Atomic Autoworks

06/17/2025

🚨 Great News from Atomic Autoworks Garage! 🛠️📦

Not only can you watch our how-to videos and tool reviews, but now you can also purchase the exact tools, materials, and supplies we use — directly from us!

🛒 Shop now: https://atomicautoworks.com
🎥 Learn it. 🧰 Use it. 🚗 Build it.

Whether you're fixing up your ride or going full custom, we've got what you need to do it right and do it yourself.

Stay tuned — we're adding new products regularly!

06/09/2025

🎙️ We're Back! After a short break, "In The Shop" with Atomic Autoworks Garage is back for an all-new season — and it’s going to be our best one yet! 🔥

From real-world shop talk to behind-the-scenes insight, we're diving even deeper into the world of car and bike builds, upholstery, paint, fabrication, and everything in between. Whether you're a DIYer, pro builder, or just love custom rides — this podcast is for you.

📲 Listen now on all major platforms:
🍎 Apple Podcasts
🎧 iTunes
🌐 Buzzsprout..and wherever you get your podcasts!

💬 Got a topic you want us to cover or a guest you'd love to hear from? Drop it in the comments!

🎧 Subscribe, listen, and wrench along with us — a new season starts now!

06/06/2025

🔥 What REALLY Happened to the C3 Corvette Project? 🔥
We’re pulling back the curtain in our latest video — and revealing the full story.

This behind-the-scenes episode was originally only for our Channel Members, but now we’re making it public… because this is something every car enthusiast, customer, and builder needs to see.

👉 Watch now: https://youtu.be/Sd7AMZIUcmM

From unrealistic budgets to hard lessons in expectations, this is a raw and honest look at what happens when big dreams meet real-world costs in a restoration shop.

💥 Why most builds stall
💥 What shops face behind closed doors
💥 And how passion can crash into reality

This isn’t a highlight reel — it’s the truth from the shop side. If you're into classic cars, custom builds, or just want to understand the business behind the wrench, this episode is a must-watch.

💬 Tell us in the comments: Have YOU been through a similar experience?

🔓 Want early access to videos like this? Become a Channel Member and support real, honest content from the shop floor.

What really happened to the C3 Corvette project? In this behind-the-scenes episode, we're finally revealing the full story — the truth, the reality, and the ...

06/04/2025

🚨 Welcome to the All-New Atomic Autoworks Garage! 🚨
We hit the reset button — new shop, new direction, new journey. And you’re coming with us.

Go behind the scenes as we launch our custom & restoration shop from the ground up. This isn’t just wrenches and welders — we’re showing the real grind of building a brand in today’s world:
🛠️ Shop transformations
🎨 Logo design & content creation
📱 Social media & marketing
💰 Real costs & customer dynamics

💡 Ever wondered what it really takes to start a restoration business? No filters. No BS. Just the real-life chaos and wins of building something from scratch.

🎥 Watch now: https://youtu.be/zzHVhETGryg
🔥 Drop a comment & tell us what you want to see next!

👉 Don’t forget to Subscribe and become a Channel Member for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, early access, and outtakes.

Welcome to the all-new Atomic Autoworks Garage!We hit the reset button — new shop, new direction. In this behind-the-scenes video, the Team takes you inside ...

06/02/2025

🎥 New Episode Dropped!
C3 Corvette fans — you’re gonna want to see this one.

We’re back on the C3 Corvette restoration and while we made some serious progress behind the scenes, now we’re catching YOU up! This week’s episode dives into a surprisingly tricky part of the process… choosing the right primer.

💬 What should’ve been simple turned into a frustrating reality check. Watch as we break down what happened, what we found, and the primer we ultimately chose for the build — and why we’re sticking with it for the long haul.

👉 Check it out on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/AUBSKmtmfPE

If you love classic car builds, real shop talk, and the ups & downs of restoration, this is your kind of video.

🔧 Don’t forget to subscribe and join the journey!

In this episode of our C3 Corvette restoration series, we dive back into the build — but with a twist. We jumped ahead on a few tasks and made serious progre...

06/02/2025

🚗🔥 BARN FIND VOLVOS?!
We pulled out not one, but TWO vintage Volvo station wagons and now it’s time to decide… restore, modify, or part out?

