Worried about faded paint after i remove side strips

[superstang01]

I am thinking about removing my side strips..I am just worried about the paint under them being darker then the paint that has been exposed since 2001

How would you go about blending the darker paint under the sidestrips into the paint that has always been exposed?

thanks alot
Jeff H

 

[mustang90]

A nice compound on a buffer followed up with a polish and a carnuba wax. Shouldn't even be able to tell after that. If your car is mineral grey I doubt its that faded. Red is the worst.

 

[superstang01]

A nice compound on a buffer followed up with a polish and a carnuba wax. Shouldn't even be able to tell after that. If your car is mineral grey I doubt its that faded. Red is the worst.

This mihgt soind kinda stupid....But what do u mean by nice compound?

 

[streethorse]

Yeah, I dont think the paint color will be the issue, its a matter of removing
any built up wax and dirt as well as the adhesive used to stick those nasty
things on there. Hot water and soap might work.

 

[mustang90]

a compound has a little bit more abbrasion then a polish. Its typically used to treat troubled areas on paint with minor defects. Then followed up with a polish. Be sure to get a "clear coat" friendly compound though.

 

[Matt's 03 GT]

I am thinking about removing my side strips..I am just worried about the paint under them being darker then the paint that has been exposed since 2001

How would you go about blending the darker paint under the sidestrips into the paint that has always been exposed?

thanks alot
Jeff H

You really should not have a problem. Why don't you remove the rear wing (4 bolts) and see how the paint looks under there. You should remove this if your going to polish the whole car anyway.

Good luck and post pics. It will really clean up the look of the car.

Matt

 

[Kilgore Trout]

It will be fine... Do not worry...

 

[superstang01]

is there any possibility it could pull up the paint

 

[mustang90]

Now when you take it off be sure to use a hair dryer or heat gun. Get it nice and warm. Be gentle on it when pulling it off. Sometimes the 3m tape is strong. You could also use fishing string and "floss" it off. Get a can of the 3M adhesive remover. That stuff works wonders! Takes alot of the elbow grease out of it.

 

[superstang01]

that does not sound to hard

 

[forum155pl]

i took my strips off after 8 years and no fading... mineral grey is kinda a dark color though.. RIP EM OFF!!!

 

[superstang01]

how did you pulll them off?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Use a heat gun to soften and then carefully peel as was already said in post #9

 

[Dusstbuster]

Red is the worst.

You've obviously never owned a black vehicle
I refuse to take mine off now because I know there will be 2 black lines surrounded by faded black/brown looking paint. 11 years in the sun leaves no doubt in my mind that the paint has hardcore fading going on, especially when I compare my rear 1/4 panel that got repainted last spring to the door.

 

[Matt's 03 GT]

You've obviously never owned a black vehicle
I refuse to take mine off now because I know there will be 2 black lines surrounded by faded black/brown looking paint. 11 years in the sun leaves no doubt in my mind that the paint has hardcore fading going on, especially when I compare my rear 1/4 panel that got repainted last spring to the door.

There are products on the market to take care of the problems you state. I have seen a 10 year old work van with decals shine like new. Granted it takes a lot of skill and time, but with a proper detail you most likely will never be able to tell. It is truly amazing what some professional detailers can do.

 

[mustang90]

my mustang is black! but, i don't drive it everyday, lol. black sux to keep clean and cool. looks sexy as hell when clean!