Issue link: https://ppgrefinish-na.uberflip.com/i/742152
CHECK ALIGNMENT: Check the graphics for alignment, fitting the puzzle-cut pieces together. APPLY ADHESIVE: Spray adhesive on the back of the graphic, careful not to any get smudge marks on the graphic itself. FINISH GRAPHICS: Follow the same procedures to cut, glue and trim the remainder of the artwork. Then apply a heat gun over the graphics to set the adhesive. APPLY CLEAR: After drop shadows are applied, lay new tape over existing tape and apply two light tack coats of DC4000 clear to protect the images. FIRST GRAPHIC: Line up the top graphic over the first panel, then cut it out using the ¾" masking tape as a general guide. FASTEN & TRIM: Apply the graphic over the first panel. Squeegee out any air bubbles that may be trapped. Then use an X-Acto knife to trim the graphic exactly along the inside edges of the green vinyl tape. CREATE DROP SHADOW: Lightly airbrush a drop shadow along the inside edges of the panels. Use DMX219 black candy dye mixed with DBC500 as a carrier. Allow most of the spray to hit the tape— the overspray creates the drop shadow along the edges. The drop shadow will create a three- dimensional effect once the surrounding candy colors are applied. UNMASK: Unmasking reveals the finished dècoupage artwork. Notice how the drop shadow adds depth and dimension to the overall look. MASK FOR PANELS: After the fiberglass "bombshell' is coated with DMD1690 coarse aluminum toner, followed by VM4501 silver flake blended with DBC500 and allowed to dry, an outer panel is marked off using 1-1/2" tape. Four diagonal panels are created using ¾" tape. The masking provides a guide to run green ProBand Fineline tape along the inside edges. Each end of the shell is masked off as well. TECH TALK ADDING COLOR AND EFFECTS For this WWII-commemorative project, Morley applied a low tack, transfer paper to cover and protect the dècoupage. Then he mixed DBC500 with DMX212 red candy dye to create the striping and the overall candy color. Different tape widths were used for the striping and were unmasked in stages as additional coats of the candy color were applied. Additional black candy drop shadows enhanced the overall look. DC4000 clearcoat finished the work. 19