Flames are nice, but more...
Flames are nice, but more contrast between colors would have helped this paint scheme. Photo by June Boone
Keep a record of the materials used: brand, type, color name or number, and so on. Relying on memory can cause problems later when you need more paint.
Miller says it's important to lay out the look of the car and then walk away about 50 feet. "What looks good up close may not be what it looks like on the racetrack in the dark," he says. "Walk back and squint. That will help you visualize what your car will look like at speed on the track."
Distance can also point out problems with letter spacing on sponsor graphics. Miller remembers designing lettering for a florist truck. While it looked fine up close, "Flick Florist" took on a whole new meaning from a distance. Better spacing on the signage took care of what could have been an embarrassing problem. Leaving enough space between individual letters is imperative.
Graphics need to be easy to repair as well as paint. Miller suggests getting in touch with a local sign shop.
Most sign shops provide a variety of services. Clent Sutton is the manager of Impact Signs in Beaverton, Oregon. "What we make is meant to be seen from a distance," he says. That means that the company already knows about proper letter sizes and spacing.
A good sign shop can help...
A good sign shop can help you choose good contrasting color combinations using tools such as this sign. Photo by June Boone
Help from a local sign shop may prove invaluable. "But make sure you know what the requirements are for the track you're racing," Sutton says. Find out number size, placement, restrictions on graphics, and other relevant information before you design the look of your car.
Sign shops can make paint masks for special paint designs from vector files and layout graphics and numbers. They'll even put them on the car for you. But the more services you need, the higher the cost. You may be able to have the sign shop sponsor you with an ad on your car in exchange for their work. You should ask about it.
"Consider where the car will be seen from when you're placing sponsor logos," Sutton says. "If most of the people are above in grandstands, then maybe the roof, hood, or trunk would be the best place to put your sponsors."Culver suggests putting most of your sponsor's information on those same areas, but for a different reason. "Odds are, you are going to be repairing the sides," he says.
He also recommends using a semi-stick vinyl for numbers and logos. "When you get tire burn, you can patch numbers with extra vinyl. It looks good at 5 feet and at 50." Putting numbers on a bull's-eye or TV screen-shaped piece of semi-stick vinyl also makes replacing numbers easier. "You don't want vinyl that sticks too well because you can waste an awful lot of time trying to get it off without tearing the paint," he adds. Outlining numbers makes them stand out more, but can add to the time it takes to make repairs.
Sometimes a sponsor may advertise on your car for just one or two races. Sutton suggests applying a semi-stick patch to the car and then putting the sponsor's signage on it in this instance. That way, all you need to do when you're done is peel off the whole thing.
Seek expert advice in color...
Seek expert advice in color selection. Here, Justin Cooper of Impact Signs shows the wide variety of colored vinyls available. Photo by June Boone
Miller feels the look of the car's interior is also important. He recommends painting the interior of the car with a light-colored catalyst paint because it can be easily cleaned. This includes the cockpit, engine compartment, and trunk. Dove Gray works well. "The interior should be super clean and all one color," he says. "No loose wiring, and don't paint the hardware."
Culver says he would choose a light gray paint close to a color available in a rattle can, making touch-ups possible with the rattle can. The light color also makes it easier to see during repairs at night.
While it is important to have the car look good at speed on the track, sponsors also see it up close, Culver says. They often like to have the car displayed at their place of business to get more mileage from their advertising.
A bumper sticker seen in a gift shop reads, "A boat: a hole in the water in which to pour money." That could certainly apply to race cars as well. Making your car look good can pay dividends in sponsor dollars and attract attention to your racing program. The price of doing so depends on how much you can do yourself and how much you pay someone to do some of the work for you. In any case, making your car look good may be worth the extra cost and effort.
* Keep it simple, clean, and easy to repair.
* Use contrasting colors for body and graphics.
* Use single-stage catalyzed urethane paint for ease of repainting.
* Choose fleet or factory pack colors.
* Use semi-stick vinyl for numbers and graphics for easier removal and repair.
* Paint the interior with a light-colored paint. Keep it clean and make sure there are no dangling wires.
* Make your car look good, but don't make it look too good.