Redline Restoration: How To Step by Step 

I love this guy's videos, he's like the Bob Ross of toy car restoration.

This was soooo helpful. I've just recently decided to pick up Hot Wheels restoration and was having trouble putting together all the shorter videos to visualize the whole process. This is EXACTLY what I needed.

Really appreciate your passion for the cars. I've collected for 47 years. Still have the same HWs from childhood, and a whole lot more, of course.

As someone who has watched thousands of hours of RU-vid over the last 11+ years, this is definitely one of the best videos I've ever seen.

Should definitely make an updated version of the video with all the new techniques and alternatives that he has shown off since this

I really love these videos. I have too many hobbies already, but I have to admit, the work and the skill you put into these is amazing. Thank you for sharing your passion with us.

The discoloration looks to me like the nickel plating missing in some spots, have you ever thought of re plating them with a home electroplating kit then polishing a completely perfect uniform finish before you paint?

Thank you for the great videos . I'm 55 years old and still love these cars . I can't wait to get to my moms house and get all of mine . I still have a ton of these cars and matchbox cars from my childhood !!!!!

Links have been added to the video description.

It s never boring watching ur restorations process even if u repeat the same steps each time u film a restoration.. one of my favorite channels on youtube.. thank u for sharing these videos! Keep making more!

Im 28, and haven't played with hot wheels since my grandmother fetched a box of my dads old cars out when i was eight. This is wonderfully nostalgic to me (my dads cars were from the 60s). Subscribed

the tool you used to cut of the tires are called "end cutters" I think... : )

These videos are awesome. I’m not a collector and this has inspired me to start customizing my son’s old cars. Thanks for including the information on the tools and products you use. What’s your opinion on self-tapping screws?

Would like to see some old matchbox cars turned into spectra redlines. There are some really cool castings. I also notice there's no old original Topper Johnny Lightning restoration videos.

You do excellent work. I'm 51 years old and have Hot Wheels cars from decades ago.

When it comes to attempting to fill voids or pits with Lead "Not Solder on a roll" you would need to make sure you are actually using a torch and ensuring you heat the car to the point of the lead melting "if you chose lead work"! They still use lead in hotrod body work and it is a craft from an Era where body filler was not available. But you would also have to make sure that when you apply it, you take the time using the right tools and a torch to blend it. But a technique that might really work for you on this and keep you away from lead would be to use solder paste and either a heat gun or torch until it melts and flows! With the paste you could apply spot repairs easily and just heat it until it flows, you may need to find some custom jewelers tools for ring making in order to blend the repair smooth, then using your wheel and compound you could smooth the repair. When it comes to discoloration I worked in a Shop that handled Stainless for Marine Applications and in special situations or where we had issues with blending from welds we would use a White rough on the wheels, it leaves a finish that would better be suited for your restorations, but it is usually almost twice as much per bar than normal Rough! So looking on ebay I found these! Just search for low temp solder paste, they have a tube or "No Clean" for about $11.50 ebay item 282271534308 and the white polishing compound is $4.97 ebay item 191929298922 they also have 22 carving or sculpting spatulas for $27.99 for the solder work ebay item 361900810661 ! But you will also need a hot air rework system or small adjustable torch for the soldering and practicing using the solder method would be best before using it for many other restorations, that way you can perfect it! Also with the right type of compound "they do have buffing compound sticks for plastic" and with a dremel buffing wheel you could restore windshield's on the inside and outside! A 2lb bar for plastics is $21.95 ebay item 331612357160!

I'm Glad Your Restoring These Car's And Keeping Them Alive, They We're A Part of My Childhood, I Still have a Few, Thanks for the Great Work And Info.

I apologize if I'm asking in the wrong place but how much do you typically charge to restore a Redline car such as this one?

I learned so much from your videos, thank you. Although I'm not restaurating Hot Wheels, there are several techniques I can use when I'm doing my old calculators. Thanks again.

ever try painting the base metal in chrome paint first and the hitting it with color.....

Great channel and skills! I own a lot of junkers. Just waiting on the right time to put your technique to work. Thanks for taking the time to show us

This video got even better when a chicken showed up on camera!

