I decided to get my first tattoo at 42! I initially told them that I wanted a starfish, but that's all I really knew. I emailed Sarah some drawings I found on the internet and then I told her the meaning behind the starfish when we talked on the phone the evening before my appointment. I went in and she showed me 2 drawings: the first one was one she did based on my emails (which was really good), and the second one was based on our conversation. It was incredible. She actual...ly asked me if I would mind rescheduling my appointment to the weekend so that she could have more time to work on the drawing because of the meaning behind it. I didn't even think of saying no. She was so focused during my appointment and I purposely just relaxed and listened to my headphones because I didn't want to interrupt her concentration. The end result is amazing, and the story that one single starfish tells still humbles me. I would trust her to tell my story any day. Thank you Sarah! <3 See more Read Less

I just got my first tattoo with them today and it was the best experience ever! Mike made sure that I got what I wanted and made sure I was very comfortable through the whole process! I couldn't be any happier with my tattoo, I love it! Read Less

I have been here multiple times for new tattoos and a huge cover up. Mike is amazing at his work. Kady is an amazing piercer and she explains everything that is going on while she is doing the piercing. The whole shop is very friendly and I have received calls from them a few days after I get work done just to check and see how I was doing. This will be the only place I go to get tattoo or piercings. Read Less

I got my very first tattoo here and had the pleaser of meeting Sarah! She was so sweet and made me feel very comfortable the whole time. It was a grueling 5 hours or so but TOTALLY worth it. Only place I'll ever be going for my next one(s)! Read Less

Just finished my second tattoo from here, absolutely love them! Mike, and the whole crew, are very professional, and make sure to explain after care for whatever you have done. Wouldn't think of going anyplace else. One of the cleanest shops I've ever seen. You won't be disappointed here. Read Less

I had an appointment set up with mike over a week in advance. When I arrived at the shop he informed me that someone else would be doing my tattoo instead. I then waited for roughly 20 minutes for Sarah to come up and talk to me about the tattoo. During all this time, there were multiple children running around in the back yelling and people coming up to the tattoo artists to talk to them. While I was trying to discuss my tattoo with Sarah, she was busy talking to another person about the tattoo she was doing after mine, while paying very little attention to anything I was trying to say. After she finally got me back to the chair and placed the stencil, she left the room and left me sitting there waiting for 30 minute while she talked to family members outside the room. She came in and worked on my tattoo, however she was very heavy handed and dug into my shoulder when wiping away the residual ink. I have 15 other tattoos and am rarely bothered by the pain anymore, however I am concerned with how well this tattoo will heal. The tattoo itself looks okay, but it's definitely not a shop I'll be visiting again. Read Less

Definitely will be going there from now on for any and all Tattoos. My husband went there to get a tattoo for his birthday and the service there was phenomenal! He has already had multiple people ask him where he got his tattoo and gotten many compliments! Sarah has done an amazing job and I absolutely respect her artwork! Read Less

Both Mike and Sarah are amazing artists. The shop is great, very clean, and has a kid room available. Sarah has worked on my half sleeve and I am beyond happy with her work! Also, Kady is very gentle and walked me through the entire piercing process! Read Less

I brought my son in for a very important first tattoo for his 18th birthday. Mike and I went over the design and discussed its importance to my son. It was a very personal tattoo with a lot of meaning. Mike delivered a design that was perfect, and though my son was nervous, Mike was the calm professional the entire time. The tattoo came out amazing. My son about cried when he saw it. This shop really cares about the community. Holding autism awareness fundraisers to wounded veteran parking, this whole shop is a class act. Oh... and they literally have the coolest bathroom sink I have ever seen in my life. Read Less

We drive down from Northern Virginia twice a year to visit these guys. They are amazing. Their new piercer is a sweetheart and a half. She did an industrial yesterday. Granted it hurt like hell, but she was calm and told me everything that was going on and it was over in a sec. The artists are great to work with you when you are designing a tat. Overall, if you want really phenomenal ink, go visit Mike and Sarah. Read Less

Hot Rod Studios is a fantastic place!!! Friendly, Understanding, Clean, Professional and Family Atmosphere. My experience getting my second tattoo was calming after being a bit stressed Mike just was so professional and reassuring. Then my 18 year old received her first tattoo and Mike walked her thru the entire process. Started out slow and finished with a beautiful tattoo. Mike was so sweet to my 10 year old Daughter he printed out the same tattoo that my older daughter and I received so she would be able to get the same matching tattoo in 8 years. Wonderful place I highly recommend Hot Rod Studios!! You will not be disappointed.... Read Less

