Recently, the final episode of Overhaulin’ titled “Foose and the Bandit” aired on the Velocity Channel. Mike was called in to do his magic on the project, though he didn’t know it would be his last appearance on the show at the time… Continue reading
This episode (Season 3, Episode 17 “That 70’s Van”) originally aired on December 13, 2005. This build revamped a neglected 1976 Chevy van that the owner’s daughter thought deserved a makeover.
Once more, Mike was called in on the build to add his touch to the project. This time, instead of the regular flavor of True Fire™, it would be all done in True Blue flames, on top of a vibrant blue base coat.
Chip’s concept called for the fire to run down the entire side of the van. On the back, Mike painted a blue dragon, from which the flames erupted. The space was a little constricted on the back, with the big rear windows and license plate to work around, but he managed to fit the big guy in there, with enough room to still stretch his wings.
The interior also got a complete facelift, and Mike lit up many of the interior panels with some more blue flames. The mini fridge that was installed inside as part of the upgrades got another dragon on its door to match the one on the back.
Mike still has a personally signed copy of the project’s concept rendering done by Chip Foose hanging in the front room of the Killer Paint shop.
You can read more about some to the other renderings hanging in the shop by clicking here.
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We hope you enjoyed taking a look back at this project. Did you see this episode on television? Tell us in the comment what you remember from the show.
Be sure to let us know if there is anything you would like to see us post here in the future!
Maybe this project gave you some ideas, or you already have an idea in mind for your own car, truck, motorcycle, refrigerator, etc?
If you would like to contact Killer Paint about working on your own project, visit our website, or contact us at info@killerpaint.com
Related Links:
The Original Killer Paint Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-Original-KILLER-PAINT-INC/297040465604
The Official Killer Paint Website: www.killerpaint.com
Buy “Overhaulin” Season 3 on DVD: http://smile.amazon.com/Overhaulin-Season-3-Vol-2/dp/B000QGE80G/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1444249853&sr=1-1&keywords=overhaulin%27+dvd
Read Killer Paint’s “True Fire™ Basics” Blog Series: https://www.killerpaint.com/true-firetrade-basics
True Fire™ Instructional DVDs:
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 1
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 2
True Fire™ Freehand Templates: Artool Freehand Airbrush Templates, True Fire Template Set
Foose Designs Official Website: www.chipfoose.com
House of Kolor Official Website: www.houseofkolor.com
Several years ago, Johnathan Hillstrand, Captain of the crabbing vessel F/V Time Bandit brought his bike to us looking for a truly supreme paint job. The Time Bandit is one of the featured vessels on Discovery’s popular television documentary-drama the Deadliest Catch.
After discussing some ideas, Mike had an idea of what he was going to do on this project. The theme would elaborate on the Time Bandit concept, and show sailing scenes and battles at sea throughout different eras in time, including pirates, vikings, sea monsters, and more.
The Fuel Tank-
The viking side of the fuel tank, still in progress.
The left side of the tank portrays the ethereal visages of viking warriors and their ship at sea. This side is done in mostly cooler blue tones, with some purple and pink accents that help blend the scene from this side to the images on the tank’s top. A Swedish flag was added above the scene as an homage to the Hillstrand ancestry.
The top side of the tank shows another viking vessel in the background, with a profile portrait of Captain Jonathan in the modern day. A time-spanning Time Bandit clock-like graphic is overlaid on the scene in a bright metallic gold, which catches the light brilliantly in the sun. This scene is done in warm glowing tones, in contrast to the harsher cold sea scenes on the sides.
The modern-era scenery carries over onto the other side of the bike’s tank, where the current day F/V Time Bandit is shown battling a gargantuan monster-crab at sea. An American flag flies above the scene, a counterpart to the Swedish version on the opposing side.
The Front Fender-
On the front fender is a montage of images from a sea pirate era, including a buccaneer captain that looks somewhat familiar. A sailing ship floats below the portrait, backlit by a late-day sun, casting a fiery reddish hue on the whole scene.
The Rear Fender-
Above the tail light on the rear fender of Johnathan’s bike is a Time Bandit “Jolly Roger” flag, engulfed in flames.