Recently started watching this an really enjoy it just with i could start my self

Wow. Great Job once again. Life is made full by passion. I owned the original. Lol Maybe that's where it ended up. Great

The tool that you used to cut the old tires off is called Tile Nippers or Cutting Pliers. You did a very good job on this Redline restoration. 🏆🏆🏆

There are literally dozens of names for those snippers. The one I use to look them up are End Cutting Pliers. I just call them End snips.

Utterly fascinating, I remember many of these cars and the originals that inspired them. This car looks great, and would be fine in a sensible budget collection

This is probably before he started to zinc plate

Could this be the most addictive channel on RU-vid?

Thanks for going more into the process. I found your channel last week, watched a bunch & subscribed. This is the first video I got notified on. A question: when you paint, you said you wait for each coat to dry. How long does that take? Is it a matter of minutes, or longer? (does it dry quick enough on the car that the urethane paint isn't hardening in your air brush?)

I have been watching your videos over and over and really enjoy them. Very informative and educational. Because of your channel, I have decided to start restoring Hot Wheels as a hobby. I placed orders for all of the needed tools/equipment yesterday, and have four '63 Split Window Corvettes to start on. I have won a few of the "Sweet 16' that I will move on to when I hone my skills. Thanks for the motivation to try a new hobby!!

Probably been asked before bit could the chrome paint be used before the yellow to hide the metal discolouration?

Thanks for showing all the products' labels and packaging!

if you copper plate the metal you will be able to solder

Bringing back classic cars to life.

The tool at 3:10 is called carpenter pliers or pincers. Nice video BTW!

Can you please make a video on customizing modern hot wheels

You have nailed it again on every point, thanks. The info, though fairly straight forward, is valuable and concise and you make it sound like so much common sense. I like the idea that economics can deliver near mint cars for a fraction of the cost of an original mint one. I guess it all depends on the detailing in the body and that would obviously dictate the amount of effort invested but the result is certainly worth the time and low dollars in materials. It's like watching old friends come back to life again. Your videos have singularly inspired me to do restores for myself. Thanks again for the best custom show on the third rock from the sun...cheers, Rod

muy buen trabajo. excelente!!

fantastic, like a said very relaxing and rewarding seeing cars I remember been restored, wonder if he done the 60s 70s metal batmobile

If you restore a car and also have a mint original it would be cool to see a side by side comparison

Love your videos. You mention that fillers and primers can't be used because Spectraflame has to be be sprayed on bare metal. Spectra flame says it needs to be sprayed over their LIQUIDMETAL™ VM4201 basecoat, which is to be sprayed over primers and fillers. Just wanted to provide a possible alternative for the really beat up cars. Thanks for posting great videos!

But the urethane feels good in mah lungs lol. Love the vids!

Love watching him turn a beat down car into something so collectable. And the silloette is so cool looking.

The tool you call a nipper are *end cutter pliers* and also *end nippers* depending on where you are from I guess.... so how is nippers wrong I ask? 👍

Watching your videos are very therapeutic

If you work in industry you have to know the proper name for tools. If you're using them as an individual it doesn't matter what you call them, at all. People can see the tool in the video, they don't need to hear the name. Go to a tool store and they'll see them hanging up there for sale. Ignore the people saying you need to use the real name, you're a model car renovator, not an engineering tutor. At least not in this context. For a start they will have different names in different countries, and different names in different parts of those countries.

Thanks for all of the videos and tips. I was having a "hit and miss" time with removing rivets and finding screws to self tap the holes. I just ordered the tap, tap handle, drill bit, and screws you recommend in this video. Hopefully this will solve the assembly problem. Keep up the great work and videos!

wheres the Mad Max Custom #5 (part3) ????? been waiting for it. awesome videos than you

I love your videos. I recolor action figures, resin cast parts for figures, and do model kits. And this seems like right up my alley

Whats the difference between a redline and a normal hotwheels?

Wow... haven't seen one of these little critters since the 70's... real flashback to the purple one I had during my childhood. Excellent vid, thanks !

Don't they sell chrome paint? That could work to help hide discoloration

Do you think maybe you could use your nice chrome paint as a base coat for the yellow

Where can I buy the replacement suspension parts and wheels for these old hotwheels cars? thanks.

That online store needs to sponsor you! lol, yet another great video, thanks! I don't even collect hot wheels nor restore them I just like watching the restoring aspect!

How can I send cars to you? I have some cool old ones.

I was looking for a basic tutorial and this was my second pick. Thanks for the start both visually and the links!

