Andy's £10 airbrush adventures.

[andys]

Thought i'd start my own thread, as i've cracked out my bargain £10 airbrush again and painted myself a new shell for my RC8B.

I'm using the compressor from my 20 year old Tamiya Spraywork, with a brand new £10 airbrush bought on ebay !
I'm just using up the spray paint i've had for ages, just spraying it into the airbrush paint cup.

This is only my 2nd shell with Liquid Mask - It is the Future :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/bulldog1.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/bulldog2.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/bulldog3.jpg

[DCM]

awesome work there fella :thumbsup:

[Supervlieg]

Nice! :thumbsup: How did you make the lines so straight?
And you need some white rims! ;)

[jonmiller]

crackin job andy well done mate.

[andys]

Nice! :thumbsup: How did you make the lines so straight?
And you need some white rims! ;)

Cheers for the comments guys.
Yep, white rims will be on soon :)
The straight lines are just cut freehand into the liquid mask.

[jiffy]

that looks greeeeaaaaaat what a great paint job, like to see how you do it.

[Mike Parker]

Nice work Andy :) looks like you've got using the liquid mast down to a tee fella :thumbsup:

[andys]

that looks greeeeaaaaaat what a great paint job, like to see how you do it.

Cheers jiffy.
I 'do it' very slowly, took my time with this one. How on earth some of the pro painters on here do many shells in a day amazes me.

[andys]

Nice work Andy :) looks like you've got using the liquid mast down to a tee fella :thumbsup:

Cheers Mike.
Only three coats on this one, I'm too tight to use more !

[AndyG]

LOVELY STUFF fella.

LOVELY.

Soon it will be my turn ;)

[ray carey]

Nice work there dude. I was thinking of doing summit like this myself, but still looking at different designs. also what is liquid mast, many thanks.:blush:

[andys]

Nice work there dude. I was thinking of doing summit like this myself, but still looking at different designs. also what is liquid mast, many thanks.:blush:

Hi. For liquid mask, have a look at jonmiller (few posts up) and his RCS graphics website, that's where I got mine from. It's liquid latex stuff you paint inside the shell.

[andys]

LOVELY STUFF fella.

LOVELY.

Soon it will be my turn ;)

Cheers Andy ;)
Get it sorted, the racing this winter with batleys new indoor series will be ace !

[AndyG]

looks like my new wheels may well be acquired tomorrow fella :thumbsup:

Should save your x6 from getting a beating in my hands!!

MANY thanks for your generous offer though - 95% likely I'll not need to take you up on it though.

HERE I COME BABY !! YEAH !!

(to keep this on topic, I'll be spraying a few shells myself this coming week. Will post my results up here if they ain't too shocking!!)

p.s. what material did you use for the "Graphite" - looks nice.

[/tobys]

have you got a link or details to the £10 airbrush that fits your Tamiya Sprayworks? thanks.

[andys]

have you got a link or details to the £10 airbrush that fits your Tamiya Sprayworks? thanks.

Hi
Just search on ebay for 'airbrush nails' etc and you'll find the one I got for around £10 if there's some still for sale. It was in a blue / clear plastic case.

The airbrush didn't come with a hose, so I just pulled the hose off the tamiya gun and it pushed nicely onto the hose plug on the new airbrush, job done :)

[andys]

looks like my new wheels may well be acquired tomorrow fella :thumbsup:

.

Brilliant, look forward to seeing what you get ! B4.1 ? Durango ?

I ran the x6 the other night at York and it was great, still one of my favorite cars. Rich Lowes b4 trounced me though !!

Look forward to seeing how you paint it too, I've got a couple of new Rc8 shells to paint when I get chance....

[AndyG]

B4.1 mate.

My colours will be the same as ever !! Only slight changes.

Evolution, not revolution. I want to evolve..... not revolve.

[andys]

I buggered this one up by spraying Nitro Block onto the shell after finishing it (it all bubbled and I had to re paint the areas where it went crazy) Gutted :(

Looks bad close up in places - ok from a distance....

I thought i'd put up a piccy in my thread anyway.

Painted again with my £10 e-bay airbrush :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/rango.jpg

[jonmiller]

looks great andy!

i am just waiting on 4 different airbrushes to test.. one with .7mm for coverage, couple detail ones .2 .3 and a .5 one for general. couple with mac valves, all gravity fed double action.

if any good i will get a few of each to stock on the website.

will keep you all updated

[U1timate PigDog]

Andy, They both look pretty good but the red one is quality, the colours work really well together. Good work!

[andys]

Cheers buddy.

It's a bit of a lottery with my paints as they are mainly old spray cans,I just spray a bit into the airbrush cup, if it looks ok I use it ! Never sure what they are, normal, pearl, metalic etc.

I need to tap up Mr Miller and get myself a nice set of new sparkerly paints :)

[eyeayen]

Those shells are super cool Andy, lovely clean designs, and they look very well exercuted ! Good going !

Jon, i'll be interested in the reviews on those airbrushes. My old spray guns are too big (1.3) and use too much air, need a large airbrush, I don't get on with suction feed and bottles underneath.

[AndyG]

more cool work there Shilly .... and your colour choices are deffo improving !!

Got halfway through my 410 shell tonight. Slow start - the airbrush wasn't playing ball and the compressor overheated :blush:. Gave it a good clean and it's all good now :thumbsup:

pics tomorrow, or "in progress" pic on FB.

[jonmiller]

got those airbrushes today..first apprearances are shit hot. build quality feels great and trigger action smooth. they seem comparable to my expensive brushes. up next is the testing. will use them on some shells etc for a week or so to see.
hopefully, RCS airbrushes available soon ;)

[eyeayen]

No pictures of them Jon ?

Will await review.

[andys]

Jon

Are these airbrushes the same as the £10 ones on eBay ?

[The Chef]

I've just bought one of these. To have a go with. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Premiair-Premi-Air-G35-Nail-Body-Craft-Art-Airbrush-/220694995865?pt=UK_Crafts_DrawingSupplies_EH&hash=item3362726399#ht_1783wt_1141

Thought it would be ok for starters. Seeing you £10 job I may have over spent:blush:just waiting for my compressor and paints, should be here mid week:thumbsup:.

What air lines do you guys use? is there a soft flexi one?

And do most compressors have 1/4 BSP fittings?

[andys]

I use my £10 airbrush bodged to a 25 year old tamiya spraywork compressor.
It only has 2 pressure settings, on and off !

I'm thinking about buying something decent as I enjoy painting and to be honest my setup isnt great, I do struggle with it, but I get by :)

[grimidol]

Got halfway through my 410 shell tonight. Slow start - the airbrush wasn't playing ball and the compressor overheated :blush:. Gave it a good clean and it's all good now :thumbsup:

mine over heats i was going to give it a clear with WD40 ?

[andys]

Bought a few shells for my RC8B (RC8 shells) to have a play with.

Here's one I did yesterday.

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/rc8Bshell/rc8b1.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/rc8Bshell/rc8b2.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/rc8Bshell/rc8b3.jpg

Probably won't ever be used as I already have 2 shell for my RC8 - so if anyone is interested i'd happily sell it.

I'll post it in the for sale section too :)

PM me with a sensible offer if you want it !

[andys]

Just spent an evening in the garage with my £10 Airbrush again.

