Very first try at this ... whaddya think?

Wow, when I asked for opinions I wasn't expecting so many great, substantive replies.

I guess I should've explained my layout a little better at the beginning. The upper Pentastar portion of the sign wasn't intended to really fade into the lower portion so much as it was just a minor transition without a sharp masking line defining the blue Pentastar.

Does that make sense? [reading] Oh hell no. Sounds like one of those Neo-blah-blah-blah art critics. LOL I need more coffee.

Ummmmmm, okay lemme try it this way: I wanted the star to stand out since it's the main focus of the sign, but I wanted to soften the edge between the blue star and the PLYMOUTH portion of the sign. Look again at that first picture.

Where the bottom edge of the Pentastar form ends and the top edge of the PLYMOUTH part begins, they don't match up size-wise (the outer edges of the Pentastar are 1/8" wide but the bottom part is closer to a 1/2") and those two curves where the star and sign meet looked really goofy with a sharp tape line right there. There was no balanced way to make it all look even.

So I see where ya'll are coming from on the abrupt blue ending, but that wasn't really what I was trying to fade. :-D Points are all extremely well taken, thank you.

Unlike wet paint techniques, powders are often done with lighter/heavier applications rather than outright color changes. The purple wasn't a powder I used -- I don't even have any purple powder on hand. It was created where the blue met the red, and as the blue was applied layer by layer it got darker and darker.

Small Block, you're very right about the crappy masking lines on my Super Chrome pin stripes. Truth be told, I had to re-apply the tape again when my blue Pentastar didn't turn out blue enough and needed more coats, and that second application got a little sloppy when I pulled the tape. You can't see the rough edges from a few feet but from a 14" camera view it shows up like a sore thumb. :-D I've never been one to try to hide anything from you guys and I'm not gonna start today.

Cal, the pinstripes are actually the very first coat on the sign, Super Chrome. I used my high temp tape to protect its integrity while working on the rest of the sign.

Randy, it's funny you'd mention trying flames. I've been dying to do that for a long time too, so don't be surprised if you see an attempt at that soon.

I know you are giving me exactly what I need to hear. Except you DRENO -- wth is up with that shaving my arms thing???? LMAO

Thank you all for taking the time to help and offer your opinions and suggestions. This is exactly how new stuff happens!!!