I've decided to pull out all the stops for my next build and make it something I can really be proud of -and take my own sweet time making it too. What I've got in mind is an MXR style enclosure with all the hardware set up like a dynacomp (rubber knob covers n' all) and a Zvex style finish with hand-painted labels. What I'd like to know is:
1) Has anyone ever taken an enclosure to a custom car painting place? I've had enclosures done at a powdercoater before...but they're used to finishing different sized objects. I'm a bit worried about finding a hotrod detailer who'll be willing to spray a B-sized enclosure, because they really only deal with car sized objects. I'd go stick to powdercoating but they hardly ever break out the good colours.
2) Will enamel hobby paint be ok for the labelling? I don't know if Zvex pedals have a clear coat over the hand painted stuff...but will enamel paint be okay over the auto-finish? Or will it just crack off?
Thanks for any advice.
Hot Rod shops can spray your enclosures. Especially if you're not critical about the color, because they often clear out their sprayers by spraying on small things, or sometimes something like an old hood.... It shouldn't be a problem.
Roger
Quote from: bobbletrox1) Has anyone ever taken an enclosure to a custom car painting place?
There's a garage within walking distance from me and they specialise in repairing accident damage (resprays etc). I recently asked whether they could do some boxes for me but sadly they're closing down for good in about a weeks time.
The bloke didn't bat an eyelid when I showed him the size box I wanted spraying and I got the impression he'd have done it no problem had it been then and there and not the 'three weeks time' I had in mind.
Ask around, you have nothing to lose.
Custom color mobile phone covers used to be very popular where I live. Usually such job was done in small shops. Maybe in such places you could find someone with right tools and artistic skills.
One powdercoat color that is pretty common is "safety yellow" (at least that is what they call it here in Oz). All that yellow stuff you see, guardrails etc, that is it. I use it for my Frostwave "Funk.a.Duck".
Ahh brilliant. The reason I'm a bit iffy about it is because some places I've been to for powdercoating have had a bit of a "it's not worth my time" attitude.
Quote from: Paul Perry (Frostwave)One powdercoat color that is pretty common is "safety yellow" (at least that is what they call it here in Oz). All that yellow stuff you see, guardrails etc, that is it. I use it for my Frostwave "Funk.a.Duck".
lol. Yeah...I usually get a choice of popular fence colors like cream and heritage green. They have a whole catalog of fancy colours but they never seem to have any big orders going that use them!
Powder coaters, metal benders, screen printers etc... the smaller the organization is, the likelier that they will do a good cheap job for you (assuming they want to). A big place, usually has so much bureaucracy in place, you are payig for half a dozen guys before anything happens. And if you find a place that is OK, ask the guy if he knows anyone in other feilds that is likely to want your custom.
Maybe this is obvious! but, keep it in mind & you might save yourself some aggro... :roll:
Erm.
You still haven't answered what kind of colour does Zvex use for his
hand-drawn graphics on top.... Anyone?
Cheers
LM
Quote from: LinuxManErm. You still haven't answered what kind of colour does Zvex use for his hand-drawn graphics on top.... Anyone?
Paint. An artist does it for him. It's one reason his pedals are pretty much worth what he charges for them. Each one is hand painted by Jason Myrold. Get some paint pens from your local art shop and have at it.
RDV
Quote from: RDVQuote from: LinuxManErm. You still haven't answered what kind of colour does Zvex use for his hand-drawn graphics on top.... Anyone?
Paint. An artist does it for him. It's one reason his pedals are pretty much worth what he charges for them. Each one is hand painted by Jason Myrold. Get some paint pens from your local art shop and have at it.
RDV
Yeah, but what kind of pain??? Enamel based (like for models) or something
else...
Cheers
LM
Here's a big hint if you can identify the paint bottle. :D
http://www.jasonmyrold.com/Document/Nav/cam.htm
Quote from: Peter SnowbergHere's a big hint if you can identify the paint bottle. :D
http://www.jasonmyrold.com/Document/Nav/cam.htm
You beat me to it.
