One of the simplest ways to dress up cars, walls and furniture is just to add a stripe to painted surfaces. Whether you’re aiming for race-inspired boldness or just a hint of accent, pinstriping tape is an easy way to get a look with clean lines without the mess of paint, brushes or stencils. The main key to creating successful, professional-looking pinstrips with pinstriping tape is to learn how to use pinstriping tape the Right Way. However, before you begin you need to have an idea how it works and what factors can influence the result of what you are trying to achieve with pinstriping tape.
Battlehooch The key to any great stripe job, before a single stripe has been laid: is preparing the area to be painted. The surface must be clean, dry, dust-free, wax-free and grease-free. Sometimes the best thing on older vehicles, new vehicles with no body lines, inside trucks and for race car trailer application is pinstripe tape. If you are applying to a clean wall we recommend cleaning with a dry cloth or mild solvent if needed and don’t apply masking tape as you may lose some paint on removal! Flat bottom makes the lines less obvious and reduce the chances of peeling or bubbles.
The size or thickness of pinstriping tape that is best for your project and the pinstriping look you want to achieve. In typical automotive applications, a vinyl based tape that can withstand the weather, UV light and washing is employed. Men's Health For example, indoor use on painted furniture or walls need not support as much durability, but even then, adhesion is important. You always have to think about the curvature of the surface and then how much the tape is going to have to give. Thin strips work best for curves, and wider tapes for straight, bold lines.
It all comes down to how you apply things and it really makes such a difference. If you put your pinstripe tape on, do not pull it too hard as the tape will stretch, snap back, harden and or lift. Keep your fingers straight and apply pressure as it adheres along the entire piece. If it’s an automobile or any other kind of curve, then a soft squeegee can also be handy in getting the air bubbles out and to cement a good bond. Alignment is important too — give yourself a hand by marking your guidelines in pencil before you start taping up to ensure everything is symmetrical and balanced.
If the application is exterior or in a wet area you should seal after the pinstriping tape is laid. Applying a clear coat may reduce peeling and discolouration and extend the life of the tape; this is especially the case in automotive use. If you are using spray paint to create a temporary design, or if think you might want to pull your design up or modify it later, don’t seal the edges of your tape too well (you’ll be glad you didn’t seal it when you go to remove the tape again). Just keep in mind the better the tape, the stronger too, and the better the prep and application 0 the longer it will stay down.
That's right, whether it's DIY nastily done paint lines on your ride, a hand-painted trim piece, the drawer of a bathroom, or the racing stripes on your wall, pinstripe tape has got you covered. If you have the proper preparation, tools and technique, you can achieve a clean polish that gives your project a professional, refined appearance. Knowing the right way to apply and care for pinstriping tape means your design looks good and lasts.