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Some people will never understand just how long DIY stuff really takes. Especially when doing it in your spare time. As long as you're enjoying it, keep doing it at your own pace.
My learned assumptions are: if I understand the task but it's all book learning then I estimate how long I think it'll take...then I multiply that by 4. And sometimes that's being really generous.
Gonna be honest, most car work done at home is done by people who don’t know what there doing. The best way to learn is by doing it yourself. Keep up the great work!
Agreed. One way to get better is try to perfect the areas you can't see so you learn from your mistakes in an area that doesn't really matter. Then when you get to the visible areas, it looks that much better. It goes against what he said at the end of his video, and it for sure takes a lot longer, but your end result and you skills will be that much better.
I remember back when you bought the Ghia, you asked what kind of videos we would want, and I remember saying something to the effect of "just try, narrate it, and the result will be worth watching because you're learning" and I'm really glad to see that's the case! You're not just learning how to work on this car, you're learning how to progress, and I think that's really worthwhile!
I understand exactly where you're at with this project. I've been working on restoring a 1970 International Scout 800A for over a decade because life tends to get in the way. I too have no clue what I'm doing, but when welding body panels (specifically new bed rails to the old bedsides) I found success with air quenching between welds. I found it kept the metal from getting too hot and warping. I'm finding this series very motivational, maybe it's time for me to get back in the garage and finish that thing .
I really like these story style videos you do. Here's what's happening, what I learned, and what I'm thinking and feeling more than here is how you do this or here is how you critical think. I feel more connected and pick up little learnings along the way and not lectured.
I'm 2 and a half years into a 1971 Karmann Ghia convertible. At the start of the year I began the bodywork in earnest, never having done bodywork before in my life! Not only is the car very rusty (basically the lower 6-8 inches all around like yours), but I've got to battle against the efforts of the previous owner who started a restoration and did VERY poor and dangerous work. I'm using work in hidden areas to finesse my skills for when I get to important visual areas. Too good never is if the next time you do it, you do it better and/or quicker. Also, remember that bad welding and pinholes are magnets to rust, which will kill your work in short order if you don't keep it at bay. Props for doing this and keep up the good work!
I love the fact that Bob distracted us with the beautiful rain and scenery just to prove that it isn't him being lazy! Been in love with the Karmann Ghia series since it started, and you can take all the time you want, I'm still gonna be here!
Bob remember most people are watching because of you. The car project or other projects are great, you are the greatest interest for your process and sharing videography. Crushed this one. Can wait to see you tack weld your way through the back side.
Built a 12 foot stitch and glue boat. Went through this exact sequence. The boat looks very nice. Not showroom. But every person that sees it, even those who don’t know me, or even know that I’m the owner or builder, comment on how cool it is and wonder where they can buy it, etc. and my grandchildren? They absolutely LOVE it! So, do I want to build a bigger boat? Hell yes. But I won’t spend years stressing over every single seam, epoxy fillet, paint run, etc. Thanks for a great video and reminder.
This video really resonated with me. I finished restoring a 1973 Toyota Land Cruiser earlier this year. My mantra for a lot of it was "that's about 90% good, and a 90 is an "A" so therefore I'm good"
Hey man, good to see its coming along. Im currently restoring an old Mercedes (w116) and here are some tips I wish I knew when starting: - Going over the butt-joint with a small airsaw will give you a perfect gap for welding (about 0.7mm ish) and will impove welding. - look at Fitzees Fabrication on youtube regarding "cut-and-butt" method. (trust me, its amazing!) - scuff the rear of the panel and prime it before welding it in case you cant reach it when youre done - 0.8mm welding wire will make welding alot easier (in case you dont run it on your current setup) - blending the weld seam with 80grit on occilatory air sander makes it look nice. - Blasting the panel with a torch for a couple of seconds before painting will make the primer dry instantly so you dont have to wait - Blowing/cooling the weld with a blow gun after putting down a couple of tacks will minimize distortion. - Hammer and dolley the weld will stretch the welds, thus bringing out the low-spot - Start with as agressive grinding as possible to get the most of it off, then proceed to finer grits for finishing. If you take too long grinding, youll get bored and grind too much or give up. Anyways, I agree with your thoughts at the end. If everything is to be 100% perfect, a hobby project will suddenly take 10 years to do and all the fun goes away.. Compromises are inevitable, but need to happen to keep the project moving along. Good luck, and keep up the good work! :)
I'm totally renovating my house and I do everything myself. New roof new electric new plumbing. Bathroom kitchen everything. And indeed sometimes you just need to say good is good enough especially the parts only you will ever see. As long as you are happy with the overall end result that is what matters. Keep up the good work. Love the content
I followed another channel - Fingerprints Garage - where he restored a Pontiac Fiero. That wasn't perfect, he made mistakes, he finished his resto and it was good enough for him. He then continued to enjoy his creation. And I'll tell you something. It was one of the most enjoyable builds I'd ever seen on YT. So much more than a pro-build because you could relate and understand the mistakes he was making. I'm feeling the same way about this. I quite like the repetition, I like the mistakes, I like the hindsight. Looking forward to the next one...
Watching you struggle to get things accomplished on this project that means so much to you really helps me to put my own struggles with projects in perspective. Thanks, Bob!
These cars and Porsche 356s are very similar in that they tend to rust fairly extensively from the inside out but their restos are worth it. If done correctly they can be re-sold for a lot of money; they are coach builts that are not being made anymore. I believe you are doing a great job. The most important thing is that the car regains its structural integrity. All the hidden stuff can be just protected from rust and it will be swell.
