TheSamba.com :: View topic - art-car

Thu Jul 24, 2003 5:18 pm

I'm getting a bus soon (I hope), and will be making it an art-car. For anyone who has never herd that term, an 'art-car' is any car/truck/van which has been modifid to look fun and intrasting. I'v seen art-cars which are just pinted in festive colors and designs, ones that have been covered in bamboo, bottle caps, and sea shells, and one made to look like a banana. Yes, a banana. I'm just going to paint mine, but I don't have much of an idea how to go about it (what kind of paint to use, how to water-proof it, etc...). Any sugestions would be very helpfull. Thanx yall.

Thu Jul 24, 2003 6:34 pm

What year is the bus? I suggest using high dollar auto paint and a professional painter! Not to do art, but to keep it VW! If it's pre 67, I'll swap you three post 67 busses for it and give you all the paint you want!! Just remember, it's only my opinion.

Thu Jul 24, 2003 8:04 pm

i hope to get a 69

Fri Jul 25, 2003 12:17 pm

you should put dildos all over it.....haha

Fri Jul 25, 2003 1:51 pm

Well, thats an idea.

Fri Jul 25, 2003 2:24 pm

first things first... pick the design, cartoon or whatever. put it on paper to see what it looks like. then, do your base coat on your bus. wait a few hours , then apply your design. i like using airbrush so this the time that I would draw my design on the bus and start airbrushing. There are many different types of paints you can use to airbrush. any art supply store can set you up with these supplies if that is the method you choose to do. When you're through with your design, wait till it's dry then do your clearcoat. You have a time period of 24 hours to put your clearcoat on. I hope this is what you're needing to know.

Fri Jul 25, 2003 8:30 pm

Thanks alot jack212. This info is REALLY helpful!

Sun Jul 27, 2003 5:06 pm

lol@56oval714 - that was good!

A long time ago (when I was young!) there was a TV spot with a lady that had a beetle art car, before most of us ever heard of an art car. She had mirrors custom cut into small (about 1") pieces and the bady was completely covered with them. Looking back at it, I think if she had used 56oval's idea at least there would have been a good laugh about it! A lot of classic vw's (bugs and busses) have been lost to this form of 'artistic' expression. I know everyone has their own taste, and artistic appreciation is no different, but can anyone tell me these are happy vw's? (and these are some TAMER examples):

http://www.artcarfest.com/vehicles/ogod.html
http://www.artcarfest.com/vehicles/pico.html
http://www.tbullock.com/images/bm/bm2000-vw.jpg
http://www.artcarfest.com/vehicles/cinnebar.charm.html

Sorry marley_fan, to each their own, and I have seen some pretty interesting art cars, but I have also seen a lot of classics, not just vw's, destroyed in the process.

Sun Jul 27, 2003 5:08 pm

Don't know how that smiley got in there...

Sun Jul 27, 2003 7:02 pm

Hey, to each his own man. I say the wierder the better! But hey, thats just what I think.