32 Ford Rat Rod - A project of firsts

[Lunajammer]

A project of firsts because there is a lot of new territory I've never covered. First rat rod, first roof chop, first lateral section of a body, and first time exploring rust beyond just light rusting with pastels.

This is the kit I'm starting with. It's not a highly detailed kit so in some ways that makes things easier, but also denies me some chances to make it bling.

First thing I want to do is chop and section the body. If I'm dissatisfied, then there'll be no reward in continuing. I've marked out the cut areas with Tamiya tape, I think it was 3/16"

Well, the damage is done, I guess I'm committed. Lots of pieces.

Edited November 9, 2017 by Lunajammer

[DrKerry]

It's not a bad thing to be committed........ oh wait that's my next therapy session!!!!!!!

you are doing good so far, keep it going. Luckily for a first time chop any of the old model A's and 32's are  an easy start. Meaning when you cut out x about the roof drops straight down and more often than not, into place....  but you have it going good!!!! Can't wait for more to follow!!!!!

[Lunajammer]

Given my "druthers" it would have been easier to do the Revell 3-window but for me that's too nice to be butchering about. This was a $5 kit looking for action.

[Modelbuilder Mark]

Nice.  I see a lot of chops on these but rarely a section. 

[Kit Karson]

Oh well... a rare start to yet another day, think I'll just sit here and watch for a while. -KK

[DrKerry]

Given my "druthers" it would have been easier to do the Revell 3-window but for me that's too nice to be butchering about. This was a $5 kit looking for action.

nah, I think you're doing ok.... keep it going!!!!!! 

[Codi]

This will be fun to watch Mike.  Looking forward to your next post.  cheers, tim

[the_Killerado]

That is a very interesting start to a build, you have my attetion sir!

[Randy D]

Hi Mike,

    Love the chopping an slicing you have going on here!!!!

 

  Randy

[Lunajammer]

So far so good. I'm satisfied. I can work with this. I did bend back the lower A pillars slightly to match up the top easier. There's a bit of a ridge on parts of the sectioning so I leveled with Bondo, primed and sanded to see where I'm at.

Edited November 9, 2017 by Lunajammer

[Intmd8r]

Nice work!

A roof chop is not nearly as easy as it sounds.  Keep up the good work

[espo]

Great looking job on the Chop and Channel.

[DrKerry]

Yeah Buddy!!!!!! Looking good now!!!!!

[Lunajammer]

This is the intake set up I'd like to use. Like many of my parts, it came from a bin of garbage I've collected from other folks over the years and this thing was packed with blue paint. The manifold and carbs have soaked in stripper and it looks salvageable. I love the air cleaners, I'm not going to touch them. They were not painted to look this way, the patina is from abuse in someone's parts box and they're perfect.

The interior bucket was cut at the base to fit the sectioned body then painted black primer. I brush painted the seats Testors rubber. A stripe of Vallejo Black wash was brushed down the grooves then I used a flat brush to dry brush with Testors rust. The result was better than I expected.

I dirtied up bucket with chalk pastels but didn't use a lot on the seats because it dulled the dry brushing too much, but I did use it on the seat edges. I'm definitely going to try this on a fat bodied convertible next time so it can be seen.

Edited November 9, 2017 by Lunajammer

[GMCMAN52]

seat looks really good, nice project you have going

[Draggon]

Yeah that seat is great!

[mod3l Lover]

    The sectioning work and the chop job both look superb!!

Are you leaving it fenderless?

   I'm quite interested in seeing how this comes out!!?!!

 

           David S.

[Lunajammer]

Yes, fenderless. To my own surprise, I haven't decided on wheels yet. That's usually part of the big vision before I start.

Tonight was very productive, just haven't downloaded the pics from my camera yet. Thanks for the interest everyone.

[bobthehobbyguy]

Nice start. Nice work on the chop and section.

[espo]

Great interior treatment. Looks perfect.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Nice work. I was a little skeptical about sectioning the already-somewhat-sectioned AMT body shell, but the proportions you've come up with after the chop look like you hit the sweet-spot with this one. Looking forward to seeing her come together.

That weathered leather interior treatment is pretty slick too.  

Edited April 15, 2017 by Ace-Garageguy

[Lunajammer]

I was a little skeptical about sectioning the already-somewhat-sectioned AMT body shell

I'm so green to vintage vehicles I don't even know the particulars of the kits. So you're really gonna love how I Z'd the frame. It was an impulsive cut to solve an immediate problem but this is what it looked like when I was done, so there it is. If you want to do it right, see Bill's explanation here. Cut, glue, done. It's a lot easier than how I did it.

This is the first time I've tried the salt method for weathering but this is the process I took. I used both large and small grain salt on a rust primed chassis. I spritzed it with water from a spray bottle and sprinkled on the salt.

Lightly sprayed with flat black.

Salt was cleaned off with a toothbrush, water and fingernail on tough spots.

Chicken pox. I'm not crazy about the result, but I also could have prepped better. I didn't sand the primer first so the water beaded up. Live and learn, I'm forging ahead.

Edited November 9, 2017 by Lunajammer

[Lunajammer]

So now it's fun with brushes. I dry brushed silver paint to highlight edges then blended selected chalk pastel colors over selected areas.

I think next time I'll do some light sanding first to soften the blotchiness of the rust spots.

Edited November 9, 2017 by Lunajammer

[Lunajammer]

Oh, I also finished the interior last night. I'd like to try to throw a blanket over the drivers seat using the paper towel and white glue method. Maybe later.

Edited November 9, 2017 by Lunajammer

[Ace-Garageguy]

I'm so green to vintage vehicles I don't even know the particulars of the kits. So you're really gonna love how I Z'd the frame. It was an impulsive cut to solve an immediate problem but this is what it looked like when I was done, so there it is. If you want to do it right, see Bill's explanation here. Cut, glue, done. It's a lot easier than how I did it.

 

 

Your frame Zee looks fine, and it's identical to the way countless real cars were done too.