Building A Rat Rod - How To Get The Right Look

When you hear the words "Rat Rod", the thought of flat black and red wheels comes to mind. Or even bare rusty metal. As this is traditional, here are some other ideas to let your ride stand out in a crowd.

You can't go wrong with flat black, or even a satin black. Try to flatten some other colors. A flat maroon or even a metallic silver flattened or satin finish will definitely turn heads. As most Rat Rods are plain, stay away from gaudy looking graphics. Scallops and flames should be about the only things to have over your paint. What about a classy looking Rat Rod? Is there such a thing? Well, there might be if you two tone your Rat Rod. Keep the darker color on the lower section of your Rat Rod. A maroon and black or silver and black is a good looking scheme.

Try to get some ideas. Think of where you've been, or possibly might have seen on TV. Don't necessarily steal their ideas, just use them as a guideline. Have you ever seen the Old Navy's 40-50's pickups they used to have in their store's? Flat navy blue with red wheels, wide whitewalls and baby moons. Great look! Perfect Rat Rod Truck. What about Fred Sanford's fifties Ford from the show Sanford And Son. That was a brighter red, but very flat. Black wheels and baby moons complemented the tires. Another typical Rat Rod look.

Keep in mind that the ideas for your Rat Rod we are describing here are not big money paint jobs or even high dollar wheel/tire/hubcap combinations. The body can be in fair condition. Some minor bodywork doesn't even have to be perfect. The benefit of a low gloss paint versus a high gloss clear coat finish is that the flatter paint hides a lot of imperfections and shoddy bodywork on your Rat Rod. It is also much easier to apply and less material is used, which means less money out of your pocket.

This is another reason why we love Rat Rod's so much. Your creativity versus your wallet is what is all about. Plus, they won't be a "me too" vehicle like a Camaro or a Chevelle. And parts are much less to buy and if you have the talent, which deep down inside we all have talent, you can make most of the body and trim yourself. Keep those creative juices flowing and never stop the idea though process.