always wondered if restorers on KZbin do this. Thanks for the additional info that is missing in other vids.

[@расулботашев-л8х]

Good day to you. Great channel, I signed up. Excellent restoration of this model, I had a nice time watching your video. I understand that restoration is a very thorough job, but you missed one (I think) forgot about mirrors. Good luck in the future.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for the sub!

[@matthewwindisch9449]

I’m a 1974 model..lol... Great job..Blue love..💙

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

lol '77 model myself

[@najjacitockovi1]

I will say honestly, that is very cool model! Good job, keep going! (This isnt bot comment like others ahahah)

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks 😅

[@kandipiatkowski8589]

Thank you for the back story on this item! I actually enjoyed hearing about it. It has been sorely lacking in other videos I have seen on these types of restorations.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Probably won't do it for every video. But there was a lot on this one that needed to be explained

[@go-toolzreviews]

Brilliant work!

[@American_Jeeper]

Brother, you've hit it out of the park again. I've never met an MP with a sense of humor before ;-) Where'd you find this thing, the back woods of JRTC? I meant the Tonka, not the sense of humor....

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Lol the years have humbled me for sure. Wasn't nearly as nice funny when I was a 19 year old, at the front gate of Hunter AAF Writing tickets

[@American_Jeeper]

@@TRGRESTORATIONS God knows the years and increase in rank humbled me too. I had friends of mine who were Quickfix out of Hunter. So how many times did you have to bust out the sentence, "Sir, your rank does not supersede my authority"? Very common phrase with the AF Air Police at Goodfellow AFB.

[@rickyandstacyeat1490]

Awesome

[@johnzeller1338]

It's amazing what you can do with the right tools and know how. Great work you do! Turning old beat up toys into new. I just wonder how long it actually took you to do all that?

[@kwyjibosponge]

were these toys originally painted or powder coated?

[@thejunkman]

Good resto. Hope you don't get hit with an FTC fine in 2020.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Nah, there's a mixed audience exception that covers channels like mine

[@craigbowtne5596]

Geter done

[@evenkeel6131]

Awesome from start to finish. I can't wrap my head around an orange Tonka toy though!

[@carmium]

I'm amazed that there was - apparently - enough metal left on this beast with all that rust!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Good ole Pittsburgh steel!

[@davidwolff8878]

had that toy and many others growing up

[@carlosescobar6973]

Nice!!

[@redfaction2540]

Magnifique 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@hazysativa3045]

My Big Bros favorite toy.

[@michaelpayne754]

I would love to own that thing..Beautiful restoration, it brings back a lot of memories!

[@robertomelo5547]

COMO ME GUSTARIA VER UNA REPISA CON TODOS SU TRABAJO

[@elismezzanotte]

The caps for the rims and the front roller axle where can they be found?

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Lowes has them. Also Ebay.

[@cam_DA_Hawkdriver]

I had this very one growing up. Great work Tim! And my air breathers were ripped off by my very inquisitive hands. I liked tearing stuff up :)

[@TheRoadhammer379]

When your 44 yr old toy has less rust than your four yr old Ford superduty truck bed. 😂

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

lmao!

[@bobmiller9018]

what color orange did you use? Nice job, want to do a orange one. THanks Bob