I’ve been watching you for four years, and I wouldn’t mind 2025 being the Year of the Ghia. For one year instead of mostly DIY with sporadic Ghia updates, work on the Karmann Ghia interspersed with great DIY (switch the content schedule basically). If this was your main ILTMS priority, you would knock it out before retirement-and we would quit bothering you about it! 😂 In all seriousness, I think you would retain your audience and knock out so much of this Mt Everest of a project that this is less risky than it first sounds. Obviously I’m just a random internet comment and NOT a professional content creator, but I would (still) watch every video and would love to see you driving that Ghia one day!
I started a full size dalek (from doctor who) build in 2017. Now I’m making a video of what I have done on it everyday. I’m inspired by your previous VW video about eating the elephant. So I have to do “something” every day.
Just hit a major milestone on a room renovation, getting the LVP flooring installed. Got it started in the AM with my son (whose room it will be), and finished it up by dinner time. Been working on the room for weeks on and off...ripping up the carpet, painting, putting down homasote for sound dampening and evening out the terrible OSB subfloor, and finally getting the floor down. Baseboards and transitions next, and this project will be done. Definitely not as major a project as your car, but what you're saying about how good things need to be is definitely applicable. Keep up the good (enough) work!
Progress is progress. Every little bit that gets done is a step forward. I've been working on a pair of wooden lawn chairs for nearly a year now. They have a lot of parts, so it feels like I'm slogging to get them done. Not working on them every weekend as I don't always have time. Hope to finish them for this fall, but that may just be wishful thinking. Ghia is loooking betwer every time you show it. Thanks for sharing!
I’m working on a ‘55 Oval beetle and a ‘73 Late bay bus and YES! It takes time, a lot of it. And money. And effort, did I mention time? 😂 I have learned that when I feel down about the progress I feel I don’t do, I rememberer the start and that I also have a life outside of the garage. Every minute spent in the garage gets you closer to driving your fixed classic, so every minute counts even how bad it feels and that you think you don’t make any progress.
The comments and personal reflection, and generally sharing your outlook on hobbies/diy/etc. make this channel great. Trying something new, getting overwhelmed and making mistakes, then allowing yourself a little grace is very relatable. Nice work Bob!
One of the things I've always loved about your videos is that you're transparent about the fact that you're frequently figuring things out, as you go, just like the rest of us. Keep up the hard work, I'm loving seeing the process (and thought process) of you restoring your dream car!
It's looking really great so far. I frequent this kind of content because it helps me learn new things to share with others. That said, the knowledge that I'd like to share is try using a die grinder with a sanding disc. Keeps your grinder from taking off too much metal around your welds. You're thought of tack welding around to keep the heat from warping the metal is spot on. Keep it up. Despite what it may look like, you're making a ton of progress. Paint is all about prep, I consider body work prep when doing this kind of restoration.
It really is true that projects are never truly done. Well, not EVERY project is like that, but nearly all of them. As time marches on, and tech gets better, we look back on our past projects and eventually move to improve them. OR start a whole new project. One of my projects took over 13 years to complete, because new/better tech kept coming up, so I kept changing my mind on the direction of the overall project. It's been in it's current level of "done" for a little over 2 years... So far, I've been ecstatic with it.
i really respect the way you do ads/sponsors. you keep an interesting thing going on in the background like a timelapse and you keep a timer visible on the bottom to let us know how long to wait for. best practice ive seen from any RUclipsr
I'm so glad you're still making progress with the Ghia. Projects for yourself never get finished as fast as you want. Your videos motivate me to get something accomplished everytime I watch one, no matter what you're working on. Thanks for the reminder that not everything goes according to plan, you just have to figure it out as you go!
Always appreciate how you share not just what you are doing, but what you are thinking. And no, DYI work is not professional work. But it keeps us happy and enjoying life.
What many don't realise is that restoring a car is a big difference from just throwing an LS into a clapped out square body. As you say, you are learning this skill, and it will take time. And.. if you are like me, if you stop doing something, you forget how, and then you have to learn all over again (I am certain you cover stitch tacking vs. welding before, but we are also human and forget). Keep up the good work!!
What you said at the end really got me thinking about some of my own projects... especially one that's been sitting on hold for a long time... it's a wood/epoxy slab for a desktop.
Your end statements resonated greatly and was my revelation also when I was doing a lot of work on my old truck. It’s for me and it just has to work as I’m the only person that will know about it. Keep up the good work!
Someone inspiring once said "getting better everytime." Words to live by. I am currently working on a vacuum former to make chocolate moulds for Christmas. I've been working on it for 3 months now.
I think a lot of us can tell this project is creeping into your mental health and we appreciate you taking the time to explain exactly what your thoughts are going forward. Work at your own pace, the car will always be here. We enjoy all of your content!
People I've talked to who have rebuilt cars, have taken years rebuilding cars It's not an easy project I struggle to make art projects so your progress is amazing
Been rebuilding a 60-foot sailing yacht for 5 years - it was a 2 year project. Another year or so to go. Youre exactly right in observing when is good enough. Perfection is unattainable, even by seasoned pros. Just make sure youre having fun doing it, otherwise there is no point. When the fun stops, take a break for a month or two and remember why you started in the first place.
You really REALLY need to go check out Fitzees Fabrication. See how he replaces ultra rusty panels on "crusty", his 70's Toyota. "Cut n' Butt" will become your fav' phrase!
