i know there are alot of stripers on here and would like some input on what brushes i should buy and the kinds of paints. what brands work best? thanks
00 mack and one shot......worked for me.....and start practicing.....and have fun .....just make sure the panel is shiny ......black primer doesn't like to have striping wiped off.....haha brandon
Spend some time researching the subject here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/search.php Then get a Mack Series 10 brush,a can of 1-Shot, some mineral spirits,and a roll of paper towels. Process Blue is a good color to start with. Reds,Metalics,and Purples,are more expensive. Save the HOK until you are more experienced.
Yep, one shot. I'm no striper by trade either. And I'm fuckin left-handed! Seriously though, "palleting" your paint is important. I was taught (picked up actually) using a phone book as good pallet mat'l and easy clean up and control. Beyond that do exactly what the others have said and just do it.
Half the stripers I know(including me)are left handed.It's not a liability;it's a challenge. My late uncle who by profession was a builder of scale models(dioramas,window displays,buildings)and ambidextrous said that I would never be a sign artist because of the fact I was left-handed and would always be leaning in the work I just finished painting. It was the primary reason I learned the craft;basically to prove him wrong.Took me twenty years to do it.My final satisfaction was having him call me and ask me to paint a sign for one of his displays.I took great pleasure in turning him down reminding him that he had once proclaimed to the family that I could never do it. REVENGE IS SWEET!
Phone books SUCK for Pallets.The paper is too pourous, and absorbs the solvents too quickly. They WERE traditional,probably because they were free, but just about everyone has gotten away from them. Heavier paper works much better,or glossy paper, like magazines and catalogs,is even better.Coated cardboard is also good.
Last weekend i actually brought a starter kit from Chris Johnson for 40 quid around $65 ,but aint had time to get the kit out yet but have watched the dvd that comes with it ................maybe one day ill lay summink on my ride ...
As far as pallets go, I liked using old Penney's and Sear's catalogs; real big and thick, read that as lots of pages to use up and FREE!!!!! Those seem to have really thin but glossy paper that don't seem to soak up the solvents too quick. I'd usually carry one whole catalog with me and only tear off about 30-40 pages at a time so it wasn't too heavy. I would take that and rubber band that to a nice piece of sheet aluminum about the same size with big stick on clear rubber feet. The aluminum to make the pages rigid in the now thinner form and the feet so I could set it on the hood or roof of the car I was working on without fear of scratching it. If I was home, I'd happiliy post some pix of my gear, but I'm still in So Cal... Vance
I know a guy that uses Cigarette packages as pallets. He has a few of them,just sets them aside to dry when he's finished a job,and reuses them again later.
I tried that, but every time I get to the women's undewear section I'd completely forget what I'm trying to paint. Seriously thoguh Weldit, DO spend the bucks and get the one shot and a mack or two. If you get frustrated right away because you're working with cheap stuff you're not going to stick with it. Besides, you can get a brush, a quarter pint of paint and your mineral spirits all for about than $25 bucks or so. Good luck!
I use Kafka brushes ( I dig the rounds I am more consistent with them I just cut down the handle length) use glossy victoria secret catalogs ( once my girl is done with them) and also use old used cat food cans to pour paint and a little thinner into works good and am always getting new ones..... I still have miles to go though always learning something new everytime I stripe....
The series 10 are made with unmixed blue squirrel hair, the 20 series use a blend. The 10 series feel 'softer' and seem to turn better -to me anyway. The green wrapped 20 series feel a little stiffer and are meant for touch up work. To look at them you wouldn't think there was any difference but I could sure feel it.
I'm just getting started too. I recommend this Website: www.eastwood.com. It works for me. Mack series 10 brushes: ( O & OO for starters 1 shot paints & reducer; A recent instruction Video, & a recent instruction manuel. Another good Website: www.pinstriping.com. Good Luck!
Go to Mack direct. http://www.mackbrush.com/ They use to have a program where if you used only their brushes, they'ed give you a better discount. I use only Makc brushes except that damned Dick Blick 4901 for outline work. I have yet to find anything I like better and I've tried a lot of different brushes, big brand name one and no-name brushes too. Nothing seems to make me as happy as the 4901. Each time I order one, I order like three, just in case they stop making them, I have a stockpile... Vance
dont know anything about pinstriping but if it's anything like oil painting then all u need for the palette is a nonporous surface. a small square of thickish glass with a piece of fomecore cut to the same size works good, just duct tape the edges so u don't cut yourself. and it cleans up real well with a razor scraper and is reusable...
search Unkl Ian's threads...do exactly what he says. I use glossy fashion magazines for pallets, but not the pages with lingerie ads, too distracting
I have a few How-to files on my site by fellow Hambers. Ian, Ray, and Barnett http://www.psychoarts.com/Content/Psycho_Howto.htm
I have been pinstriping for a little over a year now, and cant get enough of it. I didnt really have anyone to ask about what kinds of brushes to use, or how to thin the paint. 10 series Mack brushes are my fav. Found this out by trial and many errors! They are forgiving, and for a beginer work great. The excaliber brushes are great for turns, and small darty work. The shorter hairs of the brush translate your movement that much faster, so they may be a "twitchy" for someone just starting out. One Shot reducer works good. Mineral spirits work good too, but can make the paint thin faster, and sometimes in a little less of a controled way than the One shot reducer does. I found that looking at magizines for hours for inspiration was when i painted like shit. Just putting the brush down and letting it turn into somthing un-refined and not forced, lets the design take shape, and lead you to your next line.
CDs should make good pallets. Seems like AOL is always sending them out. Or use the one you stupid relatives sent you for Christmas.
Don't know about the CD's but the boxes they come in make great containers to store 1/8th and 1/4" masking tape. Glossy magazines make great palettes;just clip on a clipboard.Neiman-Marcus and Tiffany's are the best followed closely by Bloomingdale's and J.C.Penney(or Jacques Penet as they say up north).WARNINGON'T use these if you're striping with HOK or any other urethane based striping paints;the reducers used with these are too aggressive and will transfer the inks used in the books to the paint.Use a piece of bare metal or glass(NOT plexiglass;the thinners will melt it). Excalibers and other short haired brushes may be great for making turns(not in my opinion)but they also tend to "feather" more from the belly of the brush;especially if the paint consistency is too thick.As was said before,the shorter hairs also transmit,"shake" more readily than a normal length brush.The longer hairs act a bit like a motion stabilizer in a camera to smooth out the lines. For a good all around brush you would be hard put to beat a Mack 0 or 00 in either series 10 or 20.Just my opinion.
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