Custom Airbrushing
Custom Airbrushing: An Introduction:
I can only say this is an introduction to custom airbrushing because it is just such a broad field with an even broader body of knowledge required. I would like to say I now it all, But I must admit I am still learning day by day and year by year. That is the fun of it I guess. The principles and information on this page are not project specific.
Custom Airbrushing: What Is It?
The term refers to airbrushing with automotive paints. This page does not deal with base coating or clear coating , though that also is part of custom painting. Let's go over the basics of the airbrushing part of it.
The Paints Used
This kind of airbrushing is always done with automotive paints called urethanes like House of Kolor, PPG and SEM. Some people also like to use water based paints which are still fairly new to the market. The most well know brand is Auto Air.
The #1 rule when working with urethanes is read all documentation for the product you are using. That means the tech sheets which you can usually get on line or else from the paint dealer you purchase your paint from.
The #2 rule is, as much as possible stay with in one paint system( (product line, company) for your whole project. For instance, don't use someone else's reducer with House of Kolor base.
If traditional urethanes are used, then they must be reduced for spraying through an airbrush. To do this you add reducer to the paint which is then strained before putting it into the airbrush. I usually reduce the paint at about a 75% reduction for detail spraying and 65% for general coverage.
Most automotive paint comes in quarts and gallons, although some brands like Kustom Shop and House of Kolor are making small bottles specifically for airbrush application. Both of these companies produce a very fine product. To clean your airbrush use a commercial solvent.
Auto Air is reduced using either water or their reducer. The nice thing about Auto Air is that it can be used over urethanes and is not nearly so toxic as urethanes.
Custom Airbrushing:(K)Candies
The Term "Kandies" refers to a transparent die based color that is added to either urethane clear or else base clear and can be used to tint bases. Kandies can be reduced to spray through an airbrush with magnificent results. They are often times used to tint white under paintings, I personally use Kandies a lot by glazing them over artwork painted monochromatically.
Custom Airbrushing: Pearls
Pearls come in premixed form, paste and powder. They can be added to uro clear or base coat clear, as well as Kandies and just plain base coat. They don't spray through an airbrush very well and are really primarily for base coating with an HVLP gun. although you can use them through an airbrush. It just has to be the right one. The Iwata Kustom series is perfect for this. In fact it is made specifically for this! I love Mine.
Custom Airbrushing: Metallics
Metallic paint comes in all kinds of different colors, like Gold and Silver for example. Metallics are typically used as a base for Kandies. The little sparkles show through the Kandie layers and create a very eye catching effect when the sunlight hits it. Artwork can also be painted with metallics as well, but you have to use an airbrush with a large enough needle and nozzle. I am always experimenting with metallics in my airbrushing.
Custom Airbrushing: Base Coat Paint
Base coat can mean different things, but by base coat I mean urethane paint that has no pearl added to it. It is just plain jane paint. For myself, I create much of my artwork with white base coat from House of Kolors' Shimrin Base product line, and then "kandie" it to add the color.
Custom Airbrushing: Base Clear (Inter coat Clear)
Most custom airbrush artists add their kandies to base coat clear or intercoat clear. These are non catalyzed clear coats that dry and cure fairly quickly, are sandable(lightly) and must be finished off (covered) with urethane clear which is a catalyzed clear. That means they have a hardener added to them sometimes called a catalyst. These are what are referred to as a final clear or a top coat clear. Inter coat clear may not ever be used as a final clear.
Safety Precautions
Ignore at Your Own Risk
Never spray urethanes with out wearing the proper respirator
rated for voc's and isocyinates. These paints will kill you, give you brain damage, nerve damage and kidney and liver damage. You should always avoid direct contact by wearing solvent proof gloves as well as long sleeves and long pants.
Also, work only in an area that is cross ventilated if possible. remember also, Never Smoke around these paints, their fumes or their mist. They are highly flammable.
Clear Coating and How to Do It!- Learn how to lay luscious wet clear every time. Learn about the differences between clears.
Paint Problem Solver - Got Paint problems, reactions, orange peel, hazing etc..? Get the answers here.
TCP Global: Your 1-stop for auto, hot rod & car restoration paint, tools & shop supplies & Learning Center.
Custom Airbrushing Resources
Live Fire with Anh Pham - DVD |
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Watch as Anh Pham turns a stock bike into a show piece. Pham demonstrates the various painted shapes, stencils, and freehand airbrush strokes used to make photo-realistic fire effects. He also demonstrates how to incorporate skull stencils and set them on fire, too. Masterful custom airbrushing instruction.
A Truly unique Approach to True Fire Demo the Adam Tash way. Learn how to airbrush true fire in 5 simple steps ! Free Demo
How to set up your all important air system
How to Spray HVLP, LVLP, and Conventional guns. Spray Gun Cleaning and Supplies.
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An hour of the best realistic fire airbrush training you'll ever get on a DVD. You'll be there from scuff to multiple color layers including kandy and clear.