RDV
hmm testers anyone.??? maybe not. also i read somewhere[maybe it was false] that instead of clearcoat that they were covered in epoxy. like i said i am rehasing info from somewhere else but it does work for a great clear coat. [having tried it myself]
on painting. the people in the fleamarkets that do custom auto tags and coffee mugs are usually quite skilled and will paint you a killer looking box.
also sometimes if you are lucky you can find somone who paints on glass and they will do a great paintjob [ie details like a rose i have a couple that were painted on the boxes i used for the non fabric rose pedals.] i got it done for a 1.50 a rose actuall size was like 2*2"
Hi.
I've talked to Zvex before about the paint on his pedals (not the hand-drawn
graphics) and he said this about the clear coat:
The clear is 2-part automotive epoxy. it's the same stuff you find on cars as a
final coat.
About the picture on that site. I can't identify the colour used there... It could
be something enamel based (small models paint) or even something acrylic
(as sold in the local art shop). On the second glance, it looks like a red nail
polisher to me... :)
Which one (besides the nail polisher) would work best in your opinion?
Cheers
LM
And while we are at it, anyone knows where to get that nifty knobs that are
on the FuzzFactory? Or those small ones from Seek-trem and others?
Cheers
LM
According to a review in a guitar magazine I read the artist uses oil paints. Then again, we all know how accurate guitar mag reviews are! :roll:
Quote from: LinuxManAnd while we are at it, anyone knows where to get that nifty knobs that are
on the FuzzFactory? Or those small ones from Seek-trem and others?
I don't know this for a fact but I belive the knobs for the FF are one of the Eagle knob types which I belive you can get from mouser. The Seek-trem knobs are not knobs per se but trim pots. I belive they are the Alpha 9mm also availible from Mouser.
As for the paint my guess is its the same paint used on models. I forget the name right now. Keyser :?:
Andrew
Thanks.
Whoa, didn't know that SeekTrem has trim pots. No wonder they are so
small... But how do the pots stand quality wise? Are they durable enough to
last for years to come?
Cheers
LM
Quote from: LinuxManBut how do the pots stand quality wise? Are they durable enough to
last for years to come?
I don't own any Zvex gear so I can't say and this is all speculation on my part. If they are Alpha then they are not bad quality wise. For durability as in "taking the stomping" I'm not sure. As a builder and musician, particularly with big heavy feet, they make me nervious. I don't see any shock mounting, they are plastic, have no protection around them, and are not laid out in the box for ideal stabilty. I would suspect you have to be careful around them as to not to kill it. Mind you I haven't seen any compliants about any of those pedals being damage so it maybe cool.
Andrew
P.S. Just to prememptively head off any possible flaming I'm not taking any shots at Zvex. I love Zvex stuff and what I say is purely my opinion which is not based on any first hand experience. I'm posting as an armchair builder.
Ok.
I've found the 9mm Alphas here (http://www.taiwanalpha.com/chinese/Copy%20of%20p_a_22.htm).
I am just wondering what knob to put on them... Anyone knows of such small
knobs with a line as shown here (http://www.zvex.com/seek-trem_lg.html).
Cheers
LM
Quote from: LinuxManOk.
I've found the 9mm Alphas here (http://www.taiwanalpha.com/chinese/Copy%20of%20p_a_22.htm).
I am just wondering what knob to put on them... Anyone knows of such small
knobs with a line as shown here (http://www.zvex.com/seek-trem_lg.html).
Cheers
LM
Those look to me like 9mm Alpha pots found at Mouser -- see here http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?handler=displayproduct&lstdispproductid=224825
These were specified pots for a semi diy synth "kit" (PCB, rare parts, box and front panel) by Chris MacDonald called the Minimodular -- great project! What you are looking at are not knobs but the pot shafts themselves. They have an indicator line on them and a knurled feel. Note: the diameter of the shafts is what you would expect from a pot shaft and less than one may want for a knob -- a good/cheap solution where knobs are very close together.
J
Quote from: Johnny GuitarQuote from: LinuxManOk.
I've found the 9mm Alphas here (http://www.taiwanalpha.com/chinese/Copy%20of%20p_a_22.htm).
I am just wondering what knob to put on them... Anyone knows of such small
knobs with a line as shown here (http://www.zvex.com/seek-trem_lg.html).
