Mitch Kim: Aiming for perfection in the world of fine line Pinstriping...
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 16 фев 2024
- Mitch Kim has been at the forefront of Pinstriping and Lettering for decades. You've seen his work at shows, in magazines and just out cruising and probably wondered what makes someone who's so focused, tick.
On this episode we sit down and talk to the guy who's influenced many pinstripers over the years. He talks about aiming to be the best while having fun along the way. We discuss how he ONLY really enjoys working on hot rods because nothing else truly gets his attention. We also talk about his goal of retirement and driving a hot rod until his last breath...
Please be sure to like, comment and subscribe… We appreciate and need your support to continue bringing you these unique stories and videos.
Be sure to check out more episodes PLUS over seventy episodes of The Round Six Podcast, hosted by Brad and Brian over at roundsixpod.com/
Hosted by Brad King
Directed by Brad King
Written by Brad King
Music:
Momentum
Ender
Rock Slide
Nikolai Zizenko
Anchor Crawl
Cody Martin
Awestruck
Cody Martin 
Авто/Мото
Dear Mr Kim, turn off the lights, close the doors, go drive a hotrod! I think you’ve earned it.
He's most definitely earned it!
Mitch is absolutely the BEST! True gentleman and professional. Mitch has striped several cars and trucks for us and never disappoints!
Mitch is an absolute master at his craft!
One of my biggest pinstriping honors was doing repair work on a Peterbilt, out of BC, that Mitch painted. The owner then had me pinstripe the fuel tank. His reason was that I was the only pinstriper, he knew, that could paint in his style. I don't think I'm anywhere near Mitch's league, but I always strive to be. He's definitely a legend on the West Coast.
This video is linked directly to my uncle’s legacy. He was the original owner of a 1960 El Camino named the Wicked Wahine. Gary Crisp did the mural on it in 1975. Mitch Kim did the pin striping and gold leaf on it. My uncle passed and his widow wanted to keep it in the family. My wife and I proudly show this car to a whole new generation of car enthusiasts.
That's so great!
Mitch did my black 78 chev step side low rider truck. Beautiful gold leaf stripes down each side that culminated into delicate, intricate dragons about 3" high by 9" long. This was in the early 80's. Mitch is the best, 100%.
That's amazing! Mitch is definitely a master!
Mitch is the man,I've been getting stuff done from him for over 25 years now and it's always been awesome.
Mitch is most definitely the man!
I was told by a sign painter that he would never teach a left handed guy. Lettering is a right handed thing. Mitch Kim is inspirational.
I'm truly sorry you had the wrong kind of input for what you wanted to learn. I know lots of lefty painters that are truly amazing!
Mitch did my dad's 67 Chevelle back in the 70's and he also did my Mustang when I was in High School. It was really surreal to think about the 30 years between our two cars and the connection to Mitch and his famous stick people 😂. I still have my Mustang 22 years later and everyone notices Mitch Kim's work.
In total, hes done 8 vehicles for our family.
We are so blessed to have him in our area all these years.
Thank you for documenting Mitch's work for all of time to see.
Daniel Medford
What a cool guy! So humble and so insanely skilled.
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
at 67 you can relate to everything he says. that era is nearing the end. so nice to hear he's quick story.
Thank you! I still haven't given up on the younger generation because some of them are just as passionate...
@@StoriesnSteel agree 100% but still a different era that they're working in. I'd give up all modern conveniences to go back to our era. Just saying Lol.....
The spirit of Von Dutch lives on! Awesome story.
That spirit isn't going away anytime soon...
If he was local I would 110% be his student. You don’t know how long I’ve been trying to find someone to teach me the ins and outs of pinstriping. I’ve been teaching myself since 2019
Mitch striped my 32 ford in 1982 just before the Portland roadster show. I was amazed that he talked to me non stop as he striped my car. Plus my car got best 32 of the show that year. What a nice guy he was
That's awesome! Even better when it's a '32!
Mitch is the Best,
I've know Mitch for over 35 years. My first introduction to Mitch was in the late 80's when he did the graphics on my 1956 Chev Panel Van (Sugar & Spice) He has pinstriped numerous rigs for me, and my hot rod friends over the years, hot rods, customs, personal vehicles and company vehicles. He just finished pinstriping my 34 Chev Sedan. you've still got the touch my friend.
Mitch you have earned the right to retire, hope to see you and your rig on the road real soon.
ALL THE BEST TO YOU
Steve C, in Vancouver
Thank you for that! It was great sitting down with him and letting him tell his story...
