In 1980 at age 23 While working as a pipe-fitter for Todd Shipyards, I decided to start a sign company and raise my house in West Seattle so I could get Semi-Trucks in my basement!
This was before computers, so all Truck & Boat Lettering was “Hand-Painted”. Self taught with no youtube How-To Videos available. I would go to the local race track and take pictures of the air-brushed “California Style” lettering, get the film developed and then duplicate this “New Look” on truck lettering at my shop. The word got out and my business took off fast!!
Early Boat Lettering
Early Pinstriping
Ready To Spray Flames
At Good Guys Car Show
Lettering Race Car
Airbrushing Flames On My '93 Buick Wagon
Airbrushing my 11' Chopper
Airbrushing Chopper On A Tailgate
Gold Leaf Lettering On Chris-Craft Boat
Car Show Display
Raising My West Seattle House
House Is Raised Remodeling Inside
Lettering Semi-Trucks In My Basement
Sold My House to Buy a Shop.
Bought Commercial Property on Hwy 99 in Des Moines, Wa.
My Street Rod On Display In The Sun.
Built a New Multi-Tenant Auto Center building and tore down old shop. Now customers have a "One-Stop" auto customizing place to get window tinting, car sterero & alarms, custom pinstriping and vehicle accessories.
My business quickly grew, specializing in distinctive “Hand-Painted” pinstriping and airbrushed truck lettering. I was also traveling the Seattle-Tacoma area to new car & truck dealers adding my custom pinstripes to vehicles on their lots. Sometimes averaging 100 pinstripe jobs a month.
I sold the Auto Center and now work out of my home studio in Federal Way, Wa. The computer cut vinyl signage took over the truck lettering business. So now I still enjoy keeping the lost art of Custom "Hand Painted" Pinstriping alive on my customers daily drivers !! - Roy