What are tips and tricks in doing those long fades?

hi i just did my first custom paint job and would like to learn a lot more in this feld. is there a program used for the graphics desingn so you can see what it would look like on the boat. i used imron 5.0 paint and s500 clear this is the only imron i could get down here in the cayman islands has anyone used these before? how do you post pics up here?

heres a great thread that was started on the subject

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ighlight=corel

hit the links i posted on the MSpaint guy. it gives a intro to a bit of what it takes. I use CorelDrawX3 for my graphics renderings. I like the program but most use Adobe Illustrator. heres a few i did for Persucatracing just for fun, exploring some color options on an existing graphic. Each one of the original views I constructed as a template and took about an hour or two apiece. after that overlaying various graphics is pretty easy. BUT . . . and this is a big BUT . . . i have been using this software for years and the learning curve is kinda high for some of these programs. Stick with it an it pays off in what can be done with it.

Fades are one of those things that just takes a seasoned eye and the right technique. Tough to put up a "how'to" on the subject because there are many ways. I use a combo of gun control, PPG's DBC 500 color blending clear and what ever colors i am fading. You also need good equipment that atomizes well. Best thing is to do some trial and error spray outs to get a feel for it.

couple Cig pics. caybraca is there a particular boat you are looking for a template of? i may already have done it.

Thank glassdave. I will soon start on a formula 223ls if you have a template of any of the ls or sr1 would be grate. When you said PPG's DBC 500 color blending clear and what ever colors you are fading dose that mean that you mix them together? Is that clear the same as the binder? I did it by thining the color alot with reducer but i cant see doing a long fade like that and geting it faded even. I have a sata jet 3000 hvlp with a 1.4 tip, but i paint out side so that dosent help alot. How do i post pisc up here.

yes you can do small fades with just thinner but it does not work well for those long fades. Trick is cutting the fade color with the clear blender so you can sneak up on the fade. If you use to rich of a mixture the color can leave pixilated gun tracks. you may have to stage it in different ratios if you are going from a very dark color to a very light color. yes i believe DBC 500 is either 649 or 1689 clear mixing base, or so i've heard. Tell ya the truth i am hoping some of the other pros jump in here. My fades are pretty good but i have seen some super clean ones from a few of the guys like GraphicFX, GraphicWorks, GeoGraphics etc... just wonder what they are doing as well. Always got room to learn a thing or two myself.

GrafikEFX - Chris Dilling. Wow. He did a paint job for me 11 years ago that still stops people in their tracks with its flawless fades. I have no clue how he did it....

This is a link (copy and paste) to one of my jobs the fade is paint but the grafx. are vinyl ran out of time and had to get it ready for poker run/race plans are to redo with paint sometime.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...6&postcount=32

The boats owner is my uncle we think this may be the fastest 272 sr1 ever.

Prettiest and most flawless fade I've ever seen. The guy that bought it sprayed some garish paint job over top of it.