Using brushes to do pinstriping

The disciplines of decoration on automobile or motorcycle bodywork are many and varied. The creativity of the artists known as Custom Painters is limitless and the alternative methods of applying car, motorcycle and bicycle paint continue to differentiate the art of Custom paint and make it much richer. than other painting techniques.
Pinstriping is a technique born in America during the 1960s which consists mainly of tracing lines, with the creation of graphic linear decorations, often symmetrical. It is a technique that is carried out with pinstriping brushes and which requires a lot of training and precision in the gesture, because this gesture is done freehand. Without great practice and significant experience in the technique of pinstriping, it may seem impossible for an amateur painter to be able to achieve such perfect and symmetrical lines.
The decoration on the bodywork consists of perfectly straight or curved lines. It is done in one go and there is no 2nd attempt possible, except by removing the entire line with thinner. This is possible if there is no decoration nearby.
To help achieve perfect lines on large surfaces, it is possible to use a guide, with the prior application of adhesive line supple, which can be traced with the pinstriping brush. Before talking about this unique tool that has been developed for this equally unique technique, let's talk about the paints:
these paints that are used to make the lines are often Glycero, greasy and common. They are thick, easy to use, one-component, one-component paints. They allow to hang effectively on a sanded surface or not. They can be refinished or not! Indeed, they withstand bad weather well, even if they are not protected by bodywork clearcoat.

Use a pinstriping brush

These very special brushes have quite particular shapes. Their main property is to be able to store a certain quantity of paint, which will allow a regular release of the paint, during a certain period of time: it is indeed necessary that the brush can transport enough paint, without flowing and be able to release this paint. along the tracing of the line, which can reach several meters. Of course, it is unlikely to be able to achieve a line of 3 m, without having to re-dip the brush in the paint.

These very specialized artistic brushes are quite expensive and this is due to their rarity, but also to their composition. We are talking here, not of the wooden handle, but of the hair. The bristles of these brushes are traditionally natural and obtained with the coat of a well-known small animal, the squirrel.
There is no squirrel breeding, which explains the rarity and the high cost of these hairs, to which exceptional properties of flexibility, resistance and softness are attributed.
Today, it is great news for this magnificent little squirrel, synthetic hairs are being developed, which are more affordable in terms of price, but also which have the same properties. These new pinstriping brushes make it possible to produce quality work, just as well as the classic pinstriping brushes made from real squirrel hair.
The Stardust company has been particularly involved since its creation in the protection of animals , in particular with its partnership with the L214 association for many years. Stardust is completely against the use of these natural squirrel hairs and offers a series of brushes based on synthetic hairs.

Short Stroke pinstriping brushes

This specialized and rare brush is only dedicated to the practice of pinstriping. It is made of artificial hair, which is said to perform better than natural hair, especially in terms of durability. This brush is recommended for drawing long and regular lines, with fine thicknesses. For drawing thicker lines, it is advisable to use the brush described in the following paragraph.
Our brushes are made in Germany by the VINCI brand.
They are compatible with all types of paint , because of course, each artist is free to use the paint that suits him, whether it is a water-based paint or a solvent-based paint.
It is important to rinse the brush several times after use, and then dry it, then moisturize it: for this, you can use glycerin or a skin cream. For the next use, it will be enough to soak it in the thinner to remove this grease.

Stryper-style pinstriping brushes

Here is the other type of specialized brush for pinstriping and which is also the best known brush with its very particular shape and its large wick of hair. This brush is made of synthetic bristles, with a brass part and a certified wood part. This type of brush allows a general use, but especially to realize curved lines. It has a strong paint retention property and allows you to draw up to 2m of line without refilling paint.
Still on the subject of maintenance, it is important to take care of your brushes which can last a Entire life. On the contrary, if care is not taken to clean and moisturize the hair well during storage, then residues of dry paint will stick the hair together and the brush will not last more than a few months.

Paint with flakebuster
Apply hydro-dipping