I have a phrase I use a lot for things that don’t need to be the essence of perfection, they are “Perfect Enough” rebuilding a can like that is a lot of work and a massive undertaking keep making progress and don’t let the details of other peoples perfect get in the way, get it on the road and enjoy it
You’re getting there man! The key is to not let the magnitude of the project take away from the fun of building! I’ve been at mine for over 10yrs now and sometime there’s weeks of no progress at all… then I’ll get a new sense of excitement and push on again. Ultimately, for builders, the project itself needs to be joyful, otherwise what are we doing! 😎🔥
I know this isn't at all the focus of the video - but i realized somewhere in the beginning of the video, that for being in a basically unfinished metal+concrete room where you're the most sound absorbent thing in the room, your audio is absolutely fantastic. audio for youtube videos, and especially in the sorta DIY makers realm, tends to get overlooked a lot, and most end up being what what i would say is "it's okay," but yours is great, especially considering the space you were recording in
It’s coming along nicely Bob, but like you I go to the shed on a rainy day thinking I’ll rip into it and be mesmerised by the soothing sound on the roof or the smell. Anyway another great tutorial Bob see you in the next one. 👍🏻🇦🇺
Always enjoy watching your videos. Gives me motivation to work on my ow projects. Just completed making a cabinet for my wife's oven. There were a lot of setbacks and miscalculations but as a first project it came out great.
Love the Ghia. I have had a few. One time I was broken down (shocker) and a guy asked if it was an old Porsche. Of course I said yes. Mine was in really rough shape though.
this brings up a good topic of motivation in long, tedious projects im working through one of those projects right now, an art peice. don't give up, buddy. the work you do now, you'll step back and see how far you've come, and you'll be able to go the rest of the way. and get it done. and be proud of it, too.
I love the nibbler! It was one of my favorite tools in the body shop. You’re doing it dude. One bite at a time. And you learn it while you go. That’s a great product to learn a ton of body work.
Since you asked... I'm building myself a new workbench, but since I'm not a skilled carpenter and cannot imagine and plan all the wood joinery just with my head, I 3D printed the joints and built a tiny version of the bench gluing straws to the 3D printed parts. It doesn't look very good, but it got me ready to start cutting wood 😀
I needed this episode. I nit pick EVERY project that I ever do. Which, in turn, makes a lot of them take twice as long as they usually need to. It's actually bitten me more times than I'd like to admit, lol. I'm definitely going to take this advice and use it from now on. I can't wait to see this little car on the road! Good luck and great job!
Chaseing perfection gets you diminishing returns. If you never launch it, it will never be done. That's a great lesson to learn here, Bob. I worked for a software company for a while, and one of the main that we talked about was 80 is the new 100.
I have heard your quote two different ways. Perfection is the enemy of complete. I am a welder by trade. I'm leaving my pipeline manufacturing job for a job building hunting rigs. The project that I just wrapped up outside of my 9 to 5:00 is a roller coaster car for someone who is really into building backyard roller coasters. It was a neat project and completely new territory to me.
I think with an area like this, if the surface is sound, properly protected. And looks decent from 5-10 feet. ok, in 30 years you can paint it again and make it look amazing. The interior and the areas you see and touch every day are the things that should make as good as possible
I've been working on stuff for our Halloween yard haunt set. Yesterday, I made some fake gate posts for the front of our house out of scavenged materials. Plywood offcuts, scraps of 2x4 and 2x2. And adding some LED torch style lanterns to the top. Which were battery powered Halloween lawn lights I grabbed on clearance a few years back. So building new stuff, repairing old stuff, sorting, planning, prepping, and staging so I can set it up. That is after the yard dries out from the recent monsoon and I get the yard mowed.
A video that not only entertained me for the work done, but also for the "stream of consciousness" reflections you made, on perfectionism and procrastination. Nice ❤
Hey I really like and appreciate your video I've got a 89 jeep comanche I've been working on for the past 4 years and I think it's great that someone else has gone through simulator situations, i thought the exact same thing when I was welding in the floor of my truck
Bob, good for you, for realizing that some things that we make as makers only need to be good for us and not for anyone else. As long as we like it, and it looks good to us, that's all that matters. And to answer your question of projects that we're working on, I am currently building a pantry/tilt-out trash can combination for out kitchen. I couldn't find one in the world that existed, so I decided to try and make it for our space.
Stationed in Okinawa, Japan..working on a 99 Subaru Impreza WRX and I run into the same problem. Often find myself going after one problem, then pursuing every other one I find to perfection and to no end. Great video and advice, maybe it’ll help me get this thing back on the road where it belongs.
As a perfectionist and a hobby bedroom musician, I get caught up in the finer details of mixing before I finish a song. I have a load of unfinished songs because I’m trying to make them perfect, radio quality. I like your approach of making it good enough for yourself instead of adhering to another person’s opinion of what is great. Good luck with the rest of the restoration!
I love your advice to stop fretting the details so much if the project is only for yourself. I've been working on a leather and canvas backpack for about six years now, and I've put so many hours into it, but I've stalled right at the point of stitching it all together (by hand, not with a sewing machine). I'm too afraid of messing something up and not being able to easily correct it without having to cut all new pieces of leather or canvas. With your advice, I'm motivated to simply start stitching and enjoy the finish product, even with potential warts that no one else will see.
As a professional video director for 30 years., a father of 2 and a keen home repair hobbyist .. A huge unlock for me has been “Done is better than perfect”. This is essentially what you’re getting at. Get that thing done and start enjoying it. And enjoying it might be the doing. So get the dull stuff done and start enjoying the doing parts! Also. You could cut the monologues and just time lapse you working. Shoot 4K you can crop in occasionally. And anything you need to say can be said in voice. You could even noodle ideas to camera as you are filming. And then use that as a basis for your script.
