Hot Wheels Redline 68 Python Restoration

Be sure to check out this restoration of the 68 Python from the original sweet 16. This car was originally called the "Cheetah" created by Bill Cushenberry in 1963 for Car Craft magazine. Turns out well but we had some hiccups along the way!
As always, I thank you for watching! Please feel free to post any Hot Wheels, Matchbox or general diecast questions.
Tools used in these videos are linked below. I now have US, UK and Canada Links!
Amazon US
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Amazon UK
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Amazon Canada
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Feel free to support the channel on Patreon if you choose
/ wheelsnthangs
#hotwheelsredline #customhotwheels #python

[@williammartin4694]

I've just discovered your channel and only wish I'd discovered it sooner, especially as it relates to Hot Wheels. My Dad used to get Hot Wheels at a local Shell gas station back in the 1960s as part of a promotion (whether local or national I never knew), and as a result, I ended up with the most extensive collection at my school. Hot Wheels, Tonkas, Matchboxes, SSP's, Cox control line airplanes and cars, these were all mainstays of my childhood. Thanks for restoring them not just for display, but for use by another generation of kids (no matter their age).

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you, I totally agree. When these are all done they will be played with by the little guy :)

[@NHfiddle]

Love your work, still watching a year later and past videos. Between you and Baremetal you guys do a fantastic job in restoring these. Got me into it, myself. Restored three 68 mustangs back the their original colors..blue green and the red. Got paint from Red Line shop a while ago and they look like they just came from the factory. Enhanced my collection immensely.

[@egardner5978]

Maybe some sort of jig for painting the red line on the wheels would help?

[@WheelsNThangs]

Probably. I'll see what I can make :)

[@edwardbarrientos1765]

I like the upclose camera view. Nice job brother

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you Edward!

[@strange-universe]

that looks really good. I have an idea regarding for reapplying the redline. it would involve placing the wheel on a stationary device with a faux axle, making certain then that when the wheel rotates, it is balanced (something rare when attached to the chassis). So then, instead of moving the brush or other marking device, the wheel is addressed the same as material in a lathe.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Great idea, I may have to try that!

[@revzillo]

That is a really nice restoration 👍 great job !

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@Jsellers1965]

Your camera is good! It picks up all the dust. You can buff the paint after it cures and make it look better where you touched it up. But it looks great!

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you! Yes, unfortunately the camera picks up everything!

[@oliversworldofwheels4910]

That is one cool car and even better from the restoration! Awesome car and video like always!

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you Oliver!

[@RedLineRaceDay]

Great resto! Very informative.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@MatchboxGarage]

That's a funky looking car

[@WheelsNThangs]

Indeed

[@asmith515151]

Turned out beautifully. Some of these cars look so good after you've re-plated them, that I'd be very tempted to clear coat them and create an all-chrome set of the original 16. That would look fantastic. With regard to your paint difficulties, I can only offer some tips I have learned through building plastic models...first, wait at least a day or more for the paint to set before applying any tape. Second, invest in some Tamiya masking tape--it has a softer glue than ordinary masking tape, and comes in varying widths. For something as small as this car, I would use the thinnest strip available, which is probably about 0.5 cm. Third, I would recommend that you apply your masking tape only at your demarcation line. Then use some other material (e.g., paper, or even cellophane) to cover the rest of the car. Trim that material up to your demarcation line with scissors, and then use some more masking tape to adhere it to your original tape at the line. That way, although it takes a little longer, you have minimized to the greatest extent possible the amount of tape in contact with your car. Good luck, and thanks for sharing your car restorations...always fun to watch.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you and thanks for the tips! Actually the car had dried for two days and I only use Tamiya masking.I have every size they offer :) Good idea on the paper. I'm pretty sure I just didn't clean the body well enough. Ive had it happen one other time but it was much worse and had a total repaint.

[@asmith515151]

@@WheelsNThangs Yes, I saw in one of your other videos after my post that you had the Tamiya tape. I suppose another strategy could be to do the roof first and then mask that before you do the spectraflame. Maybe the black is a little sturdier than the spectraflame...anyhoo, good luck and have fun. Your videos are great

[@WheelsNThangs]

@@asmith515151 Thank you, I appreciate the suggestions as well! Hopefully no more paint issues in the future :)

[@PacManDreaming]

Looks good! I really like that Spectra Flame green. And the wheels don't look bad, considering how old they are and how much play they received.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@borisvbrknex]

very good restoration :)

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@grahamparr4710]

If you have s lathe, mount the wheel on a piece of dowel, which you put in your lathe chuck, slow speed, hold hand steady on tool stock, with small paint brush paint in redline, bingo!

[@WheelsNThangs]

Hmm.. That's a great idea, I might have to try that!

