painting right through to cutting-edge full body painting

painting right through to cutting-edge full body painting

How to Paint your Mustang or other Classic Car on a budget

Can you get a good paint job from a low buck paint shop? Yes! Professional paint pros and high dollar restorers may scoff, but it's very possible to get a good looking, long lasting paint job from a discount paint shop like Earl Scheib or Maaco. It's not appropriate for every car. I wouldn't hand them the keys to my Shelby GT500 or '53 Corvette, but for those on a budget it's a very good option. The key to a successful budget paint job is to prep the car yourself. Leave nothing to the shop except actually laying down the paint. (note: For purposes of discussion we'll use a classic Mustang as the example, but this process holds true to really any older car)

Analyze your existing paint

The first step before determining if a budget paint job will work on your Mustang is to assess the current condition of the paint. In many cases you can prep and paint directly over an existing paint job, but only if it's in solid shape.

Look for any signs of cracking, crazing, bubbling or peeling. This indicates that there's a problem with the existing paint and it's not adhering properly to the layer underneath. If this is the case you'll need to sand through any existing layers of paint, down to solid, stable paint or primer. In some cases you'll need to get all the way down to bare metal, but doing so increases your labor and costs.

Also, when checking the paint, be realistic and don't ignore areas just for the sake of convenience. It will cost you more in time and money later. Typically if one area of the paint is cracked or peeling, then the paint on the entire car is suspect. Maybe the rest of the car just hasn't quite reached that point of decay, but it will shortly. So if you only fix areas that look bad, you'll likely find that you wasted a paint job when the other areas start to crack or peel in a year or two.

On the other hand, in some cases there are legitimate reasons for one area to be bad even if the rest of the paint is solid. If poor body work or rust repair was done in the past then maybe just that section of paint will need to be removed.

Bubbles in the existing paint are sure indications of rust below. These areas will require extra special attention. As you remove the bubbled paint you'll inevitably find the cancer goes much further then it appeared on the surface. And unless you cut all the rust out it's going to come back. There are chemical rust converters on the market, and some do a very good job. But understand that none will probably encapsulate rust forever. Be honest with yourself about how long you expect this paint job to last. If you expect to repaint the car in 5 years and you're on an extremely tight budget, then rust converters may be the approach to take.

Basically what you're looking for is a good, solid foundation of existing paint that is stable and still strongly bonded to the car. Many times an original factory paint job, even after decades will meet these criteria.

Do all your own body work

As mentioned earlier, the key to keeping your paint shop costs down is to do as much as possible before you take it to the shop. This includes body work, if you've got the skill, or the patience to learn the skill. Bodywork is time consuming. It requires several steps that must be done in the correct order, with the correct curing times in between. Shortcuts here will show up like a sore thumb in your new paint job, so don't be tempted. If you don't have the skill to tackle the body work yourself then it's smarter to let the paint shop do it. Just understand that this raises the cost of your paint job significantly. Good body work takes hours upon hours and having a professional do it can easily exceed the cost of a cheap paint job.

If you decide to do your own body work discuss it with the paint shop first. They'll probably have recommendations on the type of primer you use. Some brands will be more compatible with their primers or color coats. The rule of thumb is to stay within the same brand of paint, both for prep and color. Even the cheapest paint shops typically use a brand name on their intermediate and higher paint jobs. Find out what it is and use the same brand as your primer coat. This will ensure you don't create adhesion problems for yourself down the road.

Stripping all the chrome

One of the single most important steps in saving money on a paint job is to strip your Mustang as much as possible yourself. This means taking off anything and everything that won't be painted. The more you take off the less the painter has to mask around. Masking not only takes their time (which costs you money) but it also results in areas that simply can't get a full coat of paint. If you take everything off, then the painters can simply scuff and spray, which will give you better and more consistent coverage.

At a minimum you want to remove all the chrome from the car. Take off both front and rear bumpers. If your Mustang has bumperettes that are body color be sure to bring them along so they can get sprayed at the same time as the rest of the car. Remove all rocker, hood and trunk molding. Same for wheel well molding and all emblems. This would be a good time to order some new emblems and attachment hardware. Also spend some time cleaning up all the chrome with #0000 steel wool. Nothing looks worse on a fresh paint job then faded emblems and corroded, cloudy chrome.

