The Man Who Paints Every Rolls-Royce Coachline

If you look at a Rolls-Royce you’ll notice they often have thin pinstripes painted down the length of the vehicle. These lines are the work of Mark Court, a former village sign painter, who’s been hand painting coachlines on bespoke Rolls-Royce cars since 2003.

Court’s job comes with a lot of pressure as it’s the final step in the manufacturing process and there’s no room for error.

The paint used for the coachlines has special properties which bond it instantly to the underlying paintwork. This means just one small slip is enough to ruin the Rolls-Royce’s expensive exterior.

Court’s job requires immense concentration, so much so he admits he rarely takes time off as it causes him to lose focus. When he does have time away from Rolls-Royce’s Goodwood factory, Court likes to travel, showcasing his unique skills in public exhibitions.

To get a perfectly smooth line, Court uses small squirrel hair brushes, carefully trimmed down into the perfect shape. He also powders his fingers before painting to allow his hand to glide smoothly over the car’s body.

There’s no masking to get a straight line, it’s all done freehand with only a strip of tape to act as a guide. A single fluid line can take more than three hours to complete.

Court’s work isn’t just limited to straight lines. He’s also responsible for painting custom designs, shapes, and initials onto Rolls-Royce cars.

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