[smithkustoms]

Im going to be painting a corvette with deltron DBC in a few days and need some advice. The car will be yellow with a solid black stripe down the middle.
The stripe will be like the 69 camaro's stripe. It will have a 1/4" gap of the yellow and then a 1/4" of black to surround the main stripe. (see picture)
The customer wants the stripe painted and as smooth as possible.

What is the best type of fine-line tape to use? I need a tape that will not bleed or pull off the fresh base-coat and leave a perfect low line.

#2: Anyone know any tips or tricks to help me keep the line as clean as possible?

#3: Should I use DX57 activator in the deltron dbc base-coat since it will be fresh when I tape the stripe?


Thanks for your time!

[Countilaw]

Go to your local paint supplier..... As for the 3M multi stripe tape. It's 3/4 inch wide and is cut into 1/16 inch width strips.

You lay the tape down, and pull out the strips that you don't want to mask.

The stripes you are talking about are called Malibu stripes. The solid panel has a 1/8 inch space between it and the 3/16ths pin stripe.

Frank Cox
Cox Custom Cars

[milo]

Originally Posted by smithkustoms

#2: Anyone know any tips or tricks to help me keep the line as clean as possible?

#3: Should I use DX57 activator in the deltron dbc base-coat since it will be fresh when I tape the stripe?


Thanks for your time!

#2 use the back of your fingernail to be sure that tape is flat, no bubbles no maybes .. green tape like suggested above for straight lines ... blue for sharp turns..



#3 -->As tempting as the DX57 might seem I would say to pass on it. True it makes DBC act like DBU but there may be some risk there ie. gummy, imprintable etc. DBC on it's own will do fine.

http://www.a2zautoforums.com/showpos...4&postcount=57

[deadbodyman]

I like the blue fine line too...When going around a tight turn dont pull so hard it streaches the tape ,it gets thinner and will pull off from stress ...make a nice tight turn a little at a time you'll see when you get started...

[302 Z28]

3M makes a fine line tape that is actually three pieces of tape. You lay it down then remove the center piece for a perfectly spaced 1/4" gap. It is available in various gap widths.

Vince

[39Hemi]

I've got a similar project coming up in a couple of weeks ans wondered what tricks you use to get the stripes straight and parallel. Typically when I try to layout a long line I wind up getting some waves.

[milo]

sometimes you can use regular 3/4 inch masking tape to have a guide for your stripe tape to run next to ... measure , check twice and then remove the 3/4 inch tape,





just light pressure on the guide tape of course. Over the distance of a curved hood or deck panel the lines want to move and it can drive ya


http://www.a2zautoforums.com/showthread.php?t=3407

[Countilaw]

To make a nice straight line, stick one end of the tape where you want the line to start. String the tape down the body panel and eyeball the line like aiming a rifle down the panel. Pull the tape until taunt and lay the tape down on the panel.

Frank Cox
Cox Custom Cars

[deadbodyman]

And somewhere out back of your paint store they have rolls of 1/4" regular masking tape you can use as a guide.not a lot of people know this.....Measuring is a very good idea but don't mark with any type of writing instrument use tape for that too....and for making tight curves two 1/8" pieces of fine line are easier than trying to make one piece of 1/4" make a tight turn...The gun sighting trick is the key to a straight line. don't be afraid to tear it all off and start all over again if you think it don't look right, painting it wont change anything.....

[Brimstone]

When I had done the striping on my '78 T/A, I had used a black Vis-a-Vis water-soluble pen for temporary guidelines (these are the same pens that teacher's use for overhead projectors). Then again I don't have a high-dollar paint job so I wasn't too worried about complications.

I even used the pens to draw a grid on the hood when I free-handed the screaming chicken hood bird. Drew the grid, layed out the tape, erased the grid, and proceeded to paint.