Pinstripe removal and cleanup

C

Corey Bit Spank

Active member
My friend is inquiring on how to remove a 5" by 2" pinstripe (sticker/decal, I'm guessing) from a 3 year old maroon colored car. (on the rear quarter panel) I did a search but really got no solid advice on how to get it off and get whatever residue that may be left cleaned up. Help a fellow out. :D
 
When I picked up my Pacific green 'stang from the dealership, it had this attrocious tan pinstripe all around the car. I couldn't stand it so I took it off. Somebody told me to use a heat gun to make removal easier. Instead of a heat gun, I borrowed my mom's hair dryer and that worked fine. Heat the decal to the point where you can easily peel a corner of it with your fingernail (:nono be careful not to overheat the decal, as it will take forever to remove). The remaining adhesive can easily be removed with a MF towel and some good ol' Goo Gone. Also, it might be a good idea to hit that spot with some cleaner wax, just to get any left over residue from the Goo Gone off. Hope this helps and good luck.
 
Corey Bit Spank, if this decal has been on the car for 3 yrs., isn't there a chance that the paint under it will be a different color than the rest of the paint?
 
Lynn said:
Corey Bit Spank, if this decal has been on the car for 3 yrs., isn't there a chance that the paint under it will be a different color than the rest of the paint?
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An easy test would be to simply inspect the door jams and see if the paint that hasn't been exposed to the elements is any different in color from the exterior of the car. If the door jams look brighter and deeper in color then there is a good chance removing that decal will uncover brighter and newer looking paint.



Just a thought...
 
I think Eastwood Company made a buffing-type wheel for a drill that would take pinstripe tape off without harming the paint.
 
acetone will remove the painted on type of stripe. Now, my question is, on my black Crown Victoria, once you remove the stripe it has these little ridges where the machine paints on the stripe. What does anyone recomend using to buff these out, and should it be by hand or machine?
 
"acetone will remove the painted on type of stripe. Now, my question is, on my black Crown Victoria, once you remove the stripe it has these little ridges where the machine paints on the stripe. What does anyone recomend using to buff these out, and should it be by hand or machine?"



Acetone will soften paint, so be careful. The little ridges i would recommend wet sanding with 2000 grit and then a machine polish. If you are leary about wet sanding try some machine polishing on one area, and check your progress.



"I think Eastwood Company made a buffing-type wheel for a drill that would take pinstripe tape off without harming the paint."



3M and a few other companies make them, and they do work fairly well, you could also try an auto body supply shop. If the wheel leaves rubber residue behind , a mild solvent removes it.



"Corey Bit Spank, if this decal has been on the car for 3 yrs., isn't there a chance that the paint under it will be a different color than the rest of the paint?"



I think the color difference would be more from scratches and swirls. You might have to polish and wax.



"My friend is inquiring on how to remove a 5" by 2" pinstripe (sticker/decal, I'm guessing) from a 3 year old maroon colored car. (on the rear quarter panel) I did a search but really got no solid advice on how to get it off and get whatever residue that may be left cleaned up. Help a fellow out"



The heat gun or hair dryer work well. I would take a plastic razor blade or make one out of a plastic picnic knife. Take the heat gun and heat the picnic knife edge until the little serrated edge is smooth. Heat the decal and try to pick the decal off (might leave alot of glue behind) or heat the decal and scrape the decal off with the plastic blade, you'll know when temp is right. Do not over heat. When the decal is off, take a mild solvent ( i generally use Varsol) and wipe it till gone with a soft cloth or paper towel if polishing. If you have lots of glue, scrap off with the plastic blade.
 
MikeStang said:
When I picked up my Pacific green 'stang from the dealership, it had this attrocious tan pinstripe all around the car. I couldn't stand it so I took it off. Somebody told me to use a heat gun to make removal easier. Instead of a heat gun, I borrowed my mom's hair dryer and that worked fine. Heat the decal to the point where you can easily peel a corner of it with your fingernail (:nono be careful not to overheat the decal, as it will take forever to remove). The remaining adhesive can easily be removed with a MF towel and some good ol' Goo Gone. Also, it might be a good idea to hit that spot with some cleaner wax, just to get any left over residue from the Goo Gone off. Hope this helps and good luck.
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What he said! :xyxthumbs



Also great advice from Mirrorman regarding the door jams being a good indictator of faded paint! :xyxthumbs
 
I had my local detail shop remove the painted pinstripe from my GM daily driver. They say they use oven cleaner and have done many cars. They apply it very cautiously and it did work. i was so psyched to have the pinstripe removed....it took 10 years off the car's appearance.



There is a very slight ghost from where it was removed and you can see some evidence of the roller used to apply the paint at the factory. Was it worth the risk? Absolutely ! :xyxthumbs
 
Black, the "roller evidence" on my car has faded...you can hardly notice it now. If it really bothers you I'd suggest trying your hi speed buffer and a gentle polish....it may take some time since those marks are fairly deep.
 
On a new car, pinstripe comes off in seconds extremely easy. No special tools, cleaners, or solvents needed. Just pick and peel it away.



Now, the older the car gets the harder removing the stripe gets because the vinyl itself gets harder and harder and the adhesive slowly becomes more and more permanently bonded.



Everything recommended so far has been great so all I can really add is to be extremely careful with solvents and heat. If you overheat the paint too much with a heat gun, you will be sorry and likewise if you go rubbing violently with solvents like Goo Gone to get rid of adhesive. Take your time and be careful, that's all.
 
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