How do the paint pros mask off the stripes they paint on a bus ?

[someguy]

How do the paint pros mask off the stripes and areas they paint on a bus ?

Let's say I want to put a few stripes on my bus.   How do I easily mask things off so they look good ?

A bus is so large.  Some stripes and swirls are over 20 feet long.   How do they get them placed properly ?

[someguy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwpEpnjXr3k

https://ivankyo.com/collections/projectors/products/vankyo-performance-v630-projector-white#opinew-plugin

Draw the image of the bus in a CAD/Art program and then project it onto the side of the bus.  Then tape/mask to the projected image.

Plus if you turn the lights out, you can roughly see what the scheme will look like before you paint it.

1080P is 1920 pixels wide.   45 feet/1920 = 1/4" pixel width.  A little bit coarse, but it would probable work.   

If one had a 12 foot wide printer, you could print a one piece mask in vinyl and then just peel away layers as needed.

https://www.signsupplycanada.com/mactac-paint-masking-stencil-c-90_635_48/mactac-paint-masking-stencil-vinyl-24-x-5yd-p-554.html

https://www.amazon.ca/VViViD-Low-Tack-Adhesive-Stencil-Masking/dp/B084CZ37F6?th=1

[Bubbiebus]

Another way is free hand it with vinyl fine line tape then mask the inside of the area with auto masking tape and paper.  Then take more paper and lay it over it to trace the design so it can be used on the opposite side.  This is how old school guys do flames and stuff on cars.  Also this can be time consuming so you need to understand your basecoats cure time.  Your window of time to come right back over the base coat with clear  depends on product and temps.  I personally would use a wet on wet sealer under the base coat to ensure your tape doesn't peel you base coat off when removing.

[epretot]

I don't paint cars but I have a lot of experience with fine finishes.

I always tell those painting stripes...

You want the illusion of straight.