Page 14 - Issue 41

II II

Tinman Kustoms

WORDS AND IMAGES BY LUKE MERRILL (TINMAN 2 KUSTOMS)

atina is the desired appearance the way, I am using a part of an old the smallest items (colors) fi rst. You
of age, use and abuse. While exercise machine that I found on the don’t want to put your underwear
Pmany “normal” people may not side of the road and disassembled for over your pants, do you? I guess I’m
be particularly interested in this the steel. FREEEEEEEE!!! not quite that eccentric, but hey if
appearance, for us eccentric & artistic you are….. I understand! If your fi nal
appearance, for us eccentric & artistic
“rat-rod” inspired individuals this look is for a brown base (call it your
is the beauty in the ugliness of rat “pants”) with some light accents
rods. Patina tells a story that goes (your underwear), then you will want
without being said. With that being to start with the light accents fi rst
said, I would like to teach you how to
said, I would like to teach you how to and work your way up to the fi nished
properly do an imitation of patina in
properly do an imitation of patina in Conventional lower product; I used
a fashion that makes practical sense. shock mount black in this step.
black in this step.
a fashion that makes practical sense.
While nature cannot be duplicated, it Free Steel After the black
After the black
Let’s d
can be closely imitated with artistic Let’s do this!o this! has started to
ideas, passion and dedication. First I decide what sort of a tack up (or dried
tack up (or dried
There will be people that HATE “look” that I want my end result to completely) you
can go on to the
this article and the concept of accomplish. If you do a simple google can go on to the
next color. Now this is where you want
painting/faking patina. I can say the search of “Patina” you will fi nd many next color. Now this is where you want
same thing about shiny paintjobs examples. However, I like looking at to get creative in adding textures to
or restoration of any component natural patina stuff in person. When your object. Nothing in nature is ever
on a vehicle. So please, just carry you do that try to visualize the process perfect. There are always little fl aws
on with what you choose to enjoy. of layering the paint and adding that add character to an item, this is
For the rest of you, enjoy the read textures that nature might add on its where you as an artist come into the
and feel free to send me your patina own. For this simple demonstration picture. Often I use many different
work after reading this article I am not going to items to add unique textures (i.e.
(Facebook: Tinman 2 Kustoms)! get too complex, crusty old paint brush, ripped jeans,
Some background because it is in the terry cloth rag, wrinkled Walmart bag/
artist to decide the
newspaper, etc.). The thicker the paint
Her
Here I am making some simple e I am making some simple exact look. I am is applied, the deeper the texture will
brackets for my shock mounts on doing a common be. This is not a science, but rather
brackets for my shock mounts on
my front axle. Many hotrod front Brand of Paint color scheme that I personal experimentation.
axles use the basic bolt on style doesn’t matter like to use.
lower shock mount. Which is fi ne Notice the color choices I often use.
in a normal application, but in any Starting, fi rst, with a neutral colored
application that is a bit on the wild primer or whatever color primer you
side, these shock mounts can pivot, may happen to have sitting around.
no matter how tight you get the pin/ This is your starting base and allows all
bolt. You can weld or fabricate shock the other paint to adhere and hold up.
mounts to your 4-bar setup or do Put on a couple coats of the primer, as
many other things, but I chose to use instructed on the can, and let sit until Different
textures
the standard lower shock mount and completely dry. This is important so added
build simple brackets which eliminate that the primer doesn’t “lift” off with
the chance of rotation of the shock the next steps.
mount. This is on project “Wild- When that is dry you can start
Torquey”, an insane 4000 hour build to add your layers. Much like layers Here you can see I used some old
that I am currently fi nishing up. By of clothing, you want to start with ripped up jeans, some old sandpaper

14 RAT ROD MAGAZINE ISSUE FORTY-ONE

14x15 tinman.indd 14 12/12/16 7:25 AM