Reuseable mechanical masking tools for painting two-tone vehicles

A method comprising:

• applying first paint having a first color to a part;
• curing the first paint;
• robotically affixing a masking material to a mechanical mask tool;
• robotically positioning the mechanical mask tool proximate to the part;
• applying second paint having a second color different from the first color to the part, wherein the mechanical mask tool prevents the second paint from being applied to a portion of the part that is to have the first color;
• robotically repositioning the mechanical mask tool away from the part;
• curing the second paint;
• and
• robotically removing the affixed masking material from the mechanical mask tool.

A system for painting a vehicle, the system comprising:

• data processing hardware;
• and
• memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware and storing instructions that, when executed by the data processing hardware, cause the data processing hardware to perform operations comprising:
• applying first paint having a first color to the vehicle;
• curing the first paint;
• robotically positioning a mechanical mask tool proximate to the vehicle, the mechanical mask tool formed to have a precision-made shape and comprising a low surface energy material;
• applying second paint having a second color different from the first color to the vehicle, wherein the mechanical mask tool prevents the second paint from being applied to a portion of the vehicle that is to have the first color;
• robotically repositioning the mechanical mask tool away from the vehicle;
• curing the second paint;
• removing second paint on the mechanical mask tool from the mechanical mask tool;
• and
• reusing the mechanical mask tool for painting another vehicle.