On the right-hand side of the fender is a manifestation of the Greek Sea God Poseidon, angrily brandishing his trident while a storm rages. On the opposite side is a crab pot being hauled onboard in spite of the ocean deity’s wrath. A map of the Bering Sea is superimposed over the whole set of scenes, painted again in a bright gold metallic paint that shines in the outdoor light.
On the lower center of the fender, just below the tail light, the F/V Time Bandit plows through stormy seas, with the skull and crossbones emblazoned on the bow. The deckhands at work bringing in another catch can be seen more completely, just above.
Right before Johnathan was to arrive to pick up his newly painted bike, Mike had the idea to etch the Time Bandit logo around the perimeter of the glass on the center gauge. It was finished literally moments before he arrived, so unfortunately there are no pictures of it to post. Captain Hillstrand definitely approves of his bike, though!
We hope you enjoyed taking a look back at this project. Let us know if there is anything you would like to see us post here in the future!
Maybe this project gave you some ideas, or you already have an idea in mind for your own car, truck, motorcycle, refrigerator, etc?
If you would like to contact Killer Paint about working on your own project, visit our website, or contact us at info@killerpaint.com
Related Links:
Official F/V Time Bandit website: http://www.timebandit.tv/
Jonathan Hillstrand on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Johnathan-Hillstrand-191546427803/timeline/
The Original Killer Paint Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-Original-KILLER-PAINT-INC/297040465604
The Official Killer Paint Website: www.killerpaint.com
Deadliest Catch Season 1 on DVD: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00187FPCW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00187FPCW&linkCode=as2&tag=killerpaintco-20&linkId=EZHKFN2FMKQ4OIVV
Killer Paint’s “True Fire™ Basics” Series: https://www.killerpaint.com/true-firetrade-basics
True Fire™ Instructional DVDs:
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 1
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 2
True Fire™ Freehand Templates: Artool Freehand Airbrush Templates, True Fire Template Set
Harley-Davidson Official Website: http://www.harley-davidson.com
House of Kolor Official Website: www.houseofkolor.com
At the Killer Paint shop, you’ll find plenty of artwork and decorations all over, from the front room to the bathroom. One set of pieces that are on display around the shop are some of the illustration renderings of cars done by some big names.
In the front entry room of the shop, three such pieces signed by Chip Foose hang on the wall by the window. These three are all projects from episodes of Overhaulin’ that Mike appeared in.
This piece is from Season 3 episode 17 of Overhaulin’, “That 70’s Van” where Mike gave this Chevy van the True Blue fire treatment, including a fire-breathing dragon on the back.
This Chevy Tahoe got its makeover in season 4, episode 4 of Overhaulin’, “Bling!” Mike’s flames appear in the black stripe down the sides of this truck.
This Dodge Magnum appeared in episode 12 of season 3 of Overhaulin’, “Fiery Brit”. Rally stripes engulfed in True Fire™ run up the hood and re-appear on the back end of this project car.
The bathroom, of all the places in the shop, is probably the most interesting in terms of decor, artwork and assorted memorabilia at Killer Paint.
We’ll cover it in its entirety at a later date, but on the bathroom wall, there is another rarely seen Foose mockup, from the special CNN Hummer project on Overhaulin’ from season 5. This particular design was designated for the roof of the vehicle. The finished version can be seen in the photo above.
Another Chip Foose original hangs on the wall in the office just below Mike’s legendary Hellion painting, the lion with the fiery mane that helped launch True Fire™ into the mainstream.
The most recent addition to to the Killer Paint collection is very special. Mike has been working on getting his 1951 Mercury, dubbed “The Dead Sled,” completed for a while now. (At the time of this posting, it is down in South Los Angeles, in the hands of body modders Lordz of Customz, getting an extreme low, aggressive chop.)
Meanwhile, vehicle art legend Steve Stanford agreed to do a rendering of Mike’s Dead Sled as it will appear when completed, according to Mike’s plans. This original masterwork now hangs proudly on the wall in the office- a rare gem in its own right, and one of the most prized possessions at Killer Paint.
