How to respray part of an tank (without getting a line )

[ukjules]

I have a future project on my GS550e 1980.
The most precious of bikes.

I am sure the answer is to respray the whole tank
which I probably will do (its red)
BUT

For discussion if I had a 3inch sq section on front bottom left of tank
that is bare metal AND assuming I could get a paint match
how do you spray that section, blend in and not leave a
line from masking ?

basics I know but i have always resprayed whole tanks / parts.

[salty_monk]

The simplest answer is "don't mask" and / or tear the edge of the masking tape to a feather and make sure you have enough paint to cut back... You might never get it perfect, it will definitely take a lot of elbow grease.

[ukjules]

understood.
as this will be my gs550 it
deserves a full respray.
its red too so pretty simple.

- I tell you I like your gs1000 !
what is the one in your pic?

[salty_monk]

The one in my signature? That's my 78 1000E (Fitted with a marving pipe, K&N pods, Works Performance shocks & an 83-1100E front end with Emulators plus a twin pot brake upgrade incl CBR Discs)

[nvr2old]

There will always be a fade mark if you try to blend it in w/o then re-clear coating the whole tank. I agree with your vision of just re-spraying the entire tank..pretty much the same amount of time and effort with more predictable end results.

[red1100]

You can always cover the bare areas with the red then clear coat the whole thing. That tends to smooth out the entire finish.

[ukjules]

Good ideas. thanks.

think it's a case of
a) consolidate and spray the small area for now
b) when time a full respray project prob after next years Europe tour.

I can see on my GS it's time for wheels and sidepanels , rear panel
and tank respray.