Kafka Old Skool Pinstriping, Part 1/2, 7/18/09

[@billyholly]

@kafkapinstriping I totally agree. I still have the brushes I started with... almost 40 years ago. What a hassle. Your brushes look fantastic. I haven't done any "real" striping in the last 30 years but seeing how well your brushes work, I'm certainly getting the urge. I began by striping bicycles...talk about a difficult surface! GREAT video! Keep them coming!

[@dannyb278]

I am a novice painter, i'm not much of a pinstriper yet, but do use the brushes for outlining "old school" graphics. Started with a can of 1-shot and a 00 mack. I bought your #3 pinstriping brush and have noticed a huge improvement in my curved lines. No flare out at all. Recently painted a "flying eyeball" on my toolbox, and outlining the eye would have been impossible for me without your brush. Now if i could only get my line weight consistant....Thanks for posting all the videos.

[@2006derald]

I just received the grid, saves loads of time. I got 6 of your brushes, but having problems with scrolling. Maybe my paint is not mixed right. Thanks for getting me back into it. Just LVE your work. Thanks, Derald

[@kafkapinstriping]

Actually stripers who use Macks have to trim the tips because of errant hair. I used to cut 1/8" out of the belly and do a round cut across the top to make them turn. In that respect I had to make it my own. My stripers and Longliner series do not need to be trimmed unless a hair is sticking out and will foul the line. Glad you enjoyed the vids!

[@hooft007]

So i finaly found a shop that sells pinstriping gear and im begging my mom for some brushes. but they dont sell good educational books so i have to teach it myself so it probably wont turn out very nice. your videos help me a lot though. thank you. greetings from holland

[@kafkapinstriping]

@KFLY67 It is a #3 Signature Series Kafka Scroller It can do the work of both brushes because of the round ferrule and the type of hair and the design.

[@kafkapinstriping]

IF YOUR DOING OL' SKOOL DESIGNS you can use any of my brushes ,there are no comparisons to any mack ,they are a different style and used for only one type of striping ,My scrollers can do both ,more versatile.I would recommend starting with both a#1 & #3 , I think you will be very happy,they can stripe line thicknesses in the same area of mack oo,but with more control and versatility. Steve

[@kafkapinstriping]

@98point6 Hi Bruce, Many of the old timers added oils to slow the drying time of the paint. I'm adding mineral spirits to pallet with,I use cheap lacqure thinner to rinse the brush between colors .I'll be happy to answer questions anytime ,have fun. Steve

[@kafkapinstriping]

For most of my demo work and the panels I do for sale are on "Plastisheen" sold on my site. It resembles the finish found on cars, difficult to repair mistakes, but there is a way if done quickly. Not for practice, use a -practice board.

[@kafkapinstriping]

@guitarman124 I clean the brush with lacquer thinner initially,or to wash it out between colors ,and before cleaning,then spirits,then my brush oil. Have fun,I know you will. Regards, Steve

[@cordmoss]

Steve, your paint looks so smooth...im currently using kustom shops ez paint and thin with mineral spirits. i tried a little smooth stroke and it made the paint very hard and unworkable within a few seconds. also, my paint gets to a "tacky" stage rather quickly. on your palette it seems that the paint stay smooth. can you toss a little advice my way?

[@kafkapinstriping]

You should try my #3 scroller it wont frustrate you , lots of pinstripers use it for every kind of job .

[@kafkapinstriping]

It'sd called an Omnichrome pencil,remove it with windex and a micro fiber cloth when paint is dry. Have fun. Steve

[@kafkapinstriping]

@oneslowride I find the Blues especially fun to stripe with, although I appreciate almost all music, I play a little blues harp when the opportunity presents itself.

[@kafkapinstriping]

Get going man ,it's still a blast! Steve

[@oneslowride]

sounds like a touch of blues in the music.

[@kafkapinstriping]

I'm sure you mean the pencil you used left marks on the car, the Grid can't leave marks itself that would be impossible ! Now if you want to know how to remove the"marks" left by the PENCIL you used you use Windex sprayed on a micro fiber cloth then gently wipe the surface , when the paint is dry ,and all the marks will come off. That's what works with Staedtler omnichrome pencils that I sell ,if you use the other brand that melt this process will also work.