We hope you enjoyed taking this peek at the Killer Paint shop. Let us know if there is anything you would like to see us post here in the future!
Perhaps these projects gave you some ideas, or you already have an idea in mind for your own car, truck, motorcycle, refrigerator, etc?
If you would like to contact Killer Paint about working on your own project, visit our website, or contact us at info@killerpaint.com
Related Links:
The Original Killer Paint Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-Original-KILLER-PAINT-INC/297040465604
The Official Killer Paint Website: www.killerpaint.com
Killer Paint’s “True Fire™ Basics” Series: https://www.killerpaint.com/true-firetrade-basics
True Fire™ Instructional DVDs:
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 1
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 2
True Fire™ Freehand Templates: Artool Freehand Airbrush Templates, True Fire Template Set
Harley-Davidson Official Website: http://www.harley-davidson.com
House of Kolor Official Website: www.houseofkolor.com
In 2005, Jesse James and West Coast Choppers built a special El Diablo II bike for musician Kid Rock. Mike was brought in to do the artwork on this special bike.
This ride has a chromed frame, black wheels and a vibrant orange paint job. Many other small custom additions make this bike stand out from your standard WCC El Diablo.
The tank features Mike’s signature True Fire™, and a stylized West Coast Choppers cross logo. The gas filler cap is made to look like a loaded revolver…
The rear fender has some more fire, a small portrait of the “General Lee” from The Dukes of Hazzard
and a fiery skeleton. The title from Kid Rock’s “American Bad Ass” sits arched above it.
The rest of the other painted parts all got a touch of fire added as well.
This bike, along with Kid Rock himself and Jesse James were featured in Motorcycle Mania 3 – Jesse James Rides Again
We hope you enjoyed taking a look back at this project. Let us know if there is anything you would like to see us post here in the future!
Maybe this project gave you some ideas, or you already have an idea in mind for your own car, truck, motorcycle, refrigerator, etc?
If you would like to contact Killer Paint about working on your own project, visit our website, or contact us at info@killerpaint.com
Related Links:
The Original Killer Paint Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-Original-KILLER-PAINT-INC/297040465604
The Official Killer Paint Website: www.killerpaint.com
Killer Paint’s “True Fire™ Basics” Blog Series: https://www.killerpaint.com/true-firetrade-basics
Killer Grunge FX™ Spray at Coast Airbrush: https://www.coastairbrush.com/products.asp?cat=789
True Fire™ Instructional DVDs:
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 1
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 2
This episode (Season 2, Episode 7,) originally aired on September 7, 2004.
This project was Jack Osbourne’s BMW X5. This time it was a pretty low-key build.
Mike painted a small mural of the Osbourne family in a skeletal visage. This is an early instance of Mike’s “Skelebrities” style artwork. All of the artwork runs down the driver’s side
Rumor has it that while Jack has since sold the X5, he kept the hood for the wall of his office.
We hope you enjoyed taking a look back at this project. Let us know if there is anything you would like to see us post here in the future!
Maybe this project gave you some ideas, or you already have an idea in mind for your own car, truck, motorcycle, refrigerator, etc?
If you would like to contact Killer Paint about working on your own project, visit our website, or contact us at info@killerpaint.com
Related Links:
The Original Killer Paint Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-Original-KILLER-PAINT-INC/297040465604
The Official Killer Paint Website: www.killerpaint.com
Killer Paint’s “True Fire™ Basics” Blog Series: https://www.killerpaint.com/true-firetrade-basics
Killer Grunge FX™ Spray at Coast Airbrush: https://www.coastairbrush.com/products.asp?cat=789
True Fire™ Instructional DVDs:
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 1
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 2
Killer Paint on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/killerpaint1033/
This episode ( Season 4, Episode 2) aired on January 12, 2007.
The tattoo artists from “Miami Ink” had seen Mike on other television shows. So when they got a new shop Jeep, they decided to call him in to paint artwork on the hood.
Doing paint work on a television show often means having someone looking over your shoulder while you work, and staying focused with the whole crew working around you the whole time.
