When a bicycle becomes not just a vehicle used from time to time, but a lifestyle, the biker puts his soul into it, strives to equip it with better parts, improve the technical characteristics and appearance of the iron horse. In this case, the bike is a reflection of its owner’s inner world. A truly unique image helps to create a personalized drawing made using airbrushing.
Custom Design Benefits
In addition to a vivid and unique image, airbrushing to some extent guarantees safety from theft. It is known that thefts occur constantly even in European cities, where there are several bicycles per inhabitant. The thieves bite the cables, remove the wheels, in especially severe cases, even cut down the chains. In the first place, of course, nothing stands out bikes that are difficult to recognize from the general mass. However, it is unlikely that anyone will encroach on the striking design. Such an instance is easy to notice, and the attacker will be immediately caught red-handed.
Airbrushing as an Art
Airbrushing is a technique that involves applying a liquid or powder dye to a surface by spraying with compressed air. In the usual sense, this is modern art, whose origin dates back to the second half of the 19th century. However, the origins of airbrushing originated in the Paleolithic era. One of the techniques for applying images can be regarded as airbrushing, because it implies pollination of the contour of the hand with a coloring substance. In this case, the palm acts as a stencil.
At present, craftsmen are ready to apply an airbrush drawing on almost any hard surface: car, motorcycle, bicycle, laptop, and even nails. Airbrushing on mountain bicycles, as well as sports, and even urban ones, is gaining great popularity.
Features of airbrushing
However, in order for the drawing to please, but not be a waste of time and money, it is necessary to take the issue responsibly and take into account all the possible nuances. You can apply the drawing both on the entire surface, and on individual elements of the bicycle: only on the frame, wings, steering wheel or wheels.
The surface area of ​​the bike is small, which, together with an indirect shape, makes the process of applying the dye not very convenient. Therefore, you should not choose an unimaginably complex composition with many details. Properly selected and successfully combined paints and patterns will look very impressive on their own.
Self painting
The prices for bicycle aerographics in the studio are quite high (from 1,000 rubles and above, difficult work can be estimated at 15,000 rubles), so many skiing enthusiasts prefer to work independently. This is a complex process, but doable. It will take time, patience, the necessary materials, some skill and, preferably, artistic skills. If there are none, the pattern can be applied using a stencil, which is easy to get on the Internet.
Please note that for painting the bike you will need a separate room, previously cleaned from dust. Cleaning is necessary so that the dirt does not settle on fresh paint. Due to the high concentration of dye, primer, and varnish particles in the air, it is better to work in special clothing, a respirator and goggles.
Of the equipment required:
- an airbrush with side or top blowing of paint and a universal diameter of 0.3 mm (it is preferable to use a tool with a double principle of operation, designed to supply air and material);
- compressor with receiver, operating with a capacity of 20 l / min;
- the dyes themselves.
What are the colors
There are several types of paints used in airbrushing. Before starting work, you need to decide on the picture, and clearly imagine the expected result. The choice of materials and work technique will depend on this:
- The first type of dye is a dense material for uniform surface coverage. In this case, the colors do not mix and repaint each other, the shade does not change from the number of layers.
- "Metallic" - a paint containing aluminum particles, gives the painted surface a metallic luster. A bicycle after applying such a coating will sparkle cheerfully in the sun.
- “Lollipop” - a transparent paint that does not overlap previously applied layers. When colors are superimposed on each other, a shade is obtained corresponding to the color mixing table. When applied repeatedly creates a beautiful effect of color depth.
- “Mother of Pearl” and “Xelariks” contain mica particles. The painted surface shimmers beautifully and takes on different shades when you change the viewing angle.
- An interesting, but the most expensive option is to use the dye "chameleon".
From a practical point of view, it is desirable to use light-accumulating coloring elements to make the vehicle more visible on the road with a lack of lighting.
Stages of work: how bicycle airbrushing is performed
All work includes several stages:
- Before applying airbrushing to the bike, you must prepare its surface. Some insist on preliminary removal of the old factory paint, but if it lies evenly, does not peel off and does not contain many chips, then this is not necessary - the quality of the final work will not be affected. In any case, it is necessary to sand large scratches.
- Further, all parts are thoroughly washed and degreased with water and laundry soap.
- The next step is the primer. In order for the coating to lie evenly, a compressor and an airbrush are mandatory. This work does not take much time, but you need to wait for the primer to dry.
- After about 12 hours, you can proceed to the main part of the process, which must be carried out in stages, in several approaches, layer by layer.
If the paint is not fixed, the pattern will be scraped off at the very first time the bicycle is used, therefore it is necessary to carry out varnish treatment. In order for the varnish to catch with the paint, do not postpone the implementation of this step.
The imagination of the initiator of painting should not be limited to airbrushing on a bicycle. If you wish, you can paint the helmet in the same style, then wearing this protection item will be more interesting, and the image of its owner will become brighter and fuller.