Thread: Next trend in rod and custom paint.

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I have seen a few years of late '40s - early '50s paint styles, typically on primitive hot rods and customs, with primers and flat paints, pinstriping, WWll bomber nose art, pinup art, scallops and cartoons.

Now there is clearly a trend developing for late '50s - early '60s styles. I'm starting to see more "heavy customs" with metalflake, panel paint, and "rat fink" style illustrations.

Are any of you doing this, or do you have pictures?

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

I have seen a few years of late '40s - early '50s paint styles, typically on primitive hot rods and customs, with primers and flat paints, pinstriping, WWll bomber nose art, pinup art, scallops and cartoons.

Now there is clearly a trend developing for late '50s - early '60s styles. I'm starting to see more "heavy customs" with metalflake, panel paint, and "rat fink" style illustrations.

Are any of you doing this, or do you have pictures?

Just did a 1978 Dodge Camper special (cab only) in orange metalflake. Literally, I finished shooting it around 6pm this evening. Heavy, heavy metalflake, will take a picture of it in the am when I get back to the shop and post it then.

Have a 42 Chevy sedan in that I'm going to shoot with a Sherwin Williams 2 part black epoxy primer some time on Wednesday or Thursday...No top coat, just the 2 part primer, again I'll take a picture of it then....


Bill S.

Yeah i see the sixties phycedelic making a break soon, and boy i cant wait!!

Actually I have a sixties band theme I am starting on in two days, but, generally, I don't think that change will happen soon, and it will be limited. Maybe in 3-5 years.

Well, whatever it is a betcha I just choose to ignore it and keep on painting my stuff the way I like it, and to heck with fashion, fad, or trend!!!! To me, my cars that I build for me are too much an expression of ME and I refuse to clutter them up with someone else's idea of what it "correct". Think it's one of the reasons I got into Hot Rods in the first place!!!!!

Seems like the last 3 or 4 years been seeing heavy metal flake roofs, the return of scallops, and a bit of Watson style panel painting. Even a couple Winfield style fade jobs, but none have been as market dominating as they were in the early '60s. If we run the cycle of history repeating in the same sequence lace painting and then psychedelic are next (God I hope not!). Anybody putting shag carpet in their home?

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

Anybody putting shag carpet in their home?

Not me, saving it for my Van, man!!!!!

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Not me, saving it for my Van, man!!!!!

The sad thing is....................................................I believe ya!!!

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

The sad thing is....................................................I believe ya!!!

That's good!!!! Ya know I wouldn't kid you!!!!! Do you suppose that because of my age I could substitute a Tempurpedic bed in place of a waterbed for the van, though???? You know me, I would want to stay "trend correct"!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Well, whatever it is a betcha I just choose to ignore it and keep on painting my stuff the way I like it, and to heck with fashion, fad, or trend!!!! To me, my cars that I build for me are too much an expression of ME and I refuse to clutter them up with someone else's idea of what it "correct". Think it's one of the reasons I got into Hot Rods in the first place!!!!!

I fully understand, and agree. If I were building something right now, it would be the sort of thing I came to love many years ago. I am a child of the sixties, with a preferrence for performance cars, performance image, and beautiful machines. Since I work for a widely dispersed market, (lowriders, offroad, drag race, '50s custom, hot rods, choppers, even planes, drag boats, collectibles, and much more) I have come to respect the different styles for what they are, even if I would choose something different for myself.

Still, You have to recognize that there is a very large group that follows the current fashionable trend. Where were all of the flat black and primered '50s rods & customs 10 years ago? I did a couple about 12 years ago, and did not recall seeing anything like it since the mid '60s!

I was just "trolling" to see what builders are thinking right now.

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

I fully understand, and agree. If I were building something right now, it would be the sort of thing I came to love many years ago. I am a child of the sixties, with a preferrence for performance cars, performance image, and beautiful machines. Since I work for a widely dispersed market, (lowriders, offroad, drag race, '50s custom, hot rods, choppers, even planes, drag boats, collectibles, and much more) I have come to respect the different styles for what they are, even if I would choose something different for myself.

Still, You have to recognize that there is a very large group that follows the current fashionable trend. Where were all of the flat black and primered '50s rods & customs 10 years ago? I did a couple about 12 years ago, and did not recall seeing anything like it since the mid '60s!

I was just "trolling" to see what builders are thinking right now.

All good reasons!!!!! And a reminder of why my shop is closed to the general public and I only do work for repeat customers and referrals!!!!! Getting old does offer certain benefits after all!!!! Anyone who survives in this Hot Rod business to exceed the age of 55 IMO has earned an inalienable right to become very opinionated, totally lacking in social skills, and to view all trends and fads with something between disdain and total contempt!!!!!

I have come to think of some of the jobs as "the price I pay" to stay employed in this business! :-) It is hard to get motivated about something you have no personal interest in.

When I hit that damned lotto, I will paint for others part time, and start on my '53 Stude, full bodied slingshot, and an open wheeled rod of some kind. :-)

Until then, I'll at least get to work on kool stuff most of the time....like the blown 572 street Willys that just left. (Did I tell you how much I hate this business?) LOL!

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

I have come to think of some of the jobs as "the price I pay" to stay employed in this business! :-) It is hard to get motivated about something you have no personal interest in.

Man, is that an understatement!!!!!! Exhibited at a couple shows last summer, actually had people come up and ask what kind of stereo I had in the car!!!! My only answer was 2 1/2" duals with turbo muffs for stereo, open headers for surround sound!!!!!

Also have an unlisted number now....got tired of phone calls about fart cans, body kits, and wings!!!!!!

Then a guy came in and asked if I could build him a rat rod, told him he'd be more welcome in my shop if all he did was talk bad about my Mother!!!!!

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

Where were all of the flat black and primered '50s rods & customs 10 years ago?

Those at the front of a curve don't always either know they're there, or get recognized at the time. 12 years ago I did this '40, and the '36 coupe a couple years later. There were probably many more like us scattered around the country.

I like the way you think dave!!