Mike got to see the tattoo gurus at their workplace, and artist Ami James came up with a Chinese Dragon sketch for the design for Mike to use on on the hood mural as soon as he got to painting.
The hood for the Jeep was waiting for Mike to paint at a local body shop, just down the street from the Love Hate Tattoo shop.
The weather during the job was very humid, and extremely hot. But when there’s a job to do, and a limited window of time in which to do it, sweating it out is the only option to get it done.
After the paint work was done, Mike got to keep the original concept sketch that Ami drew for the design, and as of this posting, he still has it on the wall above his desk at Killer Paint.
We hope you enjoyed taking a look back at this project. Let us know if there is anything you would like to see us post here in the future!
Maybe this project gave you some ideas, or you already have an idea in mind for your own car, truck, motorcycle, refrigerator, etc?
If you would like to contact Killer Paint about working on your own project, visit our website, or contact us at info@killerpaint.com
Related Links:
The Original Killer Paint Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-Original-KILLER-PAINT-INC/297040465604
The Official Killer Paint Website: www.killerpaint.com
Miami Ink on TLC: http://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/miami-ink/
Killer Paint’s “True Fire™ Basics” Blog Series: https://www.killerpaint.com/true-firetrade-basics
Killer Grunge FX™ Spray at Coast Airbrush: https://www.coastairbrush.com/products.asp?cat=789
True Fire™ Instructional DVDs:
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 1
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 2
Killer Paint on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/killerpaint1033/
This episode of “Rides” (Season 4, Episode 3) originally aired August 9, 2005.
For this show, Mike was tasked to go head-to-head on a painting challenge with California airbrush artist Yvonne Mecialis. Each would receive a silver Pontiac G6 to paint, and only a week to do it!
Afterward, both cars would be brought together to determine whose brush was mightiest!
(It’s hard enough to paint on a deadline, but there is also the camera crew filming the process to contend with as well!)
Mike decided that the car would get a biomechanical look, a la H.R. Giger, fused with an ancient Egyptian theme.
First, the car was covered bumper to bumper with biomech elements and hieroglyphs, with a Pharaoh dominating the hood. Small “Easter eggs” and other hidden nods/homages were scattered throughout the design. Airbrushes and Killer Paint’s skull logo were placed amongst the symbols, and the scarab used in the House of Kolor paint logo was incorporated as well.
At this point, covered in elaborate silver biomech designs, the car looks like a job well done. However, what came next made some viewers’ jaws drop. Much of this design was now to be painted over!
The car was masked off with an array of tears and shreds, and then painted blue… leaving the elaborate biomech elements peeking out, revealed only where the paint areas appeared to peel away. Shading and painted peeling effects added depth to the multilayer effect. A portrait of Mike’s competition Yvonne, is on the trunk lid in back.
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Here are some more details in the finished paint job. A mechanical spine is revealed on the roof, and some of the hieroglyphs on the hood.
Once the car is done, it is sent off to the site of the showdown…
…where the competition is waiting.
Yvonne’s car also has a biomech flavor, and possibly some inspiration from the 1927 Sci-Fi classic “Metropolis.” She incorporated bright swooshes of color into her design as well.
In the end, the show’s producers decided that they couldn’t determine a clear winner, and declared the showdown a draw. Everybody wins!
Unfortunately though, the two cars painted for this competition were not production models. They were not issued VIN numbers, and were not street legal. As such, they were scheduled to be destroyed after the show wrapped. Some removable parts from the car were saved and brought back to Killer Paint before its final demise.
The hood featuring the biomech Pharaoh is still hanging on the wall of the Killer Paint shop as of this posting.
Did you see this show when it originally aired? What did you think of the competition, and what was your favorite part of this project? Let us know in the comments!
Also tell us if there is anything you would like to see posted here in the future.
Oh! and Here is a bonus Wallpaper image featuring the Biomech G6 as well. Enjoy!
We hope you enjoyed taking a look back at this project. Let us know if there is anything you would like to see us post here in the future!
Maybe this project gave you some ideas, or you already have an idea in mind for your own car, truck, motorcycle, refrigerator, etc?
