Quote:
Originally Posted by giorgio72  I did the forum search and came across a couple of threads concerning the removal of the factory stripes. But since it would be a huge disaster to get started and find out it did not work properly I wanted to ask more questions!
Is it for certain that the factory "lemans" style stripes (aka rally stripes) are, in fact, vinyl? yes
If so, can they be removed the same way one would remove vinyl graphics (i.e. numbers, etc) from a racecar, using a heat gun and patience, followed by a wipedown with adhesive remover and then a wax job? yes
For what it is worth, I am talking about removing black stripes that seem to be vinyl from a Torch Red GT.
Any helpful comments would be much appreciated. Thanks! |
Leave yourself an entire day, at least, to get this done.
If you find a place where you need a heat source, either the VERY hot water idea, or a 1200 or more watt hair dryer will work without endangering your paint. A heat gun is TOO risky. Those things will raise a blister of burned paint in a heartbeat. Just remember the hair dryer instructions; Do Not Use While In the Shower.
I have used
General Purpose Adhesive Remover, available at any hardware store, on Clearcoat Polyurethane auto paint many times without ever leaving any damage. Well, the stuff will dry out your skin really bad in a couple of seconds so wear chemical resisitant gloves, please. The Adhesive remover will disolve the factory adhesive layer left on,
but it will not work through the vinyl. You will have to pull that off first. Soak a paper towel with it and hold it on the glue for a count of 15 or so, wipe, and probably do it again. Do this
OUTSIDE, in a breeze, in the shade, and let the towels dry completely off before throwing them in the trash. You will need all the fresh air you can get, and the sun will dry out the remover before it can work. Use the paper towels like they are free. The glue in a dirty one will somewhat reconstiitute as soon as the remover evaporates away and will spread all over the place.
Once you have an edge lifted pretty good, yoou can put some remover to work to help loosen the rest of the vinyl but it will only work right where the vinyl is pulling away. I've developed a technique where I keep wetting the underside of the vinyl with remover and push it along with the edge of a credit card. Yup, I have had to polish scratches out of the clearcoat after doing this too.
Scrounge up a couple of old credit cards or a bondo spreader and use one to start up a heated edge. There will be other places where you will need a scraper too. Be GENTLE, even they can mar your paint.
Clarify some questions about removal of factory stripes please... 
I wish I would have though of the hot water thing. My way took a while. Of coarse it didn't help that my wife let it sit in the vegas sun over the last summer and they dried up and cracked.