[@j-fourschutt3175]

I don't think you need to say "unfortunately" when it comes to removing patina. Unless your goal is preservation/conservation of course. I think it's perfectly fine to restore the cars to factory or even better than factory.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@commanex]

I wonder if you could try putting the aircraft stripper jar into some kind of vibrating container? It might strip all of the paint off before you pull the car out.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Hmm.. I suppose that would work but sounds a bit dangerous :)

[@commanex]

@@WheelsNThangs well I'm not talking about something like a paint can shaker of course, more like a jewelry cleaner. You can buy them on Amazon.

[@martinhightower9801]

Looks great. Wheels look fine. Nice to try to use OEM parts if you can. 👍🏻

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@Chrishm0]

don't be so hard on yourself, looks good

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@tomheckhaus7617]

Hello, I enjoy your videos. I don't see any reference to the acid you use. Thanks

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you! Here is the exact product I use. Mix 50/50 with water amzn.to/2u2xt2q

[@bttfdmc1984]

Nice work but i must point out an error in your information at 1:15 both US and Hong Kong castings where found with full and just the top painted roofs. If you look closer at the photo at 1:19 both castings are US with both types of roofs you can tell they are US since they don't have the blower hat on the engine like the Hong Kong has.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Good info! I wasn't entirely sure, I just noticed that mostly HK seemed to have the full top.

[@bttfdmc1984]

@@WheelsNThangs well as you know early hot wheels where not really consistent on paint details. i guess it just depends on what day of the week they were made lol.

[@WheelsNThangs]

@@bttfdmc1984 Very true! Maybe how much the guy on the line had to drink that morning also!

[@radar468]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@wallyworld2174]

That's not a 67' model?

[@WheelsNThangs]

Well Hot Wheels first released cars in 68 so I just used that as the year.

[@shanetorok3293]

Still wearing your battle scars from your recent decanter i see

[@WheelsNThangs]

Yes indeed. LOL. I have a lot of projects going at once sometime.

[@coolcarley100]

Blue tape might not do that.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Blue tape would be worse.

[@coolcarley100]

I was just guessing thought it always turned loose easier than the other. Glad you knew would not wanted to cause a problem.

[@WheelsNThangs]

I actually use Tamiya tape, it's not normal masking tape. Thanks for looking out!

[@MiamiMillionaire]

👍

[@pollyg562]

this is my fav hot wheels, but for reason not known to me the casting is always terrible on this model, the Python was actually called the Cheetah when first came released but was soon changed to Python, [pobably copyright issues]

[@j-fourschutt3175]

Diecast customs has been using that jar of stripper method for a year or more. But he's using a weaker stripper so it's less toxic since he has a lot of time and usually leaves the cars in for days

[@WheelsNThangs]

Hmm.. I'll have to check it out. I usually use Citrus Strip which is much weaker so I may end up putting that in a jar to test.

[@JimCars]

Nice restoration my friend, tires are good, bit could be better with new ones, repro from redlineshop, I going restore the mine soon, regards

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thanks!

[@Quickened1]

a little hint on removing wheels from axles. If you soak the base in warm soapy water for a couple minutes, it'll almost guarantee your bearings will not be pulled off...

[@WheelsNThangs]

Great tip!

[@hodgeshotwheelsanddiecast5192]

I don't have a very steady hand either. Lol.turned out excellent. I use brightvision wheels, and always thought they are top notch wheels

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@gordonwd2]

This was my first Hot Wheels car back in 1968!

[@valborchardt3596]

Thank you WNT, wow that paint stripper is vicious....but it turned out great, take care as always from South Africa

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you Val!

[@greyestfox]

Looks great! What a weird looking original car though. Also, wood turning you say? Wood turning videos are some of my favorite on KZbin (next to die cast restoration). Is it something you'd consider filming for your other channel?

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you! I actually have a few woodturning videos on the other channel and plan to do more. I think this was my last one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2iqioqGebyaeqs

[@vinylrec]

Looks good other than the wheels...they are pretty rough

[@NitrousDiecast]

Looks nice! I think the original wheels kind of make the car seem original

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@gadgettvcars9555]

Wow amazing job👍 Verry beautiful color👌 Peace ✌️

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@74bobby]

You Made an Ugly Car look Sharp. Great Job Brother...

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you Robert!

[@boerharms2209]

Another step towards completing the sweet 16! I never knew about the real Python, very interesting car!

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you! Yeah, I'm getting there :)

[@plaws0]

"Lots of character doesn't make a video." Lol! :-D

[@WheelsNThangs]

😜

[@kristianreader4812]

That's a good job me thinking I like it looked cool well done what's next 😎

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you! Not sure exactly which one will be next.