If you would like to contact Killer Paint about working on your own project, visit our website, or contact us at info@killerpaint.com
Related Links:
The Original Killer Paint Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-Original-KILLER-PAINT-INC/297040465604
The Official Killer Paint Website: www.killerpaint.com
Killer Paint’s “True Fire™ Basics” Blog Series: https://www.killerpaint.com/true-firetrade-basics
Killer Grunge FX™ Spray at Coast Airbrush: https://www.coastairbrush.com/products.asp?cat=789
True Fire™ Instructional DVDs:
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 1
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 2
Biomech FX™ Spinal Trap™ Freehand Templates : Artool Freehand Airbrush Templates, Biomech Spinal Trap
Killer Paint on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/killerpaint1033/
This episode originally aired Jan. 24, 2006. This time Chip Foose and his team took on two overhauls for an employee of NAPA Auto Parts. In addition to her ’67 El Camino, they also Overhauled her NAPA 2003 Chevy S-10 pickup.
Mike was brought in to add some heat to the paint job in the form of True Fire.
The truck got a classic True Fire streak off of each of the wheel wells.
Nothing is safe from the airbrush on these projects. Even this oversized NAPA hat gets touched by flames.
In the end, it is probably safe to say that this is the hottest “delivery truck” at NAPA
Do you remember seeing this episode on television? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
We hope you enjoyed taking a look back at this project. Let us know if there is anything you would like to see us post here in the future!
Maybe this project gave you some ideas, or you already have an idea in mind for your own car, truck, motorcycle, refrigerator, etc?
If you would like to contact Killer Paint about working on your own project, visit our website, or contact us at info@killerpaint.com
Related Links:
The Original Killer Paint Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-Original-KILLER-PAINT-INC/297040465604
The Official Killer Paint Website: www.killerpaint.com
Killer Paint’s “True Fire™ Basics” Blog Series: https://www.killerpaint.com/true-firetrade-basics
Killer Grunge FX™ Spray at Coast Airbrush: https://www.coastairbrush.com/products.asp?cat=789
True Fire™ Instructional DVDs:
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 1
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 2
Killer Paint on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/killerpaint1033/
Chip Foose Official Website: http://www.chipfoose.com
This episode originally aired on May 21, 1010.
In this episode, Bill Goldberg and the “Garage Mahal” team were tasked to… (blah, blah, blah… BMX Garage, yadda yadda.)
Sure, the garage turned out great, but Mike wasn’t messing around in the garage. He was out back working on something much bigger- The family’s riding/skating pool. He was painting a pretty massive mural for the Taylor family, and it was going to require all of his attention.
Goldberg and Mike discuss how the project is going…
While it was still dark, the original concept sketch of Mike’s design was projected onto the surface at the full size, to get things blocked out.
Mike had to take his shoes off to avoid scuffing or damaging the paint while he worked. In addition to the main mural, he added faux cracks and stains around the edges to tie it all in.
And at the end of the day, voila! Here is the completed mural!
Despite his tough-guy appearance, Goldberg is a actually pretty nice guy.
Did you see this episode on television? What part of the project did you like best?
We hope you enjoyed taking a look back at this project. Let us know if there is anything you would like to see us post here in the future!
Maybe this project gave you some ideas, or you already have an idea in mind for your own car, truck, motorcycle, refrigerator, etc?
If you would like to contact Killer Paint about working on your own project, visit our website, or contact us at info@killerpaint.com
Related Links:
The Original Killer Paint Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-Original-KILLER-PAINT-INC/297040465604
The Official Killer Paint Website: www.killerpaint.com
Killer Paint’s “True Fire™ Basics” Blog Series: https://www.killerpaint.com/true-firetrade-basics
Killer Grunge FX™ Spray at Coast Airbrush: https://www.coastairbrush.com/products.asp?cat=789
True Fire™ Instructional DVDs:
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 1
The Secrets of Airbrushing True Fire™ – Part 2
Killer Paint on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/killerpaint1033/
Killer Paint Proudly Uses House of Kolor Products
Killer Paint Airbrush Studio 