The project im working on is a 67 impala 2 door. Straight 6 for now intil i build the small block 350. Been at it for a little over a year. Shes a really good driver. Best place in the world to listen to music
I know where you are coming from. I have too many projects and can’t just stay on one until it’s done. If you can do that, great! It would make it worse if I had to video it all. Can’t imagine that. I do like what you put out there and appreciate the fact that you make it happen. 😊
I'm working on fully restoring a 100 series Landcruiser (well, technically a LX470). Brand new engine that I built from a bare block, rebuilt suspension, etc. I've been watching your channel for years, but only recently have gone to appreciate a good Toyota LC.
I just want to say im really impressed at you progress and proud that you keep working on this. I've known a ton of self professed car cars that would have written it off due to the amount of damage it had. I know this is a little late to your process and frankly, I dont know how much one would cost, but there is a tool called English wheel that is made to help creat those nice curves in the sheet metal that your entire car is. Keep up the amazing work. I really adore this project.
Productivity hack: Write down a list of everything you want to accomplish in a day. The first step you write down is “finish writing the list.” Then once you’ve finished writing your list, you can mark off step 1 and that little bit of progress can mentally help push you on to the next steps.
I remember the first time I ever laidceyescon a Karman Ghia. 52 now, but this was when I was a mere 17 years of age and only just starting to appreciate the beauty and styling of cars. I remember thinking how elegant and appealing the body shape was to me. I've experienced the same feeling every time I've seen a classic or luxury car for the first time. The Dodge Charger, Lamborghini Countache, Miura, Diablo. The De Tomaso Pantera. I could go on. A full restoration is a sight to behold, any make or model. You have a beautiful car there sir, these things cannot be rushed. It'll be finished when it's finished.
Don't get sloppy, just do the best that you can so as to improve your skills. Watch Yorkshire Car Restoration for tips on metal panel cutting, welding and fabricating.
Hey if it makes you feel any better I just bled my brakes on my new motorcycle i got for the first time ever. Took me a few tries but I was successful! I think I'm similar to you Bob, I have a great understanding of carpentry but specialized mechanical stuff has always alluded me, but I'm trying to not let it, just gotta keep pushing.
Unpainted body filler absorbs moisture from the air. This will migrate to the bare metal beneath. Finish a section and spray it with paint. Sand it back when you paint the car. This is recommended, especially if the bondo work is stretched over a long time.❤👍
As David Freiburger says, "Don't get it right, get it running". I would imagine you know who he is, but if not, he's a long time editor of car magazines, and shows like Roadkill, Roadkill Garage, Engine Masters, and several others.
One of the big things I learnt with metal work is heat management. Keep in mind that the grinding of the metal will push a lot of heat into it as well and you could end up chasing your tail. You could find yourself getting oil canning in the steel.
I like the car stuff. Nice to see you learn as you go. The reality of it is what makes it good content. You are also nailing it with integrating the commercial with live action.
I am working on a complete gut and remodel of my 102 year old house. I tore everything out, any non structural walls, wiring, plumbing, everything. Started with just the outside walls and the 1 inside structural wall. It's taken me a little over a year and a half now but I'm finally getting walls painted and some flooring that i can afford laid. I have done everything myself, no electrician, no plumber, no framer, no designed, no drywall workers. I've built all the cabinetry and doors. Done all the mudding, and that is where i have given myself the most grace, I had to learn to accept certain imperfections because i am not good enough with it to get it perfect, but its certainly good enough to be passable to most people i feel.
Hi! I am a furniture maker in Hungary, Europe! I am working on two coaches that made of oak. Some new things, that I never done before, but looking forward to!
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Some people will never understand just how long DIY stuff really takes. Especially when doing it in your spare time. As long as you're enjoying it, keep doing it at your own pace.
💯💯💯
Weird, I was just watching your latest driveway video, I think I can safely say that you're talking from experience.
@@Thunderfork hahaha indeed! Thanks!
My learned assumptions are: if I understand the task but it's all book learning then I estimate how long I think it'll take...then I multiply that by 4.
And sometimes that's being really generous.
lmao this IS his job, not spare time...content
Gonna be honest, most car work done at home is done by people who don’t know what there doing. The best way to learn is by doing it yourself. Keep up the great work!
100%
Agreed. One way to get better is try to perfect the areas you can't see so you learn from your mistakes in an area that doesn't really matter. Then when you get to the visible areas, it looks that much better. It goes against what he said at the end of his video, and it for sure takes a lot longer, but your end result and you skills will be that much better.
I remember back when you bought the Ghia, you asked what kind of videos we would want, and I remember saying something to the effect of "just try, narrate it, and the result will be worth watching because you're learning" and I'm really glad to see that's the case! You're not just learning how to work on this car, you're learning how to progress, and I think that's really worthwhile!
Perfection is the enemy of progress.
That quote works for just about everything in life.. especially restoring vehicles.
I also like "don't let `perfect` get in the way of `good enough`"
@@_topikk_ My version is "Done is better than perfect".
Sometimes "Good enough" is good enough
Put out an MVP and upgrade regularly from there
I understand exactly where you're at with this project. I've been working on restoring a 1970 International Scout 800A for over a decade because life tends to get in the way. I too have no clue what I'm doing, but when welding body panels (specifically new bed rails to the old bedsides) I found success with air quenching between welds. I found it kept the metal from getting too hot and warping. I'm finding this series very motivational, maybe it's time for me to get back in the garage and finish that thing .
