CLIFF INMAN-INSPIRED KUSTOM.......

[Jay Whittaker]

Aighty, got the hood successfully hinged on the second try, and I fashioned it so it’s removable up to whatever point I want to make it permanent, which will be after all engine/bay detailing is done, along with finishing the underside of the hood itself.

This is facilitated by merely epoxying the pin to the brass tube housing, pretty much when I’m done with absolutely everything else, like THE last thing before the finish photos. In all honesty, I only had to do this on one side, not both.

Set the pics for clarity.

[customline]

Glad to see this moving forward, Jay. Fantastic body mods. How are you planning to attach the lower trim. Craft wire is a great idea but how and when does it get attached? 

[Jay Whittaker]

23 hours ago, customline said:

Glad to see this moving forward, Jay. Fantastic body mods. How are you planning to attach the lower trim. Craft wire is a great idea but how and when does it get attached? 

Thank you sir!....

Very lightly applying 2-part epoxy, it'll get attached after paint & polish.

[customline]

12 hours ago, Jay Whittaker said:

Thank you sir!....

Very lightly applying 2-part epoxy, it'll get attached after paint & polish.

Oh boy.  Nothing but decaf for 24 hours prior. 😧 

[Jay Whittaker]

FINALLY!!!

We got some shades slung! Wanted to show the various stages I go through when it comes to fade schemes. I personally don’t like any “sharp” fade lines so I intermix the primary base colors with each other at various levels and intensities.
I’m going for a Winfield Fade effect on this, which they’re usually concentrated on a specific area of the car, rather than whole-body fades, and I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that. I just had to adjust my mentality when it came time to spray. 

The inserts will have a mild top-to-bottom fade as well, to tie them into the overall paint theme.

So here are some base color shots. Enjoy!

[Jay Whittaker]

And we have success for the evening!!

Got ‘er in the dehydrator for the evening, in a day or so will give it a light scuff, lay out the pearl white/white fade down the center as well as the insert fade then re-clear. Once that is done I’ll turn my attention to the interior, engine, and such.

[Dtimmerman89]

Excellent work. I can't wait to see it in the sunlight to really let those colors show.

[Kanada Kustoms]

Awesome build!

[Kenmojr]

Superb work...

[Scale Riders]

WOW! this looks great. I'm loving the modifications and how you brought to life. Keep it up!

[Jay Whittaker]

Thanks so much for the kind words folks!

[Spex84]

Love it. That paintjob is looking absolutely killer!

[Jay Whittaker]

Aighty, this paint job was a sweet pain right in the petunias and gave me a whole new level of respect for Gene Winfield’s work!…. And of course, a bug had to land right square in the middle of the brightest part of the fade. He left the paint without his legs, and THEY will be sanded-out as well! But we got the fade done, cleared, and the next step will be masking off the inserts on the lower quarters wrapping around under the rear bumper, which I think at this point will be a straight light teal pearl, then the final clear, and we’re over the hurdle!!…. Now I can turn my attention to other things like the engine and interior.
Enjoy!

[Dtimmerman89]

Now that looks absolutely killer. That fade is absolutely amazing. I think you have inspired me again to try something new. 

[TopherMcGinnis]

Congratulations on BEAUTIFUL paint!!!!

[Jay Whittaker]

5 minutes ago, Dtimmerman89 said:

Now that looks absolutely killer. That fade is absolutely amazing. I think you have inspired me again to try something new. 

WOW!!... Well, I do thank you for the compliment!...

We need to get something absolutely clear though.... You NEED to be ready for the flat spot that's about to appear on your forehead! LOL

 

Seriously though, thanks a bunch! Here in another day or so i should have the inserts shot and final-cleared the whole thing and we're set.

Edited Wednesday at 12:59 AM by Jay Whittaker

[Jay Whittaker]

17 minutes ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

Congratulations on BEAUTIFUL paint!!!!

Thank You Sir!

[Dtimmerman89]

Well, good thing I have a ton of patience. I most definitely will be doing lots of practice before commiting. I have a Watson style panel paint job to finish before doing a fade. I think my 51 Belair will be the perfect candidate for the fade. I might do something similar to what they did on Jesse James' 54 Belair the legends built on Monster Garage. I absolutely love the reverse fade. 

Edited Wednesday at 01:28 AM by Dtimmerman89

[bamadon]

Makes me think of the Jade Idol. Beautiful paint job.

[TopherMcGinnis]

18 hours ago, Dtimmerman89 said:

Well, good thing I have a ton of patience. I most definitely will be doing lots of practice before commiting. I have a Watson style panel paint job to finish before doing a fade. I think my 51 Belair will be the perfect candidate for the fade. I might do something similar to what they did on Jesse James' 54 Belair the legends built on Monster Garage. I absolutely love the reverse fade. 

I would have LOVED hanging around and listening to those guys build that car. All those years of legendary experience!!!!!

[Kanada Kustoms]

Fantastic paint work... Really looks awesome!

Edited Wednesday at 07:43 PM by Kanada Kustoms

[Dtimmerman89]

3 hours ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

I would have LOVED hanging around and listening to those guys build that car. All those years of legendary experience!!!!!

I am right there with you, man. It's sad to see the kulture and all of the involved skills slowly fade away. There's not enough young guys like me trying to bring it all back, and preserve that amazing piece of American history.

Edited Wednesday at 11:01 PM by Dtimmerman89

[Kutnplastik]

Just seeing this thread for the first time. Absolutely killer work on this! Lots of time and patience into this. And the paint… Gene would be proud!

[Ferbz]

On 10/14/2025 at 5:52 PM, Jay Whittaker said:

Aighty, this paint job was a sweet pain right in the petunias and gave me a whole new level of respect for Gene Winfield’s work!…. And of course, a bug had to land right square in the middle of the brightest part of the fade. He left the paint without his legs, and THEY will be sanded-out as well! But we got the fade done, cleared, and the next step will be masking off the inserts on the lower quarters wrapping around under the rear bumper, which I think at this point will be a straight light teal pearl, then the final clear, and we’re over the hurdle!!…. Now I can turn my attention to other things like the engine and interior.
Enjoy!

Great save! Yes indeed, Gene Winfield as well as all the 1:1 custom painters that can deftly throw down a fade job make it look SO easy. I've done a few scale fade jobs and I STILL feel like I don't know what I'm doing lol Looking forward to seeing your final result!