Ryan Korek demonstrates how he created a razor-sharp design. Ryan's three-dimensional design calls for bold, high-gloss colored graphics "drop shadowed" over a matter gloss silver charcoal metallic base. Ryan employs the unusual technique of "working backwards," that is, starting with applying the color layers first that other painters typically would do after spraying the base color. The result? "Everything that is sparkly is gloss," Ryan explains. "Everything that is metallic is flat."
3-D Layered Design – Ryan Korek
Ryan Korek Demonstrates How He Created a Razor-Sharp Design For a Dote Racing Dragster
Step 1 - Prep & Initial Mapping
Ryan sands, acid washes, and seals the magnesium body with two coats of DP90LF Epoxy Primer Black. Deltron® DBC black is applied to carbon fiber areas (still shown in gray). Ryan then maps out areas for the colored graphics.
Step 2 - Big Flake™ Midcoat
A sparkling midcoat of Ditzler® Big Flake™ silver (VM4402), added to Deltron® DBC500 Color Blender, is applied to the areas designated for Radiance® II candy colors.
Step 3 - Design Masking
Ryan’s unusual layering requires a very detailed schematic. "I create a drawing for myself to make it easier in the booth. Of course, I switch around the design until I get the flow of the car going."
Step 4 - Applying the Color
Radiance® II candy colors are applied over the silver Ditzler® Big Flake™ midcoat.
Step 5 - Applying More Color
Radiance® II orange and Spectraflame® hot pink accents add vibrancy to the design, thanks to the gleaming sparkle effect of Ditzler® Big Flake™. "It gives it such a rich luster. It's pretty cool stuff," says Ryan.
Step 6 - Detail Work
The side of the dragster needs space for sponsorship messaging. Other areas, however, can be filled with design elements. "After you talk with a customer a few times, you get a feeling of what they want."
Step 7 - Masking for Silver Metallic
Once all the color layers are applied, each is carefully masked over for application of the silver charcoal metallic layer.
Step 8 - Silver Charcoal Metallic Layer
Ryan's "backwards" technique ends where most painters would begin. This layer will have a flatter appearance, a sharp contrast to the Ditzler® Big Flake™ candy coated layers.
Step 9 - Drop Shadows
Ryan carefully adds drop shadows to enable each color graphic to pop.
Step 10 - Gloss and Matte Clearcoating
With the "reverse layering" completed, Ryan clearcoats the vehicle. First, the entire panel is cleared with high gloss DCU2021, sanded, and buffed. Pinstriping is applied. Then, after re-cleaning and sanding, cleared again with DCU2021. Color graphics are then masked over, leaving the silver charcoal metallic exposed for application of D8115 Matte Clear.