Customs I have a paint question

I don't want to get an argument started just need some info. I have been looking at some videos of custom multi-color paint jobs, I would call them Low rider type paint. They seem to use multi layers of tape and masking for each part of the design and peel it off as they go instead of just remasking for each color . Is this a labor saving way to do it. or is it because of the recoat time ?
When doing this style they do not seem to scuff the last coat up before applying the next colors. Is there a time window on this also? Can you stretch out the paint over say five or six days without running into trouble with adhesion?
I just don't think I have the stamina and talent to do it all in the matter of a few hrs. ,but I realise that doing so I may not the the finish I want .With muti layers do you let the color coat dry for a period of time before clear ?
Thanks in advance.I will post a pic of my project but please don't laugh.

 

Usually the type of paint jobs you are talking about consist of a base coat, then a coat of metal flake, then clear and then over that the designs are masked out and sprayed with a candy mixed into a intercoat clear or regular clear and then finally cleared.
The masking in layers and peeling off would mostly be done when one colour of candy or similar colours are being used and the artist is looking for a deeper colour over some areas and not others. So you spray one area first with candy then you unmask another area and spray the whole panel again. The first area will have a darker tone than the second area due to having more layers of candy on them and so forth as you go. If you are using multiple colours you would have to remask the areas that were already sprayed before you sprayed a different colour. If you were doing a fade from one colour to the another then you would not have to remask either but be careful with your spray pattern.

Yes paints have a recoat window that need to be adhered to or you will have delamination. If you are going to leave it for days you will have to scuff the top surface before continuing. Guys will sometimes just shoot a few coats of clear over the whole thing if its going to sit and then scuff it up before applying the next coats days later.

Here is a great thread by Ryno on how the process works:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...e-flake-candies-patterns-custom-paint.801167/

 

My partner in the shop and painter extraordinaire did paint jobs like you describe all the time he called it panel painting which may not have been correct. he did it because you could get a really custom look and do it quickly.

 

K13 is correct, watch your recoat window, and remember when doing candy jobs, always degrease between coats that have set overnight and after taping, because just the oil off your skin can react with the paint, and usually your hands are all over it.

 

Cool stroller.

 

There are inter-coat clears that can be used to help you out when being done by a one man army shop. They can either give you overnight recoat window to start again or "freeze" the job for as long as you need. Scuff it and start again.

 

The intercoat layer is also a good strategy to prevent bleed - through from layer to layer

 

There is a window, typically 4-8 hours depending on the paint. But there are also additives to stretch that window.
I use it when airbrushing. If I remember right with all correct conditions I can get a 48 hr window.

 

Thanks fellas, This is just a small project ,so hopefully I can't screw it up to bad.

 

If you do, scuff and start over. And the paint store will love you more!