Join Ed & Luis from Atomic Autoworks Garage as they dig into these dusty legends, break down the condition, potential, and debate what’s next. If you love barn finds, classic cars, or just two gearheads talking shop—this one's for you.

👉 Watch now on YouTube:
🎥 https://youtu.be/OJKudXTlStU

💬 Drop a comment and let us know what YOU would do with these wagons!

://youtu.be/OJKudXTlStU

We just pulled not one — but TWO classic Volvo wagons out of a barn! The big question is... what should we do with them? Restore them to their former glory? ...

06/02/2025

🚨 The Restoration Shop Handoff: A Never-Ending Story

Let’s talk about one of the most common (and tragic) sagas in the world of custom builds and restorations.
Scene 1: The Grand Escape

Customer walks into shop
"Hey! My car is at another shop. It’s been there forever, and they’re NOT working on it. I HAVE the money. I just want it DONE."

Shop:
“We’d love to help, but… everything they did is wrong. It’ll all need to be redone.”

Customer:
“No problem! Totally understand—I just want it done right this time.”

🚚 Car gets pulled from Shop #1 and delivered to Shop #2.
Scene 2: The Rebuild Begins

Two weeks into the job…

Customer:
“Hey, I need every penny accounted for. Pics, videos, detailed updates, hourly logs—I need constant attention. I was taken advantage of before.”

Shop:
“Of course—we get it. Communication is key.”

Then the plot twist…

Customer:
“Also… I already paid the last shop $40K. So, can you help me out and absorb some of that loss?”

Shop:
“Unfortunately, that was them. This is us. We can’t undo someone else’s bad work for free.”
Scene 3: Déjà Vu

Two more weeks in...

Customer:
“This car has taken TEN YEARS. And now I’m $50K in and it’s STILL not done!”

Shop:
“Well, only $10K of that was with us. And we’re redoing everything they messed up. We can’t warranty or stand behind shoddy work.”

Customer:
“FINE.”
(Proceeds to nickel and dime every part of the build.)
Scene 4: The Cycle Continues

The shop, drained and exhausted, slowly pushes the car aside.
Another project gets priority.
Another customer that “just wanted it done” has unintentionally sabotaged their own restoration.

And just like that...

🚗 ➡️ The car begins its new life on the Shop-to-Shop Express.
❗Moral of the Story:

If you’re pulling a car from another shop and really want it done right:

✅ Respect the new shop’s process
✅ Don’t expect discounts for mistakes someone else made
✅ Understand that “doing it right” often means “starting over”
✅ Don’t treat the new shop like the last one

Want your dream car built right? Don’t bring the baggage with the build.

06/01/2025

How to Be the Worst Customer at a Restoration or Custom Shop

Ever wonder what it takes to drive a restoration shop crazy? Follow along and learn how to become the worst possible customer. 😎👎

Customer:
“Hey! How long will it take to do my job?”

Shop:
“Well, it’s a big one. We’ll be able to start in about two weeks, and you’re looking at around two months from there. Budget should land near $45K.”

Customer:
“Oh, perfect! No rush, I’m in no hurry. Take your time!”

1 week later...

Customer:
“Hey! No rush—just checking in on progress.”

Shop:
“No worries! Just like we discussed, we’re still scheduled to start in two weeks.”

Customer:
“Totally understand, just keeping tabs.”

One more week passes. Cue: 10 calls, 40 emails, 3 social media messages, a smoke signal, and one carrier pigeon.

Customer:
“Look, if there’s going to be a problem getting this done, I can just take it somewhere else!”

Shop:
“Everything’s still on schedule exactly as we discussed…”

Project begins. Shop starts working. Progress is good. Two weeks in…

Customer:
“Hey since the vehicle’s there, and you're doing the exterior, can you go ahead and do the interior too?”

Shop:
“Absolutely. Just note that will be about another $20K.”

Customer:
“Cool. Sounds good. Do it all.”

Fast forward: Original 2-month timeline reaches its end…

Customer:
“Why isn't my vehicle done yet?! You promised two months!!”

Shop:
“The original scope is done. But remember, you added a full interior, which is more time and work.”

Customer:
“This is ridiculous. I only brought it here because you said it would be done in two months!”

Now the job is finally done…

Shop:
“Your total comes to $65K.”

