Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics Pinstripe Removal?

What is the best way to remove pinstriping? The stripe that is on my car right now is chipping and it looks like crap.

Anyone have any ideas other then getting it warm and scraping it off with my fingernails?

Yeah, get it warm and use your thumbnail.....

try using something like Rosonol lighter fluid or isopropyl alcohol. Not rubbing alcohol, its not strong enough, you can get potent isopropanol from dry-gas, but be careful to read the label to be sure it contains isopropyl alcohol and not methanol or methyl alcohol.

either way before using a solvent on the paint, make sure you test it first in an inconspicous area since some solvents will dull, haze or remove the clear coat, some can even strip the paint

the best way is to park it where the sun shines and use a blow dryer to heat up the stripe as you go along.use credit card or license to remove the stripe if its to brittle to pull off in one piece. after you get the tape off use alcohol or lacqer thinner or finger nail polish remover to remove the glue residue. None of the chemicles will damage your paint. After your finished you will need to wax the area for the finishing touch.

Thats a good idea. Almost exactly what I did to remove the emblems. I will have to wait till later though. There is now 2" of snow on my car.

Its all good though, I am more then happy to leave it parked safely in the driveway tonite.

I grew up in my dad's body shop, the best way(without using a sander) is a to heat it with a heat gun and slowly peel it of as the glue becomes warm. A blow dryer will also work. Not trying to dis on JSmith, but I'd be hesitant to use the lighter fluid. Get a can of 3M adhesive remover. It can usually be found at a Sherwin Williams auto paint store and the can is red. This works very well also and will not damage your paint.
Mike

I like that idea even more! Maybe if it isn't snowing tomorrow I will have to give it a try.

ExDelayed,
I forgot to mention, try using the blow dryer or heat gun first. Then, whatever glue may be left behind use the adhesive remover to clean up. BTW, it's also very good for getting road tar, gum and the like of your ride. Also, remember to keep the heat source on the pinstripe as you pull it off and keep the surface warm as it is easier to work with that way. I always found the best distance from paint to heat gun to be about 4 inches or so away. The paint should also never get to hot to touch, should be warm enough to melt the glue but not hot enough that you can't keep your hand on it. You don't won't to harm your paint by putting concentrated heat on it. It will take a while to do, so be patient. I hope I haven't got you worried, but please remember that I grew up working on other peoples cars at the sake of my dad's name so I'm a little over precatious.
Enjoy your new look as I know you will.
Mike

Our Mazda Protege came with "dealer added" PAINTED on pin stripes (red and tan on a green car ). When we asked about having it removed they said they would have to "lightly" sand it. I told them HELL NO! and we negotiated more for the trade. I ended up scraping them off with my finger nails on a hot day then cleaned them up with a little lacqer thinner (after heavy testing in several inconspicuous spots).

I found that out when I removed the door dings. I got it a little too warm. Didn't damage the paint, but it melted the glue Ford used to hold the door skin to the bar behind it.

Luckily the heat gun has quite a few settings, I will keep it low since the stripe is thin. I can take it anywhere from 100°F to 700°F!

Thankfully the stripes are the sticker type and not actual paint. It should be a lot easier then what Brian had to go through.