Tips on How to Make a Steampunk Hotrod

If you have a junky car that you want to customize, and prevent further deterioration of the vehicle, there is one style that, while it probably won't get you any prizes at the car show, will sure turn heads at the gas pump. It's called steampunk, or Wasteland Rod. You can see vehicles like these in movies such as "MADMAX", "Escape from New York", or "The Book of Eli".

The Best Part of the steampunk look is that you use your imagination and the cheapest things you can find that will work. Also you do it yourself which means you have pride in your work, not someone else's like with other vehicles.

To customize your vehicle in the steampunk style first you will want to make sure it's in working order. Check the brakes first, because it is more important to be able to stop then to be able to go, then check the motor and transmission. If the car is in working order in those respects, check the floor and seats. Welding sheet metal into the floors to make sure you and the passengers are safe inside the vehicle. Check out repair manuals for your vehicle as well as the internet for tips on how to best do this and to make sure the car is fixable

Now comes the fun part. Start fixing all the cosmetic and light parts with whatever you can. If a headlight is out, repair it with a standard square or round headlight in its place. You can weld or bolt on the bracket that holds the light in place. It is much easier to do this with turn signals and tail lights. You can pick up cheap new ones from places such as Farm and Fleet or Menard's. To put them on simply hammer the metal into something that will fit the shape of the light, drill holes in the metal that you can reach from the other side and gently bolt the light into place.

You can also weld pieces of metal on the outside of your vehicles body where holes have rusted through, that will give it a patchwork or armored look.

Once you have got the basic construction of the vehicle planned out and put together. Then scrape the rusty spots and bare metal, taping off or even taking off the parts you do not want painted and spray paint the vehicle. It does not matter what color, in fact you can do it with several colors to make it look like you patched it together after an atom bomb hit.

Now that you have your ride ready make sure people know you did this on purpose by painting an insignia on the door. You can draw it or print it out on a computer and spray paint it. Now you should be ready to turn heads.

Common recognizable items like barrels and old boxes are really good to patchwork the car together. It makes it look like you found the pieces and put them on. Just make sure everything is safe and secure.