The guys have learned a thing or two about blasting over the years, dating back to the days before PPE was commonplace and the effects of prolonged exposure to various media was of little concern. Now with dozens of “Blasting with Byrd” TV segments under his belt, Kevin has become something of an expert on the subject, and today he and Willie welcome Dustless Blasting Marketing Director Kaylyn Starr to the podcast. The company was first to market with a mobile blasting platform that provides environmentally friendly solutions for a plethora of applications and occupations, leading Kevin to attest, “It’s mind-blowing to compare it to anything else.” 

The guys discuss buying and selling at Barrett-Jackson, Mecum, and local automotive auctions with Rick Fragnoli the owner of Cleveland Power and Performance. They also trade stories as well as tips and tricks for getting what you want at swap meets. Kevin asks, “So what is your top piece of advice for scoring big at a swap meet?” Rick states, “Cash in hand, you gotta have cash”. 

From selling glitter out of a suitcase to traveling to European manufacturing and mining facilities chasing the perfect pigment, today the guys talk all the things that bling when it comes to paint with Manny Martinez the owner and founder of Tropical Glitz paints. Referring to customers and their desire to find the perfect paint, Manny states, “you guys have a vision, you have a dream so we’re here to give you a solution for that vision.”

Kevin and Willie discuss the current evolution and transitioning of the Automotive Industry to electric vehicle technology. From hybrid to full autonomous electric vehicles, the guys discuss it all. Kevin states, “It just keeps getting better and better and we love it, and now we’re at this crossroad…” Do you like electric vehicles or are you a muscle car purist? “After enough beat downs on the track, you’re gonna change your mind!”

The world has somewhat transitioned from solvent based paints to water-based paints but that doesn’t always agree with the art form that is painting a vehicle, especially when you’re trying to get that perfect look! Willie agrees with Henry Ford stating, “A customer can have their car painted any color they want, as long as that color is black”, but Kevin feels that “a color of paint wants to be on certain cars”. Often the paint for your vehicle can cost more than the vehicle itself. So, what to choose? 

Willie recently received an excited phone call from his twin brother exclaiming, “You’ll never guess what I found three miles from my house!” What he found is possibly the pinnacle small town elusive barn find – a 1970 Plymouth Superbird! It’s been stuffed in the back of a garage and the doors to the vehicle haven’t been opened since 1989. You can guess that this is one six-figure car that Willie really wants to get his hands on. The guys discuss the history of this classic, talk shop about many other classic and current rides that have always caught their eyes, and get emotional about some of the cars that got away… almost!