Post by oldchopperguy on Feb 15, 2016 22:08:44 GMT -5
OK, Scooterinos and Scooteristas...
So you're dressing up a rat-bike, or just wanting an "old-school" look, like your saddle-pals' Vespa of a half-century ago... THAT requires a colored-stripe on your alloy or silver, white, yellow, etc. painted rims... a small touch, but SO effective for that 1950's look!
Sorta like THIS...
There ARE wheel-stripe tapes, but they are somewhat difficult to get really concentric unless you're VERY good at applying the stuff.
Then, there is the classic "real-deal" using enamel and a brush. My old hands are no longer steady enough to break out the Von Dutch dagger pin-striping brush and can of One-Shot.
Now, my mind slips back to around 1962, and the invention of "Magic Markers"... Yup! These alcohol-based marvels can be used on a wheel. We did it on our old Hogs "back in the day".
Just get the wheel off the ground, turn the edge against a green-pad to gently scuff the surface so the marker dye can get a good hold, then press the PERMANENT MARKER tip to the wheel-rim and gently turn the wheel while bracing your hand against the fork, fender, etc. Presto! A near-perfect stripe!!!
Let it dry a few minutes, then repeat a few more coats (don't press hard or you'll "melt" the first coats). The dye is nearly as durable as brushed-enamel and can be made even more lasting with a coat of water-based clear enamel over it. (Lacquer, and some enamels will melt and smear the marker.)
Permanent marker dye IS translucent, so it only works over light colors. Over alloy, or silver-painted wheels, it looks like color-anodizing (a perfect match for my red aluminum valve-caps).
When I finally get to painting my brake-calipers, I'll do them silver, then use transparent Candy-Red to match the red anodize.
This trick works quite well, and, when it begins to fade, or degrade, just give the old stripe a light wiping with a dry green-pad and put on a fresh coat! It takes only minutes to refresh.
Something new, cheap and easy to try!
I particularly like the look when combined with whitewalls... And, I'm happy to report that my painted rear whitewall NOW done with Wally-World house-paint is STILL snowy-white and free from blisters, cracks, peeling, etc. after 1,000 miles!
Sometimes your the DOG, and sometimes you're the HYDRANT... It's great to be the DOG once in a while...
Leo (hopelessly old-school) in Texas
