Kevin Tetz

5 Minutes With…Kevin Tetz

If you’ve watched any hot-rod-based television shows, you’ll likely recognize Kevin Tetz. He’s hosted several shows including TRUCKS TV, Truck Tech, and Classic Rides, and he’s made guest appearances on others. He’s also been an online consultant for Eastwood, LMC Truck, and other companies. Today you can dial him up on his YouTube Channel, at Paintucation.com (which you can read more about in this issue’s paint guide), or through his other body-and-paint training systems.

Kevin grew up in British Columbia, Canada, where he first learned the gearhead way with his brother and cousins in a family salvage yard. He built several classic cars and trucks at a young age before choosing rock ’n roll as a touring musician. Eventually, he made his way to Nashville where he gained his collision repair certification, dove back into the hot rod world, and got involved with magazines and television. We caught up with Kevin shortly after the SEMA Show.

GG: You have experience in print, TV, and online. Are there different challenges to YouTube and social media?

Kevin Tetz: I choose to look at things as opportunities, rather than challenges. The evolving social media landscape gives us all unlimited ways to connect with our community, most times at no cost. The challenge is maintaining the required consistency and quality of content. We can gain instant visibility; we have to earn credibility.


GG: The social media landscape is cluttered with creators and “influencers.” Any tips on finding quality content?

Tetz: I look at two things specifically when trying to find an influencer to invest my time in. One, are they credible and do they have experience to back up their claims? And two, have they invested in their platform? Do they have what it takes to EARN a following? You can tell a lot by how much content they have, but mostly by the comments and engagement they receive and reciprocate. Viral is great, but earned respect and expertise is what I search for.


GG: With more than 160 videos on YouTube, do you have any that stand out as favorites?

Tetz: The series I’m having the most fun with now is my “Garbage-Camaro” project. It really seems to resonate with folks. It’s a forgotten ’74 Camaro that I originally traded [Derek Bieri from Vice Grip Garage] for parts to finish another second-gen I had, but the more it “spoke” to me, the more it demanded to be resurrected! I think people like a rags-to-riches scenario, and along the way I can show lots of great techniques, tools, and products that will help them on their personal projects.


GG: How about projects – do you have a favorites from over the years?

Tetz: My JADED ’66 Mustang was an important car for me as it was the first build I ever displayed at SEMA, in 2012, and was a transition of sorts from the TRUCKS! TV show to my independent production company. Plus, I drove it at several Goodguys AutoCross events, too!

GG: Who did you look up to as you honed your hot rod building skills?

Tetz: George Barris was a hero, Ed Roth had my attention, too, but also Tom Daniel, the legendary Hot Wheels designer. Those toys fueled, pun intended, my passion for muscle cars and ingrained my favorite body styles forever.


GG: Paint is intimidating to many hot rodders. How realistic is it for a DIY enthusiast to get a quality finish in their garage?

Tetz: People misunderstand the process of automotive refinishing. Most think it’s an “artform” and it’s absolutely not! It’s a procedure, pure and simple. It is very realistic that someone can have great success the first time out using my training. I’ve seen it hundreds of times. It takes dedication and an understanding that we must un-learn things sometimes. Once someone lets go of their fear and ego, then they’re open to learn!


GG: Are there any paint trends you see coming in the next few years?

Tetz: I love seeing great trends coming back again! The ’80s Craig Frasier mini-truck-style slash graphics were so great and are coming back hard! And it’s so good to see people embracing that period as legitimate. It wasn’t always considered that way, but the truth is that’s where young technicians come into this trade, and we need to ALWAYS embrace that.


GG: What’s your take on how to get younger people involved in the hot rod hobby?

Tetz: We have the meet them where they are! If that means a Nissan Sylvia, a Miata, an S2000, or a 3-Series BMW, or V-tech swapped whatever, the industry as a whole has to open its arms to what the new folks are interested in. SEMA this year was a great example of that. I saw a lot of crossed-over platforms and open mindedness!

GG: What was your first vehicle, and what project would you like to build someday?

Tetz: My first vehicle was a ’49 GMC. I don’t think I want to go back and resurrect that daydream, but I really want to do a ’57 F100. I had one just out of high school and regret not doing it justice. There’s something about that one-year-only front end!


GG: We understand you were in a rock band back in the day. Are there lessons from that experience that helped you later on?

Kevin Tetz: Yes, I was a working musician, a rock singer, for many years before I settled into an automotive career. That experience helped me in so many ways, but mostly how to come to terms with how my voice sounds recorded and seeing my image in video. The biggest fear in western society is public speaking – it’s ranked higher than the fear of death! I’ve done some coaching of on-camera techniques, trying to help people get used to being exposed like that. I was fortunate to go through that with music instead of venturing out on a channel or TV show with no comfort zone. Even for seasoned pros, that feeling in your gut never really goes away. We just learn to harness it and put it in the right place.

Todd Ryden is first and foremost a car guy and admits to how lucky he is to have been able to build a career out of a hobby that he enjoys so much. He’s owned muscle cars and classics, raced a bit and has cruised across the country. With over 25 years in the industry from the manufacturing and marketing side to writing books and articles, he just gets it.