Big A
09-10-2004, 12:22 PM
We've all had this problem. All the big kids push us around and call us names because we only have a cheap-o ugly red toolbox. Well, stop taking crap and take matters into your own hands! It's time to paint The Flaming Toolbox of Death!
Whack the handle and lock mechanism off that puppy, scuff it up a bit and spray it with a couple of coats of paint. I happened to have a can of satin black laying around, so satin black it is.
Keep in mind that from now on I am in uncharted territory. I have never done this before...
Step 1: Read. Besides the comic relief from the daily grind, the HAMB is a great source of info. I've also got a pretty good library of books on painting techniques.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech01.JPG
Step 2: Lay out some flames. There are more technical ways to layout flames, but I just eyeballed 'em and winged it (hey, maybe that's where Mr. Howard got the idea for his winged eyeball). I used a white Stabillo pencil... it's aquarellable! Not everything was right the first time so I just wiped the line out using a little spit and a snot rag, then tried again until I got it right.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech02.JPG
Step 3: Tape the outline using really skinny masking tape (available wherever finer masking tapes are sold). It's pretty flexible stuff, but I had some troubles in the tighter bends, not to mention I thought I rubbed the fingerprint off my left index finger sticking the stuff down. Notice I turned the TV off before snapping the pic? That's so you wouldn't know I was watching Jeopardy.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech03.JPG
Step 4: Finish masking the box with big fat tape. Luckily, I happened to have a big honkin' roll of masking tape leftover from my last hazing ritual.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech04.JPG
Step 5: Trim away the excess and remove. Run a blade down the middle of the thin outline tape, pressing down hard enough to cut through the overall mask, but not hard enough to cut through the thin outline stuff.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech05.JPG
Step 6: Jeopardy is over, so we'll head out to the garage for this step (pardon the mess). Give the exposed paint a good scuff, being careful not to lift the edges of the masking tape. Wipe down the surface to remove any dust (if this was something more important I might have been more careful, but for this I just used an old sock and called it done... just like my sex life).
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech06.JPG
Step 7: Spay some primer, using light sweeping coats. We're not hosing it down, we're just laying down something for the paint to grab onto. Now go grab a beer and relax while the primer dries.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech07.JPG
Step 8: Grab a can of sparkly silver shaggin' wagon van paint and lay down a base coat. Keep it light, it's a bit deceptive when it's all masked off.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech08.JPG
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech09.JPG
Step 9: The colour fade. I've never attempted a fade with a rattle can, so we'll just hafta see if it's going to work. Spray more paint at the tips and work towards the fade, holding the can farther away from the surface so you don't leave stripes. This is also a good way to get overspray in your beer... and everywhere else. Don't do this in the dining room unless you have a very understanding spouse.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech10.JPG
Step 10: You're more likely to damage the fresh paint if it has cured for too long, so start pulling your mask before the paint is completely dry. I waited about 45 minutes. Carefully, slowly, like really damn slowly, peel off the mask, leaving the thin outline tape.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech11.JPG
Step 11: Now be really careful peeling off the outline tape and keep a blade close at hand if the tape starts to lift the paint (or so you can slash your wrists if you wreck your paint job). Pull the tape off at a sharp angle to 'cut' the paint as you go. I messed up a couple of spots that will hopefully get fixed when I attempt to pinstripe.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech12.JPG
Step 12: Stand back and say something like, "holy shit it actually worked!". Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done, being sure to set down your beer first unless you want a wet shirt.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech13.JPG
Next Up: First timer pinstriping. Then we'll see how badly I can screw this up.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Whack the handle and lock mechanism off that puppy, scuff it up a bit and spray it with a couple of coats of paint. I happened to have a can of satin black laying around, so satin black it is.
Keep in mind that from now on I am in uncharted territory. I have never done this before...
Step 1: Read. Besides the comic relief from the daily grind, the HAMB is a great source of info. I've also got a pretty good library of books on painting techniques.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech01.JPG
Step 2: Lay out some flames. There are more technical ways to layout flames, but I just eyeballed 'em and winged it (hey, maybe that's where Mr. Howard got the idea for his winged eyeball). I used a white Stabillo pencil... it's aquarellable! Not everything was right the first time so I just wiped the line out using a little spit and a snot rag, then tried again until I got it right.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech02.JPG
Step 3: Tape the outline using really skinny masking tape (available wherever finer masking tapes are sold). It's pretty flexible stuff, but I had some troubles in the tighter bends, not to mention I thought I rubbed the fingerprint off my left index finger sticking the stuff down. Notice I turned the TV off before snapping the pic? That's so you wouldn't know I was watching Jeopardy.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech03.JPG
Step 4: Finish masking the box with big fat tape. Luckily, I happened to have a big honkin' roll of masking tape leftover from my last hazing ritual.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech04.JPG
Step 5: Trim away the excess and remove. Run a blade down the middle of the thin outline tape, pressing down hard enough to cut through the overall mask, but not hard enough to cut through the thin outline stuff.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech05.JPG
Step 6: Jeopardy is over, so we'll head out to the garage for this step (pardon the mess). Give the exposed paint a good scuff, being careful not to lift the edges of the masking tape. Wipe down the surface to remove any dust (if this was something more important I might have been more careful, but for this I just used an old sock and called it done... just like my sex life).
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech06.JPG
Step 7: Spay some primer, using light sweeping coats. We're not hosing it down, we're just laying down something for the paint to grab onto. Now go grab a beer and relax while the primer dries.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech07.JPG
Step 8: Grab a can of sparkly silver shaggin' wagon van paint and lay down a base coat. Keep it light, it's a bit deceptive when it's all masked off.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech08.JPG
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech09.JPG
Step 9: The colour fade. I've never attempted a fade with a rattle can, so we'll just hafta see if it's going to work. Spray more paint at the tips and work towards the fade, holding the can farther away from the surface so you don't leave stripes. This is also a good way to get overspray in your beer... and everywhere else. Don't do this in the dining room unless you have a very understanding spouse.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech10.JPG
Step 10: You're more likely to damage the fresh paint if it has cured for too long, so start pulling your mask before the paint is completely dry. I waited about 45 minutes. Carefully, slowly, like really damn slowly, peel off the mask, leaving the thin outline tape.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech11.JPG
Step 11: Now be really careful peeling off the outline tape and keep a blade close at hand if the tape starts to lift the paint (or so you can slash your wrists if you wreck your paint job). Pull the tape off at a sharp angle to 'cut' the paint as you go. I messed up a couple of spots that will hopefully get fixed when I attempt to pinstripe.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech12.JPG
Step 12: Stand back and say something like, "holy shit it actually worked!". Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done, being sure to set down your beer first unless you want a wet shirt.
http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/BigA_toolboxtech13.JPG
Next Up: First timer pinstriping. Then we'll see how badly I can screw this up.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif