Board Track Style Bicycle From England ( GRADY ROCKET )

[char]

Hi everyone, so been doing bit more to the wheels again today, though i've still not finshed the second one yet, I have finished the first one.
so I thought I would upload a few of the pictures that iv'e been taking for you guys to see, so you can see the paint process I have used.

Here are the wheels as I had them from the donor bicycle.



First step was to get those cracked tyres off and I gave them a light sand.



I then sprayed on the textured suede chocolate paint.( Plasti-kote Suede Touch Chocolate 4310 ).This paint is a really good base and when you run your hand over it, it has the feel of a rusty surface.



Then I sprayed on the ( Plastic-Kote Chocolate Praline Matt Super 3107).



Then used a water colour paint called ' Burnt Sienna '.You apply it all over, quite roughly, with lots of water so as it sits on the surface,
leaving the drips to run or stay where they want to go.





Once this has dried, it leaves you with a really nice patchy look, which sort of looks like rusty water marks.





The next step is to try and get that pitted rusty orange.I did this by using a colour called ' Vermin Brown ' ( a Warhammer Games Workshop Paint ), which is really an orange.Again I used quite a bit of water with this so it goes on easier.With a short bristled brush and a tea spoon, I flicked the paint very very finely on.You need to do this in bits, because if it drys, the orange looks a bit too dark.



So once you flick the paint, take a piece of kitchen paper and gently dab off the flicked paint, so you still get the mark but it is subtle.I built up
layers until I had the look I was happy with.







I then used Vermin Brown again in the areas where rust build up would be, around the bottom of the spokes.Just to give it a bit more texture.







Really with this it's a case of doing it in stages and building up layer by layer.I did use some moss coloured greens and olive greens on the
frame and tank but this doesn't look quite right on the rims for some reason.I may add some more colours once I have the tyres on.

So that's about it for tonight.I still need to finish off the second wheel.It takes so long, but worth it in the end.I need to pop down to my local
bike shop and pick up some new inner tubes.

Charlie

[feuerdog]

Very impressive work.

I've painted a few a Space Marines in my time, but i'm pretty sure they look pretty basic compared to yours.

Again, nice, and thanks for the technique.

[Leo]

excellent art work man! you are a great artist! congrats!

[FOUND OBJECTS]

Perfect! Thanks for sharing your technique! Awesome Work!

[badmuller]

Very nice, this is fab.
And so well pictured, a perfect piece for the "how to" section.
thanks for sharing

[snorrevonflake]

Thanks for the information, i think the problem with reproducing this will be to find a similar product since i am not in the UK. what kind of watercolours are these?

[char]

Thanks again everyone for the nice comments! Im having lots of fun doing this build! Picked up some more paints today for the de-logoing on the fat franks and also got some fresh inner tubes mmmm... Pics of the wheels and tyres when they are done.

Here you go snorrevonflake, this is the water colour that i'm using.



If you go in to your local art shop and ask for a ' Burnt Sienna Water Colour Paint ' they will know what you mean.They are all the same really.
You only need a small tube, this stuff lasts for ages and you only need to use a tiny bit with quite a bit of water.

Cheers Charlie

[kram]

Very cool how to. Keep in mind that if you get watercolors wet again they will wash right off. Are planning on sealing it in any way? There are things like workable fixatif that will work but they'll give it an even sheen.

[feuerdog]

The brands aren't special per se, it's mostly the type and technique that you're lookin' to replicate.

I had a car in my shop today painted a satin black, it looked really nice. Smooth to the touch, even spray, no lines, waves, or ripples. The trim was removed and the masking was done right. It looked like it was done in a booth. It turns out the guy did a rattle can job. He put a truck load of time and patience tearing it down, priming it right, smoothing and wet sanding, etc. he kept a wet edge by only working small sections, etc, etc.

My point is its not always about the best most specific tools,....sometimes all you need is some patience and a little good technique and talent to make things look awesome.
Char's tools are simple, it's his technique, time and patience that are really poppin' on this job.

The Warhammer 40k hobby paints can be found at most Tabletop hobby/game stores, or can be ordered from thier website, just google it.
All the rest of the paint types/colors can be found at any hobby/craft store.

The suede stuff is new to me, but I think a typical satin/flat type spray paint should be OK to use to get similar results. There are alot of texture type paints out there that might enhance the deep rust effect too.

[char]

Thanks feuerdog.I believe the paint is one of the most important parts and I am learning as I do each build.It's also one of my favourite parts, well that, and when you see the end result and ride it! The great thing about the suede paint is the way it goes on so easy, it has such a great feel and texture to it.Which really enhances the way that the other paints sit on top.

I have been thinking about sealing the paint today kram.I will need to seal it in some way, but I don't want it to shine, as this would spoil that aged look im after.I think the best thing to do would be to go over the top with a really matt varnish from quite far away, so as I get a very very fine layer.I used to use a Warhammer matt varnish on my metal models, and it's really good stuff.I will pop back and get some in the next few days, gives me an excuse to go back to the shop and see the amazing models again . I will post up the results when I try it.

[feuerdog]

It's all good Char...

Krylon makes a Suede finish spray, and it seems that in the USA it might be carried by some hobby/hardware stores, so I might have to get some to see whats it's like.

Can't wait to see the finished bike.

[char]

Hi everyone, update of the last couple of days.I took the forks off and asked a mate of mine if he could do some better welds on them, so they are now a lot stronger.The paint had to come off for that, so these have had a respray and I just need to do the paint flicking on them and they will be done.I have finished both wheels now.Today I gave the frame, forks, tank and wheels a coat of Matt Lacquer.I popped into my local paint shop and asked them for the mattest Lacquer and they mixed me some up.This stuff is perfect and doesn't change the paint at all.I was affaid it was going to change the nice rusty matt look and go all shiny but it hasn't.I have also made a start on the donor bicycle fender.

Pic as it was.


I didn't quite match up with the original bolt hole, so I drilled a new one.





This also allowed me to see how much room I have for an oil tank.More on that when I finish the template for it.

I then made a start on cutting the fender a little shorter.I drew out the line.It's roughly one inch from the middle fender support
arms.







I have rounded of the edges slightly now.It should give it a nice look.Sanded it down and painted it the two main colours, so it's nearly ready for paint flicking.

Got some pipe brackets from my local diy store and gave them a spray, again just need to do the paint flicking and rusting on them
and I can get the tank fixed in place.



More updates and pics soon.

Charlie

[char]

Hi everyone, well things have been moving along nicely.I have now sanded, painted, rust effected the rear fender and done the matt Lacquer over the top.The tyres are now on wheels and I have got rid of the logos on them, with a few very fine layers of cream paint.You can't really see it and it will dirty up over time i'm sure.I just didn't like the logos on the side walls, doesn't go with the bike at all.I have got the fender on, but still need some bolts for support arms, hopefully pick some up today or tomorrow.Fitted the crank, chain disc, pedals and handle bars.
After I have these on, I just had to see how it was looking, so I took it outside for a few pictures.Popped the seat of there too.I have managed to attach a seat post clamp underneath, so as it looks nice.The way it is in the last picture, is how it will look when the bike is finished.Quite pleased so far.I have started on the oil tank template, more pics on this and the fitting of the tank soon.









Charlie

[badmuller]

That is just awesome!!!

[Joeskustoms]

where did you find that top cap for the forks?! I've been looking for a short one like that