Art & Inspiration pinstriping tutor for a 12 year old in Grand Rapids area

I have a huge favor to ask of a pinstriper in the Grand Rapids area of Michigan. Let me explain.

So my son got a real good look at pinstriping for the first time this past weekend at the Relix Riot at the Gilmore. He check it out on the cars, watched as a couple guys did some work on cars, even asked a few questions. We got home and he bought with his own money a brush, one shot & some thinner!

Now for what i am looking for, I am hoping that a fellow hamber will be willing to set aside some time to help a 12 year old learn some very basic things about the art he has taken such a shine to. I wish I could teach him but i have less of a clue about it than he does. So PLEASE if someone could help we would both apreciate any help.

Thank you,
Chris

 

Very cool!!

 

Chris,
I can be of little help from where I am but I am sure that there is a respectable HAMBer in your area that is willing to help. I can suggest this get him some neadsfoot oil and some reducer (50 degree) so he can keep his brushes up in shape (brushes once cleaned need to be oiled) and thin his one shot a bit so that it will flow better for him.

Maybe get him and old fender or hood to practice on.

 

Maybe get him and old fender or hood to practice on.[/QUOTE]

he is already asking about stripping my 50 pontiac!

 

thats really cool...I learned alot just by looking at youtube videos, there wasnt just one that explained the hole process correct, but you can get a technique here and there from each....like one will tell you how to mix the paint and thinner, another one will tell you how to set up the brush, and so on....my best advice (is what porknbeaner said) and get something around the house, in a shed, or whatnot that you can practice on and go for it. magazine covers tend to be a really nice smooth surface to begin on, glass is another (and is easily wiped off). just keep at it and you can only get better.
its a whole lot of fun. and the mrs. will just love her new pinstriped cake mixer in the near future...lol

 

Go to hobby lobby n get a sheet of plastic 12 by 20inch to practice on ! When it dries you can scrape it off n try again! Practise is the most important thing! Good luck young pup!

 

Great story. I tried to get my nephew interested, but with no success.

Just a suggestion...you might revise your title to add 'Looking for a pinstriping tutor in the Lowell Michigan area'.

 

Well that's old but that is what you drive, let him practice a little first.

 

Thank you all for your help.

Just a suggestion...you might revise your title to add 'Looking for a pinstriping tutor in the Lowell Michigan area'.[/QUOTE]

done! thanks for the suggestion.

 

I just can't imagine that there isn't a HAMBer all over this. I would give it a bounce a time or two over the next couple of days, someone will catch it and pick up the ball.

 

I will, and thank you. If I have to keep it up all the way to Autoramma I will!

 

too far away, but check out youtube, kafka and wizard have a lot of great videos that he can watch to get the basic gist of the thing. I started out with a set of the wizards videos (even covers trimming and taking care of your brush) and then watching everyone I could. at age 12 he has plenty of time to become a master, heck even buy his first car by slinging paint

 

A small sheet of glass or a mirror is a great thing to practice on. Couple bucks at any thrift store or yard sale. Best part is if it dries, scrape it of with a razor.

 

There must be plenty of information on pin striping available on the internet or in books. A pro could certainly offer some valuable info on technique and tips. I say let him go at your 50 Pontiac, show the love man!

 

I live in a little podunk town and even our library has 2 books on pinstriping.

 

My 15yr old showd interest awhile back and then lost it once he learned I was going to be his teacher. This is the place he needs, they have books, videos and everything he will ever need plus they are way helpful with any questions.
http://coastairbrush.com/

 

Oh yeah, when I was learning I used the 5 gallon plastic sparklets bottle.
It has lots of compound curves.

 

The absolute best advice for anyone learning to stripe,
or many other things for that matter is,
Do some EVERY day.
Post some pics of his learning curve.

 

i also bought out the thrift store of large picture frames with glass, stripe, dry, scrape, repeat (daily) I had a couple to use, and well broke my share too.

 

Yea, my daughter had a mirror she practiced on. My wife didnt see it leaned against her bed and stepped right through it. Be carefull where you put them.

 

like mentioned before, a old fender would be great and it can be taken off , glass would be tricky for a beginner theres no grip , and plastic can be tricky too if theres static which is easy to get rid of by placing a wet towel under it .

before getting deep into just trying design work, if he's working with a sword brush have him do some lines in a row, curves in a row and so on he will start to understand the brush better
if you have any questions feel free to ask i'm no expert but i'll answer what i can , also for some inspiration check out
the pinhead lounge
and the
kustom kulture lounge .. they have a forum section just for pinstriping

 

awesome to hear!
I'll help, a new up and coming pinstriper!

P.M. me your address i have a extra copy of HERB MARTINEZ'S GUIDE TO PINSTRIPING. a very good book to start with. this one was a gift to me so i'll pass it on!

george

 

Thanks again to all for the help!!!!

 

I live in Alto, and am relatively new to the area. I sent you a PM

 

I'm 13 now and I started to pinstripe when I was a 11 and one thing that I have learned is that the only way you can get better if just practice

 

Its all about desire and attitude! My two sons in their pre-teens developed a fascination for bicycles. The local sports/bicycle retail & repair shop wouldn't even give them the "time-of-day", so to speak. So we as parents bought the bike specific tools, a wheel truing stand, and books (one in particular:various ways to lace a bike wheel). They learned by reading and doing, reading and doing. Both ended up working in bicycle shops as mechanics to help supplement their university tuition fees.
As many have suggested, just get at it - it will take time to get good at it. He will find his mentors as he travels life's journey.

 

Interesting pinstriping video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIxobZ4Bju0

 

I read an article in a mag a while back and the biggest point the author made was "practice, practice, practice". He also said to buy a cheap picture frame and use the glass out of it. It is easier to scrape off when it dries.