How I painted my Body

[run2jeepn]

Well I got the body painted. I took some pic's as I went. I would like to say this is only the 2nd time I have used more then one color and only my 4th body I have ever painted.

Step one: Cut and trim the body on the factory lines. Some poeple do this after it's painted, but I like to do this first. Then wash the body with dish soap and water. Rinse the body clean.

Step two: You can either let it dry over night or use a rag blow dryer to speed things up.

Step three: Apply window mask and liquid masking. I used a brush to apply it.

Step four: With a marker draw your design on the outside of the body. Make sure your body comes with an overspray film.

Step five: Cut out your design with a hobby knife. Don't press to hard or you will leave a groove in the lexan.

Step six: Peel the front part of the masking off and get it ready for paint. I outlined the design with some black paint by hand.

Step seven: After I outlined the cracks. I then sprayed two thin layers of white pearl. I took a tooth brush and some yellow paint. Dipped the tooth brush in the yellow and used my thumb to spray spots all over the front.l Then I backed all that up with orange.

Step eight: I then peeled the rest of the masking off and sprayed some more white pearl and back the whole body with sprit white.

Step nine: Let everything dye and remove he window masking. I used smoke paint to make the windows look tinted. Then let that dye.

Step ten: Remove the outer flim and she's done. Not to bad. I've seen better, but have also seen alot worse.

Now it's time to apply the stickers. The windows aren't really that dark. The flash is making them look darker then they are.

 

[xjman]

So, you paint the outside? You going to put a silver or rust color on the inside so it looks like its scraping metal?

 

[run2jeepn]

So, you paint the outside? You going to put a silver or rust color on the inside so it looks like its scraping metal?

I didn't paint the outside. All the paint goes on the inside. DUH ;-)

Deja vu!

I painted the same way as my last one, but it looks nothing like it. I didn't do any fading on this one.

 

[xjman]

Ahh, I see said the blind man...

I had a moment, I realized that you masked the inside and cut it there.

 

[Cloak]

Aren't you supposed to do multiple small layers instead of one really thick one?

I have some of that stuff and I never manage to use it.

 

[4u2nv]

It's been a few minutes where's the next pics? You must have done something else by now.

 

[run2jeepn]

Aren't you supposed to do multiple small layers instead of one really thick one?

I have some of that stuff and I never manage to use it.

Thick layer of what? The masking. I used 3 to 4 thin layers of masking. I'm loading the rest of the pic's up now. It's updated now. All done. Just need to do the last part of the body trimming.

 

[Cloak]

Yeah the masking. I thought from the pic that you had done one super heavy layer. Just reaffirming my understanding of the stuff.

 

[run2jeepn]

Yeah the masking. I thought from the pic that you had done one super heavy layer. Just reaffirming my understanding of the stuff.

Nope I did like 3 or 4 layers applied with a brush."thumbsup"

 

[4u2nv]

That body came out nice. I have to try more than one color one of these days. What are your plans for the other body?

 

[bugman72]

I didn't paint the outside. All the paint goes on the inside. DUH ;-)

Ahh, contraire, monfraire...I prefer the silver inside, flat black outside paint scheme...

Both of my crawlers utilize this painting technique. I figure, your body is going to get all scratched up anyway from crawling, why not wear the scars proudly!!

Either way, your bug body looks good JP. Are you going to have it ready to bash at the comp this weekend?

 

[Big Mike]

That turned out real nice. I've owned a few real Bugs and will always have a soft spot for them.
I wish I'd known about the liquid masking when I did my 73 Bronco. I did a 2-tone for the first time, coral blue and metallic black. My masking job ended up being disastrous, and I tore it out and sprayed the whole inside of the body coral blue except the windows. (I did manage to clean the wheelwell flares and paint them black inside) I layed the metallic black over the hood, top, and trunk area on the outside after some careful trimming of the overspray film. It turned out looking good, and even after a few rollovers the black is pretty much still scratch free. Until I ran it a few times, that's when I realized that washing out the body first before painting it like run2jeepn suggests is sound advice that I wish I'd read first. Wherever my body rubs against a rock or whatever, the paint seems to flake off the inside pretty easy. So once it starts looking really ratty I guess I'll have to strip it and do it again.

 

[rock runt]

How many coats of liquid mask?? Any pics of you peeling it off?? Good write up

 

[ede670]

Nice Tut run2jeepn "thumbsup"

This would be good as a sticky.

One question I have never used the liquid mask how easy does it peel once dry8)

 

[rockhugger]

good stuff

thank you R2 this is perfect timing because I am doing my first TLT and getting ready to do a body in the next few weeks ( read , waiting for money ) I really like orange and pearl colors , esp. white - I personally would'nt have done the yellow drops , but that's why it's not mine "thumbsup" . I dig the overall design of you lines because it reminds me of the custom bugs people were doing in the 80's and 90's


Now - is there any chance you would list the paints you used and the liq. mask?

I say sticky this to. it's easy to find this info and it comes with the PL bodies , but it's better when you see a non airbrushed example.

peace

 

[K_B]

I figured I'd chime in with my two pennies. For drawing out your design, I would think you could use a fine point dry erase marker (for those of us who make mistakes ) The only downside is that you'd have to be careful not to smudge it.

 

[Rckcrwlr]

I figured I'd chime in with my two pennies. For drawing out your design, I would think you could use a fine point dry erase marker (for those of us who make mistakes ) The only downside is that you'd have to be careful not to smudge it.

Actually you can use some motor spray on a rag if you make a mistake. It comes right off and does not damage the overspray film.

Great job JP. "thumbsup" "thumbsup"

I like the color combos. I went orange and copper on my Rock Pleazer.

John

 

[SammyXp]

Very nice!! Especially for your fourth attempt!

 

[gopher]

very good paint job. I tried a two tone with tape and REALLY fell through. it was on a 1/18 body though, which if I ever own again, will be ONE color

it is amazing what can be done with the right tools, patience and some imagination!

 

[Double J]

You may allready know this, but for those that don't.

If you want to practice techniques use an empty 2 liter bottle. Basically the same thing as the lexan bodies just inexpensive.


did you use an air brush or spray can?