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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

can vinyl stripes be removed without hurting the paint?

  • Thread starter Thread starter fiveoho
  • Start date Start date Nov 11, 2009

fiveoho

15 Year Member
Apr 28, 2005
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Nov 11, 2009
#1
  • Nov 11, 2009
  • #1
found a nice car im considering buying but it has a vinyl stripe kit below the doors ( like this: Mustang Rocker Stripes w/ Mustang Lettering - Black (79-10) ) . its a 2000 model, who knows how long they have been there. did ford ever put these on a car factory? my question is have any of you guys had experience taking vinyl stripes off and how visible are the lines where it was? i would get the car professionally buffed and before that, a good dose of rubbing compound.

would it be visible afterward of where it was? or would it hurt the paint attemting to take these off?


thanks
 

Adam95GT

New Member
Aug 14, 2006
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Burlington, NJ
Nov 12, 2009
#2
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #2
paint would be fine... its the rest of the car fading you need to worry about what color is the car


i think the 35th anny cars had them and other 99-01's think it was a dealer option or something
 

fiveoho

15 Year Member
Apr 28, 2005
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Nov 12, 2009
#3
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #3
silver.

mainly concerned if the outline of where the stripes use to be will be visible after the removal
 

Adam95GT

New Member
Aug 14, 2006
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#4
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #4
fiveoho said:
silver.

mainly concerned if the outline of where the stripes use to be will be visible after the removal
Click to expand...

you should be alright... might see it when it rains or something with a silver car the chances are less then say a red car.... just take it off and buff it.
 

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member
Sep 28, 2003
3,651
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68
Indianapolis, IN
Nov 12, 2009
#5
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #5
I think you'll be ok with silver. Although...you may not get it to be perfect so hopefully it wont be a deal breaker for you. On red or black it would probably be noticeable. I imagine if you keep it buffed, you'll be good to go!
 

desertcox05

New Member
Oct 3, 2007
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south atlanta
Nov 12, 2009
#6
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #6
There is a tool you can buy at Napa I think. It looks like a big eraser that you can chuck into the drill.
It will peel those stripes back like butter.
 

fiveoho

15 Year Member
Apr 28, 2005
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#7
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #7
desertcox05 said:
There is a tool you can buy at Napa I think. It looks like a big eraser that you can chuck into the drill.
It will peel those stripes back like butter.
Click to expand...

id be interested in that tool .know a part # or have a link by chance?


luckily, as others have previously posted, i think silver tends to hide imperfections a little better than some colors
 

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member
Sep 28, 2003
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Indianapolis, IN
Nov 12, 2009
#8
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #8
http://yotatech.com/f2/how-pinstripe-removal-pics-56k-70756/
 

BlackVert

15 Year Member
Oct 3, 2003
5,589
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Nov 12, 2009
#9
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #9
nmcgrawj said:
http://yotatech.com/f2/how-pinstripe-removal-pics-56k-70756/
Click to expand...

hey, that's a 3M product ... i work for 3M ... i wish i could buy or stuff at a discount
 

Husky44

10 Year Member
Sep 27, 2006
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Tacoma, WA
Nov 12, 2009
#10
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #10
That tool would scare the crap out of me.

I'd start with the old hairdryer and straight razor technique. Gentle hand with the razor, so as not to dig into the paint.

I'm no expert on clearcoats, but I'd also be very wary of using rubbing compound on a 2000 paintjob. I would think you'd run the risk of cutting through the clear, not to mention the possibility of swirls, etc.
 

whitesqual

Active Member
Sep 3, 2008
235
1
28
Coeur D'alene, ID
Nov 12, 2009
#11
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #11
Husky44 said:
That tool would scare the crap out of me.

I'd start with the old hairdryer and straight razor technique. Gentle hand with the razor, so as not to dig into the paint.

I'm no expert on clearcoats, but I'd also be very wary of using rubbing compound on a 2000 paintjob. I would think you'd run the risk of cutting through the clear, not to mention the possibility of swirls, etc.
Click to expand...

dealerships use those erasers all the time to remove stickers and stripes, works like a champ, just don't use too much pressure.
 

fiveoho

15 Year Member
Apr 28, 2005
1,958
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TN
Nov 13, 2009
#12
  • Nov 13, 2009
  • #12
Husky44 said:
That tool would scare the crap out of me.

I'd start with the old hairdryer and straight razor technique. Gentle hand with the razor, so as not to dig into the paint.

I'm no expert on clearcoats, but I'd also be very wary of using rubbing compound on a 2000 paintjob. I would think you'd run the risk of cutting through the clear, not to mention the possibility of swirls, etc.
Click to expand...

when i had my 95 buffed last year, he used rubbing compound on it. that, in combination with buffing and a good quality wax, help take the swirls out of my car.

i would never try it. ill leave it to the pros
 

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member
Sep 28, 2003
3,651
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68
Indianapolis, IN
Nov 13, 2009
#13
  • Nov 13, 2009
  • #13
I can see you burning through the paint...anything spinning that builds heat can.


But a razor? I'd rather deal with swirls than scratches!
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,301
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Acworth, GA
Nov 13, 2009
#14
  • Nov 13, 2009
  • #14
Plastic razor blade, not a metal one.

Kurt
 

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member
Sep 28, 2003
3,651
4
68
Indianapolis, IN
Nov 13, 2009
#15
  • Nov 13, 2009
  • #15
revhead347 said:
Plastic razor blade, not a metal one.

Kurt
Click to expand...


duh

lol
 

fiveoho

15 Year Member
Apr 28, 2005
1,958
16
69
TN
Nov 13, 2009
#16
  • Nov 13, 2009
  • #16
nmcgrawj said:
http://yotatech.com/f2/how-pinstripe-removal-pics-56k-70756/
Click to expand...

id be very tempted to try this but i ain't got the guts. i'll let the guy that always buffs my cars take care of it if i decide to get the car. he hasnt seen it but told him about it. he seems pretty confident it would be removeable with minimal notice of where it was. he mentioned the hair dryer idea, as stated above
 

desertcox05

New Member
Oct 3, 2007
379
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0
south atlanta
Nov 16, 2009
#17
  • Nov 16, 2009
  • #17
fiveoho said:
id be very tempted to try this but i ain't got the guts. i'll let the guy that always buffs my cars take care of it if i decide to get the car. he hasnt seen it but told him about it. he seems pretty confident it would be removeable with minimal notice of where it was. he mentioned the hair dryer idea, as stated above
Click to expand...


I've seen it done by the secretary at a body shop. She does the minor detailing prior to the car leaving the shop. practically fool proof
 

earleys94gt

Active Member
Aug 31, 2003
1,223
16
49
Ashley, Ohio
Nov 16, 2009
#18
  • Nov 16, 2009
  • #18
dealerships use those erasers all the time to remove stickers and stripes, works like a champ, just don't use too much pressure.
Click to expand...
Used them at work all the time, mostly on old police cars(takes a long time)

Biggest thing is to watch around door handles and other edges.

You also might be able to use a hairdryer and try and peel the sticker off; might be too brittle though.
 

BlackVert

15 Year Member
Oct 3, 2003
5,589
9
98
Bethesda, MD
Nov 17, 2009
#19
  • Nov 17, 2009
  • #19
revhead347 said:
Plastic razor blade, not a metal one.

Kurt
Click to expand...

can i use one of those on my face too?
 
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