Hot Rods Automotive Paint Job That Looks Like Bare Metal

Not Grey. Not necessarily gray, even.

 

Wrap it

 

Sort of funny…like fake patina…if done really well, but think wraps for something like a traditional Hot Rod that hopefully is going to be around for decades seems sort of hokey. Also probably sort of pricey, plus I’m more of a DIY kind of guy. More appropriate solution on a race car though!

 

There is a guy on Youtube that has a technique that might work for you.

He basically takes a cloth with semi-dried metallic silver paint and rubs it over dry black paint. It has the right sort of tones so might have potential with more refinement.

PS: His name is Rat Rod Bob, so don't click if that's gonna offend you ...

 

If I was to try something like this I would paint with the finest silver base coat I could find then tint with black to kill some of the brightness. About five coats then let it dry out for five days or so. Then start scuffing with 3M scuff pads of different, grit?. Then go over the car like you would cleaning the metal maybe scuffing in different directions around difficult areas.
Then coat it with a clear urethane, flat, shiny whatever.
You’ll probably want to use test panels to get the color you want, make sure you clear coat them because clear coats can change the silver color.

 

This paint over a brownish primer coat. After plenty of drying time, a fine Scotchbrite light scrub! It’s metallic, but, what I would call a shitty metallic, so it doesn’t look very metallic…sort of dull, not shiny…like a chain link fence.
Stop RUST too!

 

Seems a little too blotchy to me. Just spray it on. Bare metal should be smooth. Would like to see it in person. Bob has some interesting videos…most of the stuff he does is actually above RR quality and quite well thought out. Definitely a “do it yourself” Hot Rod builder.

 

Kinda dig that.
Industrial finish

 

Graphite powder rubbed over white paint.

 

Looks very cool…but looks fragile. What would rain do to it?

 

They say the graphite powder hooks in and won’t rub off. I could see many uses for it, dash and trim, valve covers, pulleys, carburetors etc. but a whole car? Idk. If it looks good and eventually rubs off I would imagine you would just rub more on.
If I was going for the look you’re trying for I’d try it, get it wet and see what happens. White rustoleum and graphite powder is cheap.
Btw, rubbed over black paint produces a black satin chrome finish that’s not very hamb friendly.

 

Cool, thanks.