How do i add a vipper racing stripe

Hi all,first i would like to say thanks to everyone for the help of base coats and which is the best clear coat in my previous threads.
Your help has resulting me achieving a way better finish and gloss than i would of achieve using cellulose.
I have finished spraying my ac cobra but would like to add a racing stripe,i was wondering what would be the best way of applying it.
Once masked off the area i wish to paint,what shall i do next.

Do i key the suface and prime as the car is now black and i wish to have a white stripe.
Also whats the best paint do i use ,do i use a basecoat then clear or a high gloss 2K Acrylic Paint with no need for clear.

Thanks for any replies.

Buy a vinyl one, so much easier.

Most stripes, like on the ford focus and like, are vinyl stick ons and not paint

Originally Posted by Wozzaaah Buy a vinyl one, so much easier.

type in google go fast stripes. all the companys advertise no kid im serious

Originally Posted by brightspark type in google go fast stripes. all the companys advertise no kid im serious

there on ebay as well under go fast stripes sumone from mansfield

Taint easy doing the vinyl stripes straight mind you. I should know - it's my job! I think to get someone to do the job for you would cost between £50 and £70 - thats including material costs.

if you go along the line of painting it on dont use normal masking tape as its too thick and you will get nasty edges on it go to the bodyshop and get some proper tape

^ I did that once on a mini bonnet, used normal masking tape then sprayed it.
Ended up with ragged, feathered edges and it looked awful!
£50-£70 sounds pretty good, you want it to look right, nothing worse than something like that going on off-centre or just plain wonky and if they get it wrong they'll redo it.

You just mask the stripe off with fineline tape then paint. Key the substrate with scotchbrite or wet and dry. What paint I use depends on whether it's going under laquer or not, I use base coat under laquer and solid 2K if it's exposed.


The stripes and lettering on this tank is basecoat applied before laquering

As above. If no curves, could go for something like 12mm blue 3M masking tape. It's plastic, will curve/stretch. So don't pull too hard on it or it'll go out of shape.
Or 3mm fineline 3M blue curves nicely, and you can pin down one end and tension the other to get a straight 'lay', kind of thing.
Either will work, depends what you like best.

The blue 3M tape rocks. Comes in diff widths so you can make even gaps with it between stripes.

If white onto dark build the white gradually with thin coats to minimise the ridge against the tape.

If you want it cleared after and totally flat, do a cycle of clearcoat / take down ridge/join a little - don't break through - go until it's level.

Check the original stripe spec if poss - just might find it has a taper. My Mustang had slight tapering stripes so that visually they looked an even width.... this was done from the factory...