American Airbrush

of Ocala

Rudder Art

From idea to reality and the incurred cost of  creating that reality. 

click on the pictures to enlarge

 

 

Customer asked for drawing of tornado wearing a duster for a western style dust slinger.

As we started to talk on the phone I began to draw or doodle with the pen I had in my hand. I usually do this so I get a first impression drawing noting colors and such and any lettering.

From this simple drawing I then placed it on my computer.
Then I  added color and faxed  or e-mailed  the drawing back to the customer to see if our minds were flowing in the same direction.

Our customer approved and made arrangements for me to get the rudders the next week. There we would discuss the boat set up and any changes they wanted made.

 

Important note this airboat steers from the bottom few adjustments to drawing  hands, gray colors, rides the hill not so much the water had nice lunch in Inverness with customer. 

 

 
Now the actual work begins.
 
step one Sand the aluminum then wash with acid bath this allows the rudder to let paint adhere to the surface of aluminum.

Cost about $16.00 per quart

 

Now we paint the rudders with an acid etch primer this eats into the aluminum surface and is probably the most crucial step in longevity for paint on aluminum.

Cost $45.00 per quart

 

then we use standard Dupont urethane 2k primer sealer over the etching primer

Cost $ 45.00 per quart

 

now we add automotive paint base coat
 
I prefer Dupont Chroma Base

Cost of Chroma base paint is color specific it can cost more than  $141.00 per quart so if a specific color is requested other than gray or black then the cost of the paint will be added to the total of the rudders.

I used 3 coats of base coat until I was satisfied with the coverage and the smoothness of the coat. The boat it is going on is chartreuse and silver so I used a pewter gray metal flake

 

The actual airbrushing begins I outline the entire drawing in black on both rudders for a beginning point. In order to get both drawings the same (or close to the same) I use 2 pieces of poster paper and cut a reference stencil out of it. Yes I use a stencil but only for the basic outline and I then destroy the stencil so no one will ever get a set of rudders that look just like someone else's rudders.

 

Next step ad your basic contrasting color look for the effect you are trying to achieve. I like people to be able to spot airbrushed rudders from afar so I try for as much contrast as possible within limits trying not to get to gaudy if possible.

 

As you can see I start adding colors and shading as I'm going along, this way I get both pictures real close to the same.

 

the last step is to clear coat the rudders I use  chroma clear for this job or Dupont Nason base clear 496-00 both hold up equally even in a salt water atmosphere

Cost with activator $ 110.00 per gallon using 3 + coats per rudder you can do 2 full sets with a gallon front and back.

 

So as you can see in each set of rudders you will have approximately $ 210.00 in standard material cost alone!

this does not include things like sandpaper ,tack cloths, frisket tape, rubbing compound and other incurred incidentals. 

 Average turn around time is 10 to 14 days per set depending on the weather of course  for we do live in Florida .

 

 

 

Used rudders represent the largest type of request for artists so here are some tips I use on used rudders and examples.

Here is a rudder requested to be painted it has been on the boat for some time with no protection on the aluminum what so ever.

 

Here the first step is to wash the rudder to remove any light contaminates. Then after inspecting it closely upon drying looking for further damage pits ,deep scratches  or any remaining oil film or left over bug remains .I then determine what course to take next. On this particular rudder I decided to clean the surface with GoJo and the high speed buffer using the wool bonnet for its severe scuffing abilities I use GoJo with pumice for it is much more cost effective than rubbing compound and is designed to cut through petroleum style products .

 

 

As you can see this rudder was marred rather bad with press scratches (the small lines circled in red). These press scratches common on early rudders are made during the formation of the rudder using an unprotected brake in order to bend the sheet aluminum, this can be severe even on new rudders. This must be sanded out or filled in  to obtain the smoothness required for a good paint job and any contaminates left in the scratches will result in paint failure.

 

As you can see the GoJo really cuts down into the surface of the aluminum and cleans well .The area to the right is still pitted but the other 3/4 of the rudder is starting to show signs of rejuvenation, after only 3 minuets on the buffer.

 

Now here is the  rudder cleaned with water and alcohol ready for the etching primer stage of the airbrushing process. Hope this helps you out remember the worst enemy to your painting process is contamination of the surface prior to painting. The best airbrush job in the world wont make up for poor preparation of the substrate.

 

 

Yes this is the same rudder ready for etching primer