There is an art to it: TSTC auto refinishing students learn to airbrush

(WACO, Texas) – Some of the artistic skills that students learn in Texas State Technical College’s Auto Collision and Management Technology program start with small, hand-held airbrushes.

“Airbrushing uses a fine, detailed version of a spray gun that allows precision in artwork,” said Jesse Hildebrandt, an instructor in the program at the Waco campus.

Airbrushing is used in custom work in the automotive industry. The paint style can be used to create everything from small graphics to large designs on motor vehicles of all sizes. Hildebrandt said airbrushing can also be used to do small touch-ups.

“You can earn a very good living off just airbrushing alone,” Hildebrandt said. “There are lots of avenues that airbrushing can take you.”

Students taking the program’s Specialized Refinishing Techniques class learn to get comfortable using airbrushes that are connected to air compressors. Students are taught how to pour paint into the fluid cap of an airbrush, how much pressure to apply to its main lever, and the steps to correct cleaning after use.

“Airbrushing and spraying with a paint gun are all about the control and technique, and once you find out how to control your spray patterns, then you can even use your spray gun for larger-scale murals,” Hildebrandt said.

Hildebrandt said having artistic vision and being attentive to detail are keys to successful airbrushing.

“The ability to transfer an idea or image from your mind to display for everyone to see is really amazing,” he said. “In the car world, all I see is art. The way color is laid out on a car or motorcycle is an art. When someone airbrushes a mural or design on a vehicle, people can’t help but stop and look at it because it draws you in.”

Students taking the program’s refinishing classes can range from having no artistic talent to those who like to draw and paint in their free time. The program teaches students what they need to know about airbrushing so that later they can walk confidently into a paint booth and work with automotive panels.

A memory from student Esme Guerrero’s childhood growing up in Comanche was her father’s baby blue lowrider bearing a mural of the Virgin of Guadalupe. It played a role in building her interest in trucks and painting.

Guerrero is in her third semester in the program and is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Auto Collision and Management Technology – Refinishing Specialization. She said she has enjoyed learning how to airbrush because she can see how far her creativity might take her.

“It’s what your own hands can do,” Guerrero said. “This is different from painting. Airbrushing is a different art.”

A student in the program known for his artwork is Isaiah Palacios, of Waco. He also is in his third semester of the program and is working toward an associate degree in the program’s refinishing specialization. 

Even though Palacios is already using paint guns, he looks forward to honing his airbrush skills in the Specialized Refinishing Techniques class.

“I like to be on campus and see the GTs, the Camaros, the Nissans,” he said. “I see a lot of sports cars here, and that motivates me.”

Palacios grew up with an interest in cars, shoes and art. He said classmates at China Spring High School would ask him to paint their calculators and any other items they could put in front of him.

“It clears my mind,” he said. “Who can tell you that your art is not perfect? Art is not just one thing; it is anything. You can create anything that your mind comes to.”

Palacios said he loves colors and the methods of changing their shades. He is currently in the process of painting a panel dark lime green for one of his classes.

“Once I get my name known, I would love to put my own art out there, especially if I open my own shop and have my own logo,” he said.

TSTC’s Auto Collision and Management Technology program offers associate degrees with specializations in refinishing and repair, along with a repair specialization co-op. The program also offers certificates of completion in refinishing and repair..

Registration continues for the fall semester. For more information, go to tstc.edu.