The most distinguishing feature of "Merc" is the holes in the body.  Below is a series of photos showing the step by step process that makes "Merc" the ArtCar that it is.

In this first picture we see the left side of the car in a 3/4 view. The holes have been cut out with a plasma torch. It took over 6 hours to cut out all the shapes. The paint has blistered from the heat of the torch, and rust has already started to set in. The rust will be addressed later.

In this photo, we see a close up of the right front. The holes are badly rusted. The blistered paint can be clearly seen in this photo. The area surrounding the holes will have to be sanded and prepped for paint.

This is the second step of repair to the right front fender area. The blistered paint has been scraped. The next step will be to sand the area smooth, to blend in the repaired area with the rest of the car, so the repair doesn't show after re-painting.

This photo shows a portion of the right front sanded out.  This area has been sanded with #80 grit, followed by #100 grit, then #240. Once it is all smoothed out, the repair area will be ready for "Ospho" then primer and paint.  Ospho is a chemical that turns iron oxide "rust" , into iron phosphate an inert.  Any area that contains rust will turn black. After the area has dried for a day. It will accept paint.

This photo shows the left rear, all feathered out. This area is ready for Opsho, primer and paint.

Index

Holey Mercatoy'd

Shadow Box Wheel Wells

How the Holes Shaped up

Here is a photo of the left rear in primer

Here we are back to white again. Now we are ready for some color , and the insertion of the toys within the holes.

Interior

History

Toys

Pictoral Transition