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Information Page |
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| HOW THE PAINTING IS DONE |
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| AIRBRUSH SAMPLES | DESIGN SAMPLES | FLAMES SAMPLES 1 | FLAMES SAMPLES 2 |
| Some of the Products Used with some links to home pages |
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| Only the best products that the painting industry can offer, are used to insure the most durable and long lasting paint job possible. |
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Care for Your paint Job |
| Washing Your Paint Job:
The goal is to get the surface clean with minimum damage to your paint.
Tools: The tools used range from sponges, wash mitts, hand towels,
brushes, Microfiber towels, T-shirts, Chamois and rags for drying.
I prefer a Wash Mitt for washing the paint and quality Microfiber or
100% White Cotton Towels Car Wash Soap: Never wash your car with just water!! You need a lubricant to help move the dirt off the surface of the paint. Plain water will not do that and you end up using unnecessary pressure to move the dirt. Always use a Car Wash Soap, the chemical balance is set to not be harsh on your paint. They cost only a few dollars and will deliver quality performance and peace of mind. Never use a kitchen or household liquid detergent to wash your paint as these products can do damage to your paint finish. Liquid dishwashing detergent is too harsh to use consistently. Sponges, T-Shirts, Colored towels, diapers, etc have a tendency to scratch. T-Shirts and Diapers have no nap to capture dirt, so they will drag it across the surface. Colored Terry Cloth towels and foreign made towels have a tendency to mix cotton and Polyester which will scratch the paint. The dye used to color towels has a tendency to harden the material which will cause scratches. Before the Wash: Check "Pre-wash" Areas, Look closely at the paint for signs of road tar . Also look for dried bugs . You can find special solvents made especially for removing road tar at the same place you purchase your car wash soap. Dried bugs can be easily removed with a mixture of baking soda and water (be sure the baking soda is completely dissolved to ensure that it will not be abrasive). Remember, it's easiest to see and treat these "pre-wash" areas when the car is dry -- and since of these cleaning techniques remove surface wax, don't forget to re-wax the areas after the wash. Washing Methods: The single bucket method combines the wash and rinse water in a single bucket. It’s not bad and is the generally practiced method. The two bucket method has the wash/soapy water in one bucket and rinse water in a second. Rinsing your wash mitt in a second bucket keeps your wash water much cleaner and decreases your chances of dragging dirt across the finish. Never wash you paint in direct sunlight if you can help it. When the surface is hot, the soapy water will dry to quick, and the rinse water will leave behind water spots (mineral deposits left behind when water dries in large drops). Always "water" your paint down before washing. Run water over the entire surface before starting the wash cycle. It helps soften the dirt and makes removal a touch easier. Do not use a jet like, blasting spray, it has a tendency to push the dirt into the paint surface and drag it along the surface before it gets blasted off. Use a gentle spray for the initial soaking. Now with the Car Wash Soap blended with cool water, use a large sponge or washing mitt to apply the mixture. Remember to rinse the sponge/mitt regularly to rid it of dirt the can accumulate and scratch the paint -- and also rub the sponge gently as you work the suds over the body surface. Rinsing: The best trick for reducing the amount of water left on the paint surface is to let a slow film of clean water run over the surface. This has a tendency to let the water slide off the surface and reduces the amount of water left on the surface to dry. Harsh blasting or jet like rinsing leaves large beads/puddles. Drying: As stated always use 100% White Cotton towels or quality Microfiber Towels. |
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| After your paint has cured * * * always keep it waxed |
wax facts
Carnauba wax
is the preferred car wax of collectors and concours enthusiasts because it
creates a rich, warm glow. It doesn’t appear to sit on the paint. It
transforms the paint into a deep, liquid pool that shimmers under changing light
conditions. The more carnauba wax, the more shine.
The wax is produced by the Brazilian Tree of Life, a
palm tree, in order to coat its leaves. The wax provides protection from the
sweltering sun and it sheds water so it falls onto the ground and is absorbed by
the tree’s roots. For this reason, carnauba wax is breathable. Good for
the tree and good for your paint.
Carnauba is rock hard in its natural form. Wax makers
have to blend the wax with oils, petroleum distillates, or a solvent in order to
make the wax workable. The very best carnauba-based wax is only about 1/3
natural carnauba. It’s probably for the best since the price gets higher and
higher as the concentration of carnauba rises. When a product advertises “pure
carnauba wax” or “100% carnauba wax”, they are referring to the purity of
the carnauba that is in the product, not the product as a whole.
That brings us to grading. Carnauba is harvested and
then graded according to color, purity, and where it was grown. Trees grown in
the northern area of Brazil produce the highest grade carnauba. The yellow wax
is the most pure and therefore receives the highest grade. This is the grade
most commonly used in high end car waxes. Some manufacturers refine the yellow
wax again into an ultra-pure white wax to ensure that the wax produces the
clearest, most reflective gloss once applied to the paint.
The carnauba wax repels water and, consequently, most
contaminants. When applied to any surface, carnauba retains these
characteristics. Therefore, an application of a carnauba-based wax to your paint
will protect it from UV rays, heat, moisture, oxidation, and environmental
contamination.
A carnauba wax finish will wear off in approximately 6
to 8 weeks.
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Awards etc Winner of: ..Work featured in: Easyrider's Swimsuit Calendar --- Milwaukee's Finest Calendar --- Honey & Hogs Calendar --- Easyrider Magazine Cover & featured bike --- Collector Plates . |
| I have been riding and painting motorcycles since 1966. |
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Here's my rides: |
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