How to get multiple sheens on body?

[arisley28]

I am building a replica of a Roadrunner my dad used to own, and am having trouble with figuring out the sequencing of the paint and clear coats to replicate the paint job. Without going into specific layout (the only picture I have is in my head), it is going to be a combination of gloss and matte/semi-gloss sections with pinstriping between the two sections (think Frank De Rosa's Cowboy Cadillac after Barry Weiss got his hands on it). I have never done a paint job with multiple sheens before, but have done multiple color paint jobs before, though it was basically two colors separated by a thin stripe of a third color. Has anyone else attempted something like this on a model before? Any hints/suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Edited October 29, 2013 by arisley28

[MAGNUM4342]

GOOD question! I've never done this, but it seems to me the first inclination would be to do the gloss, then go to satin and flat. But then this raises the question of how they were layered on the car. I did once try to make a car look like it had been in a wreck by dragging some silver paint across the finished car so it looked like paint scraped off. Of course it was easy to spot that the silver was on top and the effect was blown.

Maybe you should go into a deeper description of what you're going for.

[Ace-Garageguy]

One potential problem is that mattes and flats sometimes pick up marks from being handled...which of course you cant polish out, or you ruin the whole effect. I've tried painting the semi-gloss first, and had unhappy tape-lines show up when I removed the masking.

Because the flats like to be painted last, it's also a good idea to use a flat or matte that covers very well, like in one coat. If you have to apply multiple coats to get full hiding of the under-color, you risk getting a very visible masking edge from thick paint buildup.

I think experimentation with the materials you're going to use is the hot setup on this one.

[arisley28]

A little more about the paint scheme and layout:

1.) The gloss and semi-gloss (confirmed that with the old man last night) paints are both black.

2.) The pinstriping was red, blue, white, grey, or silver, depending on when I base the car on. (That car got repainted more than most women paint their nails.)

3.) As for layout, it was mostly gloss black, but the standard HEMI stripe/graphic on the rear quarter panels was done in semi-gloss black with pinstriping all of the edges (including the letters), as well as the fat stripe up the middle of the hood (which was continued over the roof and trunk).

I really wish I had a picture of the car, because there are details I know I am forgetting after almost 30 years. That car is probably the reason I love muscle cars to this day (and the first vehicle I ever went 100+ mph in. Dad basically put all of the performance components of a Superbird into the Roadrunner body, and left out the front nose and huge wing in the back. (He always said if he wanted wings on his car, he'd build a plane.)

Back to the topic, where I am running into issues is the pinstriping between the gloss and semi gloss black sections. I am thinking about doing it like this:

1.) Draw out the stripes and graphics on the body after primer

2.) Lay down the pinstriping color (probably going with silver or white, but not 100% sure) except the letters in the HEMI graphic and a layer of gloss clear to prot.

3.) Mask off the pinstriping (basically define them with 1/64" tape and leave the masker on until the final coat of gloss.)

4.) Paint (airbrush) everything else with gloss black and a layer of gloss clear.

5.) Mask off everything that needs to stay gloss black.

6.) Lay down dullcote for the semi-gloss areas.

Another area where I am struggling is how to fit the sanding in that I am going to need to keep the coats even and deal with possible orange peel/paint issues. I think I should buy stock in whoever makes Purple Power, because I see myself going through about a gallon or ten of it on this car.

Edited October 30, 2013 by arisley28