Kafka Scroll Pinstriping, Part 3, 7/18/09

[Stayawesome21]

I have been striping for a little over a year now and one of the biggest problems I have come across is that when I thin my paint with mineral spirits it tends to come off real easily. How can I fix this problem for my strips to las longer?

[kafkapinstriping]

Well this could be a few different things, Did you prep the surface with wax and grease remover and clean the area off with a dry paper towel ? Try wiping with isopropyl rubbing alcohol, it will further promote adhesion. Try some of my Smooth Stroke in the paint. Use normal mineral spirits not oder-less.Let me know if this helps,use my e-mail steve@kooltie.com

[stevey1175]

im a newbie how do you keep your brushes well conditioned

[kafkapinstriping]

@stevey1175 For several years now I've made a brush oil that is all natural ,contains no wax ,or acids, no petroleum ,and washes out with mineral spirits,sold in 4 oz. and 1 pint.

[CrisVanGon1]

What brand of enamel paint do you use? Which is best?

[kafkapinstriping]

@CrisVanGon1 The paint I use is One Shot lettering enamel, there are several to choose from, enamels, urethane s, and others, that smell terrible. I use old One Shot, thin it with mineral spirits,add some smooth stroke fish eye eliminator, gloss and flow enhancer, and have a ball,you will too.

Good luck,

Steve

[radiobath]

Hey Steve. I'm an aspiring striper. My story starts with digging through the bookstore on computer case modding about two years ago and finding a book on pinstriping. I flipped through it, got bored, and left. This weekend, I went to a car show and was appalled at the number of old Bel Airs with stencil striping and amateur paint jobs. Found your videos, and I plan on getting brushes and slabs of porcelain to practice on.

Anyways, any advice for a newbie? :D

[kafkapinstriping]

@radiobath Pick-up The System on my site, lots have had rapid results. good luck, enjoy it.

Steve

[RockinKees]

Steve, GREAT video's!

I have one little question: do you turn the brush between your fingers when you make scrolls?

I can't get it right, I know I have to practice, but it might help...

Thank you!

[kafkapinstriping]

@RockinKees I don't spin the brush at all, just stay up on the tip and only use about 1/4 inch of the tip,like in the video. keep the brush between 70 & 90 percent to the surface your working on,don't worry it'll come to you,hope this helps.

Steve

[kafkapinstriping]

No twirling ! ,never ! keep watching the videos, if I can help just ask and I'll try to help,don't even think of quitting ,it's worth the effort ,honest.

Regards,

Steve

[RockinKees]

@kafkapinstriping : Thanks Steve, I'm getting there (I hope ;-))

It goes better each time I try.

The only thing that gets in the way right now is that I think the brush is stiffer than a Mack, at your videos it doesn't look like that.

But it is really a nice brush to work with!!

Best regards!

Kees

[kafkapinstriping]

@RockinKees All of my brushes are comprised of the same hair , a blend of synthetic and natural hair that flows lettering enamel better then anything I've ever seen. The brushes come with a firm sizing that washes off with any thinner and will be softer once this is done,they will retain some snap that will help with control,watch the videos it will help. I'll be here for Q&A when anyone needs it ,have fun.

Steve

[flyer181]

Steve...just got my scrollers in the mail yesterday. I had to drag my paint kit from underneath the bench..about 10 years worth of dust on the old girl. These brushes really put a smile on my face...it was somewhat painful for me to stripe with the old brushes...I think I am coming out of retirement...Thanks

[kafkapinstriping]

WOW ,sorry for the late reply,what great news,I so glad to here about your succes,now you can have some fun!Wait till you do some free-hand flames and outlines,nice to kick the dust off an put a grin on your face. I've got some new lettering brushes coming out soon ,like nothing ever seen before!

Regards ,

Steve

[flyer181]

Thought it was cool to see that you had driven a sprinter at Manzy. I ran a sprint car also until about 12 years ago..got priced out of the game, but had fun. Looking forward to more videos. Thanx

[Jispa]

Thank you very much for doing these videos Steve. Great inspiration.

[richyt212]

I posted a slideshow, its kinda cheesy, but its what I can do. It is here on youtube, if you would, check it out and let me know what you think. The video is titled Pinstriping by Richy T. Thanks and keep the videos coming, I really dig your work. Actually on the video there is a "Kafka inspired " piece on a chevy II that I striped last night.

[richyt212]

I really like your videos. I have been striping on and off(mostly off ) for the past three years. I feel I started in the old days, because I have had noone to show me anything until I found a couple things on YOUTUBE. I would like for you to see some of my work and tell me what you think of it. I will post a some pictures in a slideshow or maybe a video and let you know so you could see it. Thanks for the videos and info, your work is awe inspiring.

Richy T.

[Cre8iveSignWorks]

hahaha....i had to laugh about your comment on people getting their clothes covered in paint. ive been signwriting for 30 years and used to think that the more paint you had on your clothes showed how much better and cooler you were than everyone else. that was when i started out, but now in my own business i totally think the opposite of this. im glad to say that today i dont have a drop of paint on me anywhere.

i love your attitude and your gr8 vids.

cheers from western australia

[kafkapinstriping]

I may come to Australia to stripe @ a few harley dealerships within the next 12 months. Glad you enjoyed the vids Ive got some lettering brushes comming out soon and Im supposed to do a video quickey on a fast script Ive been doing For thirty years.most of the stripers I know started as signmen ,I was into several diciplines before finding this current artform ,Ive been very grateful and try to spread the knowledge to the willing what a blast!! steve

[Cre8iveSignWorks]

wow! interesting, and thanks for your quick reply steve.

im in perth, western australia, so if you do make it this far, you will at least know someone here and will have a place to stay if you need one.

ive been signwriting for years but your vids have inspired me to get into pinstriping as ive never really given it much of a go before. (damn those computer cutters) but hopefully i can become good enough at it so that i can introduce it as another part of my business.

thanks again

: )

[Travis0218]

Right on! I play guitar! I got my #3 Kafka scrolling brush, my set of 10 Kafka scriptliners in the mail today and my Kafka grid should be here tomorrow, I am ready to rock and stripe! Thanks Steve. Peace

[Travis0218]

Steve! P.S. You also have great taste in music, I do have one question, also myself being new in the stripin' world. What is the reason for the One Shot being stored upside down in the plastic containers? Thanks Travis

[kafkapinstriping]

The theory is that upside down has less air in the paint and is less likely to dry out. The paint bottles are quicker with less skinning. I use them all the time. I enjoy playing blues harp on occasion :)

[Travis0218]

Hey Steve! I shoud have your set of 10 scriptliners either wed or thurs, and tonight I ordered your #3 scroll brush you are using and your grid. I can't wait! I started airbrushing last December and just a few months ago I put stripin' into the mix. Your videos are great and your work is awesome! Peace Thanks Travis

[GrenKees]

Hi Steve! My name is Czifra and i have a question:

Whats in the little aluminium "cup"? (im a begginner striper)

[kafkapinstriping]

Hi Czifra, the short can is mineral spirits (cheap thinner) the tall can is lacquer thinner to clean the brush. glad to help newbies any time Steve

[JetRanger0007]

******* - STARS !!!!