Take off the chrome molding around both the windshield and rear window. You can pick up a special tool at your local Mustang shop or by mail order that removes these quickly without scratching paint. Of course your paint is probably not in great shape at the moment, so a large flat screw driver will also do the trick. For some classic cars it makes sense to even remove the windshield, but classic Mustangs have chrome molding that will help cover any slight overspray.

Remove side view mirrors (unless they're to be body color) as well as exterior door handles and locks. This will take some extra time because you need to remove the interior door panels to get these off, but it's worth it. Head lights, tail lights, marker lights and license plates should come off too, but you'll need them in place to drive to the paint shop. So bring some tools so you can quickly take these off once you arrive. Depending on the year Mustang you can just take off the chrome bezels or rings. The shop can then easily mask the headlight or tail light itself and still get plenty of paint around the edges.

If you have a vinyl top then remove the molding separating the vinyl and paint. Drip rail chrome really should be removed also, but can be extremely hard to take off undamaged. If you plan on buying all new drip molding then definitely remove the old for painting. But if you want to keep the originals then it might be better to leave them on and let the painter mask around. If you have hub caps it's easy to just take them off. While the paint shop should completely mask all four tires, overspray can still find its way in. It's sometimes better to play it safe and just remove wheel covers.

Scuff for paint

Once your Mustang is totally stripped of exterior chrome it's time to scuff up the existing paint. The paint shop should do this also, but on the lower end paint packages they won't spend much time here. It's better for you to do it so you know it's done thoroughly.

You scuff up existing paint for two reasons. First, you want to get rid of any oil, grease or dirt trapped in the top layer of paint. This is the stuff that cleaners and degreasers can't get off. The second reason to scuff is to set up a physical bond for the new primer and paint to adhere to. You want to give the old paint some tooth so the new sticks better.

Start with a thorough cleaning with a good degreaser. This isn't typically something you're going to find at the local chain parts store. Find an automotive paint supplier near you and spring the extra cash for the good stuff. Remember, this is the foundation you're laying for the new paint and the better you do, the better it will look. After degreasing start scuffing with 240-360 grit wet sand paper. Dry sanding using grit this fine will clog the sand paper in short order and frustrate you to no end. Use a bucket and sponge or a spray bottle to keep the area wet while sanding.

Always use a sanding block for flat surfaces. Just your hand behind a thin piece of sand paper can leave grooves and low spots. It's also easier on your hands. For inside curves try wrapping the sand paper around a short section of garden or heater hose. This will help approximate the concave curve and help stay away from sanding through hard edges. On hard edges, like the top ridge of a fender or leading edge of a hood, you need to do this by hand. A sanding block will quickly dig right through the paint on a hard edge and take you down to bare metal. This means primer and more sanding.

You're not looking for perfection here, but you do want to eliminate every shiny spot of paint. When properly scuffed the paint should have a smooth, but dull matte finish.

Changing Colors

If you're keeping your Mustang the same color it is now then things stay pretty simple. Areas like the door jambs and inside of the trunk are probably still in good shape since they aren't exposed to the weather and you won't have to worry about repainting them. But if you're changing colors these extra areas will cost you. Be sure the price quote you get from the paint shop includes these extra areas. If you wait until the day you pull up with your Mustang prepped for paint you could be surprised by this extra cost.

And if you are changing colors be sure you and the paint shop are crystal clear on what color they're going to spray. Never just describe the color. You won't get what you want. Guaranteed. If you're not using a factory original color then find out what kind of car the color you want came on. Give the shop a year, model and paint name and then insist on seeing a paint chip. Take the chip outside to see it in the sun light and verify that it's what you want. There's nothing more disappointing then spending all these hours and money only to watch your car come out of the shop the wrong color.

Selecting a Shop

You should always get quotes from at least 2-3 different shops near you. This will give you a chance to not only compare prices, but to also check out the quality of work each shop has done. Ask to see cars they've just painted. Look for orange peel or excessive overspray. Do they mostly do insurance work or do they paint entire cars also? What types of cars are they working on? A shop that sprays nothing but old beaters probably doesn't inspire as much confidence as one that does insurance work for the local Lexus or Mercedes dealer.

Spend some time talking to the shop manager. He should have the time to thoroughly go over your options and explain their service and pricing. Be clear on what they're doing exactly. Will they scuff your existing paint? Will they be spraying primer? Are they OK painting any loose parts like bumper-ettes? If you're changing colors be sure to discuss the door jambs, trunk area and underside of the hood. Also, get instructions from the shop in writing for proper care of your fresh paint. It will include the number of paint curing days before you can wash it, wax it or let it sit out in the weather.