This time painting a Durango for Mr Colin Gill.
Bit fiddly this one, the GB flag on the lid was a tad tricky to paint - but I got there :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/gbrango.jpg

Hope you like it Col !

[Dazzler]

Nice work, looks great!

[AndyG]

that is chuffing A1 mate - well done.

I'm coming to yours for a lesson !!!

[andys]

that is chuffing A1 mate - well done.

I'm coming to yours for a lesson !!!

Cheers Andy :)

[Jabber]

Yeah super impressed:thumbsup: Does this mean col got his sen a 4wd, will have to watch our backs cos he will be quick.

[jonmiller]

nice job andy :thumbsup:

[U1timate PigDog]

Awesome :thumbsup:

[eyeayen]

The design and quality of that shell is superb ! It looks like the sort of things a manufacturer would sell with a kit. Quality job, it all ties together, shadows look perfect as do all the lines and shapes ! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[gainsy]

For a £10 airbrush that shell looks like you have used a £100 airbrush!!!
Fantastic work :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[The Chef]

Clean, sharp, tight and tidy lines. Top banana, are you using fastmask or fine line tape? Looks super.

[jonmiller]

shoulod be using rcs if anything :woot:

[andys]

Cheers for the comments everyone :)

Shell is all masked with RCS Graphic Worx liquid mask, 4 coats brushed on, then it's all cut out by hand. My airbrush clogs a lot and is generally a bit unreliable so a few hairy moments ! The shadows are not as delicate as I would have liked.

[U1timate PigDog]

For a £10 airbrush that shell looks like you have used a £100 airbrush!!!
Fantastic work :thumbsup::thumbsup:

I do believe Andy is a graphic design guru :lol:, he could probably blow paint on the shell and make it look good lol.

non the less your work is stunning Andy, if I'm not mistaken you used to run 1:10th touring cars at Garforth? if so I remember your xray body you did, the one with the big X down the side, blue/green and silver if I remember correctly.

keep it up and keep them coming:thumbsup:

[andys]

if I'm not mistaken you used to run 1:10th touring cars at Garforth? if so I remember your xray body you did, the one with the big X down the side, blue/green and silver if I remember correctly.




Bloody hell - that's a right memory you have there !

Found this from 2004 - my Xray Shell ! This was painted using Frisk - Film, which is a big sticky sheet of masking stuff that you cut out and stick on / remove. No liquid mask in those days !

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/xray.jpg

[andys]

A few close ups of Colin's GB Durango shell - now there is some daylight !

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/gbrango2.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/gbrango3.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/gbrango4.jpg

[eyeayen]

No liquid mask in those days !

Yeah there was, you just didn't know where to get it :lol:

That Xray shell is ace ! Nice job.

Your website is pretty cool too ! Good stuff on there !

[RC944]

lovely work and all the better with the 10 squid brush!

[paulc]

That looks brilliant Andy top job :thumbsup:

[andys]

That looks brilliant Andy top job :thumbsup:

Cheers Paul :) - Durango shells are a real pain to paint and cut out, so bloody tight and fiddly !

[Mike Parker]

Liking the design & the drop shadows on the chrome... In fact I like everything when it comes to this one!! Fantastic job andy :thumbsup:

[andys]

Liking the design & the drop shadows on the chrome... In fact I like everything when it comes to this one!! Fantastic job andy :thumbsup:

Cheers Mike :)

[andys]

Just rattled off a B4 Shell for Colin Gill's lad - Thomas.
He liked the McLaren racing colours, so I made something up loosely based on those colours.


http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/b41.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/b42.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/b43.jpg

[Dazzler]

These are some really great shell designs, and different to the norm. :thumbsup:

[AndyG]

sweeeeet!:thumbsup:

[eyeayen]

The fact you're a designer by trade really comes through in your paint jobs, really nice Andy, clean, crisp, great colours, all good !

[andys]

Cheers for the comments guys :)
Im sure it will look good when it's on the car, painting the wing all black, so it should look well with the odd white sticker.

[toooldskool]

great designs - not a flame in sight!

[Jabber]

Very nice, sure Thomas will love it. :thumbsup:

[simoncrabb]

Nice stuff, some really sweet designs here. Loving the Union Jack shell, really crisp.

[GRIFF55]

That b4 is sweeeeet:thumbsup:

[bigred5765]

great work andy, love the rango one

[andys]

Very nice, sure Thomas will love it. :thumbsup:

Cheers Jab.
Happy to do yours if you still need it doing :)
You'd need to buy some rattle cans (not pots as i spray from the rattle cans into the airbrush - proper professional setup...) of the colours you want though as I don't have your colours in my limited collection !

[andys]

210 lid for Mr Gill, in same style as the 410 lid.

Forgot to photograph this, so only have this nasty iphone piccy taken on the bin lid !!

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/2102.jpg

[ASR]

Looking good shilly.:thumbsup:

[eyeayen]

Couldn't you have cut it out in photoshop ??? :lol:

Nice design !

[andys]

I was going to cut it out in Photoshop - seen as you mentioned it :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/2103.jpg

[eyeayen]

See it makes all the difference - you didn't need me to tell you that though ! No distracting background, you can concentrate on the paintwork ! Looks much better Andy.

[Jabber]

That fin on the roof looks smart with the union jack through it. Another cracking job there fella. :thumbsup: To answer your other question about my shell i dropped it off with Mike a couple of weeks ago, so expecting it back quite soon, dint know how busy you were with building all those new cars you keep buying. :woot:

[andys]

Jabber.
You know Mike - Mr Perfection Parker will do you a nice job :)

[andys]

Well - after a very long break from painting anything, I finally got around to painting a shell for a racing Pal - Andy Rochelle. He gave me a touring car shell to 'experiment with' last year as i'd bought my Craft Robo cutter.

Couple of things, it didn't go too well, my old - different brand paints reacted with each other, the chrome went on, and fell off on it's own - and the blends went weird. Cutter worked well though !

Also, Mr Rochelle cut the shell out and put various holes in it himself - blindfolded and in the dark :)

Anyhow - I need to get a set of DECENT paints, chromes etc - where's best ?

Oh - the shell, some things worked well - some went horribly wrong - and I rushed it as usual !.

No liquid mask was used at all, either paper stencils or vinyl stencils cut on the plotter.

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/roch/car4.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/roch/car1.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/roch/car2.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/roch/car3.jpg

[Jabber]

Wow, awesome that Andy such a smart looking job.Think the dodgy holes and cutting out could be my fault to be honest.You know that old saying measure once,cut twice. :lol:

[andys]

Cheers Jab.

One too many colours in it really - looks a bit much. Still the vinyl masks worked really well, pain in the backside to apply / paint etc - but the painted oOple etc look crisp :)

[cheekyscouse]

looks great imo and no liquid mask...impressive..most impressive :thumbsup:

[eyeayen]

Looks cool Andy, super clean logo's are lovely ! Design is cool, good colours.

Glad to see you've done some stuff on the cutter, they're great aren't they ! :thumbsup:

[andys]

Looks cool Andy, super clean logo's are lovely ! Design is cool, good colours.

Glad to see you've done some stuff on the cutter, they're great aren't they ! :thumbsup:

Cutter is ace. I bought some of that grey see through vinyl mask I believe you recommended. It's that long ago now, I forget where I bought it. Bloody good stuff though :)

I think I'm going to bin my old paints and start again. Which ones do you use ?