[@aadityashrestha4330]

Wow why I always want to see this type

[@acen2000]

Did the masking tape pull the paint because it wasn't fully dry? Never seen you run into this issue before?🤔

[@WheelsNThangs]

I think I just didn’t clean that area well enough 😟

[@acen2000]

@@WheelsNThangs Still looks awesome ofc👍

[@timburnette5914]

Looks fantastic! Awesome job! Love that green paint!

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@sethguest781]

Really cool HW car, it reminds me of a Meyers Manx, the small frame almost makes it look VW-based.

[@laz2135]

The car came out great awesome video keep them coming

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@heberdua]

I really like that colour ! Great video :)

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@Hoonozit]

Over-all turned out nice looking.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@horaciodiecast]

Great job man. It is awesome. Very nice

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@dejesusrome651]

i feel so relaxed when. watch my boy do his thing , thanks for the videos 😊

[@TimeRider]

I hate it when that happens (masking tape issue). What am I missing? I like the repro wheels . . . very nice restoration! I like it, and so does Kevin.

[@WheelsNThangs]

LOL.. Glad Kevin approves!

[@tootall5559]

if you want the watch vise, get it off Ebay, not Amazon. Ebay is way cheaper.

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

Hey there awesome channel quick question where can i get that liquid chrome please let me know thankyou cheers KC

[@WheelsNThangs]

amzn.to/2UHViIo

[@TylerSnyder305]

Great work as always 👍 I've got a few cars that could use some work and I'd like to send them to you if you'd like, in return I'd just want to see them restored on your channel. There's a matchbox series #1 Mercedes truck, and a matchbox series #64 M.G.1100 that's a bit rough. There's also a Hot wheels Ferrari 312P with cap wheels, it's actually in pretty good condition and rolls extremely well. It could easily be given to your grandson as is if you wanted. These 3 cars came from the drawer of a desk that was at my grandparents house and belong to to my dad or one of his brothers. I know my dad and his youngest brother would get a kick out of seeing them restored.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you! Sure, I'd love to have them if you don't want them! Shoot me an email [e-mail]

[@Jedijim252]

Shaky hands is a struggle for me also...wonder if you could make a jig with a pin for the hub of the wheel...and a holder for a red paint pen that could be lowered to the wheel...then rotate the wheel to apply the red stripe? Don't do this work myself...but just a thought...

[@WheelsNThangs]

Great idea, I come up with something eventually!

[@keithschrack]

Since you posed the question, I suspect that a Rapidograph art pen would be capable of replicating the red stripe on wheels. They're available in nibs as fine as 0.1mm and your unsteady hand wouldn't be an issue if you used a jig to hold the pen while you turned the wheel. A perfect circle every time!

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thanks Keith, I will look for some of those art pens. I have some but nothing with that size tip.

[@adamnapolitano432]

Maybe build a small rig with a very fine tipped brush and a spinning platform you can place the red ring wheels on?

[@WheelsNThangs]

That may work nicely!

[@NFS2SE3HP4HS8U2]

10/10.

[@KevinCofDE]

What if you tried running a tooth pick dipped in red paint and ram it around the wheel. I couldn’t see where the paint was bothered by the tape.

[@WheelsNThangs]

That could work but I'm pretty sure I couldn't pull it off. The chips were hard to see but they were there.

[@dahlstardiecast3314]

Great restoration, thanks for sharing.

[@TisBestinDiecast66]

Hot Wheels cars who was smoking what when they designed these. Looks great Fella ;-)

[@davidparker8221]

Bill Cushenberry designed it. No idea of his smoking habits, if any.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thanks!

[@brentgoff5217]

Great job as always. Can’t wait for the next one. Would love to see a 1973 Enamel painted car.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@k.n.o.3558]

This turned out great! I am curious about the vinyl top version of this car after watching the video.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@therealderjett]

I think you did a great job restoring this car. I had one when I was a kid and loved it. I like that you kept the original wheels.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you Dave, I appreciate it!

[@TheMainCore]

Another great restoration! Not a fan of the zoomed in parts though, almost makes me motion sick!

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thanks! I feel ya, I may start zooming out a bit. I just try to get as much detail as possible.

[@SuperMarkkidd]

i like it but i think if it had newer wheels it would look better. I do like that the wheels are original tho.

[@WheelsNThangs]

I agree :)

[@railroadaddict1884]

Another awesome job.

[@woodacustoms8371]

Cool car🤘🤙🤘

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thanks.

[@Hooptierescue]

I wonder if bars keeper would shine that up.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Possibly.

