How do you do pinstriping?
 

I have done quite a bit of lug lining, rings, and other detailing but have never tackled pinstriping, box lining, etc. I'd like to try it for my next frame restoration but don't really know where to start. Who has done this, what have the results been, and what would you recommend?

I recall reading that Jack Taylor did all the pinstriping and box lining on the bikes that bore his name entirely by hand.

I just stumbled on this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lX2_AiqdaI


No way could I do that.

when filling in some missing pinstriping on the stays of my g.record, i used two pieces of tape on each side and filled the middle with gold enamel. i was pleased with the results.

Pinstriping is a skill. The more you do, the better you get. That said...

I did some pin stripping on my first Legnano Gran Premio. The fenders were done with a paint pen, freehand, and they turned out pretty good...

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...ndleBars_3.jpg

The black stripes on the seat tube are plastic stick on tape, available at most automotive stores...

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...Triangle_3.jpg

The same goes for the red stripes on the stays and fork blades...

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...ape_Fork_1.jpg

And keep in mind, the striping does not have to be perfect. It rarely was, in Old School days.

The best do it freehand. I can do a passable job as long as I have an edge to follow. I have seen some phenomenal free hand work. They make a little wheeled gizmo, but from what I recall it doesn't work all that well. Tape is a definite option and is a bit easier than paint, easier to fix too if you screw up.:p

Aaron :)

I like the striping tape for long straight runs, or around the tubes. For the lug edges, a very fine paint pen does well.

There is a Raleigh factory short film from 1945 which (among other things) shows how this is done:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaxRQh03BOw

The whole thing is interesting, but the box lining/pinstriping occurs around 7:22. Interesting jig...