[eyeayen]

You can get everything you need from Jon Miller at RCS, his Chrome and holo graphic stuff is the mutts nuts ! He supplies Createx which is good but I have a hatred toward it as I used solvent based paint for years and if I could find a solvent that would adhere to shells and stay there I would use that again in the blink of an eye, in the mean time I'm stuck with this water based kak which everyone else seems to get on perfectly with... except me :lol: however a bad workman always blames his tools, which is exactly what I shall do right now !!!

[U1timate PigDog]

Well that looks seriously cool to me, love the colours and the design is great, looks awesome, very nice work !!

Ian, why dont you try pactra?, its solvent based and I believe quite readily available, a quick google will sort you out.

Andy, as Ian says Jon has pretty much anything you will need, createx is great and cleans up real easy, I've heard nothing but praise about Jons other paints as well so cant go wrong.

Again nice to see you painting. :thumbsup:

[andys]

Well that looks seriously cool to me, love the colours and the design is great, looks awesome, very nice work !!

Ian, why dont you try pactra?, its solvent based and I believe quite readily available, a quick google will sort you out.

Andy, as Ian says Jon has pretty much anything you will need, createx is great and cleans up real easy, I've heard nothing but praise about Jons other paints as well so cant go wrong.

Again nice to see you painting. :thumbsup:

Cheers fella!:)
Is the Createx stuff the same - wherever you get it from ?
It's just when you read about it on the Createx website, it doesn't mention lexan.

Also, the RCS stuff is solvent based, is this ok to use with the Createx ?

Sorry for all the questions ! My paints are mainly old Custom Colour spray cans !

[eyeayen]

Ideally you need to put solvent paint down first and back with water based. However as long as you have a nice heat gun and heat it to the point just before the paint blisters to make sure it's thoroughly dry you can use it in pretty much any order you want :thumbsup:

Createx is essentially what I think everyone uses on here ( even me :rolleyes: ) and despite my hatred of it they do make some quite gorgeous colours :wub and it easy to clean up ( use wind screen wash, cleans it all up fine and doesn't effect any of the rubber seals in your airbrush ( if it has them ). Jon sells the Createx stuff but it's the same as available from else where, essentially though Jon is everyone's one stop shop and is no cheaper or expensive than anyone else, also his solvent based paint is great, shame he won't develop it for the hardcore fume loving idiot's like myself :lol:

If you like Solvent based stuff I think Custom Colour did do a solvent range but they don't have the spectrum of colours available through Createx.

[U1timate PigDog]

Couldn't of put it better myself Ian lol.

I think if you search the forums far and wide you will find most painters using the following paints, Createx, Autoair (also make createx), faskolor, Pactra and of course Jons brand of candies, chromes and holo paints. I'm not sure if any of the paints (other than Jons) mention use on lexan but they certainly work :thumbsup:

[coleman758]

Createx, Fascolour & Autoair! Those are the best!
RCS chrome is the best ive used by far

[andys]

Another one - painted up last night.
This one is for little Thomas Gill's new 210 - hence TG in the style of the TD logo :)

Sort of slightly Mclarenesque in terms of colours as thats what he wanted - a bit like the B4 shell I did for him before.

A combination of liquid mask - stencils and vinyl cut on the plotter.

There are NO STICKERS on the shell - it's all paint :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/210_1.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/210_2.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/210_3.jpg

[eyeayen]

That's lovely mate, very impressed with that and the TG logo, nice touch :thumbsup:

The only bit I'd pick up on is I'm not totally sure on the fade, looks like you need to thin the paint a little more or up your pressure a touch ?

The shapes of the design is great though, as you'd expect from a graphic designer :cool:

[Cream]

Some stunning looking shells there Andy. Such clean lines.:thumbsup:

[andys]

That's lovely mate, very impressed with that and the TG logo, nice touch :thumbsup:

The only bit I'd pick up on is I'm not totally sure on the fade, looks like you need to thin the paint a little more or up your pressure a touch ?

The shapes of the design is great though, as you'd expect from a graphic designer :cool:

Cheers fella :)

I'm still using my 20+ year old Tamiya Spraywork, it's on or off - no pressure settings !
Paints are still sprayed from aerosol cans into the airbrush cup - so no way to thin them !

I really need a proper airbrush / compressor and paints, can't decide what to buy though - don't want to spend a fortune as I do ok with my old gear and £10 ebay airbrush.

The paint did go a bit odd around the windows on the side you can see in the piccies - I didn't use window masks, which was a mistake, i'll not do that again. Liquid mask is ace, but can be tricky in tight spots.

[andys]

Some stunning looking shells there Andy. Such clean lines.:thumbsup:


Cheers :)

[def12007]

Hi mate do you use a robo craft ,if so whats it like to use i may invest in one :thumbsup:

[eyeayen]

I'm still using my 20+ year old Tamiya Spraywork, it's on or off - no pressure settings !
Paints are still sprayed from aerosol cans into the airbrush cup - so no way to thin them !

You should be able to get an inline regulator, it will have a built in water trap and you can adjust the air that way, those things on the front of the airbrush that adjust the pressure aren't very good ( well they weren't very good on the one's I've used anyway ). Regulators at the base of this page http://www.everythingairbrush.com/acatalog/AS_Series.html

Paint wise, get some celulose thinner, get some bottles from Jon, or a pipet dripper type thing, spray aerosol into airbrush cup, drip in a few drips of thinner, mix it up with your brush, spray out the first bit as it won't mix down to the tip, once you've got some paint through you'll see it's thinner and will spray much better :D

Hi mate do you use a robo craft ,if so whats it like to use i may invest in one :thumbsup:

I spent out on a Roland STX-7, really good cutter, my mate picked up a Craft Robo for about £100 from ebay, less than a quarter of what I paid and it cuts everything just as well as mine does. As long as you can drive the software to use it you'll not regret getting it !

[andys]

Hi mate do you use a robo craft ,if so whats it like to use i may invest in one :thumbsup:

Yes - Craft Robo, it's good but takes a while to get a good result as there's quite a few variables - speed / pressure / the vinyl you put through / the software etc.

I've found if you go too small it 'cocks up' and you end up with bits coming away and getting jammed in it etc - can be frustrating !

Also, I painted over the vinyl masks, then when it came to removing each element - I could not see where the joins were - took me bloody ages !

Here's an image of the design I created / the cutter file and the final side profile on the shell.

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/cutter.jpg

[Matt Butcher]

Do you know what font the TD / TG logo is?

Cheers

[andys]

Do you know what font the TD / TG logo is?

Cheers

Hi.

I'm working on a Mac and used the font - Planet Kosmos

Andy

[jonmiller]

looks sharp andy

and yes, it is planet kosmos as mentioned

[ASR]

Very smart, i'm sure little tommo will love it!!!

[andys]

Very smart, i'm sure little tommo will love it!!!

I bet he will be even happier when he gets the actual car ;)

[andys]

Hi fella.

The character set is limited, you have to draw the missing ones yourself :(

[LRP]

great work matie think i need to do more on the computer , what program are u using ? cheers si

[andys]

Any program that creates a vector file should work.

I use illustrator and the Craft Robo plugin to send the files straight to the cutter.

