Hi folks. I am new to all things signs,stripes.I have been lettering roudy-round cars but thats simple. My real question is is i found i have alot of talent to draw original scrolls and the like. But ofcourse getting them through the brush onto the surface is another thing.I ave been at it for 5 whole months.I am (in the first place) a auto body guy and paint cars.But thats like going to the dentist ofter 10 years of it.I started the idea of striping when i got a Harley job and became tired of laying the stripe color on first then laying on the fine line and the two base coat colors then clear.So did what every greenie does.I bought a Mack 00 striper and some 1-Shot(am converting to Hok urethane soon).I have been pulling straight lines and am feeling good about that but curves and circular motions are being my crutch.So what is a scroll brush?Is it for curves?How do people make those round top tear drops with a brush? I really love what i am doing and hope somebody has the time of day to answer my questions.
And i do understand that the difference between those two brushes wont make me turn circles and radical curves but what is the difference? Thanks so much for your time.I am envious reading all of your posts and enjoy the great craftsmanship on here.
Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
there are more experienced guys here who can answer in more detail. Here's the info about PINSTRIPING brushes from the Mack Brush website (mackbrush.com):
For painting curves, Millar recommends brushes that have little hair in the belly section. " If you have a lot of hair in the belly and you go to make a tight corner, the hair kicks out and causes your line to go fat," he explains.
Conversely, pulling long lines requires a thick belly. "Ideally, you want something at least five or 10 feet at a time or more," says Julian "Mr. J" Braet, a Lyndhurst, NJ. based striper...
There are also liners and scroll brushes used for LETTERING. these have the same characteristics, but they are typically a long-handled brush. in lettering brushes a scroll brush comes to a sharp point and the liners are chisel-tipped. to make a sharp curve with a liner you have to twirl the handle to keep the tip perpendicular to the line. the scroling brush can make a turn without having to twirl the handle (but it doesn't do as good a job doing long straight lines).
[ September 03, 2002, 11:24 PM: Message edited by: ScooterX ]
Posted by JoAnna Nouis (Member # 2838) on :
I can't even begin to tell you how to make a curve or scroll, but I can point you in the right direction for the proper tools. From what I hear from our customers and what I see at the events we attend, hands down the Xcaliber is the brush for curves (ie inside of flames). For doing scroll work, the current brush of choice is the Virus scroll brush by Mack. I can't keep this brush in stock! The more 0's the better for the Xcaliber and the most popular size for the Virus is a #2. And of course we carry both of these (and many others) at LAZERLINES.COM!!! Yes I know that was a shameless plug ! Please let us know if there is anything we can help you with.
You might also consider attending a Pinhead meet or Letterhead meet, you will improve must faster after seeing it done and getting tips from guys that already know the tricks and pitfalls! Not to mention how much fun you would have! Hope this helps.
Another shameless plug from proud Letterville merchant Lazerlines.com !
Posted by Ryan E Young (Member # 2325) on :
You need to watch someone. I read all I could and talked to a few about how to make correct curves with no luck . I watched a guy doing flames at a car show and it all clicked. Its hard to describe so your best bet would be a letter head or pinhead meet. Keep trying then when you see how outers do it it will fall in place. Sorry this probably doesnt help but it was how I learned.
Posted by JohnnyUtah (Member # 3172) on :
Thanks to all of you!
Yeah,there are no stripers in my town but lotsa possible buisness when i get good enough to sell my service. I live very close to KCMO and there is a meet there i think?I know there is a popular striper that lives there,cant 'member his name though.
I know what you mean about inside of flames.I layed some flames out and the outer sides i did but pulling the curves on the inside was tough. Actually i never made it smooth. And no i havnt watched anyone do any striping.Just admire work i see. Thanks again!I will keep plugging away.Thanks for the brush recomendations. Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
also, if you can't make it to any live meets, you could probably pick up a few things from the various pinstriping video tapes available. Sid Moses (Mosearts), Mack Brushes and Laserlines (both Letterville Merchants) all offer tapes for sale, I believe.
Posted by JoAnna Nouis (Member # 2838) on :
The striper you are thinking of is probably Bob Bond and his event is in Sept. The date is 27-29 of september and they ask that you preregister. Their number is 816-554-1800. We have been a couple of times and it is a great meet to attend!
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
A video is nice to WATCH pinstriping done. A "live meet" you can watch AND ask questions. This all depends on how much you would like to learn WITHOUT making the mistakes that come with the practicing of painting stripes! Who knows.... you might make some FRIENDS in the process. Go for it
Posted by Bill Preston (Member # 1314) on :
A live meet is the way to go-- but one thing that hasn't been touched on so far is the fact that some of the folks who stripe on a regular basis are so good at it, that you may come away intimidated and discouraged.
I felt a little bit this way at Mars, and was almost ready to burn my brushes. Decided that wasn't the thing to do, so more practice is the order of the day.
FWIW.
Posted by JohnnyUtah (Member # 3172) on :
Thanks Pat and the others for extra 2cents. I found a video on HoK web site i think last week,40 bucks but i will start there.
but one thing that hasn't been touched on so far is the fact that some of the folks who stripe on a regular basis are so good at it, that you may come away intimidated and discouraged.
I can see that happening to people with way more experience than i,but i am not easy to discourage. I am told i have a talent for for sheetmetal work and custom paint.I didnt get there over night.I am taking on striping with the same attitude.I hope to just improve every time i go at it. Thanks again!
Posted by Connot (Member # 76) on :
Hey Johnny,
Not that I am an expert in this business, contrary to what some might say, I have been practicing for 20+ years and am still trying to get it right.
I would reccommend a Mack series 10, blue wire wrap, striping brush for practicing flame belly's. Although I personally use a well worn DC Flatliner for all of my flames and scrollwork. With the exception of tight Virus scrolls. For those I use the Mack 444 scrolling script (the Virus brush). That brush will do the teardrop that you were asking about. Pressure on the brush as you stroke down and away from the car gives you that tear drop shape.
My reccommendation for flames is: don't try to pull the entire belly in one stroke. Start at the apex of the curve, stroke out from there and come back and start there again for the other half, rather than pulling the whole thing at once.
I was one of the pinstripers in Mars, doing pinstriping and scrollwork on Friday. Feel free to e-mail (connot@comcast.net) me if you have any questions.
DeWayne Connot DOA Flatliners Pinstriping to Die For
Posted by JohnnyUtah (Member # 3172) on :
Thanks alot DeWayne!
That was good info.Thanks.I will probably mail you sometime.I would love to see your work.How do i go about that? I need a couple of new brushes;)
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