You and your brother Mark are the best. From all of us Gresham, Oregon motocycle guys. Danny, Ricky, Wendel and myself. Thanks Mitch !!!
Thank for watching! There ya go Mitch!
Absolute All Time Great. I cant say he inspired me because I had no where near the discipline, passion or focus as this man.
He's definitely a master!
Mitch pinstriped my dads big rigs for a long time ! ( Mt hood timber) What a artist
That's awesome! He's definitely amazing!
Really enjoyed this video , and can totally relate . I've studied so many gifted artists and craftsmen that didn't want to be doctors or lawyers or big business men , but instead they discovered the one thing in life that stopped them in their tracks and made them say , "that's the coolest thing I've ever seen in this world !! ,I wanna do that !" They then spent a lifetime pursuing it to perfection , and they became legendary . To some it brought fame . To some fame and fortune , and to some it brought enough to raise a family and the satisfaction of doing and becoming that which you dreamed of all those years ago , with an amazing and inspirational body of work as a result of all of your acquired skills . Well done Mr. Kim , you are truly a master of your craft , and I appreciate and salute you . 😎👍
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Sitting down with these master's of their craft and letting them talk is definitely an honor!
I grew up in So-Cal with my friends like Chuck Babbit a.k.a. Shakey Jake & Dennis Ricklefs who had a completely different style than Mitch. I stopped at Mitches house in the mid 80's to have him do some striping on our show car on the way to the Portland Roadster Show. I was amazed at how thin he was able to pull lines. A true artist & craftsman. Thanks for the video preservation of all these people you are interviewing.
That's pretty awesome! I've been fortunate to have tag-teamed on vehicles with Dennis since the early 90's, and he's another one of my heroes. I'm glad you're enjoying the show!!
Another AWESOME AWESOME interview. I've been waiting for this one, I lived in the Portland area for about 8 years back in the 80's early 90's and got to meet him a couple times and watch him work.
Absolutely AMAZING and a REALLY REALLY GOOL GUY.
Thank you! Just so you know, I always enjoy reading your feedback even if your patience level is a bit thin...😅
Restless legs kick in, I wake up at 3am, and I just found this channel... I definitely feel like it deserves more attention. 3.9k subscribed but I bet that number grows exponentially.
Definitely gonna look at more.
Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the show!
"Mitch is absolutely the BEST! True gentleman and professional." I cannot think of a more accurate description of Mitch Kim than that...
I'm glad you enjoyed the story!
1934 in the background? Beautiful. Thanks for posting. Subscribed.
Yes! Thank you!!
I really feel honored to have owned a dually that Mitch painted after watching this! Such a cool story, and video!
That's so cool! Yeah, you definitely had a master stripe your truck!
Great interview, thanks for putting it together. My good friend Don Waldron is a friend of Mitch and speaks highly of him. Don is an amazing guy and should be on your list of possible people.
Brad, the last of the video was the best part. having someone reflect while they still can, can be eye opening for younger people. Mr. Kim strikes me as one more person who always tried to be better and never achieved their goal. I may be off on that but I can relate. Thank you for another great video. He's a year older than me but I certainly understand what he said between the lines. :)
Hearing and seeing someone's passion is the best! Thank you!
Real GOOD interview... I'm the same age ... I quit my 38 yr career to take a break from that fine detail. Sir collect your SSI and I hope you have some rental income ....All the best
Thank you! Hopefully you enjoy your slow down years!
Mitch is the best, not only as an artist but as a human being. When I wanted a job done there was never a question of who I wanted to do it.
He is the best and an amazing human, but you left out the part of him being a die hard hot rod guy!! 😊
@@StoriesnSteel that’s always been just a part of his DNA.
I’m not going to quit Mitch!!!!
As a fellow artist, DON'T quit! Eventually it will get easier, it just takes a little patience...
Don’t plan on it! I said that because the first time I went to his shop to pick his brain and bask in his presence that’s what he told me. “Don’t quit! Everyone I have tried to teach has quit “ I promised I wouldn’t and I aim to keep my word. :-).
wow i havent seen Mitch since 2015. I used to live in portland, i only knew him a few months before i moved, man he is so nice. I went to his shop, i was a 30 year old and had been tryin to become a sign painter and pinstriper. i was just getting good enough to get paid to stripe. it really is so hard! i later moved to minnesota and had my own business part time doing pinstriping and signs. mitch even bought me lunch before i moved. he akways talked about working 60hour weeks. i remember telling him i was making 25 buck an hour waiting tables in minnesota and he said that was more that he made. he stripes slow, and he is considered the best. I would call him for help and after an hour on the phone with me he would say something like well I better go , I have a car to finish that someone is picking up, what a nice guy would put down his brush and talk to me on the phone to help , amen mitch i love you and I still stripe buddy
love
Chris" pinstriping and lettering
That's awesome! Mitch was one of my inspirations to get into this industry but I didn't get to meet him until about 10 years ago. He's truly a great human! Hopefully you're still going at it...
