New Found Respect..

[fix14wd]

Completed a lid yesterday using an airbrush. It was the first time I've ever used liquid mask or an airbrush, and what a pain. Don't get me wrong, I had fun and loved doing it, but wow, that was a lot of work. Mostly becuase I had no idea what I was doing, I'm sure.. And it was a simple design, too. I'm sure with more practice the techniques and effects will get better. I just had no idea.. Not to mention I did things backwards as far as applying paint. I went light to dark because I peeled the mask off the wrong part first. I probably sat there and looked at it for two hours just going, "now what?" before I decided screw it and went for it anyway. :\

Anyway, you guys that airbrush and make it look easy.. Hats off to you!!

 

[MR4X4KING]

show us what you came out with
maybe our painters can give you a few tips after looking at what you did

 

[NCNitro]

Dont give up, each one will get better and easier. Lets see how ya did on your first.

 

[slowngreen]

Let see it! And yeah, it just takes some practice.

 

[fix14wd]

Kind of embarraseed about it really.. I did a much better job on the VW Bug with rattle cans and tape. What screwed me up was unmasking the lighter area first.. I wasn't sure how I could add shadows underneath the splash/drip, so I did the opposite by adding highlights to the top. Also, whenI tried the carbon fiber look, it came out pretty crappy.. really light around the edges. I sprayed the blak first, then light coats on the silver, backed again by black..
As far as the mask went... I liked using it. I think though that using such a sharp tipped exacto was kind of a pain. Sometimes the tip would stick in the lexan, even with a light touch applied. I think a curved blade might be better. I need more control with my hands for sure, a little shake really affects the lines.

 

[slowngreen]

That looks great for your first airbrush man!

 

[Racer 1966]

Looks good to me. Besides,it'll just get trashed and then you'll do another one.

 

[fix14wd]

This lid was just something to goof around on. We don't even have a truck to run it on anymore, neighbor sold it. I've got a Crowd Pleaser to do for my daughter and two Ambush bodies to do for my son, one with the top and one without.

 

[Phins Fan]

You have nothing to hang your head about. That lid looks great to me!! Like you said it was your FIRST TIME with an airbrush and liquid mask. By the time you get to your 3rd or 4th lid you will probably be a pro at it.

 

[Lessen]

Dude! That looks freakin' awesome for your first piece!

 

[NCNitro]

Nothing at all to be embarrassed about, it looks great for you first ab lid!

 

[Rolex]

I think it looks really good. I'm looking forward to #30.

 

[RenegadeScout]

thats a first time??!?!??!?!?! it looks epic to me! great job!

 

[Mn Monster]

very nice ! that lid looks sick ! great job !

 

[fix14wd]

Well.. Thanks guys, I appreciate the compliments. Great for my ego!
And no, I'm not hanging my head.. but it does feel kinda like I'm the scrawny guy that walks into Golds Gym, sees the muscle heads and walks out!

I know I talked alot about what I did/didn't do, but my point on this post was really meant to be more about you airbrushers.. Having never done it before, it really opened my eyes to the amount of thought/work/dedication and patience that you put into it to make some beautiful lids and art. It isn't easy, but it is fun! I have a whole new appreciation for this hobby within a hobby! Thanks for giving me some inspiration!

 

[mayrider]

airbrushing is pretty tricky i haven't had a chance to do a lid yet but here's my first airbrush job

i've learned alot from this one.

 

[fix14wd]

Jeez!! I just got my complex back!
Very nice!! I'd say you have a knack for it!

 

[Phins Fan]

Not knowing a ton about airbrush myself I would say that is a great job on the guitar. But when spraying the inside of a lexan body it would seem to be alot more trickier as you need to lay the shadows and dark colors first. Almost lay it opposite as you sprayed the guitar.

 

[mayrider]

sorry didn't mean to revive your complex, the picture looks better than it is plus thats a flat surface the curved surfaces and having to paint the layers backwards adds to the complexity of a lid.

 

[mayrider]

Not knowing a ton about airbrush myself I would say that is a great job on the guitar. But when spraying the inside of a lexan body it would seem to be alot more trickier as you need to lay the shadows and dark colors first. Almost lay it opposite as you sprayed the guitar.

definitly would be harder i am dying to try a lid but i still haven't found the right body for the kid's rustlers yet i'm looking for something out of the ordinary i may try to reduce my stencil and paint the skull on my boys new lid we'll see tho he might have something else he would rather have.

fix14wd i don't think i said but the 72 came out nice.