Removing pinstripes - anyone done it? Options

[anthony]

I'm interested in a 914 that has some pinstripes. Naturally I'd want to remove them. Has anyone ever done it without ruining the paint?

I did a few searches and found stuff like this:

http://www.mytoolstore.com/astro/astmat06.html

Looking for a BTDT experience. Thanks.

[mike_the_man]

I did it on my Escort. I just used a heat gun, and started peeling them off. Get the stripe nice and hot, then just use your finger nail to get a start, and they should peel off. This depends on how long they've been on there for. If they've been on for a long time, they'll be harder to take off, and probably kind of flake off. You can also use a razor blade to get a start, but be very carful.

To clean off the glue, I'm pretty sure you can use WD-40 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) although if you own a 911 that might scare the crap out of you. I used paint thinner to get the glue off, but it could be hard on the paint.

[anthony]

I'm guessing that these pinstripes date with the age of the car or are at least very vintage.

[DuckRyder]

I've done it both by heat and the abrasive wheels.

I'd opt for a heat gun (or even a good hair dryer) and adhesive remover, if you don't intend to paint it.

IF the paint is in good shape you can get them off without damaging the paint, but if has been in the sun a lot, you may leave pinstripes in the form of unfaded paint.

Edit, I'm assuming they are tape stripes. Also be careful if you get an actual heat gun as it can blister paint.

If they are paint stripes, depending on the condition and type of paint they might buff off................. But you better get someone to look at them in person before you try it.

[mike_the_man]

Well, take a heat gun to them and try to peel it off. It will either work, or it won't. I had a 1983 Mustang GT with original GT stripping. Most of it came off easy, except for the big chunk that went across the roof. Man, that was baked on. Took me a long time to chip it off.

As long as your striping isn't too large, it shouldn't be too dificult to get off.

Good luck,

[Joe Bob]

Just did the stickers on the Dodge....heat gun and "goof off" for the glue

[Levi]

How you remove them has everything to do with the size of the stripe, if indeed they are pin stripes they will be easy to remove, first thing you should know is DON'T over heat them with a hot air gun, you just want them warm like like they would be out in the sun on a hot summer day...copy??

next thing you do is slooowly pull up on the leading edge of the stripe, DO NOT pull it back over itself, if you do it will leave the adhesive, if you leave adhesive use goo-gone or WD-40 to remove it.

Good luck...yell if you have questions

[Martin Baker]

These stripes are painted on, ( I found this car) and how I would remove them is first with a buffer and a medium cut polish slow, check often to avoid burning thru the paint. Or the safer more time consuming method would be with 2000 sand paper, then polish. Call me, you have my number. I go to work later know. Not till 11:00 PM tonight. Doing the gearbox outdrive seal at the moment on my 914. They are leaking. Tired of cleaning up the mess on the garage floor.

[mike_the_man]

Painted on! Well that changes everything. I guess a heat gun won't cut it! And I have no answers.

[Levi]

These stripes are painted on,

Never Mind...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)