I really like these story style videos you do. Here's what's happening, what I learned, and what I'm thinking and feeling more than here is how you do this or here is how you critical think. I feel more connected and pick up little learnings along the way and not lectured.
It takes me all day to get one section done too! It's hard work! Thanks for the motivation Bob. It felt like you were talking directly to me. 😎😎😎
I'm 2 and a half years into a 1971 Karmann Ghia convertible. At the start of the year I began the bodywork in earnest, never having done bodywork before in my life! Not only is the car very rusty (basically the lower 6-8 inches all around like yours), but I've got to battle against the efforts of the previous owner who started a restoration and did VERY poor and dangerous work. I'm using work in hidden areas to finesse my skills for when I get to important visual areas. Too good never is if the next time you do it, you do it better and/or quicker. Also, remember that bad welding and pinholes are magnets to rust, which will kill your work in short order if you don't keep it at bay. Props for doing this and keep up the good work!
I love the fact that Bob distracted us with the beautiful rain and scenery just to prove that it isn't him being lazy!
Been in love with the Karmann Ghia series since it started, and you can take all the time you want, I'm still gonna be here!
These videos always make me feel a little bit more prepared to start a project 😊
@6:26 From all the things to be distracted by, I couldn't think of a better distraction 🥰. I wish I had a home in such a location
Bob remember most people are watching because of you. The car project or other projects are great, you are the greatest interest for your process and sharing videography. Crushed this one. Can wait to see you tack weld your way through the back side.
Built a 12 foot stitch and glue boat. Went through this exact sequence. The boat looks very nice. Not showroom. But every person that sees it, even those who don’t know me, or even know that I’m the owner or builder, comment on how cool it is and wonder where they can buy it, etc. and my grandchildren? They absolutely LOVE it! So, do I want to build a bigger boat? Hell yes. But I won’t spend years stressing over every single seam, epoxy fillet, paint run, etc. Thanks for a great video and reminder.
This video really resonated with me. I finished restoring a 1973 Toyota Land Cruiser earlier this year. My mantra for a lot of it was "that's about 90% good, and a 90 is an "A" so therefore I'm good"
Oh, I like that! I also want to see your 40!! Mine is a 76, and needs just about everything 😀
Hey man, good to see its coming along.
Im currently restoring an old Mercedes (w116) and here are some tips I wish I knew when starting:
- Going over the butt-joint with a small airsaw will give you a perfect gap for welding (about 0.7mm ish) and will impove welding.
- look at Fitzees Fabrication on youtube regarding "cut-and-butt" method. (trust me, its amazing!)
- scuff the rear of the panel and prime it before welding it in case you cant reach it when youre done
- 0.8mm welding wire will make welding alot easier (in case you dont run it on your current setup)
- blending the weld seam with 80grit on occilatory air sander makes it look nice.
- Blasting the panel with a torch for a couple of seconds before painting will make the primer dry instantly so you dont have to wait
- Blowing/cooling the weld with a blow gun after putting down a couple of tacks will minimize distortion.
- Hammer and dolley the weld will stretch the welds, thus bringing out the low-spot
- Start with as agressive grinding as possible to get the most of it off, then proceed to finer grits for finishing. If you take too long grinding, youll get bored and grind too much or give up.
Anyways, I agree with your thoughts at the end. If everything is to be 100% perfect, a hobby project will suddenly take 10 years to do and all the fun goes away.. Compromises are inevitable, but need to happen to keep the project moving along. Good luck, and keep up the good work! :)
I'm totally renovating my house and I do everything myself. New roof new electric new plumbing. Bathroom kitchen everything. And indeed sometimes you just need to say good is good enough especially the parts only you will ever see. As long as you are happy with the overall end result that is what matters. Keep up the good work. Love the content
I followed another channel - Fingerprints Garage - where he restored a Pontiac Fiero. That wasn't perfect, he made mistakes, he finished his resto and it was good enough for him. He then continued to enjoy his creation. And I'll tell you something. It was one of the most enjoyable builds I'd ever seen on YT. So much more than a pro-build because you could relate and understand the mistakes he was making. I'm feeling the same way about this. I quite like the repetition, I like the mistakes, I like the hindsight. Looking forward to the next one...
Watching you struggle to get things accomplished on this project that means so much to you really helps me to put my own struggles with projects in perspective. Thanks, Bob!
I've Been Working On This 87 Chevy For Like 8 Months Now And It's Just Now Gotten The Interior Painted And Exterior Primed. Great Work Bob!
These cars and Porsche 356s are very similar in that they tend to rust fairly extensively from the inside out but their restos are worth it. If done correctly they can be re-sold for a lot of money; they are coach builts that are not being made anymore.
I believe you are doing a great job. The most important thing is that the car regains its structural integrity. All the hidden stuff can be just protected from rust and it will be swell.
I’ve been watching you for four years, and I wouldn’t mind 2025 being the Year of the Ghia. For one year instead of mostly DIY with sporadic Ghia updates, work on the Karmann Ghia interspersed with great DIY (switch the content schedule basically). If this was your main ILTMS priority, you would knock it out before retirement-and we would quit bothering you about it! 😂
In all seriousness, I think you would retain your audience and knock out so much of this Mt Everest of a project that this is less risky than it first sounds. Obviously I’m just a random internet comment and NOT a professional content creator, but I would (still) watch every video and would love to see you driving that Ghia one day!
