We've all had this problem. All the big kids push us around and call us names because we only have a cheap-o ugly red toolbox. Well, stop taking **** and take matters into your own hands! It's time to paint The Flaming Toolbox of Death! Whack the handle and lock mechanism off that puppy, scuff it up a bit and spray it with a couple of coats of paint. I happened to have a can of satin black laying around, so satin black it is. Keep in mind that from now on I am in uncharted territory. I have never done this before... Step 1: Read. Besides the comic relief from the daily grind, the HAMB is a great source of info. I've also got a pretty good library of books on painting techniques. Step 2: Lay out some flames. There are more technical ways to layout flames, but I just eyeballed 'em and winged it (hey, maybe that's where Mr. Howard got the idea for his winged eyeball). I used a white Stabillo pencil... it's aquarellable! Not everything was right the first time so I just wiped the line out using a little spit and a snot rag, then tried again until I got it right. Step 3: Tape the outline using really skinny masking tape (available wherever finer masking tapes are sold). It's pretty flexible stuff, but I had some troubles in the tighter bends, not to mention I thought I rubbed the fingerprint off my left index finger sticking the stuff down. Notice I turned the TV off before snapping the pic? That's so you wouldn't know I was watching Jeopardy. Step 4: Finish masking the box with big fat tape. Luckily, I happened to have a big honkin' roll of masking tape leftover from my last hazing ritual. Step 5: Trim away the excess and remove. Run a blade down the middle of the thin outline tape, pressing down hard enough to cut through the overall mask, but not hard enough to cut through the thin outline stuff. Step 6: Jeopardy is over, so we'll head out to the garage for this step (pardon the mess). Give the exposed paint a good scuff, being careful not to lift the edges of the masking tape. Wipe down the surface to remove any dust (if this was something more important I might have been more careful, but for this I just used an old sock and called it done... just like my *** life). Step 7: Spay some primer, using light sweeping coats. We're not hosing it down, we're just laying down something for the paint to grab onto. Now go grab a beer and relax while the primer dries. Step 8: Grab a can of sparkly silver ****gin' wagon van paint and lay down a base coat. Keep it light, it's a bit deceptive when it's all masked off. Step 9: The colour fade. I've never attempted a fade with a rattle can, so we'll just hafta see if it's going to work. Spray more paint at the tips and work towards the fade, holding the can farther away from the surface so you don't leave stripes. This is also a good way to get overspray in your beer... and everywhere else. Don't do this in the dining room unless you have a very understanding spouse. Step 10: You're more likely to damage the fresh paint if it has cured for too long, so start pulling your mask before the paint is completely dry. I waited about 45 minutes. Carefully, slowly, like really damn slowly, peel off the mask, leaving the thin outline tape. Step 11: Now be really careful peeling off the outline tape and keep a blade close at hand if the tape starts to lift the paint (or so you can slash your wrists if you wreck your paint job). Pull the tape off at a sharp angle to 'cut' the paint as you go. I messed up a couple of spots that will hopefully get fixed when I attempt to pinstripe. Step 12: Stand back and say something like, "holy **** it actually worked!". Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done, being sure to set down your beer first unless you want a wet shirt. Next Up: First timer pinstriping. Then we'll see how badly I can screw this up.
[ QUOTE ] Very nice, Big A! [/ QUOTE ] I agree very well done,I was gona look into doing some of this on a few items around the shop for the hell of it
Kinda Neato ...................Now Ima have to go play with my coolerator fridge in the shop.......too bad it weighs 500 lbs...mmMMMmmm metal flake!!!
hey bigA...look in the back of that rod powell flame book and find the flat black f100 with the green flames...thats the batfink before I cut it up!! Box looks right! (Now how about painting a little sumpin sumpin for me!!)
hey Brewsir, your little sumpin sumpin is sitting in my front hall right now, partially done. (you're saying sure sure I've heard that before) The upside of going through a divorce is now I can paint in the house and I don't have to worry about getting paint on the furniture since I don't have any anymore, and I have some free time in the evenings since I don't have any money to go out. Sorry for the wait, I definitely haven't forgotten about you.
Safariknut- I saw pics, maybe it's your firewall settings? Cool work, makes me ALMOST feel like I can do something cool too. (I **** at flames!)
Photos seem to be fine, Ray, I don't know what's up. But I will take this opportunity to say thanks to you and Unkl Ian for all the painting knowledge you guys share. Cheers. Kristy, go for it. That's the point of this thread, I've never flamed anything before, and barely even painted anything before. Gotta start somewhere. Anyone got anything really rare and valuable I can practice on?
I just logged in again and now I see them!I think I need to turn this computer into a boat anchor!Nice work BTW.
I have a couple of cans of 1 Shot and a Mack brush, but I've never even attempted to pull one line. I'm going to practice and see if i can do it, then try outlining the flames before next Friday's art attack. We'll see... This weekend I've got to try tackling a painting for brewsir that I promised him, oohhhh, about a year ago, maybe more.
[ QUOTE ] Kristy, go for it. That's the point of this thread, I've never flamed anything before, and barely even painted anything before. Gotta start somewhere. [/ QUOTE ] Very true, I just hate to dissapoint myself. (I have the bad habit of setting the bar too high for myself sometimes) But you're right, you gotta start somewhere and practice makes perfect.
Nice stuff Big A. Yeah makes an el cheapo tool box pretty cool. Here's a couple I have done over the years as give aways. I've shown them before in Friday Art, but they do fit your post big A, hope you don't mind. If I can do it anyone can! they also amke great stripng canvas', I have done a few with jsut striping! Geoff aka Whodaky
Rocker covers are another good medium to play on, can get a little tricky but it ain't to hard with patience. The thing is with small block rocker covers like these, there is a top and bottom, so don't do 2 the same as I did. I had to paint a third to end up with a left and a right. So there was one for a bit of garage art. In the image one is masked and one is painted. I used a touch up gun for the rocker covers and spray bombs on the tool boxes. None of them have any fade away! Geoff aka Whodaky
Big A: Shoot them with gloss clear before you try striping them.Varathane is good. That way,when you need a wipe some off,it won't damage your base. Unless,of course,your real brave.Or reall good.
Awesome post Andy!!! Motomaster.....LOVE IT......thats so Canadian.......just like Beavers and maple syrup ...... I cant believe I just said that