UX Could Possibly Be World's First Inked Vehicle

Getting Inked

The concept of custom paint jobs is nearly as old as the automobile itself. As are tattoos. But one thing we haven't seen is a tattooed car, really. Until now. Lexus is claiming that this UX is the very first tattooed car ever, which may or may not be technically true. But we do know that it looks cool enough to warrant more tattooed cars popping up in the near future. 

Photos: Lexus

Fine Craftsmanship

Lexus is always looking for new ways to show off the fine craftsmanship and traditional Japanese artistry that go into their vehicles. Thus, they enlisted leading London tattoo artist Claudia De Sabe to transform this "blank canvas" white UX into something truly special. And this is no airbrush job, either.

Photos: Lexus 

>>Join the conversation about the UX getting a tattoo right here in the ClubLexus forum. 

Familiar Motif

De Sabe used a Dremel drill tool in place of a fine tattooing needle to produce a sweeping design featuring a koi carp along the entire length of the UX. The koi fish is a familiar motif from traditional Japanese art, representing qualities of good fortune and perseverance. 

Photos: Lexus 

>>Join the conversation about the UX getting a tattoo right here in the ClubLexus forum. 

Complex Design

De Sabe used the Dremel tool to drill away the surface paint and expose the metal underneath. This way, she could create a complex pattern. De Sabe then applied roughly a gallon and a half of high-quality car paint by hand to bring out the details. As a finishing touch, she used gold leaf to create highlights and give the design a stronger 3D effect, before the whole vehicle was given a protective lacquer coating so that it can be driven on the road.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the UX getting a tattoo right here in the ClubLexus forum. 

Painstaking Process

The entire, painstaking process took six months to complete, from concept to reality. The "tattooing" itself filled five eight-hour days of intensive work. It was physically demanding, with the vibration of the drill and working with an object that, unlike a human, couldn’t be moved into a comfortable position as the design progressed. Where any small slips in a human tattoo can quite easily be worked or colored into the pattern, the engraving with the drill required absolute precision. The result is a work of art estimated to be worth upwards of $140,000.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the UX getting a tattoo right here in the ClubLexus forum. 

Applying Skills

This was the first time De Sabe has ever applied her skills to a vehicle, which was quite the learning process. "When you tattoo a person, you have to think about the muscles and tissue beneath the skin," she said. "With the car, it was about the way the bodywork changes shape over the framework. The best thing about tattooing the Lexus UX, and the reason why this car was ideal for the project, is its streamlined shape. Everything from the lines on the side of the body to the shape of the windows, everything is just so dynamic and beautiful. It was a perfect fit for the design and the concept itself."

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the UX getting a tattoo right here in the ClubLexus forum. 

Perfect Fit

Lexus feels that this tattooed exterior is a perfect match for the takumi craftsmanship that is applied to every Lexus, and we have to agree. The result of this latest partnership is something that truly pleases the eye, and it makes sense on a variety of levels. And it makes us want to break out our Dremel tool on our own Lexus, too!

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the UX getting a tattoo right here in the ClubLexus forum. 

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