Special effects 101: Old lace

The color sprayed over the terra cotta pot is a candy brown. Candy brown was used because the actual piece is a bronze metallic so the candy will keep the metallic and the candy will leave a subtle effect of the lace. Light coats are used so the paint doesn't run and ruin the pattern. The lace has to be kept in the same place the whole time this is being done. Once done spraying, the lace is lifted straight up off the piece so it doesn't smear.Put the old lace over the piece to be painted. Roofs on lowriders are done a lot because you can just lay the tablecloth down over the whole thing and it wll be perfect. On small curved pieces like this you'll have to pull the fabric tight and hold it because any folds in the fabric will look like fabric folds when sprayed. This plaid pattern also has to be aligned so the squares stay looking like squares.For the test, here is what is used. A flower pot scuffed and degreased to do the old lace effect on a similar color to the actual piece I will be doing the effect on which is a bronze metallic; a HVLP mini spray gun; and an old tablecloth from grandma. the tablecloth has a mostly plaid pattern with a little variation.View the list ยป
Old lace effect

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Old lace is the name for the effect where you spray paint through a porous patterned fabric such as lace and the pattern will be transferred onto the part being sprayed. Lowrider cars use this technique frequently, especially on the roofs to get a pattern with a resemblance of plaid with roses.

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What you will need:

  • Something to paint already basecoated with the color you want, sanded and clean.
  • A piece of fabric with a negative space pattern like a lace tablecloth or a crocheted blanket big enough to cover what you are painting.
  • A second color to spray, usually darker or slightly off the basecoat color.
  • Everything to spray such as an HVLP gun, compressor, respirator, gloves, etc.
  • Clearcoat
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  • For the test, here is what is used. A flower pot scuffed and degreased to do the old lace effect on a similar color to the actual piece I will be doing the effect on which is a bronze metallic; a HVLP mini spray gun; and an old tablecloth from grandma. the tablecloth has a mostly plaid pattern with a little variation.
  • Put the old lace over the piece to be painted. Roofs on lowriders are done a lot because you can just lay the tablecloth down over the whole thing and it wll be perfect. On small curved pieces like this you'll have to pull the fabric tight and hold it because any folds in the fabric will look like fabric folds when sprayed. This plaid pattern also has to be aligned so the squares stay looking like squares.
  • The color sprayed over the terra cotta pot is a candy brown. Candy brown was used because the actual piece is a bronze metallic so the candy will keep the metallic and the candy will leave a subtle effect of the lace. Light coats are used so the paint doesn't run and ruin the pattern. The lace has to be kept in the same place the whole time this is being done. Once done spraying, the lace is lifted straight up off the piece so it doesn't smear.
  • Since I liked how the effect came out, I did it on my actual piece which is a welding helmet. After doing the old lace, spray clear coat  over the whole area. Once it is dry, sand it to get out the texture and either clear coat again or like on this helmet, more effects will be applied.
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Suggested by the author:

, Anaheim Automotive Photography Examiner

Bonnie Peterson is currently a custom painter and has numerous certifications for auto body, refinishing, detailing and estimating and work experience at several high production locations. Bonnie loves custom cars and custom culture and has ambitions of owning her own custom paint and upholstery...

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