Cuda Stripe

[BomLodr]

I am looking to put a cuda stripe on my 05 Dodge Ram. I would like to use Dupli Color paint. I'm thinking of using Metalcast Smoke to get a bit of a translucent effect as the color of my truck is bright silver. Looking for a subtle effect, nothing to bold. I also plan on using smoke for all the chrome on the truck. What special prep would I have to do to paint the stripes? Would I need to clear coat over the stripes? Lastly, What would I use to knock down the raised edge where the stripe is? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[chriss68]

1. tape off the area you wish to paint
2. use grease/wax removers to clean the surface.
3. scuff the area to be painted with 320 and then 600 sandpaper.(my opinion)
4. primer the surface w/ high-build sandable primer to allow for wetsanding. allow 24 hours before wetsanding. again using 600 sandpaper.
5. paint the area in 3-4 light coats allowing time to dry between coats.
6. (optional) wetsand the paint with 1000-1500 sandpaper to remove orange peel if there is any. allow paint to cure at least 24 hours before removing tape.
7. clear coat over the paint and surrounding areas. use plenty of clear to allow for wetsanding. if you have enough clear on then you can sand out the stripe edge so you will not feel a step. wetsand with 1000-1500 grit sandpaper using a block. buff clear coat when finished.

[Dupli-Color-Specialist]

chriss very informative but keep in mind that bomlodr is using Metal Cast which is our Anodized translucent paint so no primer is needed in this case.

bomlodr please follow these steps:

1. Tape off the area to be painted.

2. Wipe down area to be painted with our Prep Wipe or Spray

3. LIGHTLY scuff up area to be painted with a Red Scotch Brite pad. Enough to break the glossiness. 320-600 might be a bit harsh thats why i usually suggest a Scotch pad. Since you are using the Metal Cast any deep scratches will show through.

4. Wipe down again with the degreaser.

5. Lay down as many coats of the Metal Cast until you get desired coverage.

6. A lacquer clear coat will help add gloss and durability also will allow you to have some material to hand buff and apply wax to.

As far as the lip you will get while adding paint over paint will be very hard to get rid of. Since the R/T or Cuda strip is most likely applied using decal from the factory it will have the same lip. If you try sanding the lip you might end up with an uneven edge and have an appearance of a croocked tape line. Nothing wrong with a slight lip on your work. If you really want to get rid of it you will have to clear coat the entire bed side with several coats to even it all out. I hope this helps.

[BomLodr]

6. A lacquer clear coat will help add gloss and durability also will allow you to have some material to hand buff and apply wax to.

Thanks for the great advice from both of you. Very informative. Just a little nerve racking for me when you start talking about scuffing paint but I understand it has to be done and why.

Would I have to remove the tape prior to applying the clear as Chriss stated in his reply?

Thanks again!

[chriss68]

Would I have to remove the tape prior to applying the clear as Chriss stated in his reply?

Thanks again!

i removed the tape first and then cleared when i did my SS stripes on the nova. it helped with blending the edge of the stripes with the rest of the surface so you dont feel a step in the paint.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg178/chriss68/nova13.jpg

[chriss68]

there is still a slight step that you can feel, but spraying plenty of clear and block sanding will make it unnoticeable.

[Dupli-Color-Specialist]

Would I have to remove the tape prior to applying the clear as Chriss stated in his reply?

Thanks again!

I mentioned this in my reply earlier.

"If you really want to get rid of your paint lip, you will have to clear coat the entire bed side with several coats to even it all out."

With that said: It all depends on if you want to go through with that work to smooth out a paint line. If it were me I would leave it alone. The original Dodge vehicles that had this stripe had a paint lip.