[eyeayen]

It works fine with Inkscape too which is open source software and therefore can be and can be downloaded completely free of charge from

http://inkscape.org/

[Mike Parker]

Shilly!!

Loving the 2 shells you've done for andy & mr gill :thumbsup: really nice work with the cutter, and with the templates & final finish!!

Regards paints, catch me at the next regional or Batley meet mate & I'll have a chat with you :thumbsup:

[andys]

Shilly!!

Loving the 2 shells you've done for andy & mr gill :thumbsup: really nice work with the cutter, and with the templates & final finish!!

Regards paints, catch me at the next regional or Batley meet mate & I'll have a chat with you :thumbsup:

Cheers Mike :)
Will bend your ear when I see you next.

[andys]

Painted another shell last night - a record for me 3 in one week !
Will post a piccy when I get home.

[eyeayen]

Painted another shell last night - a record for me 3 in one week !
Will post a piccy when I get home.

That's it, tease us now... get the build up going... I see your plan :p

[andys]

Ian - Don't make me laugh !!!!

This one is a bit more simple - I wanted to see what i could do with just vinyl mask - no liquid mask used at all. The shell is a 'fat' one - a bit 'old skool' as it's for I believe an x6 - but it's going on an Ansmann of little Nathan Gill.

Went for red / white / blue and flames - proper classic buggy style, with plenty of space for stickers down the sides :) It's all paint bar the dboots stickers (I couldn't resist)

Vinyl worked well, and overall, even though it's a 'classic' design - I like it.

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/nathan1.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/nathan2.jpg

[Jabber]

Another belter Shilly, lovely and clean. :thumbsup:

[andys]

I've bought some plasticote clear to 'seal' the shells after painting - but it looks like it reacts with the paint - kind of dissolves it a little - anyone else have this ?

Thankfully it has not shown through in any way - unless you look at the inside and see how it's gone a bit funny - weird and a bit worrying.

[andys]

Another belter Shilly, lovely and clean. :thumbsup:

Cheers Jab - Yep if you want super clean lines - computer cut vinyl masks are the future, and you can design whatever you want on the mac - lovely :)

Going to do my Centro (Proline Bulldog) - already started working it up on the mac - it will be epic ;)

[Steveonamission]

Stunning work!

[T.Gill]

Ian - Don't make me laugh !!!!

This one is a bit more simple - I wanted to see what i could do with just vinyl mask - no liquid mask used at all. The shell is a 'fat' one - a bit 'old skool' as it's for I believe an x6 - but it's going on an Ansmann of little Nathan Gill.

Went for red / white / blue and flames - proper classic buggy style, with plenty of space for stickers down the sides :) It's all paint bar the dboots stickers (I couldn't resist)

Vinyl worked well, and overall, even though it's a 'classic' design - I like it.

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/nathan1.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/nathan2.jpg
Another amazing shell Shilli The boys are gonna be over the moon with them .
nice one!

[andys]

Cheers Col :)

The colours look lovely in the flesh, the purple / blue fade looks really nice :)

[eyeayen]

Just vinyl, very impressive Andy, it all looks good, great colours, good balance with them, good details ( you should have airbrushed the Dboots logo though :p ).

Great photography too ! Any chance you can photograph how you did this - as in get a shot of the gear you used to take the shot ?

Fantastic work though !

[andys]

Cheers Ian.

Shell was photographed on the kitchen worktop (on a white surface)- there is an under cabinet fluorescent light strip under the cabinet which is lighting the shell - that's it !

Not ideal - which is why it's blown out in places. Camera is a canon 550D.

Yes, I should have painted all the logo's !!!

[andys]

Had a bit of time today, so painted my C4.1 - JConcepts Bulldog shell.

I think i'll lay off small vinyl text for a while as it's a royal pain to do and I do actually like stickers !

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/c4.2_1.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/c4.2_2.jpg

[eyeayen]

Nice job fella ! ALL paint ? Looks ace !!!

The texture on the roof is cool and very unique, good design as always from you and well executed too, you're getting through these at a rate now !

[andys]

Yep, all paint :)

Looks a lot brighter and colourfully in the flesh - reds look dull on photos :(

[Jabber]

Are you racing tomorrow mate?

[andys]

Jab - I am fella, as long as its not raining :)
Are you ?

[Jabber]

Yeah, like you said if weather ok. :thumbsup:

[andys]

Painted a C4.1 - Proline Bulldog for Ross of MB Models fame.

Ross wanted it BRIGHT and gave me fluorescent yellow & orange and a bright blue to use.

Photos taken in my kitchen don't really show how bright it is !

All Paint - no stickers were harmed in the making of this shell. That's not to say Ross won't blather it with stickers when he gets his mitts on it :)

Last image is some of the artwork I produced / cut for the shell.

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/ross1.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/ross2.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/ross3.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/ross4.jpg

[U1timate PigDog]

to put it simply "Beautiful" :thumbsup:

[andys]

to put it simply "Beautiful" :thumbsup:

Cheers fella :)

All went well with this one - I tried colour combos on the mac designs before painting - only thing is I would have liked to have used a touch more yellow.

Got 4 to paint for a racing pal now - all in the same style - should be a challenge.
Can't decide between liquid mask or vinyl - or both !

[braddaz]

Good work Andy , do you use a vinyl cutter ?

[andys]

Good work Andy , do you use a vinyl cutter ?

Yep - A Craft Robo - looks cheap as chips and makes a ton of noise - but it works - eventually !

[tc3nitro]

Amazing work Andy !
I'm sure Ross will be well happy.

Mark

[braddaz]

really good work you have produced ,
i feel a purchase of a vinyl cutter for myself coming on
lol

[Mike Parker]

Painted a C4.1 - Proline Bulldog for Ross of MB Models fame.

Ross wanted it BRIGHT and gave me fluorescent yellow & orange and a bright blue to use.

Photos taken in my kitchen don't really show how bright it is !

All Paint - no stickers were harmed in the making of this shell. That's not to say Ross won't blather it with stickers when he gets his mitts on it :)

Last image is some of the artwork I produced / cut for the shell.

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/ross1.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/ross2.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/ross3.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/ross4.jpg


Stunning work Andy :) with the work you're putting out there it just goes from strength to strength mate :thumbsup:

[eyeayen]

Love the design and colours you've combined on this one.

[jonmiller]

Nice work dude :)

[andys]

A set for fellow buggy racer Paul Crawford. He wanted yellow and bright :)

All masked with vinyl - no liquid mask. Was a nightmare ! Vinyl doesn't go around corners and over lumps and bumps - might be cracking out the liquid mask for the next ones.

(Ian - I didn't dare try the vinyl / liquid mask over the top - will try that on my own shells :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/crawford1.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/crawford2.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/crawford3.jpg

[jayst]

top work :thumbsup:

[paulc]

Thanks Andy look great mate top job :thumbsup:

[eyeayen]

(Ian - I didn't dare try the vinyl / liquid mask over the top - will try that on my own shells :)


CHICKEN ! :lol::p:lol:

Vinyl mask, heat gun, before and during application will help it around corners, still not perfect like LM but helps.

[braddaz]

How did you do the effect on the team shells at the front ? The red part
Ta

[andys]

How did you do the effect on the team shells at the front ? The red part
Ta

Red dotted part ?

It's more subtle than I wanted - but you can see the effect in the flesh.

