Guide 2: A Rounded Dial Knob
An easy to achieve 'tech/mech' embellishment
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Guide 2: A Rounded Dial Knob An easy to achieve 'tech/mech' embellishment |
 This is an extra feature from the armored helmet project that was discussed in How-To Guide 1. The helmet's side covers are going to have airbrushed dial knobs to give them somewhat of a mechanical tech look. The side covers were based with sealer and aluminum (coarse) at the same time as the helmet. The side covers were also clear coated to prevent mistakes from ruining the base color, though for these small pieces, it would not be a big effort to respray the base color. Again, once the clear has cured for 24 hours, it is wet sanded with 600 grit sandpaper. Pieces of Artool Stretch Mask Frisket are cut for each side panel and applied. I make sure to smooth out the frisket to remove any air bubbles. From here on, all my steps should be applied to both side covers. Next I sketch the design of the knobs with a marker. Photo 1 shows the frisket applied and my sketching. Now I carefully use an Xacto knife to cut the outside circumference of the knob. Then I also cut the two inside curves that define the center raised portion of the knob. I remove the center piece of frisket and set it aside for later use. Then using a simple freehand stencil, I spray a bright red triangle in the center of the dial. Do not heat cure the paint while you are using frisket or the heat will shrink, wrinkle and deform it. It may even melt into your paint, which is definitely something to avoid. After spraying the center triangles (shown in the left portion of Photo 2 ), I replace the center piece of frisket and remove the other two pieces that define the knob on the two opposing sides of the center portion. Now, using a dark gray color mixed with a little blue, I airbrush the shadows to define the curvature and raised center portion of the knob. Be very cautious to not use too much shading. Just a few light coats is enough to get the desired effect. If you look closely at the right portion of Photo 2 , you can see I marked the directions of top and front with arrows on the frisket. This is to remind me of which way I want the light source to come from so that I can spray the shadows appropriately. After the shadowing is completed, I go over the knobs with some light coats of white to define highlights. Be careful not to use too much or the shading effect could be destroyed.  Photo 3 shows the completed knobs with the frisket removed. The helmet side covers are now ready for the final clear coat.  |
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