Customer:
“WHAT?! You said $45K! I should get a discount because it took longer!”

Shop:
🧠 Insert deep sigh and existential crisis here.
🚫 Don’t Be That Customer

At a quality custom or restoration shop, pricing is based on time, labor, and materials—not feelings, assumptions, or wishful thinking. The timeline is only as stable as the scope of the job.

Adding more work = more time and money.
Rushing quality work = bad results.
Changing your mind every week = chaos.
Ignoring your own changes = delusion.

Want your project done right?
🛠️ Communicate.
🕒 Be patient.
💸 Respect the budget.
🙌 Trust the process.

And remember: A shop is not Amazon Prime. You can’t just click “overnight delivery” on a hand-built hot rod. 😆

05/31/2025

🚨 BIG NEWS! 🚨

We’re excited to officially launch our YouTube Membership Program! 🎥✨

This is your exclusive pass to the real behind-the-scenes action at Atomic Autoworks Garage — the stuff that doesn’t always make it to public videos. From raw builds and real shop talk to outtakes, chaos, and the day-to-day grind… you’ll get it all first as a member. 🔧🔥

We’re working hard behind the scenes to bring you more content, more often — and we want you along for the ride.

👀 So if you're into real builds, real people, and real progress... this is for you.

👉 Click the “Join” button on our YouTube page and become a member today.
Let’s build something awesome — together.

05/31/2025

🎯 True Restoration Story That Never Ends…

A customer walks into our old shop and asks the classic question:
“How much to restore my car?”

We say, honestly:
🗣 “We don’t give exact quotes — everything changes once we get into it. But realistically… you’re looking at $50K–$60K.

BUT — if that’s too much, here’s a list of 6 other reputable shops that charge less.”

Fast forward a few days… the customer comes back:
🧍‍♂️ “No, no — I want you guys to do it. I know you actually care.”

Awesome, we appreciate that!

🚧 $6,000 into the job…

💸 “Wait… I’m running out of money. Why is the job paused?”
🤦‍♂️

This, folks, is why we always say: Have a plan, a realistic budget, and be prepared for the long haul.
Cars don’t restore themselves — and passion doesn’t pay for parts or labor.

Want it done right? Great. Just don’t forget the most important part of the build: a solid budget.

05/29/2025

Let’s Talk Realities of Restorations & Custom Builds

With inflation, rising material costs, and everything going on in the world — we get it — building or restoring a vehicle isn’t cheap. But here’s the truth that often gets overlooked:

👉 Many people jump into a project without fully understanding how the process actually works.

Shops don’t create prices based on what you want to pay.
They charge based on a simple formula:
Time + Parts + Materials.

That’s it. Sounds straightforward — but it’s not always what people want to hear.

Everyone wants a fixed price, but in this industry, that’s often the worst approach. Unexpected issues come up. Parts availability changes. Ideas evolve. The smart way to approach a build is to set micro goals and achieve them step by step.

If funds run short? Put the project on pause. Pick it up when you’re ready. This ensures that each phase is done right — not rushed, not cheaped out.

💡 Think about it this way:
If your shop’s labor rate is $175/hour, one full day (8 hours) is $1,400.
That’s $7,000/week and $364,000/year.

It adds up quickly — just like when you walk into a store, throw a few $10 items into the cart, and somehow owe $500 at checkout. Now multiply that by… restoration.

So if you're serious about your build, go in prepared, with realistic expectations. Otherwise, maybe it’s time to keep that project in the basement a little longer.

Let’s build it the right way — or not at all. 💪

05/27/2025

🚨 Wanna See What REALLY Goes On Behind the Scenes? 🚨

Join our YouTube Members Only crew and get exclusive access to:

🎥 Behind-the-scenes footage
🎬 First access to new videos before they go public
😂 Bloopers, outtakes, and funny moments we normally wouldn’t dare post
🔧 Insider looks at the builds and the chaos that comes with them

If you love what we do at Atomic Autoworks Garage and want to support the madness, this is the best way to do it!

💥 Members get the uncut, unfiltered, unpolished truth of the car world — before anyone else sees it.

Click the “Join” button on our YouTube channel and become part of the inner circle.
We promise you’ll laugh, cringe, and probably learn a thing or two along the way. 😉

👉https://www.youtube.com/