By “Rotten” Rodney Bauman – Images by the Author & Daryl Sment
“If there’s anything an old painter can do around here, I’ll do it.” That was pretty much my pitch, and it paid off with a much-needed short-term job at Outlaw Kustoms in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Backing up briefly, just to paint the picture, it was a wife’s-side family reunion that necessitated a road trip to Albuquerque. No offense intended toward New Mexicans, but I don’t much care for Albuquerque, its big balloon festival, or its big lavender festival for that matter. Rather than blather in dull detail, let me just say that I don’t get much out of family-planned tourist activities—at all.
Knowing well ahead of time that I’d likely need an escape, I did a little Web search for hot rod shops in the area. When I came upon OutlawKustomsInc.com a mental note was taken. Upon arrival to Albuquerque, I took a chance, called the shop, and received an invitation to stop by and have a look around.
I went there the very next day, met proprietor Angelo Vigil, his wife (and business partner) Crystal, and the multi-talented head fabricator (and more), Daryl Sment. They didn’t seem to mind me hanging around, but like I told ’em: “I’m not used to doing nothing!” Sure, I’m always sniffing around for a tech story, but I’ll put my painterly paws on a project, too.
To help me have a purpose in Albuquerque, Angelo and Sment kindly thought it over. Undercover, on a stand near the wall sat a freshly rebuilt 6.0L LS still in need of a fine finish. I could do that. “It’s right up my alley” I told ’em, but I wasn’t yet fully aware of Outlaw Kustoms’ sky-high standards.
As I discovered on the fly, Outlaw Kustoms is responsible for some truly noteworthy classic truck builds. Most recently, 2024 Builder’s Choice, presented by Hot Rods by Dean, and 2025 Truck of the Year Late Finalist, presented by Dakota Digital. Never mind I’m an experienced painter. Never mind I’ll only be painting an engine. Instinct now suggests that I’ll need to rise to this occasion.
Through the years I’ve painted many engines, but this’ll be my first LS. Initial inspection reveals some rather difficult shapes. The engine block’s casting has ribs, and other crooks and nannies that’ll call for some pretty sharp shooting. Casting numbers were already ground away before I’d arrived, but there’ll be more work required to achieve a uniform texture for block and heads. At Outlaw Kustoms, we call that “stippling.”
Since I didn’t pack my own spray equipment, I’ll be working with what’s here. As it turns out, Outlaw Kustoms uses Iwata-brand spray guns, so this’ll be my opportunity to assess what’s widely considered the best. Back at our own shop, I’ll stick with my trusty mid-’90s ’guns, but if I thought I’d stay in the game much longer I’d call Summit and step up for Iwata-brand replacements.
When we’re eventually satisfied that our subject engine is surgically clean, abraded, and properly masked, we’ll apply epoxy primer to start. Afterward we’ll clearly see any minor surface imperfections and correct as necessary.
Providing things go according to plan, next-day action will be standard procedure. It’ll be basecoat and urethane clear, but materials in stock are foreign to me. It’s not what we’d use in Montana. It might not be what you’d use where you are, so for the how-to portion of our story let’s focus on technique, not so much on brands.
In the past there’ve been times when it’s done me good to work in other shops with other craftspersons. Lately, I’m a dinosaur, still doing things as I have for eons. If I’m not real careful here, I just might learn something new. If I have my own way, you just might gain from this experience, too.
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
