If you get too close, you may feel a few sparks. An electrically charged powder coating process is one way a local man is adding his personalized design to his All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). As you step into the garage of local resident Craig Weston, it’s apparent artistic work takes place within the four walls. Rows of powdered colours are aligned neatly on the doors of his spray booth. Next to it is an oven the size of a refrigerator used to heat seal the powdered colour onto the metals. Tools of all kinds line the walls with a workbench in the middle.
This garage is where Weston spends his spare time to customizing his quad with decals and pieces he has built by hand. Weston cuts checker plated scraps of metal, powder coats them, then uses adhesive to apply them to his quad. The shiny, sparkling blue powder coating adds a unique look and design to his ATV. Weston says powder coating is the way to go since it won’t chip like paint. Weston has also added his own custom upholstery and graphics to compliment the design. The process has required immense patience and attention to detail.
Weston’s unique designs and additions have brought him international attention. He explains the whole process began as a hobby, and he didn’t realize how much interest it would gain. A simple post on social media put his work of art into the eyes of many ATV enthusiasts. “I basically posted it on Can Am Monsters, which is a Facebook site and it took off from there. I kept expanding it, posting it here and there, and pretty quick it went worldwide,” said Weston. According to ATV Rider, his quad has been dubbed “the monster of all Outlanders.”
“It’s crazy, I didn’t think it would turn into this, but things are going real good and there’s a lot of opportunities starting to open up,” said Weston.
The process has taken Weston about seven months to complete. Along with designing custom decals he has also built a variety of additions. Some include his custom made snorkel and exhaust system and a 30 horsepower shot nitrous system. Weston has also designed and installed a pressure washing system on the rear box of his quad, which makes his ATV unlike any other. “I wanted to do something that’s never been done, and take what customization is out there and expand on it,” he added.
Casey Wilson, Newway Motorsports Store Manager, says there’s a trend among ATV enthusiasts who are into modifications. “I think quad customization isn’t so much a matter of necessity, it’s more of a passion for people. It’s a hobby, guys just like to make the biggest, badest ATV they can.”
Weston says he hopes to connect with Can Am to do a custom build. “Now that I know what it takes to wow everybody, I’ve got a project coming up that will make everyone’s heads spin.” Although he is looking forward to starting on his next build, he says it may have to wait until he can fit it into his budget. He explains that adding custom parts can get quite expensive. He’s currently communicating with some companies to try and gain some sponsorship.
Craig Weston’s quad, dubbed “ the monster of all Outlanders” sits in his garage.
Craig Weston uses his professional powder coater in his garage.
