Pinstripping

Did you know pinstriping has a long history? Even before the invention of automobiles, pinstriping was used as an ornamental decoration for horse and buggy carriages.

Custom pinstripes started appearing on automobiles in the mid-1950s. Although pinstriping had been on cars long before that, the last American car to appear with auto pinstriping had been made by General Motors in the late 30’s. For those individuals with muscle or sports cars, customizing their ride is an important part of owning and showcasing the vehicle, and pinstriping is a final touch.

Pinstripes are commonly painted in two colors: one that sets off the body color, and another, thin line, in a color contrasted with the stripe to make it stand out.

Mechanical pin striping is the best way to stripe larger vehicles- trucks, vans, or station wagons. The benefit is it lays down stripes of constant width, letting you focus attention on getting the stripe oriented properly along your working surface. You can set up your stripe lines using magnetic pinstriping strips with center grooves designed to be paint templates. They hold fast to steel surfaces, and can also work as guide for your hand.

Striping with stencil tape is also popular. There are several types of stencil tape that are suitable for auto pinstriping applications. Stencil tape striping uses brushes, and a specialized pinstriping brush is an essential ingredient in a successful project. Stencil tape allows you to apply different color stripes without needing the other stripes to dry.

Freehand pinstriping is the most difficult method, requiring the most practice to master, but permits unrestricted creativity. The simplest plan for a freehand striping newbie is to lay a strip of masking tape down approximately a quarter inch from where you want the finished line to be, and then use this tape as visual guiding for your stripes. Whatever you do, don’t use regular masking tape, or your pinstriping paint will bleed under the edge. Get some auto body masking tape from an auto supply store.

No matter what method you use, pinstriping is one of the finest ways to make your vehicle distinctive. Just like anything else worth doing right, practice makes priceless results but having the best equipment you can get your hands on helps too.

Carlo Morelli writes for Caroom.us Check out Caroom for more on car pinstriping.

I was surprised to learn that the sign in a scene that begins chapter one, the Instigators, was another work Pat did for Jim King.

Here's a group of shots on loan done in a fifties 'fat' pin stripping style on a root beer paint color in Schaumburg a few weeks ago.

Above photos on loan from Kustom Kulture Gallery.

There comments are below:

"Yes for all you who know us (Bob, Larry, Joel) this is the 52 Chevy. We got lucky enough to meet Pat Finely an amazing sign painter and pinstriper. He has been painting since the early 60s and his style fit our car perfectly. It turned out just like we had imagined, check it out, you'll love it.�

we just couldn't stop him....." - pinstripingbykc Grand Daddy-O

Dawm he's good!! Pullin long lines that like singled handed, My hats off to him!! See you guys in Detroit!! - Grand Daddy-O

Really great photos...look like pro!! Some really classic clean striping ...would have liked to watch it being done..

"Nothing Good can ever come from staying with Normal People" - Belprime Big Kahuna

Sweet work, that is just inspiring -chapin Kult Member

Wow!! Thats neato!! - fatdaddylines Grand Daddy-O

sick, sick, sick. - TheBug Grand Daddy-O

Those fat lines are phat! A-mazen! - dertybert Big Kahuna

I love old timers - fairline Grand Daddy-O

is that on its way to Detroit yet? i want to check that out up close!! nice pics in the mag by the way! awww you guys look so cute together. - DIRTYDAG Grand Daddy-O

amazing!! ploon Grand Daddy-O