Automotive Airbrushing

One of the most lucrative industries for modern artists is that of automotive airbrushing. Painting killer designs on the sides of decked-out hot rods is not only thrilling, it is also quite profitable for skilled artists. However, this skill is not easily obtained--learning professional automotive airbrush is a talent that takes years to master.

Surprisingly, the hardest part about airbrushing cars isn't the airbrushing--it's the surface preparation. In order for an airbrushed design to truly stand out, it must not be painted on a grainy, uneven, or lackluster surface. This is why entire DVDs have been created to show artists how to properly place their airbrushed art onto a vehicle, in titles such as "Introduction to Automotive Airbrushing."

Automotive Airbrush Requires Extreme Preparation
Preparing a surface for airbrushing requires a several-step process and an eye for detail. Start by stripping the old paint, then sand the surface smooth. After that, one needs to prime the surface, making sure to fill the low spots. Once that is all finished, the surface is ready for a base coat of paint. Knowing how to properly strip and prime a surface is almost an art form in itself.

There are a number of companies that produce an extensive selection of automotive airbrushes. The Andrew Mack Brush Company advertises that it has been manufacturing brushes for 150 years, and now makes popular models for airbrushing cars. Those who want to airbrush their motorcycles will find that many of the same techniques apply to hogs as they do to hot-rods, with just a few small but important differences in surface materials.