Stories from the Shop: An Intro to the Rides, People, and Paint That Shaped Me

Gilbert Preciado's '76 Cutlass, President of the Intruders in the 70s.

Welcome

If you need to get a hold of me for some custom work or to ask about my new shirts you can call me at 602.397.7134 or email me at tony@astripe.com, I am usually around the shop or out on a mobile job but I always get back to people quickly. I have been doing this for over 35 years and I love talking about cars and art with anyone who shares the passion so don't be a stranger.

This post is the intro to a new series I am calling Stories from the Shop. I have picked up decades of stories from painting cars, talking with people in the Phoenix lowrider scene, cruising South Central, and growing up at Central Paints while all kinds of beautiful iron rolled by. Some of those stories come from working around legendary clubs like The Intruders, Spirit, Sophisticated Few, some come from long nights around fresh paint and striping brushes, and some come from just being a kid in the middle of it all trying to soak up every detail.

Where These Stories Come From

Growing up in Phoenix was something else especially if you liked cars like I did. My dad owned a shop called Central Paints and it was located right on Central Avenue which was the place to be if you wanted to see the best rides in the state. We were right there on South Central where the lowriders would dominate every single weekend. I spent most of my childhood hanging out at that shop and it was a crazy time with a lot of noise and a lot of beautiful paint jobs moving slow down the street. It was a whole vibe that you can't really find anywhere else, and it is what inspired me to start my own journey with hand painted pinstriping and eventually my own lowrider clothing brand.

My dad Leo Perez, Sammy, Uncle Caco and Joe Black standing in front of Central Paints circa 1970

I would be in the back of the shop painting things and practicing my lines while the world outside was just alive and crazy.
I drew a lot of my inspiration from those nights because the cars weren't just transportation they were rolling art pieces. The guys driving them took so much pride in every little detail from the chrome wire wheels to the intricate murals on the hoods. It was a community that valued craftsmanship and that is something that stuck with me for over three decades. I saw how a few fine lines of paint could change the entire look of a car and give it a personality that matched the owner. That same spirit still shows up in my hand painted pinstriping, my Chicano car culture apparel, and the custom car t shirts I make today.

Learning the Craft of Hand Painted Pinstriping

After watching all those beautiful cars cruise by for years I knew I wanted to be the one adding those final touches. Hand painted pinstriping is an art form that requires a very steady hand and a lot of patience which I learned by doing it every single day. I have been pinstriping for 35 years now and I still use the same high-quality paints and brushes because that is how you get the best results. Whether it is a classic hot rod or a modern daily driver I treat every job like it is going to be cruising down South Central on a Saturday night.

My process is very personal because I want to make sure the design fits the car and the person who owns it. I offer mobile service in the Phoenix Metro Area because I know it is easier for some people if I come to them. I do cars, motorcycles, golf carts and pretty much anything that has a smooth surface and needs a little bit of flavor. People in the custom show car community know that a machine can't replicate the soul of a hand painted line and that is why they come to me. I love taking a vision and turning it into something real that people will notice when you are out on the road.

From the Shop to Chicano Car Culture Apparel

A few years ago, I decided to take the art I was doing on cars and put it on clothing so people could wear the culture. I started my own lowrider clothing brand because I wanted to offer something authentic that came from someone who was actually there in the scene. My Chicano car culture apparel features designs that are inspired by the same lines and patterns I paint on the cars. It is about more than just a t-shirt it is about representing a lifestyle that has been a part of Phoenix for generations.

When I design a new shirt like the Cadi Daddy or the Taildragger I am thinking about those nights at Central Paints. I want my apparel to feel like it belongs at a car show or a backyard barbecue with the family. The response has been great because people can tell when something is the real deal versus just a generic design from a big company. I use the same bold colors and sharp lines that I use in my pinstriping work because that is my signature style.

Keeping the Tradition Alive in the Phoenix Metro Area

Even though the scene has changed a lot since the 80s and 90s the heart of it is still the same. People still love their cars, and they still want them to look unique. I am proud to be a part of the Phoenix lowrider scene and to help keep the tradition of hand painted pinstriping alive. It is a lot of work but seeing a customer's face when they see their car finished makes it all worth it. I have worked on everything from award winning show trucks to simple projects for people who just want their ride to stand out a little bit.

I am always available for new projects so if you have a car or a bike that needs some works don't hesitate to reach out to me. I serve the entire Phoenix area including Mesa, Glendale, Tempe and everywhere in between. You can find my apparel online at astripe.com or you can see me at local car shows throughout the year. Between the shop work, the lowrider clothing brand, and the Chicano car culture apparel side of things, I have a lot more to share than just finished jobs. That is really what this series is about. The cars, the clubs, the characters, the laughs, the near disasters, the lessons, and the history behind it all.

So, stay tuned, because this is just the beginning. I will be sharing more stories from the shop, more memories from cruising South Central, and more pieces of Phoenix lowrider scene history that helped shape my work, my hand painted pinstriping, and the custom car t shirts and art I make today. If you like old cars, real shop stories, and a little paint on everything, you are in the right place.

Get In Touch

If you want to book a pinstriping job or check out my latest clothing designs, you can reach me at 602.397.7134 or send an email to tony@astripe.com. I am happy to talk about your ideas and give you a fair price for some high-quality hand painted art. I also offer gift certificates if you have a car enthusiast in your life who needs some custom work done. Thanks for supporting a local artist and for keeping the car culture in Phoenix as alive and crazy as it was when I was a kid at my dad's shop.

Stay cool and keep cruising,

Tony Pinstriper
astripe.com
602.397.7134