I started a full size dalek (from doctor who) build in 2017. Now I’m making a video of what I have done on it everyday. I’m inspired by your previous VW video about eating the elephant. So I have to do “something” every day.
Just hit a major milestone on a room renovation, getting the LVP flooring installed. Got it started in the AM with my son (whose room it will be), and finished it up by dinner time. Been working on the room for weeks on and off...ripping up the carpet, painting, putting down homasote for sound dampening and evening out the terrible OSB subfloor, and finally getting the floor down. Baseboards and transitions next, and this project will be done.
Definitely not as major a project as your car, but what you're saying about how good things need to be is definitely applicable. Keep up the good (enough) work!
Progress is progress. Every little bit that gets done is a step forward. I've been working on a pair of wooden lawn chairs for nearly a year now. They have a lot of parts, so it feels like I'm slogging to get them done. Not working on them every weekend as I don't always have time. Hope to finish them for this fall, but that may just be wishful thinking. Ghia is loooking betwer every time you show it. Thanks for sharing!
I’m working on a ‘55 Oval beetle and a ‘73 Late bay bus and YES! It takes time, a lot of it. And money. And effort, did I mention time? 😂
I have learned that when I feel down about the progress I feel I don’t do, I rememberer the start and that I also have a life outside of the garage.
Every minute spent in the garage gets you closer to driving your fixed classic, so every minute counts even how bad it feels and that you think you don’t make any progress.
The comments and personal reflection, and generally sharing your outlook on hobbies/diy/etc. make this channel great. Trying something new, getting overwhelmed and making mistakes, then allowing yourself a little grace is very relatable. Nice work Bob!
One of the things I've always loved about your videos is that you're transparent about the fact that you're frequently figuring things out, as you go, just like the rest of us. Keep up the hard work, I'm loving seeing the process (and thought process) of you restoring your dream car!
It's looking really great so far. I frequent this kind of content because it helps me learn new things to share with others.
That said, the knowledge that I'd like to share is try using a die grinder with a sanding disc. Keeps your grinder from taking off too much metal around your welds. You're thought of tack welding around to keep the heat from warping the metal is spot on. Keep it up. Despite what it may look like, you're making a ton of progress. Paint is all about prep, I consider body work prep when doing this kind of restoration.
Someday you will be driving the Ghia on a sunny day, top down, tunes blasting and you will think, "I should build another car". 🙂
It's a coupe though. 😂
@@ShamWerks I have supreme confidence in Bob's ability to convert it. Yeah, that's my story. 🙂
It really is true that projects are never truly done. Well, not EVERY project is like that, but nearly all of them. As time marches on, and tech gets better, we look back on our past projects and eventually move to improve them. OR start a whole new project. One of my projects took over 13 years to complete, because new/better tech kept coming up, so I kept changing my mind on the direction of the overall project. It's been in it's current level of "done" for a little over 2 years... So far, I've been ecstatic with it.
i really respect the way you do ads/sponsors. you keep an interesting thing going on in the background like a timelapse and you keep a timer visible on the bottom to let us know how long to wait for. best practice ive seen from any RUclipsr
I'm so glad you're still making progress with the Ghia. Projects for yourself never get finished as fast as you want. Your videos motivate me to get something accomplished everytime I watch one, no matter what you're working on. Thanks for the reminder that not everything goes according to plan, you just have to figure it out as you go!
Always appreciate how you share not just what you are doing, but what you are thinking. And no, DYI work is not professional work. But it keeps us happy and enjoying life.
What many don't realise is that restoring a car is a big difference from just throwing an LS into a clapped out square body. As you say, you are learning this skill, and it will take time. And.. if you are like me, if you stop doing something, you forget how, and then you have to learn all over again (I am certain you cover stitch tacking vs. welding before, but we are also human and forget). Keep up the good work!!
What you said at the end really got me thinking about some of my own projects... especially one that's been sitting on hold for a long time... it's a wood/epoxy slab for a desktop.
Your end statements resonated greatly and was my revelation also when I was doing a lot of work on my old truck. It’s for me and it just has to work as I’m the only person that will know about it. Keep up the good work!
Someone inspiring once said "getting better everytime." Words to live by.
I am currently working on a vacuum former to make chocolate moulds for Christmas. I've been working on it for 3 months now.
I think a lot of us can tell this project is creeping into your mental health and we appreciate you taking the time to explain exactly what your thoughts are going forward. Work at your own pace, the car will always be here. We enjoy all of your content!
People I've talked to who have rebuilt cars, have taken years rebuilding cars
It's not an easy project
I struggle to make art projects so your progress is amazing
Been rebuilding a 60-foot sailing yacht for 5 years - it was a 2 year project. Another year or so to go. Youre exactly right in observing when is good enough. Perfection is unattainable, even by seasoned pros. Just make sure youre having fun doing it, otherwise there is no point. When the fun stops, take a break for a month or two and remember why you started in the first place.
You really REALLY need to go check out Fitzees Fabrication. See how he replaces ultra rusty panels on "crusty", his 70's Toyota. "Cut n' Butt" will become your fav' phrase!
EXACTY - Don’t delay. Fitzee will show you the process and your confidence will skyrocket. 👍👍😎👍👍
+1 for Fitzee
Speaking of whom.... he just posted a new vid showing how he rebuilt the bottom of a totally rusted out door.