Ah, Mitch Kim! I visited him at his shop about 10 years ago. And yes, he doesn't like working on big rigs. Big rigs are my bread and steak!
Nice! Those were my go to also! Now I'm focusing on helping share people's stories...
Great RUclips channel, thankyou.
Thank you! Tell your friends! 😊
GREAT episode!!!! Local hero
Yes and thank you!
Great interview with Mitch Kim.....great talent! Don Audel, Spokane area, would also be another great interview.
Thank you! There's so many great stories with so many talented people, that it's really hard to keep up! There's lots more coming and I hope you enjoy them!
Great interview. Super fun to watch!
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I wish I had a teacher. Wow. I would like to spend an hour with Mitch
He's definitely amazing!
He is a awesome guy
Most definitely!
I remember when Mitch moved in to the big shop, he was so busy. I had a home body shop and had jobs that were striped by him so only he could re stripe them. I remember the Malibu Woody wagon, I had one too. Last time I was there I saw a 'beautiful '72 black Torino out front, maybe a customer's but too busy to talk, I tell you he was go go go!! Time to retire my friend, listen to these people, the reputation will always be there I promise you!!
Hopefully he relaxes a bit...
I remember he pinstriped my parents 280zx in the late 70's
Great interview mitch,you have been agreat friend to me for all most years now,and it is time we both retire and do what we want to do.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Mitch is definitely a rock star with both striping and people!
Kool story mahalos for sharing
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Legend
Tom from near chicago. I have pictures of his 83 malibu wagon and a l 79 chevy 2 sedan from years ogo in my garge
That's awesome! His wagon was badass!
Damn!
ANOTHER great interview!!! Now I've got to meet this guy!
Boom!
'Sides, he owns and even cooler Trucklette than mine!!!@@StoriesnSteel
@Charles-qq7vf it's a pretty cool truck, but Dude so is yours!
How cool ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you!
I know that feeling wiping and striping over and over until you tell yourself it’s pretty good that’s the part of the journey I’m in right now however my friends want me to strip their stuff but I’m still not quite ready yet. They think the work is good but I don’t. Ive only been striping for about 18 months now. I try to practice striping at least two hours a day if possible. On the weekends I will put in 4 or 5 hours. It’s starting to happen but I still have a ways to go. I love these interviews. 👍👍👍
Don't give up! It's tough but will gradually become second nature the more you do it. Stay focused and always strive for perfection! Thank you!
Have you ever thought of doing an interview with Don Audel or Paul Mackie???? Just curious 🤔
I didn't know who Don was until you posted this. Both are extremely talented artist's! There's so many people I want to talk to all over the country and so little time! I'm glad you're enjoying these!
Man I totally understand, you could probably do these videos the rest of your life there's so much talent out there.....and hopefully you do.
wow, Mitch did a car for me way back in the 1980's
At first I thought that was the Indelible Bulk, I mean the "Incredible Hulk", Hogan that is.
Von Dutch said his first striping was to cover up bad body work!
That's the story I've heard too...
Does anyone know where to get this travel bond stuff he’s talking about?
"Travel bond?"
@@StoriesnSteel yeah the skin stuff he would put on models before Pinstriping them
Rick Griffin
Having a job that you are passionate about and love ,or even like, is completely foreign to me.
He's definitely not a loser. I guess I wanna be a loser too than👍🏻
SUBSCRIBED ❤BUT PLEASE INTERVIEW STEVE KAFKA 😮 PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
The Arizona pinstriper who gave my channel two separate thumbs down? That guy?
@@StoriesnSteel lol...if you interview him, he'll give you 2 thumbs up!!😁
@@StoriesnSteel or, how bout Alan Johnson?...
You gotta be patient! I have 18 more episodes to finish editing and release before we start filming again this spring. LOTS of amazing guests (that aren't all pinstripers) that you'll definitely dig! Trust me, it'll be great!
@@StoriesnSteel TYVM Boss 🙏
leave this man ALONE!!!
he has shit to do
Never liked pin stripes ,
Never will !
It was still an amazing story!