B***' post got me thinking... I love bare metal hot rods! They're not real common up here in MN on account of the salt and humidity so I really enjoy the pics I find here. Bare metal lays it all on the line. If the metal work is ****, it's out there for everyone to see. I love it so much I debate on whether to strip my A and just leave it, inevitable rust be damned! Having said that... I can't help but wonder if it's becoming cliche'. It seems like I see an awful lot of that lately but mostly in mags and online, not in person or even at shows. So what's the deal? Am I just seeing what I want to see and so they're everywhere? Or is it really becoming that more common?
I think that they are getting a little more common at shows and in magazines, but not driven much because the owners are justifiably scared of getting them wet. (unless they are cleared)
Cliche'? Maybe... For now I like the way it looks on my car. It's a good inbetween step ( between the Build and Final ***embly with Paint Chrome and Upholstery ), to really shake the car down, and make sure it will perform as well as it can. Paint & Upholstery have always been part of my plans for this car, but I'm in no hurry...
When I redo my '55 I'm going to leave it metal for awhile because I want to show off my metalworking skills
Do it. I love when the norm or the hitechs look at your ride and shake there head because its just wrong. I seen the Green Gernade in bakersfield a couple years ago. Bad *** all the way... Wonder if they wipe it down with WD-40 now and then...
I agree, only do it to show your metal skills, for a show or two then get to the bodywork and paint it. I feel like its a bit cliche', but when you see a car thats been m***aged and appriciate that type of work...there's nothing like it. Terry Hegman's '51 Merc comes to mind.
I thought about painting whats left of my 37' Chevy with Aluminum-Spray can...just because I thought it would be an interesting color (A silver truck?) and...it was cheap. And might hide most of the horrible flaws. Then backed out because I figured it would look like I was trying to pull off some horrible poser attempt at bare metal.
Heh, only in AZ I put the pickup in bare metal so it could go to a few shows as a mockup, and it's been a PITA. It rusts sitting in the shop here... As to the question, I think it's cool if you're showing a mockup. Other than that, I like paint, just for being practical. Don't get me wrong, there are a few cars out there that look 100% kill in bare metal, we just can't get away with it here. Plus, since I'm working on a very low, chopped and channeled 34 pickup...yeah, that would be the ultimate cliche...
Cliche is the fact that people do things because it is the current trend. The only exception I can think of is if you are building something to sell. I try to do what I like. It is popular/cliche sometimes other times people question my sanity. I always have my reseasons. I alway love the guy that does something to try to fit in... I always think...dude you weren't popular or getting laid in high school buying or building a rat rod isn't going to help...hahaha poor *******s.
Yes, i think the concept was about showing off metal skills. if your not Jimmy Shine caliber, you look like a Dumb ***.
I think it's done. I think just primer is done too. The look started with a Car or Rod in progress. Well, if someone has been running around like that for a few years. Now it's time to finish it. There's a new thing called paint....But Jeff is right, WHAT EVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT ! what the heck do I know. But if your car is painted? Don't go backwards just for a look.
I had my '51 stripped to bare metal for a while, it looked good, but too much work to maintain that "just sanded look". It was fun cruising with it on a sunny afternoon thou..
everything has it's phases but who cares it all comes down to what you want and like. I like the bare metal look and thought about doing it on my current project but to much body work needs to be done.
Yep. If you like it, nothing else really matters. (I may change my mind if pastels get popular again)
I don't think anyone makes a clar coat that can adhere to bare metal, do they? In WI it is hard enough to keep something in bare metal for a mock up without it being completely covered in rust, never mind actually driving it. Love how it looks though, it really shows off the craftsmanship of the builder.
I think on certain cars it fits. With cars like the Grenade, B***'s Coupe, and Metalshapes Roadster, we've gotten used to seeing them like that. I really couldn't imagine what color they would paint them at this point. Unless they were black with red wheels.
Well yeah it's a trend,,everything thats going on with cars is..someone see's something that everyone thinks is cool and copies it so they can be 'cool" tof course not everyone does but,hot rod s etc are fashion now so...i always heard "patina" used in discriptions of old jewelry and silverware,,lol,,not for a rusty car
I shoot the Sikkens brand, and was told they make a clear sealer. So we thought about trying one coat of that, followed by 2 coats of standard clear. We haven't tried it yet though, I was worried it would have a slight discoloration to it. I hear that Eastwood makes a product that is clear also. I absolutely love the bare metal look, and it just isn't done around here much, so it would be unique on my coupe. Gary
I would be interested to hear from anyone who has used a clear sealer to see how well it holds up to the elements. If your metalworking skills are that good it would be great to be able to show it off without worrying about the rust!
You know how bare metal has shown up in modern buildings as a styling accent.... I've noticed that a lot of those have some type of clear finish on them. Maybe we just need to find out what that finish is. Any architects on here???
A few years back, I shot clear automotive urethane over clean bare metal on a bike for a friend. It lasted about a year before it eventually rusted from the inside out - Not a lot, but enough. The problem was mainly on the frame tubes where it was impossible to seal the back side of the metal. Maybe a clear sealer first would help, but I think you would still see rust discoloration eventually. Metal is porous and will absorb moisture from wherever it can find it. Personally, I love to look at bare metal. It's ***y!
Hey, my coupe is bare metal and kinda ratty. By design. I let it rust a little then go over it with WD40 every so often to keep it from getting fuzzy.
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