How do you do finishes like this?

gamble · Post by **gamble** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 10:15 pm

Saw this on my local craigslist, I love how the colors pop. How do you do a finish like this? What about the patterns?

Redneck · Post by **Redneck** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 7:44 am

gamble wrote:Saw this on my local craigslist, I love how the colors pop. How do you do a finish like this? What about the patterns?

The patterns are done with a flap disc before you put the finish on. The finish is either a translucent automotive paint, or metal dyes like those from Steel-FX . You can see some very informative "how to" videos on the Steel-FX website. Bill from Steel-FX is very helpful and has great products.

gamble · Post by **gamble** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 5:05 pm

What's the difference between a metal dye and a patina?

Redneck · Post by **Redneck** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 8:19 am

The dyes I use from Steel FX are solvent based, and usually applied with an air brush. The patinas are some kind of mild acid, applied with a spray bottle and immediately rinsed off.

Try watching the videos on the Steel FX website....very helpful.

gamble · Post by **gamble** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 9:46 am

I will check it out. Is an airbrush needed?
I see the kits for $189+, but not looking to spend that much to get started, especially if I need an airbrush as well.

gamble · Post by **gamble** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:23 pm

And if an airbrush is needed can someone recommend one fairly inexpensive that's good to get my feet wet with? I did airbrushing in highschool years and years ago. Wish I never sold it.

Redneck · Post by **Redneck** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 1:03 pm

I got mine from Harbor Freight.....about $20 if I remember right. Obviously not top quality, but plenty good enough to get started.

gamble · Post by **gamble** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 1:53 pm

I just found a few on their site, I was going to pick one up. Any special adapters to hook it your air compressor?
Last time I used one I had it hooked up to a can of compressed air. What is a good pressure to use? 15psi?

Post by **Plasma Creations** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 4:14 pm

Try the Duplicolor Metalcast colors. I get them at Schucks Auto Parts th

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ey are about $8.00 a can. Also the solvent dyes from Steele F X work great too. But you have to clearcoat both. For clear i use a product from local auto paint store called Euro Clear. Simple to use and runs around $ 80.00 for a gallon kit and it goes a long ways. I used rattle can clear for a long time and will never go back.

Redneck · Post by **Redneck** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 5:10 pm

I did this with dyes from Steel FX using a Harbor Freight air brush. Clear powdercoat.

gamble · Post by **gamble** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 6:37 pm

is it hard to learn the air brush?

gamble · Post by **gamble** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 10:05 am

Just got the airbrush last night. What do I need to hook it to the compressor?
Also found slme $19 airbrush compressors on ebay. Says not for siphon style air brushes, is that what the harbor freight one is?

Can I just get some general paint and use it on metal before I invest $200 on the dyes from steel f-x? I just want to get my feet wet with this without a large investment.

Also what's the rule with airbrush. Darker colors first or last? I can't remember.

gamble · Post by **gamble** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 1:21 pm

Also if anyone has this Chicago Cubs logo to share that would be huge for me. I can't find it anywhere

Post by **captdick** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 2:31 pm

Bill sez that the solvent in the dyes will eat up the seals in the cheep air brushes. He recommends IOATA . Just a heads up so you don't have a supprise. I bought the Ioata and no Problems.

gamble · Post by **gamble** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 4:21 pm

Is the dye from steelF-x anything like normal paint? I picked up the air hose for the HF airbrush and some paint. $25 investment so if it doesn't work out I won't really care.

I used an entire small bottle of paint and well I suck. I don't remember how to do this at all. Anyone have any good tutorials?

Redneck · Post by **Redneck** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 12:09 am

I have never used real paint in the air brush....just the dyes. There are lots of good tutorials on youtube.

Metal Storm · Post by **Metal Storm** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 10:41 pm

the metal dies have a lot deeper color and stand up to the elements with a good clear. but if u are doing a small one off or something that doesn't warent using metal dies there are transparent or translucent paints. i have been doing this for a while. my biggest challenge was finding paint that I didn't have to mix or finding the translucent paint at all. I found arousal testors and some acrylic paints at the hobby lobby of all places, im going to look up the manufacture to see what else they offer, I have yet to see whats online. I have yet to find any poly paints pre mixed. a lot of people have asked how I got this effect but I just told them that its a trade secret. there is no limit as to what san be done and I still experiment with it. when I show swatches of the effects offered this one is in the top five.

MGardner · Post by **MGardner** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 7:31 pm

I bought the Steel FX dye starter kit. My question is what do you find is the best application method?
Bristle brush?
Sponge brush?
Air brush?
Can you clean and reuse the bristle brushes? If so what do you use to clean them with?
I see several people that have used the dyes on large areas and I'm curious how you get the area so consistent? When I tried large areas it was very splotchy.
Thanks
Michael

How do you do finishes like this?

How do you do finishes like this?

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