Cheers
LM
Those look to me like 9mm Alpha pots found at Mouser -- see here http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?handler=displayproduct&lstdispproductid=224825
These were specified pots for a semi diy synth "kit" (PCB, rare parts, box and front panel) by Chris MacDonald called the Minimodular -- great project! What you are looking at are not knobs but the pot shafts themselves. They have an indicator line on them and a knurled feel. Note: the diameter of the shafts is what you would expect from a pot shaft and less than one may want for a knob -- a good/cheap solution where knobs are very close together.
J
Oh, now I see them...
That's nice... Usefull to know. I'll definetly find a use for them. Now if only
I could do Mouser orders. :)
Cheers
LM
Quote from: The Tone GodQuote from: LinuxManAnd while we are at it, anyone knows where to get that nifty knobs that are
on the FuzzFactory? Or those small ones from Seek-trem and others?
I don't know this for a fact but I belive the knobs for the FF are one of the Eagle knob types which I belive you can get from mouser. The Seek-trem knobs are not knobs per se but trim pots. I belive they are the Alpha 9mm also availible from Mouser.
As for the paint my guess is its the same paint used on models. I forget the name right now. Keyser :?:
Andrew
at last talking too i was told from the zvex crew that they are using davies knobs
i did some name dropping when i emailed davies and i got a nice little sampler pack of knobs.
Ansil got it. :D 8)
http://www.daviesmolding.com/
Hi.
So why can't I find the knobs from Fuzz Factory anywhere on their site?
I also tried to get me some samples but their online mailing form doesn't
work. When I tried to mail them via regular email it just bounced back...
Oh well... My guess is they are custom made.
Cheers
LM
So Zvex puts an extra clear coat over the hand painted art? I guess I could go to the auto sprayer twice and get a final protective clear coat.
About those trimpots:
You could easily build the Sequenced PWM into a B-sized box -like a Seek-Wah- with those trimpots. The circuit for it is 4 ICs practically hooked up side-by-side with a couple components in between so it'd be easy as pie.
Quote from: bobbletrox
About those trimpots:
You could easily build the Sequenced PWM into a B-sized box -like a Seek-Wah- with those trimpots. The circuit for it is 4 ICs practically hooked up side-by-side with a couple components in between so it'd be easy as pie.
Heh, it's been done here (http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/udrand.htm) and here (http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/sing-wah/sing-wah.htm).
And it's 3 ICs that you need... ;)
Cheers
LM
I'm talking about a sequenced version of Tim Escobedo's PWM using RG's 8-Step sequencer. I just mean it would look like a Zvex Seek pedal on the outside with the line of trimpots...but it'd actually be a totally different effect to any of Zvex's.
It'd probably be a really cool effect if you crammed it into a b-sized box (because 9 x 24mm knobs can get a tad large). You could call it the Skipping Stone or somethin'.
I always like to use Lacquer paint on stompboxes. Lacquer is excellent paint...it dries fast and hard without needing to be baked on like that enamel crap that's given me so many stress headaches over the years ;)
You can get spray cans of Acrylic Lacquer in the automotive section of Wal-Mart...the Dupli-Color paints...in several cool metallic colors like two or three shades of red, two or three shades of blue, a couple shades of green, saddle tan metallic, etc. You should also be able to find acrylic lacquer or some other lacquer in bottles that can be brushed on. Once you get it looking the way you want, lay 2 or 3 coats of clear gloss lacquer over it and you'll have a finish that'll last for years.
Phillip
The pointer knobs used I belive are Davis:
http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?handler=displayproduct&lstdispproductid=336169&e_categoryid=81&e_pcodeid=51604
But I think the Fuzz Factory knobs are Eagle:
http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?handler=displayproduct&lstdispproductid=348746&e_categoryid=81&e_pcodeid=04510
Take a look at a picture and judge for yourself. This is just a guess on my part.
I do remember hearing that the pedals are now being coated with a 2 part automotive epoxy instead of clear coat. More durable.
While we are bragging about sequencers the Vanishing Point 2 will use only two logic ICs (I hope) for the sequencing and have up to 10 steps with random and stage selector. No bounce mode. I have another variation of the VP on the way thats non-sequenced but a very interesting twist.
