What Is HVLP?
HVLP guns use a cap design that creates a high volume of airflow at lower air pressures (about 10 psi) to create a fine spray pattern with high atomization. By using such a high-speed airflow through the air cap, HVLP is able to achieve both high transfer efficiency and low overspray (wasted paint in the air).
Part Two: Shoot The Paint...
Part Two: Shoot The Paint
1. With all the taping complete, some other areas were protected from overspray with masking paper.
2. The flames on this truck...
2. The flames on this truck will be sprayed a bright contrasting color, and House of Kolor Orion Silver was the hue chosen. Blake mixed the paint with the reducer at the proper ratios per the instructions on the can.
3. With an HVLP (highvolume...
3. With an HVLP (highvolume low-pressure) gravity-feed spray gun, Blake laid down a few light coats of the Orion Silver. The HOK silver covered the red like a champ, needing only three very light coats to do so.
4. To add depth to the flames,...
4. To add depth to the flames, Blake used a little black to create drop shadows. This is where artistic talent comes in, because one shadow placed on the wrong side of a flame lick will throw off the whole design.
5. Once the paint was dry,...
5. Once the paint was dry, the demasking process began. Here, Tom is giving us the first look at the flames. Care was taken during this step because not all the tape will be removed just yet.
6. The negative flames needed...
6. The negative flames needed to stay masked because Blake wanted to add a few more drop shadows.
7. Before the negative flames...
7. Before the negative flames were unmasked, Tom gave himself some guidelines with a grease pencil. He will need these lines for the pinstriping, because after the tape is removed there won't be anything to follow.
8. Tom used Process Blue,...
8. Tom used Process Blue, Violet, and White pinstriping paint from HOK along with a Mac and Sons #1 brush. The reducer will help Tom get the paint consistency just the way he likes it, and the white paint will help lighten the two colors just a bit.
9. The striping took Tom almost...
9. The striping took Tom almost all night with that many tips. Even though he was tired, Tom still took the time to drop a bitchen Von Dutch-style bomb in the middle of the hood.
10. The next morning, Tom...
10. The next morning, Tom laid down gratuitous amounts of clear to bury the flames. After the clear dried, the truck was color-sanded and buffed out to produce a nice slick finish.
The Final Word
Here is the finished product after all that work. Tom and Blake are professional painters and made the job look easy, but don't be fooled: This is no easy task. Keeping track of two sets of flames can get very confusing, and one mistake in the masking process won't show up until the job is almost done.