I looking to spray some body panels with a simple pattern involving 2 colours - where the colours change about 1/2 way across the panel, at a point where there is no crease or join in the panel to aid in masking.

How would you guys suggest I mask and spray ?

a) mask the pattern (where the second colour is going to go), spray the first colour, allow to dry, remask the pattern over the first first colour then spray the second, or.....

b) spray the first colour up to and beyong where the first colour stops, then mask the pattern and spray the second colour ?

Don't know whether that makes sense (if it doesn't I'll try and describe it differently). It seems to me that by masking twice (option a) you'd end up with a large ridge where the two colours meet - with the single mask you'd still get a ridge, but smaller, i.e. less "finishing" required.

Probably a dumb question but thought I'd ask anyway.

Cheers ... Kimbo

[ Edited on 21-8-2007 by Kimbo ]

Option A but after you have applied the both colours get some 1200 and rub the ridge out carefully and then apply a few coats of clear

You can do this using both 2 pak and acrylic paints just a bit a stuffing arounds but looks heaps good

Thanks, I suspected that would be the way to go.

Cheers ... kimbo

I would do the smaller colour first. Then rub the hazy dry finish area that has gone past and into the main colour area, finishing with 1500 on the masking area.

Then mask off the small colour area and paint the main colour. Use fine line tape first, which comes in 6mm or 3mm. Usually blue or fawn in colour and almost looks like pinstripe. It is a sharp edge tape, and doesn't leave a ragged edge on colour masking when doing two tone.

The other option is to do the colours in basecoat and then clear over the whole lot. The edge is almost non existent if the basecoat is applied smooth and consistent.

I knew compayo would give you the corect answer mine was the
short cut

Many thanks guys - waiting until it warms up a bit more in sunny SA before I have a go, but will post some pics of the results.

Cheers ... Kim