How to Learn Pinstripe Basics
It is not as simple as those people made it appear to be to lay down lines on the car’s body. They practiced for hours on end, non-stop, until they started to get it, and then they kept practicing until they got it right. It is possible to learn the technique of pinstriping via a variety of resources, including DVDs, books, and How-To instructional write-ups. It is entirely up to you whatever school you attend or which book or DVD you purchase. What I did was put up a list of a few pointers and methods to help you get started, whether you’re diving in headfirst or simply dipping your toes in.
How to Learn Pinstripe Basics
Practice makes perfect, as they say. It’s something we’ve all heard a million times, and it still holds in this situation. A sheet of glass or Lexan makes for an excellent practice surface. You might wonder why. It is clear for a couple of reasons: first, you may use it to practice patterns by taping a sheet of paper underneath it; second, once the paint has dried, you can scrape it off and reuse the glass for your next effort.
1-Shot Pinstriping Paint: This product is used by a large number of professionals; thus, it is a safe bet that it is effective. An odorless mineral spirit will do the trick when it comes to thinning enamel and when it comes to painting. Many people make the mistake of over-thinking their paint, which results in less pigment reaching the surface of the paint. If you use less pigment to create your linework, the more vulnerable it will be to flaking.
Holding the brush in the same manner as you would a pen or pencil will also help to balance the brush and make it more controllable. By gripping the ferrule, the part of the brush handle that connects to the actual hair of the brush, the handle will “float,” allowing you to spin it for tighter corners and turns. When drawing a long straight line, it may be beneficial to place a line of tape a couple of inches away from the intended line. If you extend the tip of your index finger outwards and rest it along the tape line, you will get an exceptionally straight line.
Finally, consider your “canvas,” which may be anything from a hood to a fender to a motorbike helmet or a gas tank. Sketch out your design and consider whether or not it is a good match for the canvas it is intended to beautify. Although you can have the most beautiful design and layout with the most beautiful lines, if the design does not flow naturally with the lines of the canvas, you will lose something.
