Welcome
Thanks for stopping by my blog. My name is Tony and I’ve been pinstriping cars and bikes around the Phoenix area since 1987. I wanted to put this together because I get asked a lot about what makes hand-painted lines better than those vinyl stickers you see at the auto parts store. If you want to talk about getting some real paint on your ride, you can reach me at (602) 397-7134 or shoot an email over to Tony@astripe.com. I’m usually around the 75th Ave. and Union Hills area but I can do mobile service in some cases too.

The Real Deal vs. The Tape Job

When you’re walking a car show in Scottsdale or hanging out at a local cruise-in, you might see two cars that look similar from twenty feet away. But when you get up close, one of them has a "soul" and the other one just looks like a plastic toy. That’s the difference between hand-painted pinstriping and a vinyl sticker.

I’ve been doing this for over 35 years and I’ve seen it all. I’ve seen guys try to save fifty bucks by putting on a tape stripe they bought at a big-box store and then two years later they’re calling me because the ends are peeling up and it looks like a mess. Pinstriping isn't just about a line; it’s about the craftsmanship and the way the paint actually bites into the surface of your car.

How to Tell the Difference

The easiest way to tell if a job is "pro" or just a sticker is to use your eyes and your fingers. A hand-painted line has a certain thickness to it. Since I use high-quality automotive paints like One Shot, the paint actually sits on top of the surface with a slight edge you can feel if you run your fingernail across it (very gently, of course).

A vinyl sticker is flat. Even the "high-quality" ones look like they’ve been printed out of a machine because, well, they have. When I’m pinstriping, I’m using a specialized brush: usually a Mac sword brush or a squirrel hair brush: and every single line has a beginning and an end that shows the artist's touch. You’ll see a slight "pull" where the brush first hits the metal and a nice clean taper where I lift it off. Stickers just cut off abruptly or have rounded ends that look "manufactured."

The Phoenix Heat Factor

Living here in the Valley, we have a specific problem that guys in other states don’t have to worry about as much: the sun. The Arizona sun is absolutely brutal on anything made of plastic or adhesive.

Vinyl stickers are held on by a sticky backing. Over time, that adhesive dries out under our 110-degree summer heat. Once it dries out, the edges start to curl. Once those edges curl, dirt gets under them, and suddenly you’ve got a "hairy" looking stripe that’s flapping in the wind when you’re doing 65 on the I-10.

Hand-painted pinstriping is different. Because it’s actual automotive paint, it bonds to your vehicle's finish. It expands and contracts at the same rate as your car's paint. If you take care of it and keep it waxed, a hand-painted stripe can last just as long as the car itself. I’ve had guys come back to me after fifteen years and the stripes I did for them still look as sharp as the day I painted them. You just can’t get that with a sticker.

The "Soul" of the Line

People always ask me why I don't use a machine or a stencil. The truth is, pinstriping is an art form. It’s about symmetry and flow, but it’s also about the human element. When I’m working on a custom hot rod, I’m looking at the curves of the body. I’m thinking about how the light hits the fender.

A sticker is a "one size fits all" solution. But every car is different. Even two 1957 Chevys aren't exactly the same after 70 years on the road. When I do a job, I’m consulting with you on the design, the color, and the placement. We might decide that a little bit of gold leaf or some hand-painted flames will make that hood pop. The photos in this article are real photos of my actual work, not computer-generated fakes,and that matters because what you see here is the kind of work I actually put on real vehicles. You can't get that kind of personal service from a roll of tape.

My motto is "Professional Results In Daily Efforts" (PRIDE). That means I’m putting my reputation on the line with every stroke of the brush. If a line isn't perfect, I wipe it off and start over until it is. That’s the kind of dedication you’re paying for.

Wearing the Art

I love pinstriping so much that I even started an automotive art clothing line. I wanted people to be able to take that "hand-painted" look with them even when they aren't in their car. If you’re a fan of the culture, you should check out the Low Rider Pinstriping Tee on the shop page. It features the same kind of intricate designs I paint on cars every day.

Why Experience Matters

I’ve been doing this since 1987. I grew up in my dad’s custom shop, Leo Perez, and I learned the old-school way. I’ve worked on everything from street rods and lowriders to motorcycles and even golf carts. I’ve even had the chance to work with legends like Ed "Big Daddy" Roth and Von Dutch.

When you hire someone with 35 years of experience, you aren't just paying for the paint. You’re paying for the thousands of hours I’ve spent perfecting my hand so that those lines are straight and those scrolls are symmetrical. The photo from Central Paints in the 70s shows that this history goes back generations for me,not just a recent trend. I’ve done work for the SEMA show and been on the Discovery Channel, but my favorite jobs are still the daily drivers for folks here in Phoenix who just want their ride to stand out.

Get In Touch

If you’re tired of the "sticker look" and you want some real-deal automotive art, give me a call. I’m always happy to talk shop and give you a fair price for a quality job. Whether you have a brand new truck or a classic chopper, I can help you find the right design to match your vision.

Get In Touch
Phone/Text: (602) 397-7134
Email: Tony@astripe.com
Location: 75th Ave. and Union Hills, Phoenix Metro Area

I offer mobile service in some cases, so just let me know where you’re at. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you and your ride soon!