This place is awesome, I took advantage of the gift cards and maximized my money, Mike started my sleeve with a few old pictures and turned it in to an incredibly detailed piece, that even got my mother's approval. The establishment is the cleanest shop I have been to and very family friendly. My wife is coming in tomorrow for a session with Sarah. Read Less

What an amazing, family oriented group of consummate professionals! Honestly, I have been working in the medical field for a long time and this is one of the few places where I don't feel like I should get tested for hep C after being tattooed. The cleanliness and professionalism is unmatched in this area and their custom artwork is second to none! Great work and I will continue to return until I move or run out of skin! Read Less

This place was okay. It was clean, professional and friendly. Ben done my tattoo, he was absolutely great, but I have to be honest and say I am not 100 % satisfied with my tattoo or the price I paid for it. I mean I don't hate my tattoo, I do like it, I just wish it was closer to the original image I showed the artist. I know they don't want to copy it detail for detail, but I really wish it was a little closer to the original image. And the price for it was outrageous.Read Less

I'm the type of person who puts a lot of thought into their tattoos. I'm not the type who goes and gets a tattoo on a whim. That being said, I had a customer come into my gym sporting new ink. I asked them where they got it done at and was told about Mike at Hot Rod. After doing a little bit of research I messaged him on Hot Rods Facebook page. Almost immediately Ingot a response. I told him exactly what I was looking at getting and he welcomed me to come to his shop to talk about my idea in further detail. Upon arriving to Hot Rod I got a quick feel of the place; very clean, friendly and all around great looking. As a Navy veteran I had a specific idea in mind. I wanted the battle of midway portrayed on my arm from shoulder to wrist. Mike himself is also a Navy veteran and knew exactly want I wanted. I gave him a timeframe and he got back to me about a month later with a rough drawing and it was better than I had imagined. I had my first session about a month ago and go back in to continue on the piece on the 31st of October. I highly recommend Hot Rod for all your tattoo needs. He gets right down to the nitty gritty with very minimal breaks. His pricing is fair for what you are getting. As stated on another review for a different shop, if a studio needs to over advertise to gain a customer base then they aren't worth their weight in gold. Hot rod doesn't need to do this. Mike's work speaks for itself. There are two other artists in the shop; Mike's wife, Sarah, and Ben. Hope this review helps. Read Less

Mike and Sarah are AMAZING artists and know exactly what they are doing! I have received both tattoos from Sarah and I couldn't be more happier with the outcome! I have let her take free range with coloring and what she thinks would look best and couldn't be more satisfied. Not to mention reasonable pricing! It has to be in the right location also, right at the end of Buffalo lake rd, near Carolina Lakes and just minutes from Spring Lake and 87! Read Less

Hot Rod Studios is a Custom Shop! Commited to creating one of kind works of art and damn near anything you would want to put on your body! Mike K takes the time to understand exactly what it is that you are looking for. In most cases, as in mine, the quality of work exceeds your expectations. The first thing I noticed upon entering was how open and clean they keep the studio at Hot Rod. Great customer service, an excellent eye for detail and the cleanest studios I've been to yet..... there is no doubt that I will have work done there again in the near future!! Read Less

I have been tattooed twice at Hot Rod Studios by the owner Mike. Each time I have went without out an appointment explained to him what I wanted and he was able to deliver. He tattooed a large octopus on my chest that after discusses some ideas, he drew it on me without a stencil and made the piece as custom as it gets. Within a few minutes I had and outline of what I wanted and we started on making it come to life. I have been tattooed several times and have several good pieces, but the octopus is by far my best yet. Mike was able to make it come to life. I will go back to get tattooed by Mike in the future for any new tattoos I want. Do yourself a favor and check out Hot Rod Studios before going to some random shop to get some ink slung on you. Read Less

After speaking with several tattoo shops in Fayetteville, I finally found one worth doing my tattoo. The owner (think his name is Mike) listened to my ideas and drew up an awesome stencil. It was better than I imagined. I will be returning for a back piece. Thanks for the art! Looks great! Read Less

So pleased with Mike's attention to detail. I told him what I wanted, and his custom design was better than I could've imagined. Such a wonderful experience!!! I also appreciated the down to earth attitude of Mike and his staff. Thanks guys, you're a rare find! Read Less