Touch up Techniques

[Lee Shelton]

I'm feeling alot better and more confident about small dings, and paint touch up... but the "rhino" in the corner staring me down is ... Pin Stripes!

For a touch up job, they scare the heck out me. I've never done any before either painted or stickers. So when I see a scratch or ding thats near a stripe -- I leave it alone.

The very act of applying is one thing, but then there's color matching. Yikes!

Is this a rational fear for a newbie?

I have not seen any material specifically geared toward "repair" or pin-stripe areas. Maybe I haven't looked hard enough.

Thanks
Lee

[joedirt216]

Lee, I think that pin striping is an "ART" that takes many years to feel fully confident to do a real good job, I've pin striped on a couple MX-helmets, and they weren't the best :) but practice make perfect, or that's what I heard one time:D

[88GT]

If you dont want to learn the art you can farm it out. (just the striping)

[Len]

Stick-on vinyl stripes are quick and easy. You stick one end of the stripe on in the proper location then stretch out the stripe for the entire length, whether it's on one panel or the entire side then lay it down from the far end.

Painting stripes can be done in a couple ways. You can use a striping brush (http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=mack00&Category_Code=) but it takes a lot of practice to make it right using a brush and we always farm this out because nobody here has that kind of talent.

You can also use a striping tape (http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=FINFS500&Category_Code=) that will mask off the proper width stripe then it can be brushed or sprayed on. These tapes are also available in individual rolls.