[@dannyb278]

Thanks Steve, I have seen the Monte Roach Vid. Really impressive. i wish i would have known about this stuff when i was 15 (15 years ago) and had time to kill. Thanks again for the great vids.

[@johnjsil]

i notice you never use your fingers on opposite hand to keep feeding paint into the fibers of the brush like some guys do - what say you about that ? Just like to keep your hands clean ?

[@dannyb278]

@kafkapinstriping "killing" may have been the wrong word to use. Time is tight for everybody. Though even if i dont make any $ in this arform, i do find it relaxing after a day of work/putting the kid to bed. Thanks again for the great vids and comments.

[@kafkapinstriping]

@88spd I think that their on my-space, My daughter does that for me so I'll try and find out. Good luck ,and have fun, If you need help ,just ask. Regards, Steve

[@kafkapinstriping]

@AmericaUnitedWeStand Plastisheen is a coated cardboard that closely resembles the finish of a car , I love to stripe on it although repairs must be addressed immediately with a Q-tip and spirits,then rubbing alcahol . comes in Black ,Period. Your right on the 12pt.. It's fairly durable but should be framed under glass after it's been striped. I've never sold one for less than $100.00 . Regards, Steve

[@guitarman124]

what do you clean the brush with before dipping it in the mineral spirits

[@EpiyonVSwingzero]

Where can you buy that grid and what is it called specifically? Awesome work by the way.

[@banditboycycles]

Great work man! I got a question, im new to pinstriping, i did a tribal design on a car hood its all painted and airbrushed and i want to pinstripe the outer edge of the tribal blades(like outer flame edge), i wandering which brush should i use, sword or scroller, ect? Also what is a good way to steady my hand, a bit too shaky for 28 year old lol, it seems that a lot of pinstripe artists are a older, is this a dying art or u guys have some thing younger crowd dont have? Great work! Thanks!

[@kafkapinstriping]

@DrummerRiley98 You should practice with the same paint that your going to use when you stripe.

[@camaroglory]

i practice on a piece of glass because it is easy to cleanup mistakes. i make alot of them.

[@kafkapinstriping]

I thought it would be obvious not to let the paint dry on the practice board, I'll have to make a sticker for the back of it now, you can peel the paper off the backi and use it also. Try some lacquer thinner, but it can haze the finish so be quick about it.

[@CAPTIANKOLOTH]

YOUR PRETTY KEWL BRO.... ABOUT 4:18 INTO IT, SAID TO MYSELF UR MAKING A BAT ..... LOL BUT VERY KEWL , IM BUYIN UR BRUSH AND GOIN TO WORK ON MY OWN DESIGNS.....

[@kafkapinstriping]

@cikmotorsports I wish I was as popular as that guy, But then again I'm still on the mowin side of the lawn!

[@98point6]

Steve - You're the best... talent and sharing your knowledge by replies here! You dabbed the brush near the top of the palette at 5:59 as you reloaded the brush with paint. Is there a material/liquid there? I ask since VonDutch mentioned something in a YT video about adding motor oil or kerosene at times. Thanks, Bruce

[@KFLY67]

Hey Kafka what is the brush called that your using and what do I look for?

[@kafkapinstriping]

Watch all of my videos there are bits of information all through them

[@kafkapinstriping]

I'm sure kustom shops could set you straight if you contact them.I have no experience with their products,once I smelled it that was enough.I use One Shot. Good luck, Steve

[@kafkapinstriping]

@OPM9800 go to steve kafka.com all of my offerings are there, Omnichrome pencil marks are best removed with a micro fiber cloth and windex,sprayed on the cloth,not the artwork, naturally you would allow the paint to dry before attempting this technique,good luck.

[@chillinkillin0]

hey man i love the work. you said the pieces are for sale, where can i get one?

[@DevilDog509]

hey i was wondering im starting out at pinstripping and i really dont have the money get this omni wash stuff that can get rid of bad lines and i was wondering what other alternatives can i use that works about the same

[@cikmotorsports]

I be 'dog-on'...I done found the 'Bob Ross' of pin-striping!!!!!

[@silentlysniped]

where do u buy the brushes from and what are they called ?

[@Bayan1905]

I am glad I found this stuff. I am looking to get into something to do following my retirement at the ripe old age of 37 (disability) but I am not sure if I can since one of my arms and hands is the problem, but I found that now that my left arm is rigid due to all the tendon and muscle damage, I can hold it steadier than ever (don't ask how) and I have always done artistic work before. Any advice for lefties on how to get started vs right handed folks?

