By request, I moved this from general discussion so there is some redundancy initially.

Having fun with this Italeri Fiat kit. I hope to finish it as well as many others have? Not sure I’ll be happy with just painting the body the usual ‘smooth’ finish: Which imho will not accurately represent the beautiful ‘rough’ natural finish of the real Fiat’s panels? I know or will assume that the optimal way is to make a wooden buck and form brass sheets over it. In lieu of that,
I am wondering if I can ‘abuse’ the surface of the plastic contours to represent the ‘imperfections’ (nuances?) of the panels properly? Or at least be an improvement? The two hood parts would also need to be reduced in thickness, and a seam cut where the current raised lines are? I do plan either way to drill out and add real domed head rivets. All the subtle aesthetic elements like adjoining panels not being perfect….don’t know if I can make that happen? The issue with making the two part hood done is reproducing the louvers on each side? A real piano hinge would not be too difficult. I guess I’m not channeling my Gerald Wingrove very confidently? The brass signature radiator shell on the actual car features very rounded contours, nothing like the kit part? Not trying to upgrade the entire model, just assessing what can be done to improve it within 'reason'? As if reason has anything to do with it:))) Comments and suggestions appreciated.

5 attached images. Click to enlarge.

A wonderful entry, my friend @jagmkx! An awesome kit that I would love to build, but I still chicken to buy die to its price and complexity.
Great progress so far!

Well off into the great abyss where one attempts to create the opposite of shiny and smooth?
Ordered a few sized of round barrel bits to test. Received the smallest metal piano hinge I could find?
Despite my photography, hinge widths are matched but (my micrometer is already packed for moving...)
To me it's the diameter of the hinges that I think will stick out of scale? Imho under size is better than oversize? Researching distressing and creating irregularities in models, found a you tube clip that used the close and low heat of an incense cone? Something that generates heat, may a soldering iron? in the clip it seemed to be slow but very controllable? Of course you should probably not use a heat method close to the edge of a panel or details?

Heat for thought?

Clarence

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

Regarding the hinges representation, if your results look right to your eye, they probably are, my friend @jagmkx!
This heat source looks a great idea, as it seems to be very controllable, something of prime importance when heating plastic where things easilly can get out of control and the modeler finds himself with a completely deformed part.

Here's some first test reports on the 'abused patina panels' I'm trying. First, I tried the lighter, candle and finally incense methods. The incense I can see works but for me, it's not initially as controllable as I prefer. Not a learning curve I'm currently interested in. So...here's some assorted rotary bits... this will work fine. I'll next test priming and then if required, some sanding and filling and all the way to color-gloss paint? The effects are subtly different between bits but more affected by technique I suggest? The testing will tell how much or little material I need to remove towards the goal of the impression of uneven metal panels particularly on iveted seams and panel perimeters...as I observe in photos of the original vehicle. I hope to observe each panel's irregularities and attempt to replicate 'imperfections' in relatively the same areas. and then I got hit in the face...;)

Fun

FYI : used lowest cordless Dremel speed

7 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Nice to see all these techniques tried, my friend @jagmkx!

What you are doing is really interesting Clarence. If I could make a suggestion on how to distress the panels have you tried scraping the surface with a curved blade like a SM No15? The effect you are after is very subtle and smooth and using bits will give you hard edges. Have a look at some of the oil canning effects U boat modellers have achieved.