CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Clines Lines, a well-known pinstriping shop at 6001 Auburn Boulevard in Citrus Heights has experienced a “changing of the brush” as the talented brushes of long-time owner Mike Clines have been passed on to Dillon Proctor, 28, now in charge of day-to-day business operations.

Automotive, bike shops, and do-it-yourself car and motorcycle mechanics use paint pinstriping, a very thin decorative line of paint to create their own custom look on automotive bodies and parts.

“I couldn’t think of a more qualified and talented artist than Dillon to pass Clines Lines on to, as I’ve stepped back,” Clines said in a telephone interview.

“I told him about two years ago, the business is yours, and I’m going home,” Clines said. “I raised five children as a professional striper. I was reaching the end of my professional career, and just decided to slow down.”

Clines has a paint desk at the Citrus Heights shop when he chooses to stop by. He said he now enjoys being at home and caring for his wife Cindy.

“I recognized early on when Dillon came in with his parents at age 15 that he had an incredible amount of talent and natural creativity,” Clines said.

The apprentice is now the master. What professional qualities define Proctor as a striper?

“Patience, practice, creativity and skill,” Proctor said. “Before I even pick up the brushes, I like to listen and work collaboratively with my customers on their ideas.”

Clines Lines is decidedly “old-school,” hand painting each line design on projects that range from commercial vehicles to hot rods, with care and plenty of time to paint each, and every design.

The shop has weathered the recent pandemic downturn, growing as it always has, Proctor said, through word of mouth, as customers discover just what Clines Lines can offer.

“We tend to see one to two cars a week and a lot of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts stopping by who wish to personalize their rides,” Proctor said.

The cost of an individual pinstriping project generally varies with the complexity of the project and the number of colors to be included in the eventual design.

“I’ll start with a general sketch first and then suggest specific colors to the customer. “We’ll build out our ideas from there into a final design for their approval,” Proctor said.

While skateboards and motorcycle fuel tanks are popular requests, others have wanted home appliances and ceiling fan blades customized with his striping expertise.

And the most unusual pinstriping request Proctor has received?

“We had a customer come in and ask to have his prosthetic leg pinstriped. It’s a one of a kind.”

Clines grew up in Long Beach. He first earned money as a striper in the mid-late 1950s and 1960s in his teens while watching and learning from many of the early legends including Von Dutch – in what became known as the golden age of customizing cars.

He hung up his brushes in 1968 when he was drafted and called to duty in Vietnam. Upon his return to the states, and a welcome typical of the times, Clines decided to spend some time in Vancouver, Canada. He later settled in the Sacramento area in 1992 when he opened his Citrus Heights shop.

Clines was a frequent featured striper at the Sacramento Autorama, one of the most popular auto shows known on the West Coast. He and some of the best award-winning stripers in the country regularly applied their brushes to panels, cell phones, laptops and just anything enthusiasts might tend to bring them in return for a charitable donation.

Dillon has honored Clines with a tattoo caricature of him on his shoulder. “I’m touched and honored that he did that,” Clines said.

Rich Newey, owner of Route 40 Classics, a classic car restoration and repair shop, at 6008 Auburn Boulevard in the site of one of the city’s historic commercial landmarks: the former Angelo Orsi Olive Oil Company building is a frequent referral source and a past customer. When Newey’s shop opened, Proctor pinstriped his office ceiling fans.

“Clines Lines is especially creative, and they do fantastic work. I highly recommend them to all our customers,” Newey said.

“Both Mike and Dillon do an excellent job of interpreting what their clients are looking for. I wish Dillon much success as he carries the shop forward,” Newey said.

Search for examples of Proctor’s work at Clines Lines on Instagram under Dillon Proctor. Call 916-722-3113 to schedule an appointment.