Thread: ghost stripes???

Tweet

I am by no means a painter but was wondering if it is possible to ghost a set of challenger stripes on a car? any advice or ideas welcome

Sure you can. Because you are working with straight lines instead of curves like flames, you will more than likely not want to use multiple tinting hues. Unless you want tubular '3D' looking stripes. (not a bad idea) Depending where you are in the process, the concept will be different. I like to use HOK Intercoat SG-100 as a mixing base for dry pearls. But be sure to know what you are shooting over! SG-100 can have violent results over a catalized urethane enamel. You can use whatever clear is compatible with what ever system you are using. SG-100 is nice for its low build properties and added working time alowed between coats. Anyway, after you are sanded/scuffed and cleaned and tacked, lay out your design. I like to use the 3-M blue plasiic tape for its straight edge then overlap it with green masking tape. Be sure to cover any thing you dont want colored. Pick a pearl color that compliments your base color in a subtle way. Blue's, violet's, work well with a dark base for example. mix your clear to spec and add the pearl. A little bit goes a long way. And remember, you can always add more with a second coat. Removing too much on the other hand, is an art few can master. So be conservative. Use a little pearl and go slow. These are ghost stripes. Too little is usually just enough under the city lights. If you want, use your main pearl and graze the edges with a light color such as white or silver. Be VERY careful if you try this. The light pears will stand up and shout on a dark base. Try to keep your layers limited to two or maybe three light coats to avoid too much build up, and follow the flash times recommended for the product and the atmospheric conditions. When your are satisfied or have just plain given up, let things be for a bit until it is time to pull your masking off. This will depend on your choice of clear and the instructions for the particular product. Finish the job with enough coats of final clear coat to hide the tape edge after a good color sand and buff. I have used as many as six coats to hide tape-outs. But after the sanding and buffing your mil thickness will not be a problem. I hope this is of some use to you. I know everybody has their own preferences, so don't bind yourself to just my advice if someboby else has a recommendation for you.

Man that is to the point. But if u are still not sure do a test panel first.