Dr. Cranky

I use Plastikote gray primer exclusively, and yes out of a rattle can. You can get them reasonably priced at MIDWAY Auto. I use several model Iwatas . . . and stay within the 20-25 airpressure range . . . being careful to mix the consistency of the paint well. My best advice is to practice spraying for a few days and mixing up the paint and trying it on test panels . . . until you feel comfortable. I use House of Kolor paints for my shiny models, and Floquil and Tamiya for my rat rods and junkers . . .

LOVE IT!!! Those hubcaps are the kat's pajamas!!!

I agree with Jairus. It should be fun and pure artistic liscense. Also, low stress, which is what I like about building Rat Rods. I might even be able to revive a couple of these suckers from last year's abandoned pile. . ..

I am definitely interested in building some cool rat rods, artistic hot rods . . . something different, with flair. I'm game for sure.

Great project, and I'm delighted to see it turned out so well. Congrats to all the builders!

Great work, gents. Very cool!

Geez, see? I can never just pick one:

For me, it'd have to be something like this:

Can get any more old school and classic than that! Gorgeous!!!

You are an American original, Mr. J! Your work always puts a big smile on my face! Thank you!

Hey, JayVee, always love your work. Your flamed vehicles always make me want to drop to the floor and spin like Curly! Woo-woop, woop-woop!!! Great stuff, buddy.

I still think about the one word that got me back into the hobby almost a decade ago: FUN. That's what it's all about. If it ain't fun, don't do it.

Thanks, gents . . . you guys are too generous. Okay, here are the steps more I less I took to arrive at this paintjob. Instead of doing this with my usual Tamiya or Floquil airbrushed paints, I decided to go with three new colors from Krylon I picked up at Home Depot. I wanted to lay down a thicker coat of paint because I would be sanding (2000 grade) some of the paint down to the primer. As with all my builds, I spray a couple of light coats of Plastikote gray primer . . . and a light dusting of ruddy red primer too toward the lower sections of the panels. After the primer had dried, I put down some rubber cement here and there with a toothpick . . . you want not to overdoo this . . .. Then I sprayed the first color. After that dried, I sprinkled salt on some of the areas I wanted to look faded and weather beatin, then I sprayed a lighter color . . . And repeated the process one more time. Let everything dry overnight, then the remove the salt under running water using an old toothbrush, and then remove the rubbercement with sticky tape. And that's pretty much it. After the paint is completely dry, then you sand slowly to make some of the layers of paint come through all the way down to the primer. It's very easy and lots of fun.

Oh, man, that pavement is looking great . . . I like the tufts of weeds . . . little details like that go a long ways. Keep it going.

Ha! I like that. A few years ago, someone at my daughter's school complained about all my "scary" biker t-shirt. They said I scared the children . . . There's always one person in a group that is easily scared and then the group has to accomodate those fears . . . Anyway, long live skulls & skeletons in the Hot Rot/Rat Rod tradition!!!

Oh yeah, that makes me smile because that was exactly the idea behind this one. Actually this puppy was inspired by that Stude pickup that's featured in this month's issue of REBEL RODZ. Check it out at the mag stand, if you haven't already done so.

I'm sure J's day is being made. Tim, just for clarification and for the record: the model was built by Jairus and the backdrop was built by moi. I don't wan't J to think I am stealing his thunder.

I think you are right on all those levels . . . I see it mostly happening with junkers, beaters, and rat rods . . . most modelers are wired to still build shiny, and with lots of plumbing and wiring . . . My attitude is that I learn from all diferent kinds of models and modeling . . . period. That's the only way I know of pushing the limits on myself . . . I've been on board where even my name and the tripple six causes quite a bit of anxiety, so much so that after I left, my name was changed without my permission. Oh yes, it's true. Macabre, anything gothy, or even Steampunkish, which is the new NEW I am excited about, creates tension in alot of people.

All right, my friends, this one is getting real close to the finishing line, so I took it outside and shot some pictures of it in front of the shop. Enjoy and there are plenty more pics in the Fotki.

J, don't beat yourself too badly about it. You know, it does bring up an interesting point that a lot of people are a bit hesitant to appreciate anything with skelentons, skulls, many of the darker details of life, you know . . . and many won't acknowledge it. I know a great build when I see one, that's for sure.

I wonder if my Gypsy Rose, camp mule, would qualify? There are more pictures of this beauty in my Fotki. Enjoy.

Thanks, folks. I really appreciate the kind words. Yes, Ryan, I print up stuff right off the computer and then use my wordprocessor to shrink it down to scale. You can find any fabric pattern you want off Google Image. I print up a few sheets, then spray both sides with fixative so that the ink won't run, then you cut out patterns for the upholstery and you are set. I use white glue make it stick.

Here's what's been cooking over at Cranky's Workshop, a rat-rod influence daily driver with a little flair . . . The blanket material is courtesy of Hollywood Jim, and the box is courtesy of Mike Napoleon . . . thanks, boys, for the simple cargo. There are lots of more pictures in my Fotki, including chassis and interior details. Enjoy.

Here are a couple of more shots in a more complimentary environment . . .

I pulled this WIP off the shelf, where it'd been sitting for almost a year, and finally finished it . . . added some little touches you'd have to strain to see, but they made the build extra fun. There are plenty of more pics in my Fotki archives. Enjoy. BTW, I used Tamiya flat paints on this one to give it that beach-side satin look . . . Here's a picture of the detailed interior . . . I used graphics from the internet and printed them on paper, then cut out the patterns for the panels . . .used white glue to make everything stay in place. The owner of this vehicle is a big time fan of Mexican Wrestling (Lucha Libre) and the lotery . . . not to mention he's got a weak spot for tassels . . . Here are some glamour shots: If you squat down low enough, you can see the tassels . . . etc . . .