How do you do finishes like this?

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gamble
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How do you do finishes like this?

Post by gamble »

Saw this on my local craigslist, I love how the colors pop. How do you do a finish like this? What about the patterns?
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Redneck
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by Redneck »

gamble wrote:Saw this on my local craigslist, I love how the colors pop. How do you do a finish like this? What about the patterns?
The patterns are done with a flap disc before you put the finish on. The finish is either a translucent automotive paint, or metal dyes like those from Steel-FX . You can see some very informative "how to" videos on the Steel-FX website. Bill from Steel-FX is very helpful and has great products.
gamble
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by gamble »

What's the difference between a metal dye and a patina?
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Redneck
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by Redneck »

The dyes I use from Steel FX are solvent based, and usually applied with an air brush. The patinas are some kind of mild acid, applied with a spray bottle and immediately rinsed off.

Try watching the videos on the Steel FX website....very helpful.
gamble
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by gamble »

I will check it out. Is an airbrush needed?
I see the kits for $189+, but not looking to spend that much to get started, especially if I need an airbrush as well.
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gamble
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by gamble »

And if an airbrush is needed can someone recommend one fairly inexpensive that's good to get my feet wet with? I did airbrushing in highschool years and years ago. Wish I never sold it.
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Redneck
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by Redneck »

I got mine from Harbor Freight.....about $20 if I remember right. Obviously not top quality, but plenty good enough to get started.
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by gamble »

I just found a few on their site, I was going to pick one up. Any special adapters to hook it your air compressor?
Last time I used one I had it hooked up to a can of compressed air. What is a good pressure to use? 15psi?
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Plasma Creations
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by Plasma Creations »

Try the Duplicolor Metalcast colors. I get them at Schucks Auto Parts th
742a851e-d949-4f7a-8c4b-7de07e9ce251.png
ey are about $8.00 a can. Also the solvent dyes from Steele F X work great too. But you have to clearcoat both. For clear i use a product from local auto paint store called Euro Clear. Simple to use and runs around $ 80.00 for a gallon kit and it goes a long ways. I used rattle can clear for a long time and will never go back.

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Redneck
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by Redneck »

I did this with dyes from Steel FX using a Harbor Freight air brush. Clear powdercoat.

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gamble
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by gamble »

is it hard to learn the air brush?
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by gamble »

Just got the airbrush last night. What do I need to hook it to the compressor?
Also found slme $19 airbrush compressors on ebay. Says not for siphon style air brushes, is that what the harbor freight one is?

Can I just get some general paint and use it on metal before I invest $200 on the dyes from steel f-x? I just want to get my feet wet with this without a large investment.

Also what's the rule with airbrush. Darker colors first or last? I can't remember.
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by gamble »

Also if anyone has this Chicago Cubs logo to share that would be huge for me. I can't find it anywhere
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by captdick »

Bill sez that the solvent in the dyes will eat up the seals in the cheep air brushes. He recommends IOATA . Just a heads up so you don't have a supprise. I bought the Ioata and no Problems.
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by gamble »

Is the dye from steelF-x anything like normal paint? I picked up the air hose for the HF airbrush and some paint. $25 investment so if it doesn't work out I won't really care.

I used an entire small bottle of paint and well I suck. I don't remember how to do this at all. Anyone have any good tutorials?
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by Redneck »

I have never used real paint in the air brush....just the dyes. There are lots of good tutorials on youtube.
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Metal Storm
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by Metal Storm »

the metal dies have a lot deeper color and stand up to the elements with a good clear. but if u are doing a small one off or something that doesn't warent using metal dies there are transparent or translucent paints. i have been doing this for a while. my biggest challenge was finding paint that I didn't have to mix or finding the translucent paint at all. I found arousal testors and some acrylic paints at the hobby lobby of all places, im going to look up the manufacture to see what else they offer, I have yet to see whats online. I have yet to find any poly paints pre mixed. a lot of people have asked how I got this effect but I just told them that its a trade secret. there is no limit as to what san be done and I still experiment with it. when I show swatches of the effects offered this one is in the top five.
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Re: How do you do finishes like this?

Post by MGardner »

I bought the Steel FX dye starter kit. My question is what do you find is the best application method?
Bristle brush?
Sponge brush?
Air brush?
Can you clean and reuse the bristle brushes? If so what do you use to clean them with?
I see several people that have used the dyes on large areas and I'm curious how you get the area so consistent? When I tried large areas it was very splotchy.
Thanks
Michael
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