It's a metal mask - kind of like very fine chicken mesh - just sprayed through onto the shell.

[syed2011]

Green color is perfect for wheel.s

[braddaz]

looks good did you want it to stand out more ? ?

[andys]

Another - this time for Martin Pearson.

Mostly good old RCS liquid mask used here and a steady hand !

I've decided florescent yellow paint is the devil - it's still see through after 10 coats !

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/martin.jpg

[mattybucks]

Another - this time for Martin Pearson.

Mostly good old RCS liquid mask used here and a steady hand !

I've decided florescent yellow paint is the devil - it's still see through after 10 coats !

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/martin.jpg

I dont spray but I remember a friend telling me that you have to back floresant yellow with white.

[andys]

Yes I did back with white.
It's hard though to know when you have enough yellow on before spraying the white !

[eyeayen]

I like that Andy, very clean and super crisp !

I love the black in front of the yellow, it really brings the white out ! And I like the black lightning esq strike in the yellow just to give it some detail, nice touch to contrast against the pinstripe yellow shapes within the read below the windscreen.

[jonmiller]

agreed ;) :)

Flo yellow, around 4 medium coats should be about right..

[steveproracing]

Shilly. U are rapidly becoming a spraymaster!!
Stunning work once again!!!

[tc3nitro]

Thats awesome Andy I'm sure numpty will be over the moon with it !

[andys]

Shilly. U are rapidly becoming a spraymaster!!
Stunning work once again!!!

Nice one Steve !

I've always enjoyed doing them had had a soft spot for paint and airbrushing (not that you'd know looking at my own cars...)- just never really had the time to do it properly. Now i've bought my £10 airbrush and cheapo craft robo cutter I've managed to find time to do a few :)

[eyeayen]

Now i've bought my £10 airbrush and cheapo craft robo cutter I've managed to find time to do a few :)

This is it though Andy, how it all starts... it's a slippery slope from here... you think you'll just do one more, then maybe another, then it's just that next one, you're addicted now, you're hooked, you can't stop...


:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[U1timate PigDog]

As all the guys have already said looks awesome Nice work :thumbsup:

[andys]

Another one finished for 'Dom'

It's a DB1 Shell - and it didn't have any overspray film on it - nightmare !!
Thanks to Ian for the tip to cover the Outside with liquid mask :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/rude.jpg

[eyeayen]

Looks really good Andy. All on the cutter too ?

[andys]

Looks really good Andy. All on the cutter too ?


Yep - all cut vinyl masks - the only liquid mask used was on the OUTSIDE !!!!

I did want to do this one with liquid mask on the inside, but as there was no overspray film, it was awkward to draw the design on the outside, so I went for the cutter.

Getting on well with it now I know how to get the best out of it :)

[jonmiller]

looks crackin mate

just draw on the outside and use something alcohol based to remove it. deoderant, aftershave, isopropynol etc

[eyeayen]

Lighter fluid is good too. Make sure you put it on a super soft cloth though or you'll scratch / dull the shell.

[andys]

A Durango 210 Bulldog for Matthew Walker.

Chrome caused me all manner of problems again - I painted it first this time - then backed with black. Never again as it lifted when the liquid mask came off next to it !

Going to paint chrome last - if i ever use it again - Hate the bloody stuff !!!

Apart from the Chrome - it went well - should look tidy when it's cut out properly and stickered up :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/210bull1.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/210bull2.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/210bull3.jpg

[acaciapiks]

a very very clean work

[eyeayen]

Looks fantastic Andy, yes Chrome has no adhesion, found that out myself on the Durango SCT I did, fan housings did the same :(

You're getting on so well with that cutter, looking really top class work, almost like a factory body shell - that's meant as a compliment !

[AfroP]

Really liking your work mate

[andys]

Looks fantastic Andy, yes Chrome has no adhesion, found that out myself on the Durango SCT I did, fan housings did the same :(

You're getting on so well with that cutter, looking really top class work, almost like a factory body shell - that's meant as a compliment !


Cheers Ian.
What's your workflow for Chrome ?

[Mike Parker]

Hey Andy yeah chrome is very tricky to work with & great care has to be taken with taking mask off for the next phase after its been applied.... Safest bet is to run a blade round where you have used it to break the seal between paint & mask - more work i know but thats the most sure way of getting it done.

Btw how many coats of chrome & backing black are you putting on fella??

[U1timate PigDog]

Last 2 bodies = cool just cool :thumbsup:

I prefer to cling film the outside, draw on it, cut the lines and then replace with another clean piece, quick and simple but looks like your pretty darn good at getting that cutter working nicely anyway. keep up the good work.

[andys]

Cheers guys.

I did consider cling film - but we had none in the house !

Mike - I did end up running a blade around the liquid mask on the last shell - as you say it takes ages !

Chrome - I put on maybe 3 or 4 coats - until it's solid and I can't see through it. Drying it between coats. Then back with black.

The black after the chrome doesn't adhere to the chrome paint very well either.

Am I doing it right Mike ?

[jonmiller]

The most common problem people have with chrome is backing it too heavily.
3 very light dustings is plenty

[Mike Parker]

Cheers guys.

I did consider cling film - but we had none in the house !

Mike - I did end up running a blade around the liquid mask on the last shell - as you say it takes ages !

Chrome - I put on maybe 3 or 4 coats - until it's solid and I can't see through it. Drying it between coats. Then back with black.

The black after the chrome doesn't adhere to the chrome paint very well either.

Am I doing it right Mike ?

Hey Andy :)

Jon has hit the nail on the head mate, too much gear is going on... I usually try to get away with a couple of light coats & for the backing again 2 very light coats to block it out. I've a few ways of peeling back the masking too, i'll be nipping to the suprcup to drop some shells off so I can have a chat to ya then if you're gonna be there :thumbsup:

[andys]

Hi Mike.

I'll be there - seek me out, then you can give me those paint and mask peeling tips :)

Cheers.
Andy

[AndyG]

that's a conversation I'd like to join too ! :thumbsup:

[andys]

B4 shell for Brewskie.

All done on the cutter - no liquid mask.

Looks very bright in the flesh - a few spaces left for some choice stickers.

One of my favourites to date this one. - Hope you like it Brewskie :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/b421.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/b422.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/b423.jpg

[andys]

As i'm approaching having a few weeks off over summer - i've decided to upgrade my £10 airbrush and 20 year old - on/off tamiya spraywork.

Postie arrived with these today :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/bambi.jpg

Just waiting on the hose / adapters from everything airbrush - then a few more to do with the new gear :)

[eyeayen]

In the world of compressors Andy that is one of the best, money very well spent sir, you won't regret it. Constant pressure. No noise, just brilliant !!!

[Brewskie]

Stunning mate, can't wait to test it out!!!

[andys]

In the world of compressors Andy that is one of the best, money very well spent sir, you won't regret it. Constant pressure. No noise, just brilliant !!!

I spoke to a very nice chap at 'Everything Airbrush' he was super helpful as I need the adapter and hose for the airbrush / bambi. He was surprised i'd bought a Bambi for modelling, he said is was overkill - but in a good way. Apparently it's a very powerful unit, which is good as I might respray the front of my car over summer (real car !)

Not turned it on yet. I've told my kids it's a 'bomb' should stop them messing with it !

Brewskie - glad you like the shell - will be in the post in the morning :)

Can't wait till my hose etc arrives, then I can have a go with the Bambi.

