Building a High-Performance Rod: Part 6 - Final Assembly and Finishing Touches

Welcome to the concluding chapter of our rod-building saga! In this article, we will detail the final assembly and finishing touches for our chopped Deuce. We won’t repeat previous assembly steps like wiring the ignition system, but we’ll touch on those elements briefly. Let’s dive in!
 

What You’ll Need:

  • Tamiya Orange paint
  • Tamiya Flat Aluminium paint
  • Various contrasting paint colours for details
  • Black wash
  • Tamiya Flat Clear spray
  • Tamiya Light Gunmetal paint
  • Rust All wash
  • Tamiya Matt Clear spray
  • Metallic Grey paint
  • Chrome Silver paint
  • Hoosier decals from Slixx
  • Clear Matt Spray

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Engine Assembly
I decided to use the vintage Hemi motor included in the kit instead of the modern 5.0 Mustang motor. Here’s how I painted and detailed the engine:

  • Engine Block and Sump: I painted these in Tamiya Orange for a classic look.

  • Gearbox: This was painted in Flat Aluminium.

  • Details: Various components, including the oil filter, were painted in contrasting colours to add visual interest. I also added the 8 spark plug leads and the coil wire to give the engine some life.

After fitting all the chrome parts, I applied a black wash to tone down the shine and create a slightly weathered look. Finally, I sealed everything in with Tamiya Flat Clear to finish off the motor’s look.

Step 2: Suspension Assembly
The rear and front suspension were assembled according to the kit instructions:

  • Rear Axle: I painted this in Tamiya Light Gunmetal and then toned it down with a wash of Rust-All to simulate wear.

  • Front Suspension: I detail-painted various components and applied a coat of Tamiya Flat Clear. A wash of Rust-All was also used to achieve a consistent, dirty finish.

Step 3: Wheels and Tyres
For the wheels, I opted for the American Racing Torque Thrust option:

  • Wheels: The chrome finish was overly shiny, so I applied several coats of Tamiya Matt Clear to give them a more subdued, unpolished aluminium look. The spokes were painted in Metallic Grey, and I used Chrome Silver to detail the centre caps and wheel nuts.

  • Tyres: I prepared the tyres by scuffing the tread to give them a more realistic look. I then applied Hoosier decals from a Slixx decal sheet. After the decals were in place, I sealed everything with Clear Matt spray.

Once assembled, I gave the entire wheel and tyre assembly a light misting of dirty thinners with my airbrush to add a dusty, well-used appearance.

Step 4: Chassis Completion
Before finalizing the chassis, I refitted the fuel tank between the frame rails to close the opening created earlier. The fuel tank received a coat of Metallic Grey to keep everything consistent with the overall theme.

Step 5: Body Detailing
The final touches on the body included:

  • Tail Lights: I added round tail lights due to a small mishap with the teardrop lights. One was dropped, and unfortunately, it became a snack for the “carpet muncher” that roams my model room!

  • Headlight Buckets: I painted the headlight buckets in the body colour for a cohesive look.

  • Final Decal: A skull and crossbones decal from the “Doctor Cranky” decal sheet was applied to the grill, adding a playful touch to the Deuce.

Conclusion
And there you have it—the Deuce is officially finished! This series of articles has aimed to inspire you to build your own Ratty Rod. I hope you enjoyed this journey as much as I did. Happy building, and may your models be as unique and exciting as your imagination!

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