How to Fade Paint on a Truck
Faded paint is a popular paint theme for trucks and hot rods. Some faded vehicles use only two colors faded together one time, while others may use several colors, fading two colors together where each color meets. A faded paint job is always custom and can be done using almost any combination of two colors. Learn how to fade paint on a truck and combine your favorite colors into a fade.
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Things You'll Need
- Primer
- Paint (at least two colors)
- Three spray guns
- Air compressor
- Masking tape
- Masking paper
- Sand paper (220 and 800 grit)
- Sanding block
- Clear coat
Instructions
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1
Sand the entire truck with 220 grit sand paper to remove the first layer of paint/clear coat. Sand evenly using a sanding block so that primer can adhere to the surface.
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2
Prime the truck using three coats of evenly sprayed primer. Allow each coat to dry completely. Sand the primer with a sanding block and 800 grit sand paper. Sand the top surface of the primer lightly until smooth.
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3
Fill two paint guns with the two colors with which you will paint the truck. Fill the third paint gun with a 50/50 mix of each color. Start painting the truck with one of the main colors. Start at the front of the truck and paint back to the point where you want the fade to occur (if the fade is going to be horizontal, start at the top of the truck and paint down until you reach the height of where the fade will be). Use the second color, and start at the opposite end of the truck and paint until you reach the stopping point of the other color.
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4
Use the third paint gun filled with the 50/50 mix to paint in the area where the two colors meet. Paint all the way around the truck, following the line where the two paints meet.
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5
Use the two solid paint filled spray guns to lightly spray the edges of the mixed color line on the truck until they are blended, and no 'hard' lines are visible. Allow all of the paint to dry completely.
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6
Spray four to five coats of clear on the paint, allowing each to dry completely.
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Tips & Warnings
Paint the truck inside a paint booth or shaded area. The sun shining on the surface of the truck makes the fade harder to see while painting and blending the colors.
Never paint, sand or spray primer without wearing a painter's face mask.
