Thread: How to paint a rat rod to look like rust ?

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Street Rodder mag.(I think) did an article about faux finish and even showed a '32 truck being "rusted". I don't remember the issue num., but you might contact them for a back issue. An artist here in Ft. Worth area did a glass car complete with straw hanging out of different places mismatched frt. and rr. wheels, heck he even won a few pick's at some of the runs. His last is Anderson, but don't remember any address, he does art work etc. for a living.
I agree with some of the other greybeards, we had primered cars in the past, but we all wanted paint and interior (though few succeded).
Jim

I guess this is going to have to be on the list of things that I will never understand...... Why would anyone want to make their car look bad on purpose???? Got to be a lot of work and expense for what?????????? I'm confused !!

I think it's an in your face kinda thing.

Some may do it for the shock value, but once we've seen it, it gets old.

Well built and well painted cars attract favorable comments from those within and without the hobby.

Well built being the operative words here.

Thanks for the replies, although no one seems to know how they did it on the show. I'm kind of insulted with the attitude toward my question. A few old dogs seem to feel the need to make comments like "I don't understand the whole rat rod thing " even though no one asked for a commentary on paint quality . I have a fiberglass grill shell , cab with 30 year old paint and a new raw metal box. I want to make it all look like a field truck with a perfectly detailed engine, just like the VW on monster garage. That's the look I want, thats what I like. I built this truck with my own two hands, frame and all and I'm proud of it. If it's not your cup of tea its fine by me. I still would like to hear from anyone who know how or has seen it done. On the show I noticed them brushing something on.

I can sort of understand how you might feel put-off a little by some of the replys. It isn't your question, it just is tied into the whole rat-rod love or hate situation.

Personally, I like the look of some rusty cars, and am building one of mine to be sort of rat roddish. But that is just me. My own Son argues with me every time I refer to my '39 as a Rat rod, he somehow sees it as an insult. I don't.

But please don't take offense to the comments, anytime you get a bunch of people together from different backgrounds, etc., you are going to get different opinions. That is what makes these forums cool, we can trade ideas, jokes, opinions, etc., and you just have to be a little thick skinned and understanding.

I still want to know how they did the paint job, though.


Don

Here's one way.

Strip the finish down to bare metal.

Run it that way for a while, no WD40 or any other protectants in use, just let the surface rust develop.
A couple of weeks ought to do it, no serious rust required, just light surface rust.

Wash it, make sure it's really dry.

Shoot a couple coats of lacquer primer on it.

Drive it for a while longer.

The rust will work it's way to the surface, coloration will be uneven and mottled.
Areas where oil from your skin have landed will end up smooth, some of the primer will be worn off and you should be pretty close to where you want to be.

Washing or inclement weather will penetrate the lacquer primer and more rust will be apparent over time.

A win-win situation, you get your rust and not much effort will be expended.

No insults intended here, but this does work.

Did it accidently on a 63 Chevy half ton short bed although I shot the primer right after stripping.
I didn't know that primer did not seal moisture out.

Live and learn I guess....

Rat rods are controversial. Rat rod questions draw comments like honey draws flies. That's just the way it is. If you expect only answers within the narrow bounds of your question, with no comments or opinions, an internet forum with a mixed membership might not be the ideal place to find them.

I have no problem with the fact that different people have different opinions. If a show car finish is what you want then go for it. The fact remains that I didn't ask if people like rat rods, I asked if anyone knew how to do a faux finish.

I did some digging on the net and found out how its done. Believe it or not its actually craft paint. Basically it is paint with iron filings in. You paint it on whatever surface then hit it with a rust antiquing solution which causes the iron particles to oxidize rapidly. Costs $ 119.00 per gallon . I'm going to get a small bottle and start experimenting. I won't post any pictures of my results so as not to cause anymore controversy. I never did understand the whole glossy paint thing , back when I was a kid glossy paint meant you were a momma's boy.

Originally Posted by coogan

Thanks for the replies, although no one seems to know how they did it on the show. I'm kind of insulted with the attitude toward my question. A few old dogs seem to feel the need to make comments like "I don't understand the whole rat rod thing " even though no one asked for a commentary on paint quality . I have a fiberglass grill shell , cab with 30 year old paint and a new raw metal box. I want to make it all look like a field truck with a perfectly detailed engine, just like the VW on monster garage. That's the look I want, thats what I like. I built this truck with my own two hands, frame and all and I'm proud of it. If it's not your cup of tea its fine by me. I still would like to hear from anyone who know how or has seen it done. On the show I noticed them brushing something on.

One thing I've learned about forums, or chat groups, is that you will get widely varying opinions, whether they are wanted or not. Also, people seem to be a little more outspoken when they are at a distance, than when they're toe-to-toe with you. Don't let it bother you, or you won't be able to enjoy the good things about these groups....the ability to gather with hundreds of fellow enthusiasts, 24/7! The ideas and information are great!

Originally Posted by coogan

I did some digging on the net and found out how its done. Believe it or not its actually craft paint. Basically it is paint with iron filings in. You paint it on whatever surface then hit it with a rust antiquing solution which causes the iron particles to oxidize rapidly. Costs $ 119.00 per gallon . I'm going to get a small bottle and start experimenting. I won't post any pictures of my results so as not to cause anymore controversy. I never did understand the whole glossy paint thing , back when I was a kid glossy paint meant you were a momma's boy.

So much for saving money.

We all had different experiences when we were kids and every town's a little different.
Every one of the fast cars in my town had nice paint.

Primered cars were recognized as works in progress and on the way to a paint job.

Perhaps you'd like to share some photos of your project so we could get an idea of what it would look like with patina-ized paint.

I did some digging on the net and found out how its done. Believe it or not its actually craft paint. Basically it is paint with iron filings in.

I felt that had to be the case, because it seemed to be a "process" where iron filings rusted quickly, but were bonded to the metal and fiberglass, and whatever.

Thanks for digging out that info, I couldn't figure it out after watching the show.

Please do post pictures, though, Some of us would like to see how it works.

Don

My post wasn't a put down, just a simple "why" question. Now I see where you are wanting to make it look like a Jesse James car. If you take why as a put down, sorry about that.

Dave , I didn't take it as a put down , but sometimes I think people forget not everyone wants a showcar. I respect that your dream car is perfect one, my dream car isn't.
I'm attaching two pics of my truck as well as something nice to look at. As you can see I have a raw steel box , old cab with two colors of paint and a black fiberglass grill shell so I need to tie it all together but still want it to look like a field truck.

Oh , I forgot, here's what I started with.