So, do Rodders actually LIKE rust?

rust is the enemy , it must be terminated!

 

just a jokie, haus cat, simmer down. Just saying surface rust is not going to stop me from taking on a project. Rot, and rust are different. I would not leave my car rusty, but i love the look of rods with that rubbed smooth old paint, and surface rust. I knew the protective layer was going to get someone started.

 

Rust is for people who can't afford good repair work and/or paint.

 

Dry desert patina, yes -- mid-western salt-induced rotting cancer, no

 

LOL... great minds think a like

bullshit... it may be slower, but it doesn't sleep...

 

Yeah, problem is, if you leave it looking like it's been sitting for 40 yrs, it won't be around for the NEXT 40 yrs

 

Rust is like a woman with a reputation. You can try to hide it, but never eliminate it.

I have a car that's rusty, yes, no doubt, but it won't be finished until it has new paint. In the meantime I like it as it is. I don't dwell on it, just drive the hell out of it.

 

Yeah, rust is for those only concerned with "today", thinking rust is "cool", while having no regard to preserving these treasures for future generations. If ya really love the damn thing, why won't you protect it from further aging? It's been a GREAT past couple yrs watching the future of our hobby taking a better turn with the younger guys (Sloppyseconds-Evel-Rudedog come to mind with their amazing coupes)

 

Everyone is probably missing the #1 reason rusty but cheaper cars go for more given their condition than more expensive but better priced for their condition car:

More people can afford a cheaper car, thus driving up the price of the cheaper cars.

A guy who can spend $3000 can't spend $6000 on a car even if its worth $7500, whereas he can spend up to $3000 on a $1500 car.

 

This is a great reason/explanation for buying rusty cars. I just don't understand some guys leaving it that way once bought

 

My, My, Hey, Hey. (Out of the Blue)
Hey, Hey, My, My. (Into the Black)

 

Groucho, I don't know either. I always thought the idea was to build the nicest car you can, not something resembling a sandblasted dumpster with an engine.

 

I like good patina!!!!!!!! I drive good patina!!!!!!!!
REAL HOT ROD DON'T WEAR PAINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

POORBOYS
ALABAMA

 

hahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahaahahhahahahh(insert snot bubbles here)hahahahaha

 

A built up ride? Well, sometimes it can be a headache looking into a Moog suspension or one of the other catalogs to indentify with what your working with if when purchased they didnt provide a build sheet. So I say its a gamble on purchasing something already built. I've seen all kinds of wierd stuff like shorten 9" rear ends with bearing ends welded on opposite sides and so the backing plates are bolted on backwards or unkown window glass on chopped tops.

So I guess I like rust! However, it doesnt mean that pile of rust is going to stay that way and show up at some parking lot like that. Thats why they make sand blasters and primer.

 

Don't you believe THAT crock, not even for a minute. I'm thinking Craig Breedlove's Hot Rod wore paint when he was the 1st over 4-5- and 600 MPH

 

Yea I think I'll take a second mortgage on my home and redo my car to a glass finish. Then when the banks come for my house then can take the car too.

 

Of course you are 100 percent correct. Besides that, if you don't do a thing to it, beyond keeping it mechanically roadworthy, it'll probably be going for another 40 years. If you are like me, you most likely didn't buy your car for the purpose of preserving it. I know a lot of collectors say that, but I'm betting that motivation is secondary to some primary purpose; investment/nostalgic interest/love of a particular type/model, etc. Personally I don't know anybody that did that.

Getting into assuming that if I don't paint my Nash will hurt it to the difference between the price of one hill of beans and a hill of cucumbers is stretching the issue.

When I'm working on the motor I can toss the tools up on top of the cowl without hurting it!

I can push the lawn mower past it without scratching it!


The premise that it'll melt away if I don't paint it is not really so. I know for a fact that my car sat out in the open for over 40 years in eastern Colorado and it's my opinion it will go on forever like it is. It isn't the external paint that is the problem with structures anyhow, and the majority of old cars that haven't had a 'frame off' restore, never, are still running just fine. The floorboards rotted out in my Nash, not because they weren't painted, but because the windows and top were busted out and rain and weather did that.

I have now sealed out the weather by replacing the windows and putting a top cover on it and now it's good for another 70 years even if I choose not to paint it.

If I paint it it's my opinion that the exercise won't prolong it's life, just make it look better to people that like painted cars.

