Senior Ryder 00 

Hi folks,

I apologize if this has been covered before and my search didn’t find it.
Has anyone successfully used Sharpie extra fine point oil based paint pens for doing lug lining & fill-ins on cutouts/pantos? Also, how about the use of the wider points for touch-ups?

Thanks and regards,

Van

tyler_fred

I’ve used the extra fine water based pen. I clear coated afterwards. I think some professionals use a Kemper fluid writer.

Nessism

There are scads of older threads on this topic. Here are a couple...

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...nes-brand.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...teel-bike.html

https://www.google.com/search?ei=uQ_...iz.zqSiIKJqk8g

markwesti

Here is my pathetic try with a pin stripe brush . I kept telling myself "just get a Sharpie". I'm not good with decals either .

DSCF2579 by mark westi, on Flickr


DSCF2589 by mark westi, on Flickr
DSCF2578 by mark westi, on Flickr

PilotFishBob 

This is what I use for lug-lining work. Makes for nice, thin lines. Very accurate, little to no slop.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The Golden Boy 

I used a Testor's paint pen.

I didn't figure out until I was most of the way through that you can trim the felt tip to make it sharper.

tiger1964 

Hmm; one of these came with my drafting instrument set, about 45 years ago. Never used it for anything...

jamesdak 

I used a paint pen I got at a local hobby store to outline the lugs on my Trek 560 Pro one day. Turned out ok and the buyer of that bike sure liked it.

John E

This is very timely for me, with Capo Sieger #2 arriving. It was repainted without the head lug cutouts being painted in the head tube color, so I need to fix that. (Capo Modell Campagnolo shown, with the small exposed head tube panels appropriately painted.)

obrentharris 

Which paint or ink do you use with the ruling pen for bicycle work?
Brent

capnjonny 

I am not clear how this is used. How do you get paint into the pen? what kind of paint do you use? I would think lacquer would dry too fast. I would love to do some lug lining on my paint jobs. Tried to use a paint pen once but the line was much too wide.

PilotFishBob 

I use thinned enamel. Getting the consistency right takes a little work - too thick and it won't flow, too thin and it runs. I came across the idea here on the forums awhile back (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...triping-2.html) and had used ruling pens before so it worked well for me. For lug and lining work I really like that I can adjust the line thickness and lay down a dense coat. Haven't done it in awhile and those bikes are gone, but I have a Raleigh DL-1 build I want to get to soon so it'll be time to break out the set again.

@capnjonny, I just dip the quill in the paint and wipe the excess, the paint pools in the space behind the nib. Pic of it here:

https://www.velo-heaven.co.uk/produc...s-restorations

Charles Wahl

I've used DecoColor pens (probably acrylic), the "fine" variety. They have decent color selection, plus gold, silver and I think maybe copper. They're fairly easy to use, can clean up mess-ups with isopropyl before they dry. The silver really does look silvery gray.

I've about had it with VBulletin. First they (for no apparent reason) took away the date of the first post, and for awhile whenever I login here, I can't post anything with Firefox. Have never had a Firefox problem on several other forums I frequent. This software is crap, and it's a disincentive to visit! No, I don't care to use Chrome or Safari!

randyjawa 

@PilotFishBob.

Great idea for that pen. I used to have one and had no idea what it was used for. Now I know and gonna give it a try on my Rabeneick. Sadly, my vision is failing and my hands tend to shake when attempting to target. Pictures to follow, if things work out well.

Pompiere

I have used a Zig paint pen I got at Micheal's craft store for outlining lugs. It was pretty easy to use for someone who doesn't have a steady hand. I just put it in the groove and traced it around. I don't think it would work as well for a wider area like filling a cutout.

PilotFishBob 

2 years ago I was forced to start wearing readers (a friend calls them peepers) for close up work. I have steady hands but of course a a flat piece of paper and a metal tube are somewhat different drawing environments - I kept a bottle of thinner and a cloth handy and was wiping mistakes frequently until I got the hang of it. The obscenity vocabulary got a workout at points but I thought the end results were worth it. I'll try to take pics when i do the DL-1.

rjhammett

I have used them for both touch-up and around lugs. It helps having a steady hand when doing the lug work. Pre lug outline and post lug outline.

Senior Ryder 00 

Many thanks to all for info and leads.

I got a couple of Decocolor pens from our local art supply store. They work well. I’ve been practicing on the groves in a soup can. Medium point works a little better for the width of line I want.

Our son, the artist, arrives in a couple days and I’ll press him into service.��

Cheers,

Van

DHPflaumer

I did this to my Norther yesterday! It turned out surprisingly great and, assuming it doesn't hold up, I'll do it with real paint over the winter when I take the bike apart and clean it properly. I'd post photos but I'm too new, though you can see a teaser shot as my avatar!

Velo Mule

Randy, you are probably better than you think. Get a pair of higher power reading glasses (not necessarily from God), like 3.50. These will provide more magnification and then steady your hand by resting part of it on the frame. You can even use you other hand to help steady your pinstriping hand. There are some pinstriping video they are pretty good too. You want to watch the older more experience guys. Some of them will say that their hands shake but when pinstriping they get nice lines.

John E

Beautiful paint job! One needs not only a "steady hand," but also a modicum of artistic or calligraphic talent. (I lack both, but my wife has them in abundance, so I am getting birthday present ideas.)

randyjawa 

How I wish that was true and I know exactly what you are suggesting. I already have to steady my right hand when attempting to target small items. And, I tend to drop things, these days. And, I tend to misjudge distance. Typing, as you might expect, has become an exercise in eliminating mistakes. All that said...

I have every intention of giving it a try. I will mask the panels on my bike with frisket paper. I will attempt to mask the lugs with whatever I can. And then I will rattle can the frame or even paint it with a brush. Then...

If all looks good, I will attempt the pin striping. If still looking good, on goes the art and then a few coats of clear, followed by a three month paint drying time. Could easily turn into a year of drying time...

Duke7777

For lug lining and box lining these work great. Here is my early 50s Metropole:

jahue

I use a large fluid writing pen by Kemper tools. It has a reservoir that holds several drops of paint and gives you excellent control. You can get them on Amazon.

dweenk

That is nice work.