Here's another brand new kawasaki jetski I had the pleasure of decorating with my own graphics design. Details upon request and comments/critiques are welcome.
**Edit**
Here's another one that I did a couple weeks ago for a local Pro racer, but his colors have traditionally been red, black and white:
[ May 06, 2003, 01:58 PM: Message edited by: Mike Pipes ]
Posted by Alan Ackerson (Member # 3224) on :
Hey Mike,
Looks great, Glad to see a pwc that doesn't have graphics overkill. What kind of paint and clears are you using?
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Thanks Alan!
It's a very special blend of paint: Avery A8 - Vibrant Green and Black.
Edit: I used nazdar screenprinting ink to airbrush the shadows over the green, giving some dimension to the graphics.
[ May 06, 2003, 01:33 PM: Message edited by: Mike Pipes ]
Posted by Tony B (Member # 935) on :
Hey Mike,
Looks great. I see how you airbrushed the black on the green at the top to create shadow for the cutout look, but what did you do to the bottom of the green graphic? It still looks cutout, but I don't see any black, did you use white or some other light color to achieve this effect?
Cool.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Tony,
Nope, all I did was spray the black over the top edge of the green for the "cut out", and left the bottom edge of the vinyl alone. The bottom edge is sharp and crisp so that's what I think enhances the illusion.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Very Nice indeed Mike.
Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :
Mike
This is what I call "Snap,Crackle,and Pop" Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
I think the layout is awesome except: I dont like the orange panel next to the lime green. I would have gone with a yellow I think.
But the layout is super and it looks like its going like a bat out of hell while sitting still.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Thanks guys!
Bob, got no choice on the orange, it's a required color and denotes the level of the rider. Orange = Novice, Yellow = Expert, White = Pro.
Posted by Linda Silver Eagle (Member # 274) on :
That is sweet Stickie!
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
I kind of figured that might be the case Mike. I dont follow racing but I know theres a reason for some of the colors they use.
Still looks good though.
Posted by Alan Ackerson (Member # 3224) on :
Lovin' those inks, eh? You hooked me on the stuff. Beware when they say "Its free the first time".
Only one meltdown in the beginning.
edit- What prices do you charge for this type of job — If you don't mind me asking.
[ May 06, 2003, 05:41 PM: Message edited by: Alan Ackerson ]
Posted by GARY CULY (Member # 3130) on :
you got those skis covered pimp
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Alan,
Yeah I love the screen inks.. one tip though, don't use acetone for thinning when spraying cause it dries before it even hits the vinyl.
The green set is $305, that's Ready-To-Apply, customer applies it himself. The striping alone (no number plates or airbrushed accents) is $180... uses about 7ft of material and 20 minutes to produce and pack up for shipping... now that I've done a couple, production is very fast.
Posted by Alan Ackerson (Member # 3224) on :
Thanks Mike.
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
Really nice work Mike!
Posted by Terry Whynott (Member # 1622) on :
Cool graphics!
I think it's all about designing them to look like they belong there. Too many graphics I've seen just look wrong, but yours do everything grahics are supposed to! They fit the shape, add lots of movement and just look cool. Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Thanks guys!
I try to develop graphics that compliment the lines of whatever vehicle they happen to be designed for, and I think this is definitely one of my best so far. It's definitely the best "pre-designed" kit I've done.. of course, Kawi put some nice lines in that new ski so I had a good base to start off on. Posted by Alan Ackerson (Member # 3224) on :
Is there any kind of shelf life on the ink mixes when reduced with the Nazdar's ink reducer if stored for a later date? The stuff goes a long way and usually have way too much left over.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
I dont know about a shelf life, but I usually dump out thinned ink when I'm done with the job that I mixed it up for. I mix very small batches though, usually like 1oz (total after thinning).
I started doing this because I had several 3oz jars that were full to the brim with thinned ink, and they'd sit long enough that they would settle.. so I figured I'd rather have empty jars for mixing custom colors than jars full of colors I dont use.
Posted by mark zilliox (Member # 3873) on :
very sharp! vinyl isn't always final huh? or as one customer calls it "fantastic plastic" md has a market for your skills, but there too seasonal 4 me. good job!
Posted by Alan Ackerson (Member # 3224) on :
Hey Mike,
I stored some ink that was previously thinned in a glass jar to see what happens over a little time. It seperates pretty fast but mixed back up and worked (sprayed and stuck)ok after two weeks. We'll see how it holds up on the ol' Polaris for extreme conditions. I see what you mean about having that stuff laying around but thought it would help speed things up keeping some pre-mixes ready to go. Plus the less I have to smell that stuff the better! Appologies for using the portfolio sec for these questions but you're the man to ask and didn't think it was worthy of it's own thread.
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