Masking a complex paint scheme

[ericmcrory]

I'm looking for tips on the best way to mask a boat for a complex paint scheme. The boat has a white base with two sets of rainbow stripes the entire length of the boat. The rainbows have 9 different colors in equal-width parallel stripes. Here are the questions I have:
1. Once the first color is painted, what's the best way to mask it off?
2. Do I need to wait for each color to be completely dry in order to mask it? I have heard paintable masking film is a good way to go.
3.To get a crisp line between colors, it seems like one would have to back-mask with fine-line tape along one edge of each color being placed. Any other methods?

Any tips would be appreciated!

[CornelP]

Really the best way is to wait for each layer to dry thoroughly... Paintable masking films are ok, but not usually as advertised, so do not rely on them.
For the line, get some Tamiya masking tape, comes in different widths and the lines are super crisp.

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/tam/tam87034.htm

[Jeff Wohlt]

Anytime you work with tape you always shoot a very light coat..almost just a speckle coat along the masked area and let that set then do another and another. This keeps the tape from bleeding under.

There is some stuff called frecoat (can't remember the name" paper that that is sticky and you cut your design with a razor once on and then shoot.
Multi colors take a lot of work but your base coat should be you main color and tape it off then color over it and then remove tape and your base shows thru.

[egneg]

Use Hobby Mask by Artool. It's $15.95 at Coast Airbrush. Spray some paint on a sign blank, use a new x-acto blade and practice cutting the mask to get a feel for how to cut the mask without cutting into the paint. Change the blades often as a sharp blade is your friend here. With some practice you can remove and replace the mask for the different colors.

http://www.coastairbrush.com/products.asp?cat=23

[hazegry]

I think Jeff is thinking of frisket I need to star painting some of mine but I am buying parts right now. after I get the boats going I will start spraying them.