Failed tutorial - but still kinda cool

[Jantrix]

First off this tutorial is NOT of a successful paint technique. This attempt was a failure. Not an abysmal failure, but not what I intended. But, I still think this can work. Step into Robby-land and have a look.

Okay, I've wanted to try this type of paint job forever. I don't know what it's called, I just know I like it. The theory is this. Model under the water, spray surface of water, pull model through the paint slick for a cool easter egg looking pattern.

However I wanted to try to take the pulling the model out of the water step out of the equation so I don't have to worry about pulling too fast or slow.

So I came up with this. Idea.

Step 1. Paint model in a light color. Krylon Pebble tan this time.

Step 2. Drill hole in bucket and put a piece of tape over it.

Step 3. Duct tape model (on a stand) to bottom of bucket and fill the bucket with with water. This here is where I went wrong.

Step 4. Spray surface of water with paint.

Edited December 20, 2012 by Jantrix

[Jantrix]

Step 5. Remove tape over hole. Let water drain from bucket. In my minds eye I saw a nice level descent of the water. What I didn't account for was the paint adhering to the side of the bucket and pulling away from the center of the bucket where I needed it, as you can see in the following pics.

Edited December 21, 2012 by Jantrix

[Jantrix]

Well here's what I ended up with.

I still think it's kinda cool and I may well leave it as is. However it was not as successful as I'd hoped.

However I do think this method can work. My mistake? Was too much water above the model. If I had only 1/2 inch of water over the model, I don't think I would have lost as much paint on the sides of the bucket and it would have covered the car. More soon!

My next attempt will be a yellow/blue/red blend over a Revell 41 Willys.

Edited December 20, 2012 by Jantrix

[clavender17]

This is pretty awesome !!! I'm gonna have to try this

[crazyjim]

You wasted a good bucket, Rob. I've done this in the past. I filled a bucket with water, sprayed the paint over the surface, dipped the model into the paint, used a paint stir to get rid of the excess paint, and lifted the model out. Works every time.

[Jantrix]

Nope, the paint was mostly dry, it scrubbed right off.

[uncle potts]

  On 12/20/2012 at 11:28 PM, crazyjim said:

You wasted a good bucket, Rob. I've done this in the past. I filled a bucket with water, sprayed the paint over the surface, dipped the model into the paint, used a paint stir to get rid of the excess paint, and lifted the model out. Works every time.

This is the way I did it also, works every time. Also warm water helps keep the paint from setting up too quickly.

[Jantrix]

  On 12/21/2012 at 12:54 AM, uncle potts said:

This is the way I did it also, works every time. Also warm water helps keep the paint from setting up too quick

I was concerned that pushing it down or lifting to slowly/quickly could cause issues, tearing the film like I did n in this instance. I was trying to take the "human factor" out of the equation. Thanks for your comments guys.

[pandamonium2112]

I think it's an awsome idea and the paint is still pretty cool.

After reading the tutorial though, i got a few ideas to pass on to you.

1. I think a base coat of paint before the water trick might help a little.

2. Draw a line about 5-6 inches up from the bottom of the bucket and cut with a sharp jig saw. you won't loose so much paint to the sides of the bucket before the water drains off.

3. can you coat the sides of the bucket with something so the paint won't stick but also won't absorb into the paint itself?

Keep working on it though, we didn't get the light bulb on the first try!

[1972coronet]

I see what you're trying for here , Jantrix , and I'm digging the concept !

Tie-Dye with Liquid Gel ! Appropriate scheme for the '66 Chevelle you're working on .

If I may make a suggestion ; leave the resultant paint on it , but re-dip it by using the less-water process .

[Erik Smith]

Cool tutorial. I think it looks pretty cool - especially the driver's side. Thanks for taking the pictures and posting.

[Jantrix]

  On 12/21/2012 at 1:32 PM, 1972coronet said:

I see what you're trying for here , Jantrix , and I'm digging the concept !

Tie-Dye with Liquid Gel ! Appropriate scheme for the '66 Chevelle you're working on .

If I may make a suggestion ; leave the resultant paint on it , but re-dip it by using the less-water process .

You know I think I'm going to leave it as is. It's over a base of tan, and I think the purple mess looks kinda cool and certainly unique. After a few days to dry, weather permitting I'll hit it with some gloss clear and see how it looks. This is not a new idea. This method has been around for years, but few people take the time to do it because its not something you see on 1:1 automobiles. Glad you guys like it.

[Draggon]

Google "swirladelic". There are some neat pics and links to painting forums. This one is in here in the CBP section. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/?showtopic=52127&&page=31

[MoparWoman Jamie]

To crazyjim, he did waste a good bucket, nothing a small screw and some expy can't fix, the buck can still be used.

To OP, like your idea and train of thought on this painting trick of yours.

[Skip]

That's always a cool effect when it works right. First time that I saw this was in the old Car Model magazine way back in the late 60's when Hank Borger demonstrated it on I think a Mustang Funny Car. He had the technique perfected, the body was placed on the bottom of a pan then filled with water, paint sprayed on and swirled then the body was lifted up through the paint film. I can't remember what he used to lift the body thorugh the paint, fishing line or thread at the wheel wells would work. Almost like the guys are telling us that they made it work too.

The second thing that it looks like is that you may not have enough surface area in the bucket to cover your wagon, that's a pretty big body. Picture the body in terms of flat like a box laid out including the flaps for the inside of the ends, that's what you are calculating quick and dirty method but it works. Pretty near to the way that you would figure out how to put a vinyl wrap on the same vehicle including the excess and waste.

Say the body is 9" long 5 inches high and 4 inches wide now figure out the surface area it will take to "wrap" the body thinking of the height as another part of the length the two 5" high ends make 10" + 9" for the body gives you 19" long. Now figure out the width once again the ends are going to be 5" each for 10" + 4" body width = 14" so you will need about a 14" X 19" Container add an inch to the height to make sure that you have enough water cover. So you are going to need about a 6" deep X 14" wide X 19" Long container. Easy way to do that would be a cardboard box with a plastic bag liner. Paint, dip, drain, dry bag, toss bag and hopefully keep body!

[Jantrix]

Skip I'm smelling what you're steppin' in. I have another container that is more shallow but is longer and wider, so I think it might work out well. Thanks for the advice guys.

[JamesW]

That's pretty cool. I think this same method could work for a muddy look on an off road build too. Just use tans and browns, and put the body in upside down at an angle to give it the illusion that mud was thrown up from the ground.

[Jantrix]

Or make a cool camo effect!

[azers]

Why couldnt you just clear coat it.

[crazyjim]

I have the article that Skip mentioned. I scanned it once and thought I posted it here on the forum. If you'd like, I can scan again and get it posted.

[Jantrix]

  On 12/22/2012 at 6:04 AM, azers said:

Why couldnt you just clear coat it.

I fully intend to. The '66 will be built just as it is and I will shine it up. Eventually. It's not perfect, but it sure is different. And that's what I'm all about.

Post it up Jim, as long as we're not breaking any rules doing so.

[crazyjim]

I'm pretty sure I posted it before with no complaints. I'll dig out the old magazine later and post it up.

[crazyjim]

I knew I had it. Here it is.

[crazyjim]

Hope this helps you out.

[vypurr59]

On you tube they have done swirl paint jobs on guitars, you have water with borax powder mixed, a few drops of whatever color combination you wish of

paint, immerse the object into the paint, turning and adhering the paint the way you wish, them skim the rest of the paint off the water and no more paint will spoil your first effect. here is another guy that uses humbrol paints on a bass guitar

Edited December 22, 2012 by vypurr59