Lux's Latest & Questions

[C-Hub]

Hello folks! Here's the story on this one: The older Protoform/Pro-Line brochure has a page of TC bodies all painted. Two of them (blue Stratus and red Stratus 2.0) always stand out in my mind as incredible paint jobs (here is one of them http://www.pro-lineracing.com/pub/New-Photos/Protoform-Bodies/1449.jpg). Very intricate with lots of fades, super-thin pinstripes and perfect color choices. I aspire to those paint jobs, and live for the day I can do THAT like whoever it was (clearly the same painter, same style) did them. This week, going over some sketches I did for a local racer, he pulls out the brochure. :eek: Yep. Dammit. He likes those too. :(

Well I'd have liked to try something that detailed on my own body instead of a paying customer, but I jumped in. Took my time (it took twice as long as usual). Listened to music instead of watching movies (leaves more of my meager attention span for the painting :) ) and here is the result.

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL932/705918/8466237/116737048.jpg

Thre are a couple of garfs, but they are very small and for me it's a really clean paint job. Maybe I'd do better for my customers if I hid my DVDs and got out my CDs? Here are some questions. . .

1)Does the orange and black qualify it for the October contest :D

2)Are there any techniques for pinstripes? I find it difficult to be super consistent in their width, especially the skinny ones like this (dig out that brochure, the guy's stripes are incredible!) Any special tools?

3)Is anyone else having issues lately with Pro-Line window masks leaving adhesive on the body? I'm using the same techniques I have for the last 30 bodies, but recently have had 3 or 4 Pro-Lines that leave icky residue like it melted. I'm open to the idea that I'm doing something different and just haven't noticed. But I was also wondering if they (we) might have gotten a bad batch of window masks. Any ideas what I might be doing to caue this? (It's not heat, my hair dryer blows just air not heat).

Thanks guys, keep sprayin'!

Chris Hults
Lux Graphics

[VelvettFogg]

Very nice job.

Do you use liquid mask or tape? I use liquid mask and use it to mask the windows. Then I can place, remove, place, remove the window masks as often as I like until I get them in the exact right spot.

[C-Hub]

Thank you!

After cleaning/drying I place the window masks on the body. Getting pretty good at getting them straight, and the Pro-Lines are usually light-tack so they come up & go down pretty easily. Then I put the liquid mask (Bob Dively, 5 medium/thick coats) over the window masks.

If the adhesive problem persists, maybe I'll put the masks over the liquid mask just to use them as sight-lines for the windows I'll cut out of the LM. Is that what you do?

-Chris Hults

[VelvettFogg]

If the adhesive problem persists, maybe I'll put the masks over the liquid mask just to use them as sight-lines for the windows I'll cut out of the LM. Is that what you do?



Exactly. I suck at placing the window mask, usually takes me 10 trys ! :eek:

[winning edge designs]

C-hub, that painted body was done by Roly, aka paintingroly who rolls around here and RC Tech also.

The guy gives me headaches since he is local and people somtimes want his work copied. I'm so busy lately I just tell them to get with Roly....who is apparently also swamped in.

I remember the days when a stripe was a nice paint job and everyone didn't need a $150 painted body, hahaha.

Glad they're gone!......Jim, jconcepts dot net

[FESTER2004]

c-hub----i dont know if u have this item.it caled THE EXCEL TWIN BLADE KNIFE.It uses 2 razor blades n the width is adjustable,my friend has it n it costa round 40 bucks!i say u can use it for pinstripping.

[orange racer 2]

C-Hub , as the racer that is going to run this master piece I've gota say thanks man :D !!!!!!!! It's sweet , I love it :p !!!!

[WhoMe]

Nice work C-Hub. But as stated above those bodies in the Proline line up were painted by Roly. That dude is the man...and to think he uses NO liquid mask. Thats all tape.

[Piggy89373]

C-Hub, awesome paint work! An excellent take on Roly's designs. To answer some of your questions:

1. Enter it and see if the judges will let it fly for having Halloween Colors. Given the lack of entries this month, it could qualify.

2. There's a couple of tools out there you can use designed for pinstripes. Many of these tools are a royal PITA to use on curved surfaces. Sandwiching two blades around a small washer or spacer in your xacto can produce the same effect.

3. Give up on the window masks. I've never been able to use them without some sort of problems. Go with either blue masking tape or liquid mask and make your own. It takes a bit more concentration, but you'll get a more secure mask.