Andrew
the fuzz factory knobs are custom-made for me... there are actually two different types i use now and they are both custom-made for me. i use some of the davies knobs on woollies and shos and a few other pedals.
jason myrold uses enamel paints for the lettering but two-part epoxy primer, base color, and two coats of two-part automotive epoxy clear over the hand-lettering. he doesn't use any oils. that would be silly. 8^)
before the boxes are painted, they are treated with a two-part chemical system that etches the surface and provides a "tooth" for the primer to stick to.
i have had extremely low failure rate on alpha pots, but there are always a few damaged pots on seek-wahs... i suppose i get one every month or so, out of the many thousand seek and ooh-wahs out there.
Thanks for the info Z :o
Yeah, thanks for the info Zachary... Let me make myself some hand drawn
graphics on the pedals now, shall I... ;)
Cheers
LM
Quote from: zachary vexjason myrold uses enamel paints for the lettering but two-part epoxy primer, base color, and two coats of two-part automotive epoxy clear over the hand-lettering.
Dang! Sounds involved, but my SHO is still chipped to hell! :) :)
the old process, before jason switched to the automotive 2-part paints using a compressor, was enamel spraypaints and 1-part epoxy clearcoat. the new paint is a heck of a lot harder and much more thick and shiny.
Quote from: zachary vexthe old process, before jason switched to the automotive 2-part paints using a compressor, was enamel spraypaints and 1-part epoxy clearcoat. the new paint is a heck of a lot harder and much more thick and shiny.
When was the switch made? My SHO is from '01.
And here are some tips from the artist (Jason) himself:
Quote
The process I use can be broken up into three phases. Primer and color
base coat, application of artwork, then clear coat. The art work is
painted on using testors hobby paints. The base colors and clear coats
are an automotive paint process. A compressor is used to apply base coat
and clearcoat and these must be mixed with a catalyst/ hardener right
before application. An oven is not necessary but can be used (and
sometimes is) to expedite the hardening of the clear coat. But generally
I use a time period of 24 hours per coat of material. There are special
procedures to follow and certain time windows in which the paints must
be applied or "wrinkling" of the artwork will occur. Its has involved
several years of experimentation to determine compatability of paint
processes, what is the quickest method, most durable, best looking, etc.
And about the color used:
QuoteThe color would be the model master testor enamels 1/4 oz, in the
little square glass jars.
And anyone that would like to own a Fuzz Factory for 5$ just click here (http://myrold.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=myrold&Category_Code=ZV-PM). ;)
Cheers
LM
Thanks for posting that LinuxMan. The stuff about the artwork wrinkling is a bit worrying though. I'll have to ask to the auto-painters about that. I suppose I'll get a colour coat done first, take the enclosure home to do the art, and then take it back and get a clear coat done.
Quote from: bobbletroxThanks for posting that LinuxMan. The stuff about the artwork wrinkling is a bit worrying though. I'll have to ask to the auto-painters about that. I suppose I'll get a colour coat done first, take the enclosure home to do the art, and then take it back and get a clear coat done.
No prob.
Keep us posted though. It's nice to know about different painting techniques.
Cheers
LM
Testors - I thought that's what Jason used!
I did the same thing with my EasyFace:
Etch the aluminum with a special cleaner
Spray with a catalized automotive paint (Sikkens - used by Mercedes-Benz!)
Hand Paint the letters using Testors and 000 and 0000 size brushes
Clear coat over the letters.
(http://www.hbci.com/~erix/images/fuzz_box_1.jpg)
I used a metallic paint which is normally sprayed in two parts - first the metallic+color and then the clear over it. I put the lettering between the clear and the color.
For the letters, I drew up the artwork in Illustrator, printed it, taped it to the box top and cut through the paper with a fresh Xacto knife. Then I followed the thin cuts in the paint. I'm not worried about the paint peeling 'cause it's covered with clear.
Wow - that looks great! Where can you find that kind of paint? Is there a particular brand to look for? Does it come in a spray can or do you need to have a spray gun?
Quote from: cdQuote from: zachary vexthe old process, before jason switched to the automotive 2-part paints using a compressor, was enamel spraypaints and 1-part epoxy clearcoat. the new paint is a heck of a lot harder and much more thick and shiny.
When was the switch made? My SHO is from '01.
i don't remember the exact date but it was within the last couple of years, after 2001.
Quote from: erixI did the same thing with my EasyFace:
:shock: That's
exactly what I'm aiming for! That's a fantastic looking fuzz box.