[U1timate PigDog]

Looks awesome mate, big and bold and the bodyshell isnt half bad either ;)

Haha no seriously another great body and looks like youve bought a compressor to match. Nice work, let us all know how the Bambi gets on :thumbsup:

[eyeayen]

I spoke to a very nice chap at 'Everything Airbrush' he was super helpful as I need the adapter and hose for the airbrush / bambi. He was surprised i'd bought a Bambi for modelling, he said is was overkill - but in a good way. Apparently it's a very powerful unit, which is good as I might respray the front of my car over summer (real car !)

I don't know if it's quiet industrial enough for that. It's putting out 1.75 cfm ( which is cubic feet per minute ), most spray guns will require more than twice that, I think my main one with a 1.3 nozzle was about 8cfm so although the guys at everything airbrush are great they're not completely up on what spray guns use. This is an ideal compressor for this, they might have thought you were spraying little tanks or something. This is far from overkill for what you're doing and besides at the price you got it for much better per pound than a lot of the other cheaper compressors.

[andys]

Cheers Ian :)

I've filled it with oil and turned it on today !
Very quiet and easy to adjust the pressure - going to have a go with it properly ASAP :)

What do I need to spray liquid mask ?

[eyeayen]

What do I need to spray liquid mask ?

Er, liquid mask and something to spray it through :lol:

Sorry it's been a long day !

Glad you're happy with the compressor fella.

Liquid mask will go through a 0.5 nozzle on an airbrush if you thin it SLIGHTLY, 5 or 10 % personally though I really wouldn't bother. I brush ALL of mine on and get good results. I know 2 other people who used to spray it on and now brush it, less wastage as obviously when you spray it goes everywhere, easy to clean a brush where as can get clogged in an airbrush / small spray gun, no other real advantage in my eyes.

If you buy a decent (ish) paint brush, 1" or 1½" will be fine for 10th shells. You can get a nice even coat, cheap brushes will leave their bristles in the latex and the coat will be less even. You don't need an expensive one though just not a stupidly cheap one. And when you wash it out ALWAYS in cold water, hotwater will set it straight away and mess up your nice brush.

[Brewskie]

Thats what it looks like on mate with the stickers, looks even better in the flesh

[andys]

Thats what it looks like on mate with the stickers, looks even better in the flesh


Cheers for posting the pictures :)
Looks mean as hell !
Looks great with the yellow wheels too - glad you are happy with it :)

[julianb]

If you brush the liquid mask on, leave it ten minutes then stipple it with a piece of foam, you'll get a real nice finish with no brush marks.

Like Ian said, much less wastage. I used to spray mine with an old touch up gun, but don't bother anymore. A brush is much less hassle!

Four coats minimum, or you'll have trouble removing the mask...

cheers

Ju

[andys]

A Proline Centro Shell for Arslaan Butt.

Sort of in his colours and design - but updated :) All Paint - no stickers :)

All vinyl cut masks - About a day's work from start to end and very fiddly. I'm always amazed how long these things actually take. The fact that some people paint a few in a day amazes me. Still - I guess mine take a while due to all the designing and applying of the masks !

Used the Bambi - It's ace - I can adjust my air pressure now.

Also used my new £20 airbrush - not ace - it splattered like a bugger, went back to the trusty £10 one instead.

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/arslaan1.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/arslaan2.jpg

[jonmiller]

nice1 andy, nice n vibrant for 'summer' :D


i have just got some nice brushes in stock ;)

[andys]

Another couple done.

A B44 for Jamie - done in the style of his 2WD body - painted / designed by someone else. All liquid mask.

A Centro Shell for Paul C - this was done to match his other 3 - but I couldn't use vinyl on this one as it's such a wavy shape - so mainly liquid mask.

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/B441.jpg


http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/crawford0.jpg

Bambi is great - love it - it's working well with my ebay £10 airbrush - very tempted to peruse an Iwata now....

[jonmiller]

they look good buddy

i did jamies shell ;) i like the red around the gold ya did :thumbsup:

i have some nice brushes in stock now, feel free to take a look


cheerz,

jon

[tc3nitro]

Top notch as always Andy !
I can't wait to see what my Durango J-Concepts shell turns out like....

[andys]

Top notch as always Andy !
I can't wait to see what my Durango J-Concepts shell turns out like....

Cheers fella :)

I'm getting there - doing one for Avo now - probably the most ambitious one to date - I photographed the shell to use as a template for all the vinyl masks - looks ace so far ;)

If it turns out as well as I hope it will - i'll keep it !!!

[eyeayen]

Looking good Andy, nice to see you're liking the compressor. Iwata are brilliant airbrushes ! You won't regret spending the money !

[andys]

Did a V3 Durango 410 and a Proline 210 for Evo of Batley Buggy Club Fame.

Brief was white and yellow - then do what you want :)

I really like these - so much so I want to keep them - Avo if you don't like them - they are staying with me :)

No liquid mask - all vinyl masks.
No stickers - it's all paint :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/avo1.jpg


http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/avo2.jpg


http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/avo3.jpg


http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/avo4.jpg

[U1timate PigDog]

Really really nice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[jonmiller]

nice color scheme n nice n racey lookin ;)

[eyeayen]

I think the rest of us are going to really have to up our game to keep up with you Andy, I wish I'd never suggested you should get a cutter :lol:

They're really brilliant, your graphic design skills are coming through very strongly. I really like your work and your style and I'd say without scrolling back through all your posts these are your best ones yet ! Good going mate :thumbsup:

[andys]

I think the rest of us are going to really have to up our game to keep up with you Andy, I wish I'd never suggested you should get a cutter :lol:

They're really brilliant, your graphic design skills are coming through very strongly. I really like your work and your style and I'd say without scrolling back through all your posts these are your best ones yet ! Good going mate :thumbsup:

Cheers Ian :)

I think these are my favourites to date too - shame Avo (customer) likes them !

I do think the title of my thread is a bit misleading now '£10 airbrush adventures'
I've still got the £10 airbrush - but I'm now using a vinyl cutter - a Babmi compressor - an Apple mac to design my shells and and a £20 airbrush !

[coleman758]

Cheers Ian :)

I think these are my favourites to date too - shame Avo (customer) likes them !

I do think the title of my thread is a bit misleading now '£10 airbrush adventures'
I've still got the £10 airbrush - but I'm now using a vinyl cutter - a Babmi compressor - an Apple mac to design my shells and and a £20 airbrush !

Andys (Approx') £2k Airbrush adventures!

[budfish]

Absolutely awesome painting nice clean lines not to busy patterns great colour scheme:thumbsup:

[eyeayen]

I do think the title of my thread is a bit misleading now '£10 airbrush adventures'

On a serious note it is very misleading Andy, you need to watch no one has you with the trades discrimination act, from that title I don't think anyone would be expecting a quality job and I'm sure they'd be bitterly disappointed getting something so utterly cool back :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Therefore I think you should put it to the vote of what your thread should now be called...

How about Andy's AWESOME Airbrush Adventures ? AAAA for short :D

Or Andy's Evolutionary airbrush adventures ?

Or Andy's Airbrush Adventures... AAA for short :)

Or Andy's Airbrushing.... AA for short :eh?: I'll give up now while you're still ahead :lol:

[andys]

Last 3 posts made me smile :) Cheers chaps !

