Here is a killer VW Drag Bus done with a combination of flames and colors which cant be matched! First run mask designs plus loose mask airbrushed ghost flames! This is a ONE OF ONE creation with candy and pearl colors faded together seamlessly. The multilayer flames ghost out and the candy.fade flames glow with color.
Want to own it before it hits the store? Hit me up!
This layer is the first one and is eventually going to be more of a glow or background when subsequent layers are applied. So it is done loosely, mostly freehand with the nozzle of the airbrush tilted at a 45 degree angle, blowing towards the rear of the casting.
Now I begin adding tighter defined licks with a mixture of AutoAir Wicked detail White, Transparent Base and High Performance reducer. Its almost a milky looking liquid. 2 drops of Detail Blue wicked is added to the mix when in airbrush. I am using a Badger Sotar for this step and HotDawg stencil from FlameMasks.com to create the fire licks.
Adding more fire licks. Notice these licks generally are inside the confines of the first layer but do not follow it completely. The first layer also acts as a “road map” of where the fire will go on in subsequent layers..
And the last of this layers fire licks are done. Notice these licks while more defined than the previous layer, are still a bit wide and loose. This is how each layer should progress. Each layer becoming tighter and more defined than the last while still not following the same paths exactly.
I used a trans parent black to define and “erase” unwanted licks or areas of the 2nd layer fire licks. This should be done with care.
This is the final step for the second layer of fire. Candy blue is applied in several light layers fading from dark to very light towards the front. More layers of candy are applied at the rear than the front, creating a fade in the color.Well I’m not quite done with it yet, but thought I’d give you a peek at the stretch merc. She has some semi ghosty tribal flames freshly designed I might add! Pearl and chrome base coats for the candy tangerine, red, to purple fade.
I have some ideas for a layer or two of candy pagan gold flames …we will see. But for now..I’ve got some pretty colors to build upon!
More soon 🙂
Well I just couldnt wait any longer to show this one off! Plus I just finished up the very detailed custom chassis..lol
The bus (except the BadBat logo on top.) Is ALL PAINT! One of one…candy blue and pearl blue two tone with custom mixed pearl silver flames. Also you might notice the side flames are shadowed which is also hand painted. Top is same design as the regular editions but is done with custom mixed silver pearl with fade and details to tribal bat of light charcoal. This is also the only bus in the series with vw logo on nose.
The chassis….well first it was HEAVILY POLISHED. The large exhaust brace was chopped up leaving a much smaller realistic brace. Notice you can see through all the way at rear of engine. This left an unsightly gap which was filled with epoxy and molded/sanded to the contours of the transmission housing. Looks much better! All three exhausts were drilled out and polished. Details abound on engine and chassis. Plus its riding on blue chrome 5sp.wheels, with silver stripe real riders…leveled..to lowest possible height and fronts narrowed (chassis) to ride inside body. Coming soon!
Here is the next one in line. Only the second one of these I’ve done. Subtle fade on the multilayer flames. And equally subtle is the candy coated blue pearl two tone. With a thin painted stripe dividing the colors. Rolling effortlessly on dub city and big time muscle five spokes. Coming up for sale soon!
OK Folkes…here are the final pics of the Aged Metal RIPPED EVO GT that Ive been showing you the paint in process pics of. (CLICK HERE for WIP articles)
This thing is all paint except for the lights which are high quality metallic ink and custom made.
I also used nearly all waterbased “Wicked Color” from Createx. The only exception is intercoat and final urethane automotive clears and also alclad chrome for the base color of the metal layer prior to the aging process. I did a LOT of work with a “hairy stick” (aka paint brush..lol) on this one. Nearly all the ripped effect “ripples” shadow effects were done with wicked and auto air colors and transparent base all mixed on a pallet to achieve the right hue and transparency. The silver pearl around the edges gives a natural highlight and shadow effect which similates a freshly torn metal edge nicely. Shadows to the rips complete the look, appearing to be raised above the aged metal surface.
One OF ONE!! Hand signed on wing, incorporated into a rip.
SORRY, this one IS SOLD!!
Man I loooove how this one turned out!
Candy Red and Black Cherry two tone.
Candy Pagan Gold, Tangerine, and Red.flames..three layers of ’em on the hood and some ghosty ones down upper sides.
Riding on some dub 5 spokes up front and wider rears from the “front” of a BigTime Muscle ride. Low but with an aggressive stance…rolls great!
Polished metal front bumper along with the detailed black grill and white headlights. Also added chrome trim details to fender openings and window trim. Tail lights done with flame red and chrome. Polished and detailed exhaust tips too.
Details to interior as well.
This one of one is no longer available but hope you like the pics!!
Also, you may find the WIP/PEEK Post for this chevy interesting..Check it out!
Here is another Jada 51 Merc that got a lot of paint work! Its Candy Red and Black Cherry sides. A snake Skin pattern on the top areas with several layers of flames airbrushed on before candy color was applied. Last layers were done with Candy Pagan Gold. Sides were masked off to create the Black Cherry effect as the base color was black pearl! Detailed lights and hand polished Urethane Automotive clear for ultimate gloss. This is a One Of One that has already found a new home. Hope you enjoy the pics tho!
Heres one from the recent past…2013…I love these Jada Mercs!! This “one of one” got a little old school in the form of Scallops on the hood. AND…really nice looking True / Real Fire down the sides. The two elements blend seamlessly, even on the small 1-64th scale ride!
All hand painted, including details to lights. Fire took 6 layers of base/candy colors applications to make it look right..very deep looking!
Hand polished Urethane automotive clear makes the gloss on this one ultra smooth!
Did this one earlier this year. Its quite the casting I must say!
All paint…by hand. Airbrushed even the “got nitro” on top. Its got a really cool color change effect too. I lost count of how many layers of real fire went on this thing, but I can tell you it was a lot!
New tires with yellow stripe sidewalls added. Also did a lot of black wash detail on chassis. Added a custom display case with nostalgic KB logo and mounted to case.
One of one here and it has been adopted already but I thought you might enjoy a little look!
(Click on small thumbnails below)
