One trick to positioning the guide tape (for hand painting option) is to precut a piece of lower tac masking tape the size (height) of the tube stripes desired, then place it in the position where the painted stripes will be, then lay the guide tape down running along the top and bottom edges, then remove the masking tape -- voila perfectly spaced tape guides. You can then make tic marks on the tape to mark the "stroke" areas -- paint away!
BTW, the brush type you want is a good lettering quill (no hobby brushes). Brushes like this.
http://www.mackbrush.com/quills2.htm
Lettering One Strokes are okay too but they have less flex and don't hold as much paint.
Brush tip...
A good brush will last for years (if cared for), after painting wash the paint out thoroughly with thinner then dip the entire end in oil, flatten by pulling between your finger and thumb (shaping the brush and getting rid of excess oil) this preserves and keeps the hairs from premature breaking. (clean the oil out before use by a quick wash in thinner then spin dry -- ready to paint.)
This type of oil.
http://www.dickblick.com/zz055/83/
Also the tape you want is stuff like this (3M is the best). Quarter inch is your friend.
http://www.dickblick.com/zz289/35/
Thought of somthing else, if you want to carefully mark exactly where you want to paint the strokes use one of these.
http://www.dickblick.com/zz204/08/
Great for all kids of smooth surfaces, you can wipe any marks left behind off with windex/water after the paint is dry (blue is best -- black is not recommended).
Just so you know, I don't work for Mack brushes or Dick Blick they just made for easy online reference -- use Google to find prefered vendors.
Okay, I think class is over now -- lol.
Doug