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

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!