If you didn't do all your own body work be sure to get a clear price quote from the shop on how much time and money it will cost them to do the repairs. Remember, this can add up quickly, so if you can do the work yourself it's better on your wallet. Finally, discuss timing. Most high volume shops will want you in and out in a few days.

Cheaper then doing it yourself

Some would argue that if you're going to all the trouble to fully prep the car yourself, then why not just shoot the paint as well? Why get a shop involved? The answer is simply that you'll get a better job and for less money. Some would argue with this, but the fact is that if you've never sprayed a car before then your first car will have a steep, and expensive learning curve. Laying down an even, consistent coat of paint takes considerable practice. Also, paint and equipment is not cheap. You'll need to buy primer, color coat, clear coat, reducers & catalysts. None of these are inexpensive and you can easily spend as much in paint materials alone as the cheapest paint job at Maaco or similar shop.

You'll need a large compressor, not just the typical 20 gallon variety most of us have. This is a 60 gallon, vertical compressor with typically a 5+ hp motor. Then you'll need a decent paint gun (possibly 2; one for primer and one for color) which again is an expense. Then there's the question of where you'll paint the car. Renting a paint booth is best, but can be expensive and hard to find. You can always seal up your garage or shoot out in the wetted down driveway, but you'll inevitably get dirt and moisture into the paint.

The reality is that the guys shooting paint, even at the cheapest shops, know how to do it. They spray a dozen cars a week and have plenty of practice laying down smooth, consistent coats of paint. They work quickly and efficiently because they have to or they don't make money. They don't really make their money on shooting paint. They profit from body work because it takes time and insurance work because it pays well.

By doing most of the time consuming and tedious tasks yourself, you save money. Bring a fully prepped Mustang in to your local discount paint shop and you'll be well ahead of their typical customer. Do your homework and select a good shop and you should end up with a great paint job for a great price.


San Diego Fine Artist

San Diego Fine Artist

San Diego Fine Artist

San Diego is a city known for its local talent in the arts: music, theatre, and the visual arts. Many public murals and sculptures adorn the parks and boardwalks, exemplifying San Diego's commitment to displaying art to express a community identity.

Our first stop in search of local talent is the Spanish Village, a colony of studios adjacent to the Zoo in Balboa Park. Here a number of local artists and craft persons display their wares in small studios, housed in typical Spanish style buildings, surrounding a colorful courtyard -- an historic landmark, built in 1935 as part of the California Pacific International Exposition, and becoming an art center in 1937. Entry is open and free, and the village offers a nice respite from the more formal museums populating the famous park. These are working studios where visitors can watch and interact with artists involved in the creative process. In addition to the forty studios displaying works of over ninety local artists and eight regional art guilds, the Spanish Village hosts a number of art shows throughout the year that give exposure to other San Diego area artists. I was there in February and viewed the 32nd Annual Small Image Show, juried by Arthur Ollman, which allows area artists to enter pieces in a variety of mediums but no larger than 10" across. Very fun.

A short stroll through the park leads us to our next stop, the San Diego Art Institute: Museum of the Living Artist. Tucked in amongst several international art galleries is this classy venue dedicated to displaying and fostering local talent (and the charge for admission is less than bus fare). The Museum of the Living Artist hosts over thirty juried exhibitions throughout the year, featuring many of its more than three hundred members, including shows for juniors and emerging artists. Art classes and other educational programs are also part of the regular offerings of this non-profit organization. For a unique art adventure (for both pros and novices), attend one of the SDAI "paint-out" sessions, which take place on the third Saturday of each month. Come ready to paint or draw in the park during the morning, and review over a potluck meal that afternoon. Visitors in search of this type of interaction with San Diego artists are encouraged to go to the SDAI website or view the calendar of events provided by the San Diego Visual Arts Network.

