77 T/A SICK Edition! **Round 2**

[A.X.]

OK, I wasn't happy with the graphics on the first run, last summer, so this summer, we get to do it all again. The newly designed hood bird and badges are ready to go. The new paint, and new colors for the bird have been selected. The entire processes starts once again, and it starts today!

For those of you who haven't read the part one thread... My goal is to paint on the custom hood bird and badges, instead of using vinyl graphics. Since I'm painting it, I might as well do a custom bird that screams Hardcore!! So I designed one that does just that!

As this thread unfolds today and the weeks to come, you'll see pics of the process. Let's hope this is the last time too. LOL!

The images below are my designs for the birds and badges. The paint masks are cut, and ready to apply. It's gonna be a long day! LOL

[A.X.]

Today, I'll be working on the rear spoiler. The reason is, I don't have any help applying the mask to the hood, and I can't do it alone. The spoiler will be a good starting point also, as it's small enough to sand off if I don't like the color I'm using. Pics, sometime today.

[A.X.]

While I'm waiting for paint to dry... Here are the paint masks.

[hrtbt_1]

Who did you get to cut out the masks??

[A.X.]

I looked everywhere, and finally came upon a mirror. I chose that guy, because he looked like someone who could pull it off exactly the way I wanted it done. LOL!

In other words, I did it myself. In fact, I do EVERYTHING myself. It's how we roll hard at the Hardcore Pontiac Shop!

[Chuck]

Oh yes the ol' man in the mirror the only person I trust also. BTW What color gold you going to shoot it with?

[A.X.]

I'm trying to match as close to the original as possible. I'm using the Paint With Pearls powder, and have two golds to choose from. I'll spray the lighter one first, and maybe shadow with the darker one. We'll see. I usually don't make these decisions until I'm doing it. It's the artist in me, man. LOL!

[hrtbt_1]

Thats cool didnt know you have the vinyl cutting stuff, so what do you charge? We need to get stuff for my sons go kart, stuff like new number plates, his name for the sides, whatever other cool stuff we can think of.

[Burt Reynolds]

Badass!!! Painting is fun as shit.

[A.X.]

Well, here it is. From start to... well, now. LOL!

1. I applied the mask.
2. I removed the transfer tape. Then I waited for the hood to dry, as I needed to wet apply this huge bastard.
3. I taped up, and mixed the paint.
4. I sprayed 3 coats. Notice i didn't use a base coat. The reason was I wanted a darker color, and a cool effect.
5. The 3rd coat was a dust coat, to make the pearl flakes stand up, and reflect more.
6. I taped up the spoiler, and sprayed it.

Now, I'm waiting for it to dry enough that I can remove the mask. This part is the bitch!! So I'm dreading it. Very tedious and time consuming.

After that, I will clear it, and color sand and polish. That is, if there are no problems between now and then. LOL

You can't really see it in the pics, but the effect is pretty cool. It looks like a bronze color until you walk up on it, and you see the gold. I think it's going to be a bad ass look once it's cleared. It should go well with my Blacked Out look that the rest of the car is going to be.

[A.X.]

BTW, once this is out in the sun, the effect of the gold will change dramatically. The cool thing about pearl paint is, the sun makes it look a lot brighter than florecent shop lights. So once this is done, you'll get to see it for what it really is in the sun.

[A.X.]

Well, everything turned out nice. The typical Glue Goo was left behind on the hood, and this is the very reason I don't like to wet apply these masks. Now I get to spend a couple hours getting that shit off, before I can clear.

The spoiler, however, looks bad ass!! It's ready to be cut and polished.

[fiream400]

yeah, thats bad ass.

[hrtbt_1]

That is FREAKIN awsome

[A.X.]

OH HELL YEAH!! LOL! This thing looks freakin' amazing. Only 2 coats of clear on it so far. I'll end up with 5 probably. Got a little dust in the clear, so I'll need enough to sand those out. Just some of the magic that can be created at the Hardcore Shop! lol!

[fiream400]

that is awesome. so much better than the decal. I might have to brave up and get one of these masks from you.

[A.X.]

This process is a total PITA, but worth it in the end. I have yet to perfect this method, but at least I got it to turn out some seriously killer results.