A model with XL-sized nail extensions has revealed her double life as a mechanic and says men constantly pass judgement on her appearance.

From fixing engines to fitting new wheels, Peyton Cicconi can do it all while donning super-sharp claws, having spent over $6,000 (USD) on her talons over the past five years.

The 25-year-old mechanic refuses to trim her nails down for work, sporting eccentric designs and colours, and happily wears fishnet tights and mini skirts while repairing cars.

Despite having seven years experience, the TikToker, who has 1.2 million followers, finds it difficult to be taken seriously in the male-dominated field and is frequently harassed on the job.

“I face a lot of difficulties in the industry as a woman such as daily harassment and men belittling me,” Peyton, from Oakland, California, told NeedToKnow.Online.

“When I started my automotive technician course, I was the only woman in my entire class of 100 people.

“It was also hard to have employers taking me seriously.

“My school principal would be calling managers telling them I was capable of suspension jobs and they would still be hesitant to have a woman at their shop.”

After becoming obsessed with toy cars as a kid, Peyton believes her career path was set out for her early but also works as a model, which is why she first started getting her nails done.

She added: “I’ve been interested in cars ever since I was a baby, I used to love playing with hot wheels with my twin brother.

“I started having fun and customising my nail polish colours to match my cars and trucks paint so I guess it just took off after that.

“I slowly started getting my nails longer every time I went to get a new set done.

“It took many sets of broken nails and trial and error to figure out the best way to work with them.

”My friends and colleagues can’t believe it.

“I’m always being called so they can use my nails as a pick or to scrape something, they actually come in handy.

“I’ve spent over $6,000 on my nails over the past five years!

“My favorite set is my most recent set because it’s got so many cute charms and it’s the longest I’ve gone, which is three inches long.”

Peyton documents her life on social media, hoping to inspire other women, with a recent viral video racking up over 40,000 views.

While she loves to share her passion, the model-slash-mechanic is often subjected to cruel comments from trolls.

She added: “I’ve had a lot of heartbreaking things happen to me.

”A lot of men online have called me fake.

”So many industry professionals were hating on my nails – it felt so unfair and I felt alone.

”I was depressed at one point and didn't know if I should keep my nails.

”[But] my videos of me working in nails has started a worldwide movement of confident women that aren’t afraid to embrace their feminine side.

“In my opinion, women are so teachable and great learners when it comes to automotive mechanics!

“[And] women definitely feel more trusting coming to a mechanic like me, they know I’m not going to overcharge them or scam them just because of their gender.”

In the recent video, Peyton shows her fans how she installs a car part using her nails with fans coming out in droves to support her.

”How did you do it with talons,” said one user.

”Awesome job gorgeous,” said someone else.

A third person wrote, “Love how u do it with heels and nails.” [sic]

”You go girl,” said someone else.

”I love this. This is what I want my daughter seeing, and sons,” commented another person.

ENDS

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