Straight down Laurel Street, which runs through Balboa Park and across the picturesque Cabrillo Bridge, on down towards the bay, rests our next destination, "Little Italy." I shouldn't have said "rests" because this part of town is always hopping. Great restaurants, lively nightclubs, and cute boutiques line India Street, the main drag -- this part of town is a vibrant mix of traditional Italian-fishing and urban-artist villages. One block off India, at 2400 Kettner Blvd., we find San Diego's newest local artist haven: The Art and Design District. This group of art lofts, studios, retail shops, and eateries is just a couple years new, and is quickly becoming known for its high caliber of resident artists and interior design firms. At least one Friday evening each month, they host an open house of sorts, which usually ends in a party. Fun people and great art, too. Down the street, on the corner of Kettner and Beech, is another little hotspot called Gallery680 -- they always have a local or two on display. Very near to this is the office for ArtWalk SanDiego. This is a humungous outdoor fair for artists where they close off Little Italy to street traffic in April, and is so big it gets its own article (click on left).

A short trolley ride north connects us with Old Town, where Presidio Park serves as landmark for San Diego's earliest Spanish origins. The trolley drops us off right in "The Birthplace of California" and visitors are treated to a visual history lesson, as the entire town is either replica or restoration of some of California's earliest structures. Housed here are at least twelve art galleries with the same flavor, featuring many area artists and images. And the Mexican food is as authentic and delicious as you can find anywhere. The highlight for art viewers is the annual Old Town Art Festival held in September, which boasts over 30,000 visitors.

Way up over the hill from here is another art enclave in North Park called the Ray Street Art District. North Park's redevelopment plan six years ago included funding for the creation of the art and culture center, and it has blossomed into one of the most noted art spots in the city. Every second Saturday, from 6 to 10 PM "Ray At Night" erupts on this little one way street, and 1500-or-so visitors flood the galleries, studios, shops and restaurants. If you are in town on some second Saturday, don't miss it! If you live in San Diego, what have you been waiting for?

Our nautilus shell shaped route in search of local artists has taken us over, up, around, and now back downtown to San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter -- a quaint combination of stores and restaurants amidst early-twentieth-century architecture, beautifully restored. Here, shoppers can find just a few establishments displaying original works by local artists, most notably, the L Street Fine Art, near the ballpark, and the Brokers Building Art Gallery, on Market between 4th and 5th. The L Street Fine Art is located in the Omni Hotel building and features the winners of the San Diego Art Prize, which pairs an established talent with an emerging artist from the San Diego area. The Brokers Building Art Gallery is an open space format that always houses a variety of contemporary artwork by artists of San Diego. You might want to hit these spots during daylight, because the Gaslamp explodes with scantily clad twenty-somethings at night, and other art forms prevail.

using an airbrush and specially

using an airbrush and specially

With new discoveries in technology and cosmetics, people are now looking for makeup that can show a more natural look. Airbrush technology that was once used just for traditional paintings and automotive work has now invaded the makeup world. Hollywood in particular has started to use airbrush makeup as its secret to highlight the radiance and beauty of its actors. Using the same technology for automotive and painting artwork, the makeup is applied using a smaller and lower pressure airbrush apparatus.

Less Time Required
Unlike liquid makeup, airbrush makeup can be easily applied to define and cover details. It can be used as special effects makeup for high definition, camouflage, glamor and even just for daily wear. It takes less time to apply compared to regular makeup techniques. It is long lasting makeup and can be used even when you sweat a lot during workouts, or under intense heat from spotlights. It can retain the skin's glow and can be sealed with sweat resistant spray.

Despite the advantages of using this new makeup method and its ease of use, a number of makeup artists still prefer to use the common traditional techniques in applying makeup. The time cut down by at least half, compared to applying regular makeup, does not seem to be an advantage for some makeup artists. They find the apparatus used technically complicated. The different pieces of the equipment have to be assembled before you begin the process, and the following are needed: the airbrush makeup, an air compressor, a mask and an airbrush.

Though liquid makeup has almost the same chemical content as airbrush makeup, the liquid is thin enough to be sprayed on the skin using a fine airbrush. It can even achieve defined results that lipsticks or pencils cannot and can present a beautiful subtle look. A skilled airbrush artist can do special makeup effects on an actor.

For HDTV
For over ten years now, the airbrush technique in applying makeup has been popularly used in the movie effects industry in Hollywood. It is currently the only suitable makeup for High Definition Television or HDTV, as the applied makeup can easily be blended with no paintbrush streak marks left. Most traditional makeup techniques can leave a smeared or smudged effect, even only after a few hours exposure to heavy lights. With airbrush makeup, the results usually last from fourteen to eighteen hours.

