Pinup tank in progress

Energy One
Roaddawg

Roaddawg

Well-Known Member
Had a guy ship me his tank. It was flat black with pinstriping, but gas from the tank was eating away at the pinstriping. I was asked to repaint it flat black, add a pinup on top (he supplied a picture) and the club colors on each side. So I started by getting the old pinstriping off first, primed and sealed, added basecoat and did the artwork. Here is where I am now. I still need to add pinstriping to tie it into the rest of his bike, then top it all off with a flat clear.

Here is the tank as it arrived. In the closeup you can see the damage the gas was doing to the pinstriping and paint.





So, here is the current progress. In the first photo you can see the reference photo in the background.







and here it is with some intercoat clear on to protect the artwork while the pinstriping is done.



 
airbrush-ed

airbrush-ed

kustompaintbyed.com
Looks awesome bro!!!
What kind of flat clear are you going to use? I have limited experience with flat, and want to learn more. I had a job awhile back, and the client would only pay for the cheap shit. He kept complaining about it not being "flat" enough. Get good materials!
 
Roaddawg

Roaddawg

Well-Known Member
Ed, I am going to use the HoK flattening agent in the UC35. There is one company that makes a "flat" clear that Coast Airbrush carries, but I am not sure of how flat it is or if it is compatible with the HoK basecoat I used. I spoke with the tech at Valspar (the company that now owns HoK) and he stated that depending on the ratio you mix the flattening agent in the clear, you can go from 10% flat to 99% flat. All, according to the tech, without losing clarity of your artwork or graphics beneath it.

The tech stated that the flattening agent is so tough that once cured it is really difficult to scuff or sand. I will let you know how it goes.
 
airbrush-ed

airbrush-ed

kustompaintbyed.com
Yeah, I want to play around with that stuff! I even (continuously) debate on painting my truck in flat. Still with crazy artwork, but everything flat. I think that would make it different enough to stand out. I've got a formula for that additive in UC35 if you want it.
 
Roaddawg

Roaddawg

Well-Known Member
Ed, by all means, send the formula. I'm looking for the most flat look possible as the rest of his bike is single stage flat black with pinstriping. Also to match the colors of the pinstriping I am using One Shot. The HoK colors even when trying to mix and match didn't quite have the same color value. The One Shot was stock colors. My concern is wanting to clear over the pinstriping. How long do you think I should wait for the One Shot to cure before clearing with the UC35? Or should I clear the tank and just add the pinstripe on top like it was originally?
 
airbrush-ed

airbrush-ed

kustompaintbyed.com
Bruce, if the stripes are on TOP of the clear (especially if they are like that on the other parts), then go that way. Just for continuity's sake. If you Do end up clearing over the pinstripes, give them at LEAST a day to dry before you clear. It's also a good practice to pallet in a little catalyst (same that goes in your clear) while you're striping. This will lock in the pinstripe when you clear. If you get your clear too wet, too fast, you will reactivate the stripe, and it will melt all over the place. So don't get a run over a stripe! I usually will put down 2-3 tack coats (with flash times) over all stripes before I start my wet coats. After this has dried, sand flat, and re-clear with flat clear.
Here is the formula:
Mix the FA-01 really well. Reduce it 1:1 with RU-311 reducer. Set this mixture aside. Now mix up your UC-35 clear, 2 parts clear to 1 part KU-150 catalyst. Now add this 1:1 to the previous mixture. It goes on glossy, but will dry flat. You'll only need a few even coats, as all your artwork is already buried. Don't mess up, you can't fix it! if you mess up and run it, you'll have to sand and re-clear. No cutting and buffing! This is a whole new animal that has it's own set of do's and don'ts! This formula is straight from Brian Lynch of HoK.
If you stripe on TOP of this clear, just make sure you give it a few days to cure before you stripe it. Keep me posted, good luck!!!


Oh BTW, mix in some hardener if you leave the stripes un-cleared. They'll last longer!
 
Roaddawg

Roaddawg

Well-Known Member
Ed, thanks for the info. I would like to clear over the pinstripe just so it lasts longer, but am concerned with the reaction. I will wait as long as I can before clearing over them if I go that route. I am almost thinking just doing the pinstripe on top just to save the hassle.

Really appreciate the quick response bro! Thanks,this will help alot.
 
S

stryfox

Active Member
PPG makes a nice flat clear.. I did some graphic that left heavy paint lines, I cleared it with regular gloss clear, sanded it and put flat clear on it. Came out smooth and flat.
Just don't get any dirt in it, hahaha
 
Roaddawg

Roaddawg

Well-Known Member
Finally finished up

Well, the tank is finally done and ready for delivery. I ended up having to do some touch up to the pin up, then covering the mural and artwork and spraying on two more coats of black basecoat. After that I hit it with some intercoat clear, let it dry, sanded and sprayed on the "flat" clear.

The HOK flattening agent (which is added to the clear) is a different substance for sure. In the can it is brown colored and the paint stick will stand straight up and not move. Even after reducing it and adding it to the regular clear, it is a murky color. Apparently it contains fine ground glass beads. Whatever it is, when it dries on the stick, plastic or gloves, it looks like talcum powder.

However, I applied it like the man (Airbrush ED) stated and it came out great. The first coat, which was light, actually looked real flat. Then I added two more medium wet coats for good protection. These dried flat, with a slight satin sheen. Compared to regular clear it looks flat.

I waited four days before pinstriping. The pintstripe will tie it in with the rest of the bike.

Excuse the pics, since here in MN we haven't had any sun in, oh I don't know, I lost count, maybe since thanksgiving. Anyways, the garage lights don't do it justice, so here is a teaser until the sun comes back.







 
airbrush-ed

airbrush-ed

kustompaintbyed.com
That looks great Bruce! Now I definitely have to get some of that flat additive. I didn't know you've been striping. It looks good. Great job!!!
 
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