newbie striping question

[Carlos]

just starting out in custom painting. One of my first projects is to be an old skool hot-rod flames on a helmet. Question is: is it best to put the pinstripe edging on before the clearcoat, or after? I've watched a few youtube vids, and have seen it done both ways.

If putting it on before the clearcoat, I'd assume you want your clear to be well applied so that minimal work required after, because I'm thinking there would be a difference in paint thickness, unless you spent hours clearing and flatting with several coats!

Edit: I'll be working in auto airs and waterbased clear on plastic

for something like a 4mm line thickness would you go for an outliner brush, or a standard 000 brush? As it's on a helmet, some of the curves will be quite tight.

[Whit]

As oilbase makes for the better striping,,,
in your case of waterbase,, I'd finish it out,,,
clear and all,, then do the striping,, that way
mistakes can easily be corrected,,, after you
get the stripe you want,, then another clear
coat can be applied,, the oilbase stripe really
does'nt need the clear,, but it's your call,,,
Good Luck on it,, Post your results,, pics 'n stuff !!!
Oh,, on the brushes,, you'll prob need both,,,
the 000 and a good scroll brush should work !!!

[Carlos]

as the clearcoat process will be carried out by local body shop ( I cant handle it were I'm working, and they'll get a better finish)

I'm sure the A-A users DVD says to blow over transparent white to protect work so you can work over it without damaging it? Then clearcoat when the edging is done.

I could always opt out and do it the fineline masking tape way, but I wanna try it the pro way! :whowhere:

[AndyW]

Just a slight jack, how good/versatile are striping wheels?

[Strictly Attitude]

depends on the striping paint also

[Carlos]

Just a slight jack, how good/versatile are striping wheels?do you mean like a Beugler? I was also wondering...

still looks almost as hard to use it without the magnetic guide as doing it with a brush

[AndyW]

Carlos, yip that was one of the ones I had been looking at.

[moose]

If you are looking for the "Old School" look then lay out the flames clear it them do the out line stripe. Bcck in the day the stripe was layed on after to cover and blend the flame edge to cover any minor waves in the paint edge. As Whit said for a helmet you will probably do sa much better job by using a liner for the tight curves and a sword for the longer pulls.

Tim

[moose]

Just a slight jack, how good/versatile are striping wheels?

You will find that you can do better design work by using brushes. As with anything there is a learning curve to both so you might as well practice with the brush!

Tim

[AndyW]

Cheers Moose, was thinking the same, just a oh......that looks a handy gadget.....don't have one of those lol..........

[theairbrushguy]

Andy, the bugler is actually a pretty cool tool for doing straight long pulls if you cant just brush them. But very difficult (my opinion) to do curves and such with any degree of acuraccy. And Carlos, what brand of striping paints do you actually have access to? What is available to you may determine your best path.
TABG

www.theairbrushguys.com

[AndyW]

Cheers ABG, we both can get hold of one shot over here which makes a change.

[flat screwd]

I agree with everybody, you should clear before striping especially if this is you first wack at it. As far as buglers go I have one and it went something like this , bought it, tryed it , put it away. I found it difficult to turn. The only thing that I have used it on with any sucess is trailer frames.

[moose]

Cheers Moose, was thinking the same, just a oh......that looks a handy gadget.....don't have one of those lol..........

Actually they have thier uses. I have seen a neat stand that uses a beugler to stripe wheels. Man can never have too many gagets!!!

Tim

[AndyW]

Actually they have thier uses. I have seen a neat stand that uses a beugler to stripe wheels. Man can never have too many gagets!!!

Tim

Keep telling the wife this, after 20 odd years, she still takes a bit of convincing.

[Carlos]

thought I might be a ble to stripe with the auto air semi opaque, but a it says on the label- its not opaque enough! Doesnt flow nicely either. So I have access to model making enamels. Just bought a tin of silver and had a play; it covers OK, flows well and seems to help the brush grip better than waterbased. Now all I need to do is lose the shakey hand!!! maybe give up the caffene?