[andys]

Final one for this week - a 410 Bulldog for Mark Cruddas - in the style of his 210 Shell.

It's as bright as the Sun - didn't realise how bright it was until I peeled off the stupid blue JConcepts backing film - why they couldn't make it clear is beyond me !

Hope you like it fella :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/mark1.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/mark2.jpg

[coleman758]

I hate the J-Concepts blue film, Its hard to judge the colour.

I like the paint, looks ace. I do like brite shells.
although the 410 concepts shell is bloody ugly!

[tc3nitro]

Love it Andy !
Looks mean in the last shot !

[U1timate PigDog]

Another great body Andy, brighter than the sun lol really you should thankful it had the blue masking film to hide some of the brightness otherwise you may of needed sunglasses when painting it. :D

[andys]

Couple of Rango's for Bob of BBC (Batley Buggy Club)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/rango1.jpg

[GrahamH7060]

Hi Andy
Absolutely fabulous work mate , love the white & yellow Durango shells , I was wondering if you would sell me a set of vinyl masks please ? I only paint for myself and the odd mate now and then . I usually use liquid mask too.
When you dry off between colours doesn't the vinyl leave a residue ?
Cheers
Graham :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[eyeayen]

Couple of Rango's for Bob of BBC (Batley Buggy Club)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/rango1.jpg

Dude your latest picture isn't showing up ?

[U1timate PigDog]

Brilliant work Andy, loving the blue by the way, it looks awesome !! :thumbsup:

[eyeayen]

I'll leave my post where it is now the pictures working as we've gone onto a new page.

You just keep getting better and better.

Best yet ! :D Can't see what's going on with the roof but it looks cool.

[patient0]

Thanks andy , you da man !!

Il pop you another two over ! , same again please

Bob

[andys]

Cheers guys :)

No blue in the design - Its just a crazy reflection !

[andys]

Hi Andy
Absolutely fabulous work mate , love the white & yellow Durango shells , I was wondering if you would sell me a set of vinyl masks please ? I only paint for myself and the odd mate now and then . I usually use liquid mask too.
When you dry off between colours doesn't the vinyl leave a residue ?
Cheers
Graham :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:


Hi fella.

I could cut you a set of masks - are you wanting the set I made to do the white v3 Durango shell ?

Vinyl doesn't leave any residue (that I'm aware off) sometimes a bit is sticky remains that needs a wipe with a cotton bud - but only rarely.

Cheers

Andy

[andys]

A few extra pictures to show the process - for those interested :)

1st - Design drawn in vectors - in colour on the shell - all to scale so the masks / design fits properly when cut :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/rango3.jpg

2nd - The design split into parts and flipped ready to print to the cutter

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/rango4.jpg

3rd - The cut vinyl (carefully) transferred onto the shell - this is fiddly as you can see there's lots of pieces pre-cut applied in one go so I can remove pin stripes etc.

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/rango5.jpg

Finally a Picture from above - showing the roof :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/rango2.jpg

[jonmiller]

good stuff dude :thumbsup:

[Steveonamission]

Very slick, nice work pro.

[U1timate PigDog]

Cheers guys :)

No blue in the design - Its just a crazy reflection !

haha still looks ultra cool but that blue reflection did look good lol. :thumbsup:

[andys]

good stuff dude :thumbsup:

Cheers Jon

I used your body prep - seemed to work really well - id reccomend people try - ill certainly be using it from now on ;)

[LRP]

Just had a good look throu ure pictures and blow me ure designs
Have blown me away , could I ask what masking film u are using ?

[andys]

Just had a good look throu ure pictures and blow me ure designs
Have blown me away , could I ask what masking film u are using ?

Cheers fella.

The good vinyl I use is made by 'Aslan' There's no part number or such on it that I can see, I bought it from Cherwell Signs - I rang and spoke to them and told them what I was using it for and they told me which one I needed (it's light grey in colour) - it's very expensive though !

I also bought some vinyl from ebay that works well - again it ain't cheap !

[eyeayen]

The grey one is known as "Premium paint mask", Cherwell will send you an A4 sample if you want to test it, all the sign places do it but it varies in tackiness so I got a few to test before I bought mine. Cherwells is the best I've found.

[andys]

I'm working on a shell at the moment based on the Repsol moto GP bikes - loving designing this one so far - very different to anything i've done to date - almost finished the design, can't wait to paint it :)

[SHY]

Wow! I can see there is much work involved!

Must be a big plus by using a plotter, as you don't need to cut into the shell, making it weaker! :thumbsup:

[andys]

Wow! I can see there is much work involved!

Must be a big plus by using a plotter, as you don't need to cut into the shell, making it weaker! :thumbsup:

Indeed :)

A friend of mine trashed a new shell the other day as it rolled and split along a scored line - it's a nightmare as lexan will break along the thinnest of scored lines !

There's pro's and cons to each technique - personally - if the design does not require logo's / lettering etc - then liquid mask is great as it makes painting easier as only the required areas are ever un-masked. Using vinyl, it's tricker as areas of the shell can be exposed when you don't want them to be.

The best solution is to use both - carefully :)

[AndyG]

Indeed :)

A friend of mine trashed a new shell the other day as it rolled and split along a scored line - it's a nightmare as lexan will break along the thinnest of scored lines !

There's pro's and cons to each technique - personally - if the design does not require logo's / lettering etc - then liquid mask is great as it makes painting easier as only the required areas are ever un-masked. Using vinyl, it's tricker as areas of the shell can be exposed when you don't want them to be.

The best solution is to use both - carefully :)

... but then

a) I think i was a bit heavy handed with the scalpel,
b) I'd done a colour transition along a body fold,
c) it was a 210 Finnisher and there are not cut lines for MM config ... I didn't cut far enough away from the gear cover and the lexan was resting on the metal, which will have really helped get the crack going,... and of course ...
d) I was probably crashing too much anyway !

.... just glad it was my own shell, and not somebody elses.

I'm enjoying trying the vinyl stuff you've kindly passed me Andy, as we talked about on Sunday, keen to understand how best to mix LM and Vinyl to get the best of both worlds : nice clear painted graphics and design lines that wrap around the shell.

I might end up preferring to go to stickers ... and your cutter might come in handy for those too ! :thumbsup:

Andy

[andys]

... but then

a) I think i was a bit heavy handed with the scalpel,
b) I'd done a colour transition along a body fold,
c) it was a 210 Finnisher and there are not cut lines for MM config ... I didn't cut far enough away from the gear cover and the lexan was resting on the metal, which will have really helped get the crack going,... and of course ...
d) I was probably crashing too much anyway !



It was doomed to fail :) :)

[andys]

When you consider all that goes into painting one of these toy cars - it's unusual for everything to go well - after all you are painting in reverse - so you can't paint over mistakes !
Anything can - and does go wrong, and the more detailed and tricky you make the design - the more chance there is it will go horribly wrong !

Add to the mix a sharp scalpel in your hand and you are asking for trouble...

[andys]

New one for 'Bong'

In a Repsol Moto GP 'styleeeee'

The piccies were taken after dark so the light is rubbish - the orange and red contrast much better in the flesh - looks lighter in the light ! All Paint - no stickers :)

Hope you like it fella - the orange came out a bit darker than I hoped.

