WWII Fighter Plane or rat ideas

[Kozworth]

I haven't really seen many rat e30s, I have always like the feel of an old hotrod/ratrod.

I have an early sedan that the body has had some rust repair but it still has its share of dents and the paint is awful. I got the idea from a friend to do a basic ww2 fighter plane idea. Basically would be going to bare metal all around and clear coating. I would keep the bumper shrouds, trim, and other plastic pieces black still.

I would love the vibe of a vintage plane on the outside, with all my new drivetrain and mint interior inside.

Is there any examples of this/pchops/ any views on keeping a car thats bare metal but cleared outside ?

[unevolved]

Related.

[Thujalvi]

Unless you have aluminium bodywork, I wouldn't go with bare metal, as not only would it be a right bother to keep looking smart, it'd also dazzle other drivers. Instead I'd go with something along the lines of this:



Though you might want to skip the swastika obviously.

[Kozworth]

Well, I am looking for a special kind of look.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bare+metal+rat+rod&FORM=HDRSC2

Kind of like the vibes of those rat rods.. Since its an early, I have access to a rear valance, which I would rivet on. All plastic trim pieces would remain black, db would just be as is, and on some crazy wheels.

I am the kind of guy who wants to have something a bit interesting and more different. Rather then just swap over to plastics, maaco paint it, and throw it on bbs reps (even though I would like to see this car become something other then how it looks now).

Not really keen on any crazy decals, maybe some vague stuff but nothing that takes away from the bare metal idea. Would being clear coated on bare metal be a pain to drive during sunny days, or have any pita issues that anyone can think of?

[Edirtyy808]

sand it bare metal and rub diesel oil on it, it'll make it less shiny and more like a ratrod. but im not sure if clear would stick after the diesel oil rub. check out rusty slammington.

[cuchullainn]

Clear coating bare metal doesn't really work very well, no matter what clear you use. An epoxy clear would stick best, but it will dull and turn yellow in the sun. Urethane clear won't work. One chip and it'll peel off in sheets. No matter how well you prep, It'll be a very fragile coating that will be difficult to live with.

A brushed aluminum look can be had with actual paint and careful sanding in a uniform direction.

[OneCleanE30]

Hey man, this is my car I just sold. Not sure if its the same look your going for but I was going for warthog fighter jet look.

[deutschman]

PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT DO THE SHARK MOUTH!!! So over used.
How about old WWI battle ship paint?
They are super cool and I dont know of anyone who has tried it yet. I really want to on my car.

[CW325]

^Wow I've actually never seen ships like that, very cool!

[Kozworth]

Hey man, this is my car I just sold. Not sure if its the same look your going for but I was going for warthog fighter jet look.

link is dead, i would love to see it though!

[AwakenNoMore]

Mine, it's quite a mess. Ignore the crap wheels.

[Onizukachan]

Well, you are the first guy in a while to figure out that sharks don't have mouths 1/2 way down their bodies... Nor do aircraft.

If one must do a shark mouth on an e30, this is the only layout worth doing and that looks good, so I salute you.

There was a mini truck back in 1996, the guy stripped all the paint and had it cleared. Looked interesting. Not great, just interesting.

Better to do a faux brushed aluminum finish and faux rivets than actually strip the paint.
It will look better, and also be less work and upkeep.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296663

Or maybe do a wrap, then get your local pinstriper to drop lines on that with one shot? When you get tired of it in 6 months to a year, pull it off.

[Pdxseth]

Put a pinup girl on it.

[Ray Smoodiver]

My fave:

[AwakenNoMore]

Well, you are the first guy in a while to figure out that sharks don't have mouths 1/2 way down their bodies... Nor do aircraft.

If one must do a shark mouth on an e30, this is the only layout worth doing and that looks good, so I salute you.

Thank you sir.
I can't say this was at all my original idea. Placement and general shape came from epiphy's Baja E30. The thought of doing it came from a love of A-10 Warthogs.

Kozworth, I have seen a 318i for sale locally here in AZ that had been stripped of all its paint and cleared, it did look pretty cool. If its what you want to do and you feel brave enough to commit to it I think you should do it.
I've thought about it as well but with the bullet holes and dents in my car I'm not sure it would look too good.