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Rob Pollock has been a panel beater his entire life. As a kid, he started learning auto body repair in his father’s shop in Auckland, New Zealand, jumping on an apprenticeship right out of school. Eight months into his apprenticeship, the shop was short painters so Rob lent a hand and has been priming and painting cars ever since. “I like repairing cars, I’ve done it all my life. The painting is just a little bonus to the finish because you get to see what you’ve done,” said Rob.
Applying these skills to bikes came from Rob’s youngest son, Aaron. He had been itching for Rob to woodgrain a bike frame for years and finally convinced him to give it a go. The finished frames had what Rob called, in his Kiwi accent, “the shit hot factor.” Thus a father and son custom bike business was born.
For more information, check out this previous piece on the family.
Music is courtesy of QuarterAcreLifestyle, which was formed by Aaron Pollock on drums and brother Cameron on bass. Fellow Kiwi Tony Masterantonio rounds out the trio on guitar.
Seattle based filmmaker Riley Morton has a passion for travel, wilderness, and the 1986 Mets. You can find more of Morton’s work at his website.
84 comments
Sign in to add your ownMegansMenagerie says:
Amazing! I love these posts! The talent is incredible! Thanks so much for sharing =)
1 year ago
noonblueapples says:
Really neat!
1 year ago
ikabags says:
This is wonderful ! Thanks so much !
1 year ago
TwinkleStarCrafts says:
Great post. Fantastic work.
1 year ago
TheScarfTree says:
That is amazing - what a beautiful challenge and craft! All the best to Rob and his dad! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
WeChooseJoy says:
Incredible!! My husband and I are so fascinated by wood working and love to build things for our home. This was VERY inspiring!! Thank you for sharing :)
1 year ago
isstudio says:
what a level of craftsmanship! great job with the video as well :)
1 year ago
thisthatotherthings says:
Wow, what a great detailing effect. I bet heads turn. Your very talented.
1 year ago
soule says:
I watched a video of him quite some time ago, he is amazing! Thanks for featuring him here!
1 year ago
lindaketelhut says:
Incredible! Stunning bikes. Very inspired story and process. And loved the music accompaniment. Thanks for sharing!!
1 year ago
jibbyandjuna says:
Great story and very cool bike! Love the tri-cycle!
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
wow amazing work I love the golden tones the frames have, makes me wish I could ride a bike!
1 year ago
styleforlife says:
THIS ROCKS!!! :-) Love it...xxxx EL Vintage
1 year ago
bellasparty says:
Amazing!!
1 year ago
eloiseintheplaza says:
Haven't you guys already posted this story before?
1 year ago
Iammie says:
Amazing.
1 year ago
funktionslust says:
Love it when a father and son team up their talents; they have a unique relationship and a OOAK craft
1 year ago
pitterpattertutus says:
Oh my GOODNESS! These are GORGEOUS!!! I'm a firm believer that everyone should believe theirs is the most beautiful bike in the world. It can't be hard when you own one of these!
1 year ago
STOTLERSSTUDIO says:
I love it when people use renewable resources in creative ways! I use MO clay mud in paintings and am happy to see someone else trying something new. : )
1 year ago
NangijalaJewelry says:
Amazing!!! What a skill to have... love it :-)
1 year ago
PinwheelStudio says:
Love how Rob takes a traditional trade and applies it to bikes as well. It is fascinating to watch him work in the video. Thanks for posting this story!
1 year ago
theroyal says:
absolutely gorgeous. i want it.
1 year ago
SoliDeoGloriaSDG says:
What artistic ability and an awesome and unique product! Well done!
1 year ago
BingoBox says:
Beautiful work.
1 year ago
EnRouteStudio says:
now i want to know if real wooden bikes exist... ? Those are so nicely done!
1 year ago
GDnails says:
Very unique and beautiful!
1 year ago
baconsquarefarm says:
How sweet is this, totally beautiful workmanship...
1 year ago
KapKaDesign says:
woodworking is so much fun, I love the smell! Great work!
1 year ago
LookandC says:
I really enjoyed his story and creativity! And thought the video was done well too!
1 year ago
RaineDesign says:
I love these bikes! What a craft!
1 year ago
bhangtiez says:
Amazing skills! Wow!
1 year ago
TheMillineryShop says:
I admit it, I am happiest on my bike. There is something so child-like, such a feeling of freedom that arrives with a rush of power as you push off and feel the wind. Mr Pollack elevates bikes to unbelievable coolness. I want mine done!
1 year ago
TheWildRoses says:
Seriously fantastic, these dude artisans. Keep up the creative juice!
1 year ago
bluedaisies says:
Super cool bike!!! Beautiful work of art - way too much talent in those hands!!! :D
1 year ago
Verdurebydesign says:
Ya for children who push their parents creative boundary's!! My daughter is always coming up with ideas. Great work Rob. It was inspiring to watch you work.
