Great, well thought out, informed answer. Thanks.

Is that a method that would likely be used in a high end shop, or more likely only at in a factory environment like HD? The reason I ask is, If my guy doesn't have access to that software and equip, he will likely be doing his best to replicate it by hand.

 

Dain Bramage occurs naturally for anyone who sprays automotive finishes.
Isocyanates is the dangerous paint chemical that turns lungs and brains to mush.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/

 

He can always make multiple scaled paper tape measures and tape it down up against the existing graphics/design vertically & horizontally to show dimensions.
Take a picture and take that to a sign company who can reproduce the masking according to the layout and it's dimensions.

 

When getting into flames & custom stripping most artist use pin striping or fine edge tape for masking.
Free style air brushing is an art all to itself.
Considering the total number of painters out there, FS artists are few in number.
That's why they get the big bucks, plus they are the best!!!
Top notch professional ones anyways.

 

You are 100% correct.
That's why I had to get away from it.
Ended up in the hospital and gave it up immediately.
Now I can't get near any type of these chemicals as I will break out into hives & rashes.


If one researches the topic of isocyanates they will discover how deadly this chemical/binder really is.
Most, if not all of the truck bed liner roll on/spray type of materials are loaded with isocyanates.
There are stories out there where people have sprayed the inside of cargo vans with these types of materials to only fall over dead within minutes later.
Very dangerous & nasty stuff.

 

This is true with all chemicals involved in the trade. I've been an automotive/industrial painter for 30 years. Never get in a hurry or get cocky and always always always wear the proper ppe for the job. And for f*** sake wear gloves and put a respirator on! Your skin is the largest organ in your body, it absorbs everything you touch. As you've mentioned though, it takes some serious talent to do what some of these guys are capable of. Definitely thinking outside of the box for sure. The problem a lot of painters have, myself included, is that some have a tendency to overthink it. There's some absolutely incredible videos on YouTube and if you watch some of those men and women do their work they make the most difficult looking finish look easy as hell.

 

Check this out.
http://www.chopcult.com/forum/showthread.php?t=328

 

I wonder if my buddy didn't read that how to, great writeup. he told me he just researched it on the internet and went at it.

is it possible the graphics inside the stripes on the OP's bike are in fact decals that are just clear coated over? I'm certain the HD emblem on my tank is just a decal.



I did read that it takes 17 days and 22 steps for the MOCO to paint the tank on a CVO breakout.

 

If it's not a decal it's going to be difficult to duplicate. They would have laid on the base coat, then used something to create the "striping effect" then put on the top shade.

My boyfriend did this paint job. He created the marbled look by putting down the black, then while it was wet he used cling wrap to create the marble effect, then he laid on the candy blue. The stripe is also painted on, glittered and then shaded.

It's all buried under so much clear that you can't feel any lines on it.

 

If I lived in your area, and I wanted the job done right, I would travel an hour or so to one of these two guys: Alan Johnson Graphics in Blairstown, NJ or DeWayne Connot of D.O.A. Flatliners in No Wales, PA. These are not the typical pinstripers that you see at rallies all over the country. Both are world class stripers, special effects guys, and graphics experts. Either one can do the job.