Just like how an auto-shop paints stripes onto cars, I've used similar techniques/steps to paint stripes onto my lamp. A more custom look is achieved along with an increased longevity that cannot be attained from a vinyl decal.
A very crucial material for crisp (almost always) flawless lines is the 3M 471 vinyl tape. I used the 1/2" and let me tell you this stuff isn't cheap but in the end, so worth it. One roll will usually get me through 1.5 lamps. A few (but not all) of the other materials included: masking tape/paper, acrylic enamel paint, 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper, and high performance polish.
I've listed the steps taken to complete the stripes but left out any greater detail to each one just because it gets too wordy and this is already lengthy enough.
- Tape/mask off both sides and inside
- Place into spray booth and use tack cloth to remove debris
- Paint 2 coats of primer
- Measurement/mark 1" stripes around entire pendant
- Label each stripe with its designated color
- Mask off, in blue tape, the first color stripe around entire pendant
- Mask off with paper and tape the areas not painting
- Place into spray booth and use tack cloth to remove debris
- Prepare paint, spray gun/compressor for painting
- Spray 5 coats of 1st color
- Leave to dry (time will vary on temperature/humidity)
- Remove taped off areas
- Repeat this section 7 more times
- After all stripes are painted, wet sand entire surface
- Repaint any that need touch up
- Wet sand again if touch-up was needed
- Place into spray booth and use tack cloth to remove debris
- Prepare paint, spray gun/compressor for painting
- Spray 3 coats of clear coat
- Dry overnight
- Wet sand
- Remove all masked off paper & tape
- Polish
