Layin Down Some More

I work at an airbrush booth on the beach. Its the off season so there's a lot of down time. So after my shift I stuck around.

Tools

X-Caliber Brushes 0000, 000, 00, 0

One Shot Paint

Motor Oil or Linseed

Mineral Spirits

Now I've used other paints like House of Kolor, and Lil Daddy Roth. But One Shot stands above them all. And I think most people agree.

Brushes on the other hand are more of a debate. And depending on what style of pinstriping you're into also has an effect.

First brush that I think we all use is a Mack. A classic brush that we all know. Whether you're first getting into pinstriping, or just looking it up, it is almost certain you will hear about this brush.

"The Kafka Way." The 21st century way of pinstriping. With this brush you don't have to make any alterations, so no more cutting the tip. And it turns like no other, just a nice consistent flow of enamel......For some. I find this brush uncomfortable, and I see no consistency in my lines. Now i'ts probably just me, but I personally dont care for the feel of the brush. Now don't get me wrong I'm not putting down the Kafka way. If you're more into whats known as the lowrider style than this brush is perfect for you.

The X-Caliber. This brush is by far the best Ive used. The hair on it is shorter than the Mack, and Kafka. This allows me to get close on my turns. I like using thinner lines and the 0000 and 000 brushes give me that result. And its comfortable to hold. No complaints at all. I'd recommend it to anyone.

To keep the life in my brushes I use basic 10W 30 motor oil. Ive had no problems with paint drying.

Understand that these are my opinions and experiences that I've had with these products. Find what works for you and stick with it. 

Blue Binder Project

My fiance handed me a blue binder a couple days ago and told me to stripe it in pink and white. I dont have pink so I took one shot rubine red and mixed it with white. Here is the result.

Now my only problem with this is my one shot white. It seems too watery. I also have one shot fluorescent green that has the same issue. Is there anything out there that can thicken one shot? 

All in the name of progress

All of you who take photos of your work know when you go back and look at some of the first things you striped, its never a pretty sight. But as you go through more and more you see the progress you've made. Our lines become more even, it starts becoming more symmetrical, the flow of the lines curve just right. We start using more than one color, Our techniques change. How you hold the brush now is not how you used to. But the one thing that changes the most is the passion for it.

The Beginning

Every first Friday of every month theres an event held called Friday Fest. Has anything from custom bikes to those all show muscle cars. Now Panama City doesnt offer much in culture so you take what you can at this event. A couple of hot rods here and there but they look as though someone bought it out of a magazine, which is good enough for some. But for the first time a couple rat rods rolled into town. Admiring the beauty of this machine painted by nature, I saw a sticker that said "The last person that touched my rat rod is in my backyard."  Before this moment I always had to resort to magazines like Rebel Rods, and Ratrod to enjoy the look of these machines. Walkin up and down the car I saw some of the best pinstriping. That old school look. I knew then I had to get in on this dying art.
My fiance surprised me one day with 3 Mack brushes, and two cans of One Shot. But sadly it took me almost a year to finally pick it up. Between working and going through some rough times it was hard to find the time.
Around May of this year I went through my stuff grabbed that paint, and those brushes and I never looked back.
Here's a few pictures of my very first stripes back in May.