Make a test panel

[rex]

If you don't know what you want will look like,spray a test panel.I use a foot or so square of metal from a junk hood or something.Get your base down,then play.If you need to know how many coats of candy or pearl you need,spray a coat,let it flash good,tape off a strip,spray another coat,mask more,etc.,untape and clear.Now you have strips of each coat side by side to see the difference.You can use the same technique for different color bases,just tape off the candy/pearl 90 degrees to the base taping.A test panel is also great for layout.Mask off a few sets of one flame tip for example.Cover up all but one you will work on.Now you can play with just shading the edge,cover the whole thing and shade in another color,whatever you think of.Unmask the covered ones,clear,and you know what each idea looks like.It takes a little time and material,but it's a hell of alot cheaper than getting done with the job and realizing it isn't like you thought.That's an expensive lesson.They're about necessity if you need to match a 3 stage job,but it's rare you actually match it,it's more to find how many coats you need to get a good blend.