Great For Cover Up
Airbrush makeup not only makes your face have a natural look it can also be used to cover up or conceal any freckles, blemishes, birthmarks, scars, or acne. It is hypoallergenic, waterproof, alcohol free and will not clog pores or easily rub off. Dermatologists even recommend the use of this makeup application to patients with various skin problems.

Choice For Brides
Most recently, airbrush makeup has become the makeup of choice for brides because it can easily be suited the bride's natural complexion. Most if not all brides want to look their best on their wedding day. By using an airbrush, it is easy to bring out the fresh-looking flawlessness and natural beauty of the bride. When an airbrush foundation is applied, the bride looks so dewy, fresh, and has a natural glow.


Extreme Skin Art (Sacramento Area) We do Extreme Face Makeup and Body

Extreme Skin Art (Sacramento Area) We do Extreme Face Makeup and Body

All little girls love experimenting with their mother's makeup, and some little boys are now experimenting with their dad's makeup. Yes, make up has come a long way and is no longer restricted to women and actors.

The ancient Egyptians are who we have to thank for make up as we know it. They used Iron and Copper ore to embellish their faces, and Kohl to define the eyes. Make up has been in constant use since, but thank goodness we have moved on from what they used the middle ages! There have been many deaths over the years directly linked to makeup, particularly around this time. There are records stating that women made their own make up using such ingredients such as Lead, Arsenic and Mercury. They even attached Leeches to themselves to get the ridiculously pale complexions that were considered the height of beauty.

Other strange concoctions used over the years include burnt matches to decorate the years and the urine of a small boy was widely used in an attempt to diminish freckles. Thankfully we now have concealer, foundation and powder to do all these for us, with no risk to our health.

A few years ago, the major make up companies came under ferocious attack for their use of animal for testing. Vivisection was an accepted way of testing new products in the middle of the twentieth century, but is now only used by a few companies. This has spawned a whole new range of cosmetics companies such as the Body Shop and Urban Decay, who use only pure, natural ingredients and trade on the fact that they are anti-vivisection.

For many years, face makeup was considered to be a product purely for women and thespians, but slowly men have got in on the act too. The new romantic movement of the 1980`s actively encouraged men to wear makeup, and many embraced it. The Goths and Emos have worn make up for years to give them their ghostly complexion and black eyes.

Now there is makeup designed specifically for men appearing on the shelves and is proving very popular. Their argument is why should they have to display their blemishes to the world when women spend millions a year hiding theirs? You can say this is pure vanity, but surely that applies to most women too?

At one time, women had a small make up bag which contained their powder, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick and blusher. Now this is more likely to be the size of a back pack and include such items as highlighter, concealer, various types and colors of eyeliner and mascara, numerous lipsticks and lip liners and various other items for special occasions such as glitter sticks.

Whichever side of the fence you stand on, face makeup is here to stay. There is a rule of thumb to follow, and that is less is more. Some ignore this completely obviously, but face makeup should be used to highlight good features and tone down bad, not make you completely unrecognisable.


Body painting by FACEFX, special

Body painting by FACEFX, special

Painting body with henna is an increasing trend in many countries. Mostly women living in Middle East and Far East paint their bodies with henna. Some do it as a ritual and other do it for fun. The exquisite and delicate designs are what make painting the body with henna so much interesting. The custom of painting the body with henna dates back 5000 years. The interesting thing about this kind of painting is that it is temporary and one can create new designs every four weeks. So people looking for temporary tattoo and painting can opt for henna body painting as it is safe, reliable, cheap and easy to use. Also it provides the exquisite and imaginative look which people really love.

Painting your body with henna can be time consuming if you opt for difficult and delicate designs. There are certain things that one must be aware off before painting their body with henna. One can buy henna online from many websites but the important thing to be considered is that the quality should be exemplary in order to get the best reddish-brown color. If henna paste is applied for a small period of time and then washed it will leave a pale color. Similarly if it is applied for a longer period of time like several hours then it will leave a dark reddish-brown color which will take about 4 to 6 weeks to wear off. Also the process of painting body with henna is painless. It is only applied on the surface of the skin and not injected into the skin like other body art.

An important thing to remember here is that one must be aware of their allergies. Sometimes the oils in henna paste cause rashes and other allergic reactions, to avoid such situations these people can use purified henna. Traditionally henna was applied to the hair, foot and hands and mostly during special events like weeding and other ritualistic events. These days the trend is increasing solely because of the quality and advantages of painting the body with henna over other forms of body art. Painting the body with henna portrays creativity and delicacy.


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