Rob Vanderslice

From a Lifetime of Tape Lines to a Legacy of Hope.

I’m Rob Vanderslice. The lowrider world knows me as the “King of Tape,” but the titles, trophies, and 37 magazine features are only one part of the story. To understand my work, you have to understand the journey.

It’s a story that starts on the hot asphalt of Albuquerque and winds through the pages of magazines, the halls of museums, and the darkest corners of a 13-year addiction. It’s a story of being crowned a king of the West Coast custom scene and then losing it all.

More than anything, it’s a story about redemption.

It’s about discovering that the same hands that could lay down a perfect candy fade could also be used to build up a new generation. It’s about the profound realization that I didn’t need to change my job; I needed to change myself. This is the story behind every piece of art, every student I teach, and every bike we build.

The Spark & The Rise

My obsession started early, as a kid in Albuquerque mesmerized by the reflections in the chrome and candy paint of the cruising scene. That world of intricate patterns, hydraulic hops, and deep community pride became my universe. By the 1990s, that childhood fascination had become a career. I poured my life into my craft, and the world noticed.

With over 37 cars featured in Lowrider Magazine and multiple world championships to my name, I was at the top of the game. My signature style—intricate tape-shaded graphics, flawless fades, and vibrant color palettes—was sought after by the most serious collectors and builders. But the pressure and the lifestyle that came with it took their toll. The “gangster madness” of the old car scene was real, and I fell deep into it.

The Fall & The Turning Point

For 13 years, methamphetamine addiction had a grip on my life. It cost me my family, my health, and nearly my craft. The passion was still there, buried under the chaos, but the intent was lost. I hit rock bottom, a hollowed-out version of the artist I once was.

The change didn’t happen in a spray booth or a garage. It happened on my knees. Through faith, I found the strength to get clean and fundamentally change my life. It was in that clarity I found a new purpose for my God-given talent. The mission was no longer about winning another trophy; it was about ensuring the next generation didn’t have to walk the path I did. It was about legacy.

“My greatest work isn’t on a car or a canvas. It’s in the kids I get to mentor. It’s showing them that their hands can be used to create, to build, and to lead.” – Rob Vanderslice

The Philosophy of the Craft

Lowriding is more than just cars; it’s a cultural art form with traditions that go back generations. My work stands on the shoulders of the Pachuco movement and the Chicano identity that gifted this art to the world. My job is to honor that tradition while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

People ask me why I use so much metal flake in my paint. My answer is simple:

“Because everyone wants confetti.”

That’s what it’s all about. It’s about finding the joy, the celebration, and the “wow” in the work. It’s about the disciplined, painstaking process of laying tape lines for days to create something that looks effortless and beautiful. It’s about a lifetime of dedication to candy paint and, most importantly, to intent.

Out of the darkness and into the light

My story and my philosophy are now the foundation for everything I do. They are expressed through four pillars that carry the legacy forward.

• RobVanderslice.com (Legendary Lowrider Builder): You are here, at the heart of the story. This is the official archive of my life’s work, the home for exclusive signed prints, original art, and your direct connection to my ongoing projects.

• PaintWithRob.com(Legendary Lowrider Teacher) This is my promise to the next generation of artists. Here, I pass on every secret of the craft through in-depth online courses and hands-on workshops, empowering the artists of tomorrow.

• VandersliceKustomShop.com (The Toolbox): This is my personal toolbox, opened for you. The shop provides the exact, professional-grade candy paints, flakes, and supplies I use every day, making the tools of the trade accessible to everyone.

• DukeCityBikeClub.com (The Future): This is my proof of purpose. In partnership with community leaders, we empower at-risk youth to become leaders, using the lowrider bike as a tool for mentorship, discipline, and creativity.

Join the Inner Circle

My story is still being written every day—in the studio, in the classroom, and in the community. This is your invitation to become a part of it.

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