A nice even coat of black over all the ex- After uncovering the white flag areas, Now we have masked over the flag, leav-
posed areas. a drop shadow is sprayed using a mix ing the yellow area exposed where we will
of black and blue and a highlight is also next shoot some flames. At this stage,
sprayed using weak white mix. Then all the take special care to mask over the flag
remaining masking is removed to give us right on the edges to make sure that the
a view of the completed flag portion. flames butt up tight and clean to the flag.
This will eliminate and gaps or overlaps of
color.
Our flames have been laid out using the The flames have been painted with a Our helmet is now totally unmasked and
1/8 inch tape and the outer areas have light orange. At this point we unmask the ready for clear. Note how there are no
been masked to eliminate the potential for flames and use our shadow mix of black gaps or overlaps where the flame meets
overspray. and blue to spray a light dropshadow that the flag, as well as how the drop shadow
the flag is casting on the helmet and the sets the flag above the helmet and flame.
flames.
Here is our completed helmet after clearing and reas- Pat Downey aka theairbrushguy of Airpower Art Studio/theair-
sembly. In the fi rst few coats of clear, I put some silver brushguys have been painting since 1985. My shop is located
dry pearl in the mix to give a little pop in the sunlight.
in Middletown Connecticut. The major focus of our business is
I then shot multiple coats of regular clear. this allows
hard surface items like helmets, motorcycles and vehicles al-
us to sand and buff as needed without risking damage
though we dabble in clothing, leathers, shoes, instruments and
to the pearlcoat. And because our lines are nice and
body painting.
clean, there is no need for pinstripes!
issue24-3.indd 16 6/1/2009 2:38:32 PM
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