If I don't paint it it will look better to people that like rusty looking cars.
.

 

Because Rust is the new Flat Black With Red Wheels.

The broke-ass welfare whiners drop their load (of cash) on some old 4-door that runs but they can't afford to do more than spray can it flat black after they spend what little other money they have on skulls, crosses, and spider webs. The really broke ones you can tell because they leave the car rusty. But it still has all the gay doo-dads plastered across it.


I mean, I have a '50 Chevy that.. while not that rusty, looked like hell, from the beltline down it looked like someone had spray painted it with primer, then buffed most of it away so it looked like a painting of clouds or something. The bodywork under is so terrible it would be a waste to paint it with good paint, but I still took the time to sand it and prime it and make it all one color so it didn't look like total shit. Took me like two afternoons in the driveway. It's never going to be a show car, but at least from 50 feet it looks reasonable. And no iron crosses, skulls or spider webs, either.

 

Hey, Gotgas........
Whaddya' doing about tailgate rests/supports on your wagon????????

I obtained a short lenght of 4in.X6in. STAINLESS tubing Iffn' you need a slice , enough to make 2 supports on your bumper....................

 

Wow, if so many people like shiney paint over rust, that still doesn't explain the top dollar pricing for beater cars over painted ones.

 

I think that it's taking something that looks like hell and making it nice again, hot rodding it along the way. I grew up poor, so we did EVERYTHING ourselves. I hate letting someone else do the work, paying them good money, and then checking along the way to make sure they did a good job and didn't screw me!

 

I agree with what 29nash said. As long as you can keep it in working condition, I have no problem with Rust. Infact, I enjoy the stares and comments when I drive my 57 GMC truck. I have had very nice painted fully restored cars, and I must say that I have enjoyed driving the GMC more than any of my nice painted cars. No, it is not pretty but I get out of it so much pleasure and making New friends with it! A long as it runs....DRIVE IT!

 

Your question "do rodders like rust" is missing the point. Maybe more so, do we like building a rod and the rust is just part of it all. Yes, I believe most of us are in love with the build (chase) of it all. That's why we lose interest and sell them when they're done or can see the light of being finished.

Maybe that's why I'll probably never finish mine (I don't want to sell it). I'm already looking for another, there's nothing quite as refreshing as a new project regardless of how many are already on the go. My thoughts anyway.

 

Rust doesnt scare me, if it can be fixed. Being in Jersey I see alot of scary rot though, that will make me walk away..I personally cant see going out and spending alot of money buying a car someone finished to thier liking. Not saying some people dont do a great job, but I always like building a car or a bike that suits me. I dont worry about resale value, fast turn arounds, or making it historically correct. Hell I couldnt own something that was rare, or worth a shitload of money. I want something I can fix and finish it my way and drive.
I'd take something that is workable anyday, if it was what I wanted, over freshly restored. Least I know I've been over every square inch of the car and will have no surprises. I dont get the rat rod thing, or even the pantina stuff.. it works for some people I guess but not me.. guess thats what makes the car world so interesting..seeing other peoples take on stuff..

 

Top dollar prices basically because #1 rust is a fad in some circles, #2 it may be an asking price, if it's not selling - lots of philosophies on pricing it would take too long to get into, and #3 on eBay it may be guys just caught up in the auction and trying to outbid someone because they can.


Some guys cry and pee their pants and cower in the corner in the fetal position when faced with the idea of fixing a rusty car, too. Other guys man up and spend the time to fix it. That stuff is a matter of personal preference, mostly.

 

groucho, i agree with you on if you love your car you have to protect for the future. Most of the younger hot rodders will leave a car a little dirty, and rusty(found condition)because it cool, and it is cool to drive around in a "barn find" looking rod. I think its just a right of passage. As the talent, and funds grow, so do the rods. A car that has surface rust, and may not look road worthy could end up with a full interior, and a badass flake paint job in a few years.as you all know money, time, and talent play a big part in our hot rod obsession.

NO WE DONT LIKE RUST, BUT A LITTLE SUN FADED BROWNISH RED COLORED FLAKEY OXIDATION ON A PANEL OR TWO WONT KILL ANYONE WILL IT?

 

The true answer is..................NO!

 

there's only one thing worse than rust......fiberglass.

 

HELL NO! my floorboards on my car....oh my god! it's cool on a hot rod with like "surface-rust"