1 year ago
LostApostle says:
Oh I want one. I really, really, really want one.
1 year ago
quirkyshop says:
Interesting?
1 year ago
RedorGrayArt says:
that is a really wonderful way to breath new life into a bike.. so special and love that his son encouraged him to pursue it...so creative !
1 year ago
MyMaidenAunt says:
Lovely work. It reminds me of the old cars with wooden siding...I always wanted one of those..."a woody", with the "Beach Boys" singing on the radio!
1 year ago
CrownWillow says:
I love the articles about how they learned their trade as a child watching and working with their parents. Wonderful product and great blog.
1 year ago
birdie1 says:
His work is absolutely beautiful!
1 year ago
uncljohn says:
And I thought I was pretty good. I think I have a bit more to learn!
1 year ago
SarahLamont says:
wow, cool! thanks for this article.
1 year ago
beadstylin says:
Wow.....the artistry is amazing! This guy is da bomb!
1 year ago
LauraJaneUrban says:
This is amazing! I totally want one.
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
The work is amazing!
1 year ago
jennystukel says:
so beautiful!
1 year ago
EdiesLab says:
unbelievable! love it
1 year ago
MomsCottage says:
Beautiful work! Ride on!
1 year ago
ElvenWreathsJewelry says:
like the bamboo bike fenders! Good luckand great success to you!
1 year ago
meiliemh says:
You can't beat the beauty of wood! Mother Nature really has some wonderful patterns to show off.
1 year ago
rarebeasts says:
Such a cool idea, thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
wonbien says:
Great video.
1 year ago
paramountvintage says:
so cool! really classic and clean looking.
1 year ago
claycre8or says:
AWESOME!! I live in Alaska and bike all year ... the guys I work with have all had their bikes custom painted - no wood grain though!! Very unique!!
1 year ago
MonicaLeapCeramics says:
Bikes rock my world. This is incredible stuff! When I have disposable income, I will own one of these!
1 year ago
tripperdungan says:
So beautiful. What a craftsman.
1 year ago
ambersheartart says:
Gorgeous!
1 year ago
LavenderField says:
Incredible! I love that bike!!
1 year ago
blessedvintage says:
really cool!
1 year ago
flowersbythevase says:
Wow....love it! looks amazing....Go N.Z
1 year ago
elieezabeth says:
this is beautiful
1 year ago
AnnaLela says:
This is wonderful
1 year ago
Kawadar says:
Very inspiring...I think I might get my daughter a tri-cycle like that!
1 year ago
MagnoliasAttic says:
Amazing! I've seen woodgrained cars before, but never thought about how it was done. Rob is truly an artist.
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
Definitely has "the shit hot factor". Just beautiful.
1 year ago
BanglewoodSupplies says:
That is just awesome!
1 year ago
KiwiAvenue says:
What an amazing story he has to tell!! : ) He has truly mastered his art and has been able to adapt it with a hip and trendy twist.
1 year ago
misty714 says:
This is so amazing!! Very beautiful!! How creative we can be as humans!!!! Thank you for sharing this! misty714
1 year ago
kathyjohnson3 says:
Love the sprocket clock!
1 year ago
TheCovetingCrow says:
You are so gifted! Your work is amazing.
1 year ago
HerrRudy says:
Absolutely fantastic! Go, and ride with pride!
1 year ago
ExpressingDevotion says:
The process is neat and the finished product is amazing! Beautiful creations!
1 year ago
adoodle says:
:) <3 :)
1 year ago
neighborhoodvintage says:
This is INSANE!!!!! Don't you dare see my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/neighborhoodvintage?ref=seller_info
1 year ago
girliepains says:
I dig wood designs. Visit my blog : http://www.melstringer.blogspot.com
1 year ago
GoogilysGifts says:
What incredible work! I love it!
1 year ago
TinglingStudio says:
Oooh, I like that a lot. Great work.
1 year ago
collectedfat says:
next...graining masts for all those silly carbon fiber fancy sailboats!!!! nothing beats the look of wood!!! great JOB!!!!!
1 year ago
Warmth says:
For some amazing wooden bass guitars check out: www.sageguitars.com
1 year ago
AliceNaomi says:
This is amazing. It reminds me of my dad, and his 55 years of honest, creative, excellent work with his hands.. There's nothing more fantastic then artisan creations :)
1 year ago
janeeroberti says:
I've been itching to faux bois my vespa --- LOVE this!
1 year ago
Artist gives Woodgrain finish to bikes -bike frame, car, car interiors, Desire, faux wood, vintage, wood, woodgrain, woodgraining, Zealander says:
[...] USD plus shipping. Shipping to the United States is $100 USD, and can take 4-6 weeks. Check out Pollock’s method in the video. Oh, and if you like the bike in the video, it can be yours for $3000 USD plus [...]
1 year ago
StateHouseDesigns says:
Great stuff Kiwi!
1 year ago