What might be recommended for a first Mack stripping brush? Also what would a brand and color to start with.
I like the Mack 00 with white One Shot paint to start. I started practicing on a piece of glass out of an old picture frame because it's easy to wipe off or scrape off with a razor blade.
I'll echo what maybelene said. A Mack 00 and white and/or black One Shot paint to start. You'll need some mineral spirits to thin your paint out a bit to get it the right consistency too. I use old Summit catalogs to pallate my brush on. When you're done, just tear the sheet off and you're good to go for the next time. Quick, clean, and simple.
I've been striping for about six or seven years now and I've learned that thin lines are harder to keep true but if your just starting out I think these guys are on it but if you have the drive to do this get your self a excaliber 0000 as well you can lean to turn while you are making radiuses and not to stop you from getting the 00 with the shorter length of the excaliber you can figure out how to let the brush follow your hand a bit better when you turn for crescents and circles and stuff like that
Start out with a Mack 00 or 000 - get the one with the blue threads on the attachment of the brush hair - they work a little better that the cheaper green thread ones. Beyond that I also like a Mack Mach I. It has a real sharp tip, tan handle and makes nice pointy tip lines. It is my main brush at the moment. Now if you think you want a brush with a longer handle, try a Scharf. just look them up online. It is a real nice sharp point brush and does longer lines real well... I say all this planning to try an Excaliber... I think I will really like the Excaliber, from what I have heard. Also, get a purple handle Mack "Virus" - I love them for scroll work and detail work - it looks like a conventional brush - purple handle Mack number 440-1 or 2 - or 3 I think, different sizes. What ever you do, keep practicing, do not give up no matter what and give your self a few years to get this going. Practice, Practice, Practice and study everybody's style so you can develop your own style - be patient it will develop!