Steve’s Funny Car Forum

   Checkmate: Adding Checkerboard Roof Graphics

     Whenever I’m about to attempt a task I think is beyond my ability, I ask myself “how would a really smart guy do it?”  The answer usually arrives after a few minutes of careful consideration and tricks me into thinking I can do it so I dive in.  Jack Sharkey’s original Rampage Dart had a cool checkerboard roof graphics treatment that I wanted to add to my modern tribute car.  But a job like this is either spot-on or way off.  There is no in-between.  But by focusing a little concentration on the objective, using common sense and working slowly and methodically, it came out looking great.  Of course the car will probably be stripped down to bare metal and get real body work to cover the wheelbase alteration surgery scars at a later date, so all of this is temporary.  Or is it? In the three years since the Rampage was completed, most folks who see it say “leave it just the way it is”.  So I’m on the fence about making it really pretty – or leaving it rough and raw as it is now. Regardless, follow along and see if you’re inspired by what you see.  If so, let this story serve as a guide for your own custom checkerboard paint treatment.  Apply it to your roof, hood, trunk or even doors and body sides. You can do it!

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