[@kafkapinstriping]

Bayan1905 sorry ,didn't know about the comments, if you haven't gotten into this yet, go to Stevekafka.com, start with my Scroller brushes ,it doesn't matter lefty or right handed, questions, Face book or my site,be glad to help.

[@AmericaUnitedWeStand]

"Plastisheen" Is it a Plastic sheet, Metal, or a Paper? How Thick is it? If Metal or Plastic what Gauge is it? If it's a Paper, what Point is it? Like a 12pt.? If you hold a sheet by one corner does it stand out ridgid or fold over? Not alot of info for "Plastisheen" on the web is why I am asking before buying. Thanks.

[@kafkapinstriping]

Get the "System" I developed this to help people to learn this fantastic art form and not get frustrated, it's supposed to be fun, and the gratification is great! Steve

[@kafkapinstriping]

Danny, Watch all of the videos you can ,and practice is crucial . The System has worked for a whole lot of people, check out the Monte Roach video . and I'll help when I can. Your welcome it's nice to be appreciated. Steve

[@schultzmonte]

What do you use to draw the grid on your project on how do you remove it after youre done pinstriping? Thanks I appreciate the help!

[@kafkapinstriping]

All of the equipment I make is @steve kafka .com Have fun Steve

[@kafkapinstriping]

I have no idea what omni wash stuff is, never heard of it. If your trying to erase a line of paint use rubbing alcohol. Two p's in pinstriping, I sell pencils called omni-chrome, writes on any surface washes of with water or windex.

[@67spankadelik]

Hello Mr. Kafka, How do you care for the practice board? Is it a problem to allow paint to dry on board? I've notice what you say about glass. And have long stopped using it. Thanx

[@kafkapinstriping]

@DrummerRiley98 The panels are painted on Plastisheen, they closely resemble the finish of a car ,are fairly cheap ,but it is more difficult to fix a mistake,it must be done quickley with a q-tip and rubbing alcahol. I sell packets of them on my site,Steve kafka.com. Regards, Steve

[@xChonRenox]

do you have a website where i can get started with all of this?

[@kafkapinstriping]

@MrSpeed101 Sorry for the late response. You can get everything @ steve kafka .com If I can help you just ask . Regards, Steve

[@kafkapinstriping]

@dannyb278 Believe me I feel the same way, except You wouldn't be killing the time ,there is a lot of $ to be made doing this art form . Regards, Steve

[@kafkapinstriping]

@oneslowride When I can get em

[@JetRanger0007]

Wayy Cool !!!!

[@retiredle8139]

Do you a sell an instruction sheet that describes each brush, what it does and what they are primarily used for? Thanks Ron

[@kafkapinstriping]

Retired LE stevekafka.com

[@kafkapinstriping]

I make a practice board that closely resembles the finish found on vehicles, it has the proper "tooth" and will draw the paint from the brush, while glass gives a false sense of "sliding" never apparent in automotive finishes. STOP USING GLASS!!

[@kafkapinstriping]

Using your fingers to pallet is very old time signpainters technique and I don't do it or recommend it to anyone ,why get your fingers in it if you don't have to?My brushes are designed to flow sign enamel like nothing else,wait till you see my lettering brushes ,longer hair innovative style and durable too. A lot of guys not only feed paint to their brushes but shape the tip at the same time . Regards, Steve

[@pantersplayer]

wish i can buy it in Europe too

[@kafkapinstriping]

@chillinkillin0 These and others are available on my face book page. Or you can call 888-566-5843 and I'll tell you whats still here. Thanks, Steve

[@kafkapinstriping]

@silentlysniped You can get all of my striping products on steve kafka.com. and I'll help you when you need it . Regards, Steve

[@kafkapinstriping]

Everything is available @steve kafka.com enjoy yourself Steve

[@kafkapinstriping]

@1984mats We have distributors in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, UK, Finland, and Belgium. If you email me directly at [e-mail] I can give you their contact info.

[@kafkapinstriping]

I sell my products all over Europe, Just tell me where you are and I'll direct you. Steve

[@kafkapinstriping]

I should have stated my site on the vid, but did not , you may call 888-566-5843 and I can help you to get on my site