Painting Stripes Process

[Wbulk]

I am doing the body work on my car and have been thinking about the process of painting the stripes in the future. I am thinking that it presents some difficulties if not done in the right order. It would appear after base coat the hood and truck must be installed with the margins perfect. The stripes must be all layed out and taped, and then they are removed for painting so you can clear coat after the stripe to get both sides. Or do you paint the stripes on the car and then remove them. I have seen pictures of the stripes being painting on the hood and truck on and off the car. From your experience what is the best process. This is one of those subjects that it would be wonderful to see a step by step process, including laying out the stripes.

Thanks.
Wayne

[dallas_]

There are two basic ways to do this.

1. Paint the base color first, then paint the the stripes over that.
2. Paint the stripe color first, then the base color.

I'm at the painting stage and will be painting the stripe color first. After the stripe color is layed down I'll mount the body and trunk on the chassis and then tape out the stripes.

Then I'll spray the base color, remove the tape and spray the clear over the whole thing.

You can spray the stripes on over the base color, but you have to tape everything that is not a stripe, and make sure you don't get any stripe color overspray on anything else.

You are right about laying out the stripes carefully. If you won't have your chassis at the paint booth, maybe before you paint, you can mount the body on the chassis, layout your stripes, then mark those locations on the underside of the body, hood and trunk so you can use those markings when you are taping in the booth.

[Clois Harlan]

I have done it both ways Wayne and they both require some careful masking. Not sure which is best but be sure you get it right the first time with your base coats.