Removing the pinstripe on either side

[chriskarel]

1,000 lashes if this has already been asked, but I did try to search first...

In the spring when I buff my car, I want to remove the awful pinstripe on the sides. Now, my car is 10 years old AND she was in Arizona for the first 9 years of her life, which means the paint under the pinstripe will prob be factory silver, while the rest is pretty faded.

So, has anyone done this? Is it really noticeable? Would a good buff job make it blend better with the rest of the paint?

Thanks.

 

[RedRyder]

Tyler (almightyfargoth) did this a while back, he may have some insight into this. You're at least better off with silver color than a red or black. Even if it is a bit different, I think the "stripes" would catch up with the body if you park the car outside.

 

[ryan s]

its visible if youre like less than 6 feet from the car, catch the right light at the correct angle, and are looking for where the pinstripes used to be

 

[J30MAN]

its visible if youre like less than 6 feet from the car, catch the right light at the correct angle, and are looking for where the pinstripes used to be

+1 but i was really happy with how little you can see the remains. I say do it. I did mine with a heat gun and an applicator pad with a bottle of wax by my side...a weird method to getting away the gunk left behind. It took me probably like 2 hours give or take a 1/2 hour.

 

[chriskarel]

would a hair dryer provide enough heat?

 

[almightyfargoth]

yeah, all you need to do is wash the entire area on that line then take a razor blade and very slowly dig underneath the end of the strip at either end of the car to start the process.

then you can use a combination of pulling up on the slack of the strip as you leave that blade under it to give it leverage. Since there are two lines (or there were on mine) usually one will break at some point if you pull too hard, so if you're really good at it you can slowly take off both lines at the same time to make it go faster.

then when you're done I used a little goo gone on a rag to get up the sticky residue, then i cleaned the area again with soap and water and waxed the length of the car along that line to make it an even color.

you honestly can't see anything on my car after doing this, it's like I have never had pinstriping.

if it is giving you trouble you can use a heat gun, not a hair dryer because that would take a while, to loosen up the glue or w/e holding the pinstriping to the paint.

 

[jaz]

mine wouldnt come off and just scuffed up my paint

 

[xi0utlawstarix]

how about using a fabric steamer to heat it up?

 

[ryan s]

heat's heat...you could also substitute rush limbaugh for your hot air needs if he's handy (and you dont mind hate speech)

i'd also take a plastic scraper or debit card over a razor blade...that can get ugly, quick

 

[WHEEELMAN]

I've done it.

I really don't recommend you use a heat gun. Do it on a HOT summer day so the adhesive is "workable". Might have to use a razor to peel up the starting edge, then SLOWLY peel it off the car. Be REALLY careful with the razor or else you will slice into the clearcoat.

It might not come off in one piece because it will break so often. Just restart it where it broke.

then take go-gone, or another product and remove any adhesive. cant give you any tips to blend in those unfaded stripes.


** I hate pin stripe, stoopidest dealer add on ever.