+1
I have a phrase I use a lot for things that don’t need to be the essence of perfection, they are “Perfect Enough” rebuilding a can like that is a lot of work and a massive undertaking keep making progress and don’t let the details of other peoples perfect get in the way, get it on the road and enjoy it
You’re getting there man! The key is to not let the magnitude of the project take away from the fun of building! I’ve been at mine for over 10yrs now and sometime there’s weeks of no progress at all… then I’ll get a new sense of excitement and push on again. Ultimately, for builders, the project itself needs to be joyful, otherwise what are we doing! 😎🔥
Perfection Prevents Progress. Making a sign of that and putting it up in my shop has been the best thing i have done for progress on project cars.
I know this isn't at all the focus of the video - but i realized somewhere in the beginning of the video, that for being in a basically unfinished metal+concrete room where you're the most sound absorbent thing in the room, your audio is absolutely fantastic. audio for youtube videos, and especially in the sorta DIY makers realm, tends to get overlooked a lot, and most end up being what what i would say is "it's okay," but yours is great, especially considering the space you were recording in
I appreciate this video. I've been redoing a beetle since a little before your first video on this came out. Know just how this feels.
Bob, we are here for you with all of your projects in your life!
It’s coming along nicely Bob, but like you I go to the shed on a rainy day thinking I’ll rip into it and be mesmerised by the soothing sound on the roof or the smell. Anyway another great tutorial Bob see you in the next one. 👍🏻🇦🇺
So great to see you working on the car again. Love the journey.
Always enjoy watching your videos. Gives me motivation to work on my ow projects. Just completed making a cabinet for my wife's oven. There were a lot of setbacks and miscalculations but as a first project it came out great.
6:10 100% with you these.. I am insulating my cold cellar (which has a top concrete roof which heats up crazy) and its taking forever
Love the Ghia. I have had a few. One time I was broken down (shocker) and a guy asked if it was an old Porsche. Of course I said yes. Mine was in really rough shape though.
Every time is better than the last. You’re unstoppable!
this brings up a good topic of motivation in long, tedious projects
im working through one of those projects right now, an art peice.
don't give up, buddy. the work you do now, you'll step back and see how far you've come, and you'll be able to go the rest of the way. and get it done. and be proud of it, too.
I love the nibbler! It was one of my favorite tools in the body shop. You’re doing it dude. One bite at a time. And you learn it while you go. That’s a great product to learn a ton of body work.
Since you asked... I'm building myself a new workbench, but since I'm not a skilled carpenter and cannot imagine and plan all the wood joinery just with my head, I 3D printed the joints and built a tiny version of the bench gluing straws to the 3D printed parts. It doesn't look very good, but it got me ready to start cutting wood 😀
I needed this episode. I nit pick EVERY project that I ever do. Which, in turn, makes a lot of them take twice as long as they usually need to. It's actually bitten me more times than I'd like to admit, lol. I'm definitely going to take this advice and use it from now on. I can't wait to see this little car on the road! Good luck and great job!
Chaseing perfection gets you diminishing returns. If you never launch it, it will never be done. That's a great lesson to learn here, Bob. I worked for a software company for a while, and one of the main that we talked about was 80 is the new 100.
I have heard your quote two different ways. Perfection is the enemy of complete. I am a welder by trade. I'm leaving my pipeline manufacturing job for a job building hunting rigs. The project that I just wrapped up outside of my 9 to 5:00 is a roller coaster car for someone who is really into building backyard roller coasters. It was a neat project and completely new territory to me.
I think with an area like this, if the surface is sound, properly protected. And looks decent from 5-10 feet. ok, in 30 years you can paint it again and make it look amazing. The interior and the areas you see and touch every day are the things that should make as good as possible
I've been working on stuff for our Halloween yard haunt set. Yesterday, I made some fake gate posts for the front of our house out of scavenged materials. Plywood offcuts, scraps of 2x4 and 2x2. And adding some LED torch style lanterns to the top. Which were battery powered Halloween lawn lights I grabbed on clearance a few years back. So building new stuff, repairing old stuff, sorting, planning, prepping, and staging so I can set it up. That is after the yard dries out from the recent monsoon and I get the yard mowed.
A video that not only entertained me for the work done, but also for the "stream of consciousness" reflections you made, on perfectionism and procrastination. Nice ❤
Hey I really like and appreciate your video I've got a 89 jeep comanche I've been working on for the past 4 years and I think it's great that someone else has gone through simulator situations, i thought the exact same thing when I was welding in the floor of my truck
Bob, good for you, for realizing that some things that we make as makers only need to be good for us and not for anyone else. As long as we like it, and it looks good to us, that's all that matters.
And to answer your question of projects that we're working on, I am currently building a pantry/tilt-out trash can combination for out kitchen. I couldn't find one in the world that existed, so I decided to try and make it for our space.
Really appreciate the messaging here. You've put in several great lessons, that I should probably take to heart.
I know you were uncertain about this content but it really worked. Not a long video for hours of work, but your philosophy is cool.
Stationed in Okinawa, Japan..working on a 99 Subaru Impreza WRX and I run into the same problem. Often find myself going after one problem, then pursuing every other one I find to perfection and to no end. Great video and advice, maybe it’ll help me get this thing back on the road where it belongs.
You have much more patience than I do. Looking good!
As a perfectionist and a hobby bedroom musician, I get caught up in the finer details of mixing before I finish a song. I have a load of unfinished songs because I’m trying to make them perfect, radio quality. I like your approach of making it good enough for yourself instead of adhering to another person’s opinion of what is great. Good luck with the rest of the restoration!
