Painting on a car?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Prepping is 90% of the work.
You have natural talent and creativity.
But that won't necessarily translate well on a car.

Watch guys on youtube airbrish with their freaky skills.

Fireball, those people who can do real™ flames are just inspiring to watch!

Isn’t putting real flames on a car just setting the car on fire?

Boru

[Fireball]

I quote myself, "true flames" is what I wrote. Here is an example. Ed Hubbs is one of the greats. It's a long video, but one can skip ahead to see the result.





That is just too cool. I bought the CD and the stencils.

[Fake Messiah]

You never heard of airbrush?

[arewethereyet]

Airbrushing is amazing but takes some time to master. Many moons ago I knew a guy whose side hustle was airbrushing Harley gas tanks. He did some really nice stuff. Having artistic talent is only part of the equation.

I'm not sure how the wrap thing works but it wouldn't be terrible to give a company a call. You may be able to provide the design that they can transfer to a partial wrap.

[zwanzig]

You never heard of airbrush?

No, I have heard of airbrush. Which is not something I know how to do. I am a paintbrush and oils guy. So I was confused when my father asked me to do this. Airbrushing and wraps are the only way I have ever heard of someone custom decorating a car. So, it simply worried me, the idea of taking a paintbrush to a car because I was like, "Dad, people don't do this. You're not supposed to paint on a car this way." But apparently you can and they do!

So, I will be doing this. I'll post pictures.

[Brian37]

So, my father just commissioned me to design and apply a decal to his car. It's a Plain Jane, so, the idea he wanted was like a woodplane, with like Jane Jetson sitting on it. And I am pretty sure he wants me to paint this straight onto the hood. 

I'm pretty sure this is something I could do, from the designing and application standpoint. I'm a painter, a cartoonist, and I've done murals before but that was with oil paints. 

However, I am not a professional car painter and I have no idea what I would use to paint this thing. Probably not oils? I'm not even sure if this is possible to do with paintbrush and straight onto the metal of the car? 

If there is someone who knows cars and knows decorating cars can tell me something about this? I am of the mind to refuse because that's not something I'm trained in and I'm not comfortable just taking what I want to this beautiful old car and making a mess. So, is my father crazy for asking me to do this?

If it is a car he is fond of, you really should get some professionals involved. I'd consider making a stensil of some sort, but consult professional car painters and maybe have them on sight guiding you while you do it.

[Fireball]

You never heard of airbrush?

No, I have heard of airbrush. Which is not something I know how to do. I am a paintbrush and oils guy. So I was confused when my father asked me to do this. Airbrushing and wraps are the only way I have ever heard of someone custom decorating a car. So, it simply worried me, the idea of taking a paintbrush to a car because I was like, "Dad, people don't do this. You're not supposed to paint on a car this way." But apparently you can and they do!

So, I will be doing this. I'll post pictures.

One can paint a vehicle with a brush or even a paint roller. Lots of farmers do this with their implements. Ain't nobody dragging a combine down to Maaco for a repaint...though it would make for effective crowd control, en route.   In terms of paint, I don't think oils will stand up to the sun. I'd recommend polyurethane meant for brushing. Better to check with an automotive paint supply. Though the expense might bring your dad back to reality.

[tackattack]

I repainted my new (used) car. It was a fairly simply process with some spray cans and my HVLP spray gun. As long as you do the necessary prep, use acrylics and poly is well... there's plenty of easy things to do. There was lots of how to's on tyoutube. What I learnedfrom them:

1. sand till everything is smooth prior to painting.
2. Alcohol wipe everything prior to starting.
3. Have a secure, wind and pollen free place to paint.
3.5 Use Acrylics
4. Tape well with really cheap tape (unless pin striping or doing lines) so it comes off easy
5. Do one more coat than you think you need and a minimum of 4 poly clear coats on top.
5.5 Use the same type of poly as you painted with (acrylic or if you enamel paint, then enamel)
6. Wax it after.

[Brian37]

I repainted my new (used) car. It was a fairly simply process with some spray cans and my HVLP spray gun. As long as you do the necessary prep, use acrylics and poly is well... there's plenty of easy things to do. There was lots of how to's on tyoutube. What I learnedfrom them:

1. sand till everything is smooth prior to painting.
2. Alcohol wipe everything prior to starting.
3. Have a secure, wind and pollen free place to paint.
3.5 Use Acrylics
4. Tape well with really cheap tape (unless pin striping or doing lines) so it comes off easy
5. Do one more coat than you think you need and a minimum of 4 poly clear coats on top.
5.5 Use the same type of poly as you painted with (acrylic or if you enamel paint, then enamel)
6. Wax it after.

This may be great advice, but it still isn't the same feild as being a cartoonist. It takes practice and long term building skill. Easy to say isn't always easy to do.

[The Grand Nudger]

There are probably some really cool effects that you can get with a brush as opposed to spraying - but if spraying is totally out then you're going to have a finish issue between the painted panel (or portion) and the existing work. Think about the design edges and the necessity of sanding out the space. You're going to need to have some plan to deal with that.

(or just be okay with it)