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/repsol2.jpg

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/repsol1.jpg

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/repsol3.jpg

[Jabber]

Looks awesome Shilly, you really are knocking out some mega crisp and clean work. Very very impressive mate. :thumbsup:

[coleman758]

Fantastic!

( I'm gonna have to invest in a cutter :D )

[Oscar]

Nice work chief, :thumbsup::thumbsup:
Also glad its a 26 Pedrosa, one more and you'd be in to 27 Casy Moaner territorty, (deffo best avoided!!)

[andys]

Nice work chief, :thumbsup::thumbsup:
Also glad its a 26 Pedrosa, one more and you'd be in to 27 Casy Moaner territorty, (deffo best avoided!!)

Lol !
We both know that means absolutely nothing to me :)

[jonmiller]

nice :thumbsup:

[andys]

A snap taken this morning - with a bit of daylight so you can see the red / orange contrast a bit better :)

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/repsol4.jpg

[andys]

Fantastic!

( I'm gonna have to invest in a cutter :D )


You know a cutter makes sense :)

I'm used to using it now - but what I would say is that using liquid mask is much easier and safer if you can create the design you want using it. With liquid mask you only uncover the area you are immediately going to paint - so the rest of the shell remains safely masked at all times.

With Vinyl - it's kind of the opposite. I mask the areas i'm not going to paint, and leave the majority of the shell unmasked to add the base colour. This is tricky when the base colour is light, as I have to add darker colours afterwards ! Not ideal.

It's swings and roundabouts - if vinyl went around corners easier, it would be ace, but you really need to keep to flat parts of the shell - with liquid mask you can create whatever shapes you want.

With a couple of shells, i've designed them on the computer, then printed them on paper, and used that as a stencil to draw onto the shell, then cut out the liquid mask. This works well for me and as long as I keep a steady hand it's the best of both worlds. Then add the odd vinyl mask into (unmasked) areas after removing the liquid mask.

Takes a bit of planning !

The last thing - it the vinyl route takes MUCH longer than drawing and cutting a design using liquid mask. It takes me about a day to sort out everything, from computer - to cutting / applying masks etc, as opposed to a few hours to go liquid mask route.

Food for thought - hope it helps :)

[SHY]

Impressive work!

Totally buy those arguments as to liquid mask vs. plotter! :thumbsup: One downside with cutting is of course that you weaken the shell, so apply VERY gentle pressure on the X-acto knife!

Anyways the liquid mask is 100x better than masking tape! Was a big big improvement for me!

I always use some sort of felt pen (Overhead pen for instance) to draw freehand on the outside, wipe off with alcohol... until I'm happy with the design. Then cut out from the inside following the outside lines.

Andy, what do you use for that "honeycomb" pattern? Is it sticky or something you just lay down on the shell? Looks very nice & tidy! I've used those anti-skid mats for dashboards before, but get a wee bit of bleed, so not 100% happy with those...

Keep up the fantastic work! :thumbsup:

[andys]

Hi Shy

Cheers for the comments ;)
All the honeycomb stuff / dots etc are again vinyl cut masks .

Andy

[SHY]

Thx, can I buy it somewhere online? (pre-cut)

[andys]

I know RCS sell some masks - and if you search ebay for airbrush mask - you can buy some plastic ones that can be washed / re used.

The ones I cut - as they are vinyl have to be thrown away after use as they loose their stickyness after being used / removed etc.

[AndyG]

like that one particularly Andy - nice work fella :thumbsup:

Finished Mr Kirk's shell last night, but can't post it up, cos flickr is blocked at work :thumbdown:. Managed to use your vinyl and liquid mask together, and really pleased with the outcome, albeit on a really simple clean design request.

Andy

[andys]

Sounds good Andy - can you e-mail me a piccy ?

if not get some images posted up when you get home :)

[AndyG]

follow / find me on Flickr - eterrier

[Chequered Flag Racing]

like that one particularly Andy - nice work fella :thumbsup:

Finished Mr Kirk's shell last night, but can't post it up, cos flickr is blocked at work :thumbdown:. Managed to use your vinyl and liquid mask together, and really pleased with the outcome, albeit on a really simple clean design request.

Andy

Would it be this one?

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/599161_10151019979095731_1011490232_n.jpg

[AndyG]

yep - that's it.

Vinyls kindly provided by Mr Shilly.

Some ofo the other photos on the feed show how I mixed vinyl and LM, and also show the order in which the paint was applied to allow me to spray darker colours first.

[andys]

Andy - I had a look through the pictures on Flicker - fantastic :)

You need to post those 'walkthrough' images onto the forum. Looks like you tried what we were talking about on Sunday - and it's worked a treat :)

Pretty fiddly though - and I bet it was nerve wracking hoping it would all work out as planned !

You have vinyl - liquid mask & masking trim line going on with that shell - awesome.

Good going though captain - I might try the vinyl / liquid mask technique myself.

[AndyG]

wasn't tricky AT ALL Andy.

You paint up to the edge of the vinyl waste with the LM, then when you lift the vinyl, and pull towards the transition (to LM), it lifts the LM in a single piece - super easy.

Ignore the trim line tape. I placed that on the outside as a cutting aid for the eye, and that really work too - gave me some nice parallel lines. I've tried it on the inside before, mixed with LM and the results weren't good - the LM got under the tape at the folds in the shell.

I'll post up a step by step in my thread later - thought it was worth a mention in here though as this is where all the vinyl talk is at :wub, and it gives you some deserved credit too.

[steveproracing]

I'm well happy with the results. Props to mr g on the spray jobs.
Hadn't realised just how pioneering your technique was!!
Thumbs up buddy
Thank you!!

[andys]

It's all happening here Steve :)

[andys]

Another Durango V3 for 'Binsey'

Brief was Orange, Blue & White - then 'do what you want' :)

Hope you like it Binsey.

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/bins1.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/bins2.jpg

[andys]

Last one for today - A 210 Shell for Avo - in the style of the other 2 I did for him recently.

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/avo2101.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/avo2102.jpg
http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/avo2103.jpg

[jonmiller]

lookin sharp buddy

:)

[tc3nitro]

Great work as always Andy !

Here's a picture of mine mounted :

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b185/tc3nitro/55191e83.jpg

[andys]

Great work as always Andy !

Here's a picture of mine mounted :

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b185/tc3nitro/55191e83.jpg


Like it a lot - going to use bright cours when I do my own shells :)
I bought a Finisher 410 for myself a while ago - not sprayed it yet as I'm undecided if I like the shape - yours looks smart though - I'm warming to it ;)

[Binnsy]

Many thanks Andy, luv it!

[Binnsy]

39028

Picture of body fitted, top job !

[andys]

Looks very nice that fella - Both yourself and Naughty need white wheels on the cars though - with those body colours !

Otherwise - you need another shell with some yellow in it :)

[andys]

Here you go fella - White wheels.... nice :0

http://www.andrewshillito.com/oople/shells/bins3.jpg

[eyeayen]

They all look really crisp and have that 'pro' look to them, like they've come out the factory with it on. Very good work !

[andys]

Cheers Ian

Just read one of your replies in another thread re backing white with silver - genius ;

One of my biggest problems is I paint white first - then other colours can start coming through - I was wracking my brain trying to find a solution ;)

Cheers

Andy

[coleman758]

Looking very cool!