[btjetman]

Strut brace should be here in the morning (3/28/13). It is coming raw and we are going to paint it silver base with a blue candy over that. I will post pictures when it is done. My good friend Stephan (Hippie) Miles is painting it for me. He is an extremely talented airbrush artist, so thought I would start with an example of what he has done for me in the past and what he has been working on. You can check out more of his work here: Hippie's Airbrush Alley

Mixer for the aircraft mechanic that has everything.

This is for the Madisonville Police Department D.A.R.E. Program.

 

[MyDianaZ06]

such talent!!!!! Can't wait to see the outcome!

 

[mwil028]

that mixer is awsome, and the flag on the cop car looks so real! cant wait to see and read reviews on your newly painted strut bar.

 

[btjetman]

Here are pictures of the bar as it was painted. We decided to go with a oriental blue pearl for the base and custom mix for the candy.

3 coats of the pearl.

Followed by 2 coats of the candy blue and 3 coats of clear. The forward bar was then wet sanded with 1000 and 2000 grit paper then buffed.

I didn't get to install the bar today, it was dark and I don't have lighting in the carport yet. I will post pictures of it intalled tomorrow.

By the way, here is another picture of a boat Steve finished the night before. I am blessed to have such talented friends.

 

[velociraptor]

What did you paint the strut brace with? I am going to be ordering on and want to paint red to match my VT but don't know which paint would be good to use on it?

 

[btjetman]

And a few of it installed. Can feel a big differance in the way the car turns, especially in a bumpy corner. Thanks to Pierce Motorsports for a great design!!!

The pearl and the candy really show of the welds.

 

[MyDianaZ06]

Win win win!!!

Very nice!!!

Glad you can feel the difference. It is a sweet strut brace!

 

[HellHunter]

Nice color. I have mine on and I could tell the difference over the technica I had on.

 

[btjetman]

What did you paint the strut brace with? I am going to be ordering on and want to paint red to match my VT but don't know which paint would be good to use on it?

The primer was a self etching primer for a good bond (about $15 spray bomb). The pearl was a base type (base coat/clearcoat) made by Dupont called Hot Hues, but they have quit making it and I think it has be aquired by another company. You could find the same at House of Kolor. The candy was a House of Kolor blue base mixed with a clear, again, like a base type paint. The clear was a standard clear coat with a catalyst. I'm not sure the brand of the clear but any good automotive paint supply shop can help you. To buy these paints and everyhing to mix and spray would cost quite a bit (Sh!t Pile). If you already have some of the materials such as clear coat thinners etc. it is still quite a bit for the pearl and the candy. A good local painter should be able to do a job of this quality for you for under $300. Still alot I know, I'm not sure I would pay to have that quality of paint done, but I am blessed to have Steve as a friend and we traded for the work.

If I was just going to match the color of the car I would buy the base and clear in an aerosol can. I've used this place before and it's been pretty good. Automotivetouchup.com Touch Up Paint, Aerosol Spray Paint and Touchup Paint Accessories | AutomotiveTouchup | 888-710-5192

 

[GT800]

It actually looked pretty cool with just the pearl on it. Kind of a matte blue. Final product is beautiful though.

 

[velociraptor]

The primer was a self etching primer for a good bond (about $15 spray bomb). The pearl was a base type (base coat/clearcoat) made by Dupont called Hot Hues, but they have quit making it and I think it has be aquired by another company. You could find the same at House of Kolor. The candy was a House of Kolor blue base mixed with a clear, again, like a base type paint. The clear was a standard clear coat with a catalyst. I'm not sure the brand of the clear but any good automotive paint supply shop can help you. To buy these paints and everyhing to mix and spray would cost quite a bit (Sh!t Pile). If you already have some of the materials such as clear coat thinners etc. it is still quite a bit for the pearl and the candy. A good local painter should be able to do a job of this quality for you for under $300. Still alot I know, I'm not sure I would pay to have that quality of paint done, but I am blessed to have Steve as a friend and we traded for the work.

If I was just going to match the color of the car I would buy the base and clear in an aerosol can. I've used this place before and it's been pretty good. Automotivetouchup.com Touch Up Paint, Aerosol Spray Paint and Touchup Paint Accessories | AutomotiveTouchup | 888-710-5192

Thanks for the info. I contacted them about the use of their paints in the engine compartment and they stated it should not be used there. I think it would be fine on the brace and will probably go with theirs and try it out.

 

[btjetman]

Thanks for the info. I contacted them about the use of their paints in the engine compartment and they stated it should not be used there. I think it would be fine on the brace and will probably go with theirs and try it out.

You will be fine with that on the brace, no different than the paint on the other panels in the engine compartment, hood, strut towers, etc.

 

[lagonwagon]

That is a beautiful color. Very nice choice!!

 

[btjetman]

Thanks, I've always liked the way blue compliments silver.

 

[lagonwagon]

I watched a YouTube video where the guy used high temp primer, normal paint for color and a high temp clear to show that you could use whatever color you want to paint your calipers. Just a thought in case you wanted to color match your calipers. It's such a nice color, you should spread it around. Eventually your car will be CF and electric blue though. :wink:

 

[cruisn76]

Hey BT why don't u do the intake the same color? It would match real nice

 

[btjetman]

Hey BT why don't u do the intake the same color? It would match real nice

Thought about it, but I'm going to put that same blue on the center of the engine cover, think it would be to much if I did the intake as well.

 

[Reaper7]

thers so many people w really sick skills in this forum, how much is that strut brace by piercemotor?

 

[btjetman]

thers so many people w really sick skills in this forum, how much is that strut brace by piercemotor?

I think he sells the single bar street version for $229 and the double bar version for $295