[@scottcobra1]

I had a green one as a kid. It got lost in kinny-garden. I think it got lifted from me. Fast forward 35 years. I replaced it with one similar to yours. It has some roof rash and a few chips and I'm missing my blower but imma leave it as is. Maybe one day I'll restore it. Nahhhhhh, i got others. Nice vid as usual. Thanx fer sharing

[@WheelsNThangs]

Awesome story Daniel! I don't recall losing any but I do remember giving them all to my cousin when I started racing BMX. I'm pretty sure she lost them all. Wish I would have kept them...

[@scottcobra1]

@@WheelsNThangs ask her. My cousin passsed away 2 years ago and his sister returned my yoyo and SSP which he and my brother took from me. They were 6 years older than I was. This was in 1973. You never know. They might be stored in a closet shelf or in a time box.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Daniels Scott oh I’ve asked. Gone long ago 😟

[@Tim-57]

Very nice little car and brought back to life by Mr.Thangs.🙂

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you Mr. Tim :)

[@Tim-57]

@@WheelsNThangs Very welcome 🙂

[@LazyCustomProject]

The Legendary *CHEETAH* 😬😬😬

[@mikhailkunneke]

Great restoration, but I'd slightly adjust the wheels.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thanks! They are fine, not sure what needs adjusting.

[@mikhailkunneke]

@@WheelsNThangs on the turntable the wheels appear to be lopsided.

[@bigcharliesmodelgarage296]

Looks great nice work.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@jp2246]

cool history

[@thatmodellingbloke]

wow !

[@reyanrahman]

Was waiting for it since I saw it in Instagram

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thanks Reyan!

[@sidduraj8757]

Keeps getting better and better 👍👍👍👍

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@erikschaepers]

Great work, man -way to go..!

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@Lerk_DOA]

Do you do custom hot wheels?

[@WheelsNThangs]

Typically not for resell.

[@Quickened1]

that paint coming off...that's why I oven bake all my restos and customs...makes the paint bullet proof forever...as strong as factory imo... But nice resto nonetheless...

[@WheelsNThangs]

I usually bake them and also have great results. I'm pretty sure I just didn't clean this one well enough :(

[@audiemcknight560]

Very nice job on that car

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@Piiccoo923]

Great restoration!

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@kenney8656]

Great job!👍👏👌

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@Car-bq5bw]

As Always....Looks Good

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@chieftitan-hw5756]

Great job!

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@blooelmo]

Howdy and another great restore!! You did a fine job 👍 regardless of that tape issue (that’s sure frustrating but I can totally understand not starting over for it) I don’t replace the wheels often bc they are soooo pricey repainting them with chrome is very difficult lol a steady hand IS needed and like you I do not have that. But still it’s usually better than nothing! 👍👌😎 Happy day, and I hope you had a nice trip!!

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you as always Anne! Yes, I hate tape issues! I've had it happen once before but never with the Tamiya tape so I must not have cleaned it well enough. Go figure. You need to start making some videos! It was nice to get away again but the wife and I both ended up with sinus issues somehow.

[@blooelmo]

WheelsNThangs oh no!!!! Sinus issues are the worst, I sure hope you both recover ASAP! And lol well I did try my hand at it, coincidentally, I uploaded a video last night. Nothing at all like your masterful work!!! 😂😂😂😳 Cheerios!! 😎

[@WheelsNThangs]

@@blooelmo Oh I'm used to it, I get them all the time. Actually I don't recall a time in my life when I could breath out of both nostrils. lol. Probably TMI. I just watched it and it's wonderful! I really like your booth for polishing. I sometimes wear a face shield but it still gets everywhere. Looks like I need to make one of those!

[@blooelmo]

WheelsNThangs Hahahahah awwww that’s rough!! my brother has the same affliction. He always says he knows where the state line is because he always enters Texas with a sneeze. 😜 and I can tell you that little booth is one of my favorite things now. It catches all the fuzzies too and my desk is much cleaner for it. (It’s a workbench but undue detritus is no bueno) 🙂

[@Johnnysshop]

@@blooelmo LOL

[@pollyg562]

i actually bought the same vise but as often happens ordering from the net, its hard to tell the size from a picture on your PC screen and mine is too small to work on any cars except the tiniest Micros

[@WheelsNThangs]

Did you order it from Amazon? This one will work for any Hot Wheels.

[@robertshemory5094]

Car looks amazing. I like that you reused the original parts. I did have some success in repainting some wheels 👍

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you! Yeah, they were kinda a pain.

[@ericverpeten4249]

Awesome car

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@hotwheelcollector6227]

nice job

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@Gambit4u2]

Nice

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@sonicimperium]

That vise is kind of trash. It's one step up from handholding.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Works fine for me. I've been using it more than the bench vice.

[@joep4235]

love this series, thanks so much !!!!

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@stevecook7984]

Awesome restoration,well done.

[@WheelsNThangs]

Thank you!

[@dawe8282]

this is kind of think i like to see here :)