Gilroy
– Mel Phipps is already an expert in cars and motorcycles, but
with a little luck he may usher in a new craze for custom
detailing. He has developed an inexpensive technique for embossing
designs on sheetmetal, perfect for adding some flames on a gas tank
or a signature on a fender.
Gilroy – Mel Phipps is already an expert in cars and motorcycles, but with a little luck he may usher in a new craze for custom detailing. He has developed an inexpensive technique for embossing designs on sheetmetal, perfect for adding some flames on a gas tank or a signature on a fender.
“It’s unique, it’s special. I’ll offer something you can’t get any other way,” Phipps said, showing off one example of a motorcycle gas tank in which red-hot flames outlined in gold are slightly raised.
Applying a principle used in the 1960s to create aircraft, Phipps can create three-dimensional shapes on any piece of metal.
“No one out there is doing this right now,” said George Nobile, former vice president of service for Indian Motorcycles. “He’s going to add something unique to the industry.”
Nobile and partner Ray Sotelo are currently working on a new line of motorcycles and hope to use Phipps’ new embossing method to make their product stand out in the market.
Phipps stumbled across the idea while building a truck a few years ago. Wanting to give the car a genuine Ford look, he embossed the company logo on the back. People loved it and Mel’s Metal Magic was born.
Phipps is confident the embossing technique will be successful because it offers a new way to customize a hot rod or motorcycle.
“With custom motorcycles, there are only so many different types of wheels or fenders. My process will allow them to go an extra level,” he said. While other custom shops can do similar embossing, they use a different process which costs much more. An embossing job with Phipps will cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000 depending on how many features you want embossed and how intricate the designs. He can emboss lines down to an eighth of an inch.
“The only way it’ll fail is if I don’t do it,” said Phipps, who has been working on custom cars to save money for the embossing company.
Several car and motorcycle groups and individuals have expressed interest in the embossing, including people from Hell Bent Ladies Motorcycle, he said.
For now Phipps will keep plugging away at his car projects and spreading the word about his metal magic.
“Things are just in the process. It’s just really slow,” he said.
For more information, e-mail him at ve*****@****ic.com or call 679-0743.
