Custom Graphics on a Nissan Murano - Layin' It Down

13.Here's a trick idea: John made a tool of his own using paintbrush bristles.

14.John spread the bristles apart, as we show here, and taped both ends.

15.John then used this great little tool to create the look of animal fur.

16.Notice how the brush bristles made the paint come to life.

17.After John finished spraying the flames, he pulled the tape off.

18.Not bad - the flames look like actual leopard spots.

19.With the flames out of the way, John began to airbrush shadows around the edge of the taped-off trim.

20.Once the trim was shadowed, the tape was removed to reveal a 3-D-like silver trim.

21.To finish waking up the trim, another center section was taped off and airbrushed. This step made the trim appear three-dimensional.

22.Note the attention to detail that brings the trim to life. The 3-D effect was extended down to the edge of the taillight housing.

23.John showed off his talent again by handstriping the flames with black. Not all people can handstripe, so tape off whatever you are striping.

24.John added a little flair to the flames with tiny licks that come off the striping. It looks pretty sweet.

25.Here is a close-up of the details. Notice how the orange section flows smoothly into the trim and the trim flows evenly into the flames. This is why a painter's taping technique is so important.

26.This is the finished two-toned look, split with the silver 3-D trim and leopard flames. It's a simple, but very impressive, paint scheme.

27.After the paint labor, the Nissan is cut and buffed to a brilliant shine using the Presta Products buffing system.

28.Our finished product. After some modest lowering and a little interior love, this Murano will be ready to send off to the Nissan booth at the 2004 SEMA show.