Flake on the tractor... (possible tech???)

[Thirdyfivepickup]

Got bored and painted the tractor hood. Since I can't draw flames to save my life... I decided to flake it. A novel idea, considering I don't have a spray gun or airbrush...

Hobbytown USA sells a small 'vial' of flake in various colors for a couple of bucks. Its used for RC car bodies. I bought yellow, silver, copper and red for my project.

For base color, I went with Rustoleum Bisque. Yes, I said bisque. The origional plan was to do a solid color, to go along with the black fenders and body...and I had already shot the wheels that color.

I've got my color... how do I get my flake into it??? Two words: oscillating desk fan. I set up two tables, or as I like to call them, garbage cans turned upside down with plywood on them. I set the fan about 5 feet away from the hood.

While the bisque was still wet, I turned on the fan and tossed some flake into the airstream. Did this a few times with various colors.

I waited till it was dry and did some light wetsanding with 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit. (Note: I am not a painter, nor do I claim to be...) Washed it off, and let it sun dry.

I decided that it looked ok, but lacked the depth I was looking for, so I bought a can of clear. The rustoleum clear dries real fast, so I shot a heavy coat onto it and repeated the same 'techinque' from above.

It looks good for a total investment of $15. This same idea could be used on just about anything... assuming you don't have a gun!

(and if you think this is OT, pretend I did it to a motorcycle tank and fender!!!) http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[crewcutkid]

dat's kinda cool. Not O/T cuz it's unique, and hot rodding HAMB style is unique. Nice job.
-Crew

[Thirdyfivepickup]

Hard to get a good picture of flake... it helped taking it into the sun!!??!? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Flat Ernie]

Very ingenious! One question...what's a bisque? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Morrisman]

For a $15 spray and flake job that looks pretty damn impressive! And its about as OT as a post about a Hemi manifold or a top chop http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

[Thirdyfivepickup]

[ QUOTE ]
Very ingenious! One question...what's a bisque? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

"Bisque" is the fancy-schmancy term for light tan.

Almondish.

The darker than white but lighter than tan color some kitchen appliances are.

[SanDiegoJoe]

I'm going to try that.

[oldchevyseller]

oh yes the old "bisque" my my , do you have any gray puopon ? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif why yes it is bisque, thank you for asking, sorry but the word just has the tea drinking pinky finger in the air sound, http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif very nice project,did you figure it would work? or just sand it and start over if it didnt? i aint no painter, nice picture

[brewsir]

hell ya...it's more on topic than 80% of the crap on here.
I have done flake by just sprinkling it over wet paint...very hard to get it even though....might have to try your method one day!

[zman]

Excellent job. I've been thinking of painting my lawn tractor, well once I get everything else done.... But I may try your way...

[slammed]

Very good info/result's. FAR from O/T.....this is usefull in the garage scene. Low buck-high result's! Inspire to 'git out and do it'. Look's better than stock, and did it yourself. Good usefull post, keep up the good work.

[IntrstlarOvrdrve]

Hehe, awesome! I think I will try this on a guitar or something http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif Thanks!

[briggs&strattonChev]

looks good, what kinda tractor is it? if I squint it looks like an early JD unstyled A, B, or G, but idk.

[chromedRAT]

the chrome onthe hood looks more like a 4020 era tractor. even the lawn tractors made then had the same look as those tractors, and as far as tractors go, they fucking rock. my dad has a 4020 wheatland with the same kind of fenders as a 5020, really rare, has that chrome piece. cool stuff, turned out great, but i can't help but laugh picturing the fans in action!

[fishtank]

Metal flaked tractor..... BRILLIANT

[dixiedog]

I must say that is some SMOOTH paint there!!!! Very Very Nice

After the wet sanding what kind of polish did you use? How long did it dry before polishing?

I can't get over how nice that looks. Excellent JOB!!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[brewsir]

my only question is....does that clear have any UV protection in it??? If not I wouldn't expect it to last too long outdoors.

[Baron Von Mike]

Nice to see someone had the guts to try and idea I had but always thought would fail. I could not picture how to evenly distribute the flake, the fan idea is great.

I always pictured letting the flake sprinkle down from above like fake snow in the movies or theater, but you don't have a whole lot of control like that.

Mike

[Thirdyfivepickup]

[ QUOTE ]
my only question is....does that clear have any UV protection in it??? If not I wouldn't expect it to last too long outdoors.

[/ QUOTE ]

...as I sit here staring at the can of Rustoleum clear... uh... no. I guess not. I guess I could just smear suntan lotion on it! but thanks for stomping on my dreams! Thanks! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Dixie Dog... I hit it with the buffer and some 3M Imperial Glaze and rubbed it with some Race Glaze by hand. I had it out in the sun for a day before polishing.

For what its worth, the tractor is a Cub Cadet (model 125 I think) which, I'm guessing, is about 20 or so years old.

Thanks for all of the positive feedback.

(a side effect of this process is a flaked garage floor)