That Crucial Final Layer

Hello creative cohorts! Jennifer, here, with a slightly unusual project...

That would be the driver's side door of my car as of Friday, July 3rd.

Just goes to show, it doesn't matter what your "canvas" is, art is art!

There are a lot of ways to go about creating an art car (more about that over on my blog, today), and a lot of different materials you can use--everything from house paint to enamels--but once you've put in the hours, the important thing is that the work you did is protected. And to seal in the portrait of my simian sidekick, I used Helmar Crystal Kote Gloss Spray.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

To put this project together I used:

Prep Solvent (from Automotive Touchup) & Paper Towels
Painters Tape & Computer Paper
Sandpaper & Half-face Respirator (no sense breathing in those tiny particles)
Surface Primer Spray (for model cars, etc.)
Paints (a mix of house paint samples, model paints, and acrylic)
Enamel Paint Pen (for details)
Helmar Crystal Kote Gloss Varnish

It helps to know that you'll have a clear day (or couple of days, depending on the complexity of the job) to work, since you probably don't want to drive a half-finished car around or worry about losing some of your work to rain. I picked a long weekend with plenty of sun, and set up a canopy (eventually) to shield me from the sun in the backyard as I worked.

A properly prepared surface is pretty key to the success of a project like this. So that means you clean it, you sand the areas that need to grab the paint, and you use a primer both to have a good starting surface as well as (especially in the case of a dark car) lessen how many coats of paint you have to apply.

Then comes the fun part! Make yourself comfortable, grab your paints, and go to town. I was concerned the paint would be too thin and run or it would take so long to dry that I wouldn't get everything done in a timely fashion--neither of those fears were founded! Thanks, I think, to the sunny day and naturally warm surface of the car, the paint dried almost instantly! The model paint also went on darker than expected and covered amazingly well, so only one coat was needed (except for the silver, that needed a second coat).

I added details to the finished painting with an enamel pen, gave the surface a good swipe with the surface solvent to remove any dust I didn't want to seal in, and then gave it a good coat of protection with Helmar Crystal Kote Gloss, following the instructions on the back of the can.

It's rained almost every day since I painted the car and the varnish is doing exactly what it says: the paint isn't going anywhere and it has a nice shine that matches the rest of the car with no signs of dulling.

Wishing you creative days!

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NB: Whilst we encourage exploring new applications and uses of our products in the name of creativity and art. We must offer a caveat that the application and use shown in this project of Helmar Crystal Kote Gloss varnish has not been subject to testing and trials of any nature by Helmar Australia Pty Ltd or Helmar USA Inc. This is purely the inspriational creativity and work of the designer presenting the project.

We therefore offer no warranties or guarantees of any nature for any application or use of Helmar products beyond the scope of those listed on the product label.
If you choose to use Helmar Crystal Kote Gloss varnish for the application shown in this project you assume the entire risk for results achieved, any damage caused and product suitability for this application.