D Car — November 2003
An archive project by Flock MFGNew issue alerts →
About this issue
250 available scans from D Car — November 2003, in right-to-left reading order. Japanese OCR and English translation drafts are available throughout. Drafts have not received exhaustive image proofreading; unreadable source remains recorded in the archival data.
Page 38 — English draft translation
Here are two cars produced by Art Factory. Their character-themed paint is eye-catching, but can you tell how it differs from previous graphic techniques? The CR-X’s character design is actually a single-piece sheet. In that sense it is like vinyl, but character graphics still feel fresh. Difficult tasks like intricate cutting and fitting the design to a car body became possible thanks to modern cutting machines and Art Factory’s experience.
The S2000, also featured in the previous issue, takes a different approach: film is applied to the body and then airbrushed, a fresh idea. Even people hesitant to airbrush directly onto the car can try this method. If you tire of the pattern, just peel off the film. Both approaches make a full-impact statement, yet let you return the car to its original state easily. Worth a try, right?
Captions and page details
Part 01: Classic Sport Compact
Vinyl vs. Paint
Trend
03
Vinyl graphics are the mainstream choice in sport compacts, but they can lack texture. Paint offers more freedom, yet it’s scary because you can’t simply undo it. Here’s a new technique that solves those concerns in one go!
BRMZ
‘Boundary-crossing’ techniques such as airbrushed paint…
Character-pattern graphics and film graphics are emerging trends!
The latest character graphics can now be applied to a car’s body with ease!
Xaninoa
SPECIFICATIONS Exterior: VeilSide full aero and wing; Art Factory special graphics Suspension: Bilstein front and rear Wheels: RO-JA 18-inch Tires: TOYO (not sold in Japan) Engine: Hayame speed muffler (not sold in Japan)
Inquiries: Beautec & Art Factory, TEL 042-520-2408 (Art Factory)
Beautec
Film and Paint
This car faithfully recreates a movie machine using parts not yet sold in Japan. It is a replica of Devon Aoki’s pink car from Fast & Furious 2. The shocking hot-pink finish makes an unforgettable impression.
Honda
S2000
VeilSide
RO-JA
CHAMPIONS
Hi-Alpine
NDPI
Panasonic
Art Factory explains…
Vinyl graphics: the craftsman’s technique
01
Test-fit it on the vehicle to check the size and how well it follows the body contours. Trim away any excess.
02
Takumi
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A computer is essential for the design!
The graphic is cut out with a cutting plotter, then carefully weeded by hand.
03
Design software is used to create the graphic on a computer. Once the original design is made, changing colors or resizing it is easy.
Spray plenty of water on the body and film, then slide the film around until it is positioned correctly.
To handle body curves and fold the film around the edges, warm it with a heat gun and stretch it into place.
6
04
06
Since its launch, the shop has produced graphics for more than 1,000 cars. It continues researching and developing original designs…
Art Factory
ART FACTORY
Peel carefully, especially along thin lines. If the film shifts, there is still time to correct it, so don’t rush.
Once the film is firmly attached to the body, the job is done. If the film is large, two or three people should work together.
Representative Sawada says the team keeps researching and looking for new methods. 2-49-8 Nakahara, Musashi-Murayama, Tokyo TEL 042-520-2408
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