I love your advice to stop fretting the details so much if the project is only for yourself. I've been working on a leather and canvas backpack for about six years now, and I've put so many hours into it, but I've stalled right at the point of stitching it all together (by hand, not with a sewing machine). I'm too afraid of messing something up and not being able to easily correct it without having to cut all new pieces of leather or canvas.
With your advice, I'm motivated to simply start stitching and enjoy the finish product, even with potential warts that no one else will see.
As a professional video director for 30 years., a father of 2 and a keen home repair hobbyist .. A huge unlock for me has been “Done is better than perfect”. This is essentially what you’re getting at. Get that thing done and start enjoying it. And enjoying it might be the doing. So get the dull stuff done and start enjoying the doing parts!
Also. You could cut the monologues and just time lapse you working. Shoot 4K you can crop in occasionally. And anything you need to say can be said in voice. You could even noodle ideas to camera as you are filming. And then use that as a basis for your script.
The project im working on is a 67 impala 2 door. Straight 6 for now intil i build the small block 350. Been at it for a little over a year. Shes a really good driver. Best place in the world to listen to music
I know where you are coming from. I have too many projects and can’t just stay on one until it’s done. If you can do that, great! It would make it worse if I had to video it all. Can’t imagine that. I do like what you put out there and appreciate the fact that you make it happen. 😊
Yeah! Working on the ghia! Getting a lot done! Keep at it bob 👍
Just finished a styrofoam Goku sculpture, so time to relax.
I'm working on fully restoring a 100 series Landcruiser (well, technically a LX470). Brand new engine that I built from a bare block, rebuilt suspension, etc. I've been watching your channel for years, but only recently have gone to appreciate a good Toyota LC.
Really cool take on motivation and getting a project done,
love to see progress on this project too!
I just want to say im really impressed at you progress and proud that you keep working on this. I've known a ton of self professed car cars that would have written it off due to the amount of damage it had.
I know this is a little late to your process and frankly, I dont know how much one would cost, but there is a tool called English wheel that is made to help creat those nice curves in the sheet metal that your entire car is. Keep up the amazing work. I really adore this project.
Productivity hack:
Write down a list of everything you want to accomplish in a day. The first step you write down is “finish writing the list.” Then once you’ve finished writing your list, you can mark off step 1 and that little bit of progress can mentally help push you on to the next steps.
I remember the first time I ever laidceyescon a Karman Ghia. 52 now, but this was when I was a mere 17 years of age and only just starting to appreciate the beauty and styling of cars. I remember thinking how elegant and appealing the body shape was to me. I've experienced the same feeling every time I've seen a classic or luxury car for the first time. The Dodge Charger, Lamborghini Countache, Miura, Diablo. The De Tomaso Pantera. I could go on.
A full restoration is a sight to behold, any make or model.
You have a beautiful car there sir, these things cannot be rushed. It'll be finished when it's finished.
Don't get sloppy, just do the best that you can so as to improve your skills. Watch Yorkshire Car Restoration for tips on metal panel cutting, welding and fabricating.
Hey if it makes you feel any better I just bled my brakes on my new motorcycle i got for the first time ever. Took me a few tries but I was successful! I think I'm similar to you Bob, I have a great understanding of carpentry but specialized mechanical stuff has always alluded me, but I'm trying to not let it, just gotta keep pushing.
Unpainted body filler absorbs moisture from the air. This will migrate to the bare metal beneath. Finish a section and spray it with paint. Sand it back when you paint the car. This is recommended, especially if the bondo work is stretched over a long time.❤👍
As David Freiburger says, "Don't get it right, get it running". I would imagine you know who he is, but if not, he's a long time editor of car magazines, and shows like Roadkill, Roadkill Garage, Engine Masters, and several others.
Thanks for the motivation Bob
We support you, keep going. As a father, also self employed, and a RUclipsr, I get it. Keep cuttin' brother!
One of the big things I learnt with metal work is heat management. Keep in mind that the grinding of the metal will push a lot of heat into it as well and you could end up chasing your tail. You could find yourself getting oil canning in the steel.
another good channel is half ass customs, makes cars from really old scrap and they look really good. keep up the good work
I like how you said to "enjoy the car and be proud of the work you put into the car", but you should also enjoy the process of rebuilding the car.
Haven’t watched a lot of your videos in a while maybe a year or so. So it’s kinda nice to have some familiarity that the Ghia is still being worked on
I like the car stuff. Nice to see you learn as you go. The reality of it is what makes it good content.
You are also nailing it with integrating the commercial with live action.
Love this project. Was just wondering when we'd get another update. Serendipity! Keep it up. You'll get it done eventually.
LOVE this project! Thanks for sharing you wins and learning!
I am working on a complete gut and remodel of my 102 year old house. I tore everything out, any non structural walls, wiring, plumbing, everything. Started with just the outside walls and the 1 inside structural wall. It's taken me a little over a year and a half now but I'm finally getting walls painted and some flooring that i can afford laid. I have done everything myself, no electrician, no plumber, no framer, no designed, no drywall workers. I've built all the cabinetry and doors. Done all the mudding, and that is where i have given myself the most grace, I had to learn to accept certain imperfections because i am not good enough with it to get it perfect, but its certainly good enough to be passable to most people i feel.
I love when you work on this car, thanks!
I love the Ghia project, it's how I discovered this channel and the main reason I follow.
Dude, as someone who’s restored a classic car, part of the fight is simply how long it takes. It’s not a race, it’s a marathon.
This video series is what got me on your channel. You got this!!!!!
Hi! I am a furniture maker in Hungary, Europe! I am working on two coaches that made of oak. Some new things, that I never done before, but looking forward to!