Technically the "rivets" on old redlines aren't rivets, they're the metal post it self but pounded flat

i was a kid when these came out, we had a lot of the ones you show

I'm from Canada where you ?

Fascinating stuff, this is the first time I've seen a model car restoration video, wonderful!

So here's an idea for filling gaps on REALLY screwed up cars: Fill in pits and scratches as you would, but then cover the body with aluminum or silver Bare-Metal Foil and paint as you would. The Bare-Metal Foil is essentially very thin metal and therefore can be treated as the car's original body, and can take a mirror polish.

Excellent, entertaining and highly informative, even to intelligently discussing the various financial and aesthetic aspects of restoration. Well done!

BaremetalHW has chickens CONFIRMED!

i love the detail dont feel like you will bore the viewer thats what i come for!!!! great vid

I use that stripper at work and it is pretty nasty stuff.

"And yes we have chickens running around" Great educational video. I've been using super glue and goop to adhere the rivets together.I have a birthday coming up,and i hinted to my friends i need a tap and die set,button screws.

your tool you call nippers are actually called figs

I like your attitude towards restoration

03:20 I've always called them nibblers. Or nibbling tool.

I really appreciate your taking the time to create this instruction video the car turned out incredible ! it's my opinion that there is not to much more you can do with the cast metal then what you did especially with the light color cars. That car looks so much better ! I would never be unhappy with those results !

make your own car

I love your reason for restoring cars.

I think using Molotow chrome as a base coat over primer would be a great alternative, but I'm not sure if it would build up too much.

becoming a big fan. I have a couple cars that need restoration I'm not that brave 2 drill on the red lines great work

Thanks @baremetalHW, but could you possibly make a video on where/how to buy the cars and what a good price is for them. keep up the good work.

Thanks for sharing the tips. I was wondering how you were going to paint the tail lights. All explained. Big thumbs up from the United Kingdom.

i have seen everyone of your videos x they are amazing please never stop making videos, every other channel is bullcrap x yours is the only one i truly love

Thank you so much for posting this, it answered many of my questions!

Awsome videos! I love your restoration videos, keep up your great work an thank you for taking your time to show us.

Nickel plating would cover up the discoloration wouldn't it? Maybe also create a metal layer compatible with solder. Also you could make a paint from graphite powder and a paint thinner and spray it on as a filler primer that is conductive and will take on metal plating maybe?

your videos are awesome you explain everything so perfect! great tips, has helped me out alot. thanks!

Man dude I wish i hade this car but is a piece of art! When it’s dirty or restored!

I know I'm late to this good channel .. but I'm loving it.

Great video, I remember never liked fantasy cars as a kid, I always got real production cars !

Thanks. Always enjoy your videos. Makes me remember.

I think I have watched this video a half dozen times; aside from the fact that the Silhouette was one of my favorite racers, I learn something each time I watch! I still have all my Redline Hot Wheels, Matchbox Speedwheels and Johnny Lightnings (200+ cars!) stored downstairs...I'm waiting for a rainy day to pick one or two out for restoration! I'm curious....I don't have a bench grinder and am searching for one right now; what is the small "pipe piece" you rub against the grinder wheel prior to use?

Truly excellent. I've learnt a lot watching this - thank you.

I just realised how much you sound like Dan Bell, another channel I watch, its not a bad thing, just wanted to mention that. Also, you make me wish I kept all my old hotwheels and matchbox cars I had from the 70s when I was a kid.

I literally had this car as a kid. Awesome job!!!!!

I have to admit that I always thought the Silhouette was ugly when I was a kid. I didn't know the history at all. After hearing its story and seeing it carefully restored, I think it's beautiful.

Beautiful restoration work, well done.

Very nice videos. I would call them nippers. They look very close to tile nippers. But your tool looks like the one they use to cut metal off close to a surface. Kind regards and greetings from Africa.

Man!! You make this look so easy. Nicely done. Really enjoyed this video.👍👍 keep em coming and thanks again .👍

i had no idea people did this. Pretty cool work and excellent video.

Beautiful restoration, truly stunning.

Your a true artist , well done !

Fantastic job on the restoration.

Have you tried having the body soda blasted? I have had great success with it. It gets into all the small areas and removes corrosion perfectly. It does not etch the surface but seems to smooth the surface leaving it ready for paint. Very cheap and easy to do,well worth having a try out on a scrap or beyond repair car.