Tag: women who wrench

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Choppers

Part 8: Painting the Damn Thing (Yes, You Can Do It Yourself)

They say paint can make or break a build—and they’re right. It’s the first thing people see, and it’s the one part of the process where your personal style really gets to take over. But if you’re broke and half clueless (like I was), paying someone thousands for a custom paint job isn’t in the cards. So I painted it myself. Plus. . . . I’m like an artist, so ofc I painted it myself.

This week’s blog is all about how I did it, what I used, what I learned, and how you can pull it off without a paint booth or pro experience.

Deciding the Look

Before I even picked up a rattle can or spray gun, I spent way too much time obsessing over the look. I knew I didn’t want a showroom-shiny paint job. I wanted something that matched the spirit of the bike—gritty, handmade, and a little bit wild.

There are a million directions you can go:

  • Rattle-can rat rod vibes
  • Classic scallops and flake
  • Patina or faux-aged
  • Solid black because you’re over it

I went with a mix of ideas I’d seen on old diggers and psychedelic tanks—stuff that felt hand-done and imperfect in the best way.

Materials & Setup

I didn’t have a booth. I barely had a clean space. But I did what I could with what I had.

Here’s what I used:

If you’re doing anything fancy—like metal flake or candy—you’ll probably need a gun setup and a compressor. But for a clean, solid paint job? You can absolutely get away with rattle cans if you take your time. Honestly, I could’ve gone with rattle cans (Everst offered that actually!), but I didn’t realize it would give the same result. . . . so learn from me!

The Process

I ordered all my pieces (fenders, tank, frame, oil bag) from Lowbrow, so they came bare and ready to paint. Then hit them with a self-etching primer. That part’s not glamorous, but it matters. Every flaw will show up later if you skip the prep.

Next came the base coat, then the second, and even a third (wet sanded in between each coat) to really get the most saturated periwinkle I could. Once I was happy, I laid down clear and let it cure as long as I could stand it (which, if we’re being real, was barely enough).

Then came the fun part! I pinstriped, used variegated gold flake, and Alphanamel paints to work up my iconic (is that conceited to say? idc) paint job featuring Japanese Meji-Era hand painted designs (dualing dragon and tiger tank, rooster, spider and web, flames, and goldfish). Topped it off with Rust paste (meant for model cars) and bam! That’s it!

What I Learned

  • Prep is everything. You can’t rush sanding and cleaning.
  • Humidity and/or the cold is your enemy. I sprayed everything in February in a cold garage and it was so cold the paint couldn’t cure properly.
  • Tape pulls paint. Be careful removing masking tape too soon or too aggressively.
  • Imperfect is better than overworked. I almost ruined the vibe trying to “fix” a spot that wasn’t actually that bad.

This part of the build felt the most me. I got to bring the vision full circle and leave my fingerprints all over it—literally. A little paint on your hands never hurt anyone.And the best part? When people ask who painted it, I get to say: I did.

@angel__claw A peek at why I haven’t posted anything in like a week. Been busy slinging paint ❤️‍🔥🤘🏼 . #angelclaw #sportster #sportychop #sportsterchopper #pinstripe #pinstripeartist #pinstriped #graphicpaint #tankart #chopperart #chopper #choppers #biker #bikerart #chopperchick ♬ Around the Fur - Deftones
@angel__claw Where else should I add in my copper foil? ✨👀✨ I’m thinking the frame too ? #choppers #chopperbuild #sportychop #sportster #chopperchick #pinstripe #pinstripeartist #pinstriper #japaneseart #goldleaf #copperleaf #alphanamel #alpha6corporation ♬ original sound - ANGEL✷CLAW
Categories
Choppers

PT. 7 Tools, Skills, and the Stuff I Had to Learn the Hard Way

Building a chopper with zero formal training means figuring things out by doing them wrong—then doing them again. This week I’m laying out the tools I actually used, the skills that took me down a peg or two, and how I decided what to DIY and what to hand off to someone with more experience (and better tools).

The Tools I Actually Used

You don’t need a $30k shop to build a bike. Most of what I used was basic, borrowed, or bought out of necessity when the build demanded it. Here’s the honest list of what ended up in my corner:

  • Socket set & wrenches – The real MVPs. Used every step of the way.
  • Torque wrench – Super important if you care about your bike staying together.
  • Angle grinder – Used more than I expected. For cutting, shaping, cleaning up welds—you name it.
  • Cordless drill + drill bits + taps – A lot of stuff needed to be drilled out, cleaned up, or re-threaded.
  • Sawzall and bandsaw – When it comes time to chop up the frame or cut metal stock, these come in clutch.
  • Basic hand tools – Tape measure, pliers, wire strippers, diagonal cutters—nothing fancy, but essential when you need them.

I didn’t waste money on fancy gear up front. Most tools were added when I hit a wall and needed a solution. That kept me focused, broke, and creative.

What I Learned the Hard Way

Wiring? Choppers aren’t complicated to wire up if you’re keeping it simple (I can go more in detail on this if wanted). While I had never done any electrical work in my life, I was ready to go with my Clymer in hand and the advice of a friend who runs a bike shop. Luckily, I remembered that my husband is an electrician. He helped me out by wiring everything up for me, while I supervised and taped the wires together for a cleaner look.

Fabrication? Turns out there’s no “undo” button when you cut something too short or drill in the wrong place. I wish I had made a few mock-ups before committing to things.

What I DIY’d vs What I Outsourced

 

I’m proud of what I did myself—but I also knew when to wave the white flag and call in backup.

DIY’d:

  • All wiring (with help)
  • Minor fabrication: brackets, mounts, tabs
  • Cosmetic stuff like painting, sanding, grinding

Outsourced:

  • Nothing! Because I bought a stock frame, fenders, and tank, no welding was involved.

There’s no shame in farming out the hard stuff if it keeps you safe and the project moving. You don’t get extra points for blowing yourself up or wasting weeks on something that co

uld’ve been done right in an hour by a pro.

A Note to the

 Zero-Experience Builders

If you’ve never turned a wrench before, you’re not disqualified. You’re just at the beginning. I didn’t grow up in a garage or shadow a master builder. I Googled everything. I watched videos. I asked stupid questions. And I learned what not to do about 400 times.

You don’t need to be a fabricator or a mechanic to build a bike—you just need to care enough to figure it out.

It’s okay to be overwhelmed. It’s okay to mess up. Just don’t quit.