Japanese Car Artist Reveals His Car-Engraving Technique at SEMA
Culture
Builders
Events
When you first glance at the 2015 Nissan GT-R in the AFK Forged display at SEMA 2016, you might think it’s exterior is engraved with an intricate pattern. But our chat with Takahiko Izawa, the master craftsman behind the design, revealed his complex process of painting, grinding, and curing a car’s finish for spectacular results.
The GT-R, a model Izawa chose for its iconic shape and speed, has been wowing crowds all week at this year’s SEMA show, which wraps up today. “Japanese people think the Nissan GT-R is the fastest car in the world,” he said.
How does he produce such amazing results? It starts when Izawa sketches out designs for about month before he begins work. “I have the design floating in my mind for a long time,” said Izawa, in an exclusive interview with eBay Motors. “I have so many designs in my mind that I haven’t used yet.”
Then, Izawa lays down a thick layer of primer. Using small rotary tools, he grinds away at that primer to create the swirling pattern with floral motifs. To create geometric ornamentation, he sets out markings with tape. That’s when Izawa sprays four layers of a proprietary metallic paint that took him 10 years to perfect.
For the GT-R, the first layer was silver, followed by three layers of candy yellow. Each layer needs to cure for eight hours at about 175 degrees Fahrenheit. He then removes the tape as the last layer of paint is curing. Each panel is separately manipulated and painted.
Because Izawa never grinds down to raw metal, he doesn't have to worry about the sheet metal rusting. And the paint holds up well—although his crew at SEMA had to constantly wipe down the fingerprints from crowds of show-goers who simply couldn’t resist touching the car.
In addition to the gold Nissan GT-R, owned by customizer Kuhl Racing, Izawa produced a similar effect—but in silver—on a 2016 Subaru WRX displayed at SEMA. He’s currently working on a Lexus Vellfire racing van for display at next year’s Tokyo Motor Show. We can't wait to see it.
About the author
Share your feedback
This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.