Ok guys...I'm going to swirl my floor panels in my car. My question is how to do it. I was told to DA sand the whole panel with 80 grit first and then add the swirls. I'm not sure this is correct and what to add the swirls with. Any info would be great.

grinder

D A the panels first with 150 grit then use a right angle die grinder or something with a high speed with a corse scotch bright roto-loc pad

I am also going to be doing this in a few days. I am going to experiment with a few different types of wheels. I will post some pictures when i'm doing it.

I would like to see pics when u get um

Just had Todd at Performance Signwurks do a set of panels like this, then candy colored the panels. They turned out great. Cheaper than graphics, and the look was awesome. I was going to do it myself, but was concerned about how the finished product would turn out. I know he pre-sands before adding the swirls.

OK I started to experiment with this today. Here are the tools I used. I tired the 50 grit sanding disc and did not like it so ignore that one.

Here is the raw aluminum. Sorry for the glare on some of the pictures.

Then I sanded it with 160 grit.

Then I used a red scotch brite wheel on my grinder for this.

Here is a couple of different patterns I tried. I will probably use the one on the right.

Hope this helps with the people that asked to see the pictures. I will post the finished panels when I am done.

looks good. I like that effect. I almost went that way myself.

Now that you're experienced, are you for hire?

you can really do some cool effects to accent any graphics you put on. wow, the ideas are flowin

They came out very nice! I like the one on the right also!!!

that is what I'm doing with my panels but I'm adding a red tint clear coat with ghost flames and a perl clear top coats!!! hopefully it will look cool.

Cool good job, i like the right and the left

www.spunoutmetalworks.com

Wire Brush in a drill motor....

that look's good!!!!!!!!!!!!!

truly an art of doing it correctly those look very nice

We have done flames and such on bikes . There are a few ways to get it done. The angle air grinder with a larger disc will speed the process up. Second you can use a pencil to keep them in line if that is what you are trying to do. For the flames I free hand them most time for the tricky stuff i draw it out first then go at it. It will take some samples to get it done and to be able to keep the same look on each one.

Another way is with a 4 inch electric grinder that you can pick up cheap and use what is called a flap dics. Get a fine grit as these will take a a bunch off the panel in a blink of a eye. I would get some extra pieces to work on first before you try a panel you are keeping.

This is a friends Funco. I think this is a cool look, just like someone described in the thread but tribal instead of flames.

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Here is a pic of my little car

check out this sight www.spunoutmetalworks.com

Ive seen smiley faces ground into the panels. It looked awesome. This was almost 10 years ago in glamis.

I played around with a car that I built for my boy

I was thinking about trying this also, looks awesome! I powdercoat, so I was thinking about swirling then putting a candy color over it. Do most people just paint over it or powdercoat?

I used powder coat on mine a candy with a clear coat over it

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That looks awesome!!