Tattooist Tim inks up the miles in his Sprinter Skin Shack

TATTOOIST Tim Bailey is building a fast-growing reputation for his creative body art after converting a second-hand Mercedes-Benz van into a mobile studio.

It may be 13 years old and from a previous model generation, but as far as Tim is concerned his Sprinter 311 CDI could itself be classed as a piece of body art.

Smartly finished in an eye-catching ‘red dragon’ livery, the van is a great advertisement not only for his recently launched business venture, The Skin Shack, but also for the all-round quality and durability of pre-owned Mercedes-Benz vans which help to explain why they command such strong residual values.

A former truck and van driver, Tim is based in Barwell, near Hinckley, Leicestershire, and has been tattooing for 10 years. He bought his Extra-long Sprinter from a local haulier earlier this year – “It had covered a quarter of a million miles but was in great condition,” he recalled.

“I’ve driven various makes of van over the years so knew all about the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter’s ‘bullet proof’ reliability, and the fact that it’s more comfortable than any of its competitors. When I hit upon the idea of launching my mobile studio, the Sprinter was the only vehicle I was prepared to consider as a base chassis.”

Tim laboured for approximately 70 hours on the conversion, lining the vehicle’s cargo area with hygienic and easily cleaned plastic panelling, fitting cupboards and worktops, and installing a sink with hot and cold running water, as well as lighting and electrical services. The resulting studio is fully compliant with health and safety standards.

“My work had to be of the same, if not a higher standard than you would see in a fixed studio to secure the necessary registration from the local environmental health department,” explained Tim. “When the inspector came to check it he couldn’t believe what I’d achieved, and was really impressed.”