question for those w/painted stripes and wash question

3866 Views 20 Replies 10 Participants Last post by my05toy, Nov 6, 2005

blmpt

Discussion Starter · Oct 14, 2005

I just got my yellow stang painted w/black shelby stripes. Overall, it really
looks great, however standing next to the car is a different story. The lines
aren't really that clean in most areas. Overall the stripes are straight, but
up close they are quite wiggly. I'm wondering if this is normal when you get them painted on and I am being too picky, or is there something that should have been done to avoid this.
Secondly, the guy who did em "yelled" at me for using cotton bath towels to wash/dry my car with and said only to use microfiber. Is this really correct?

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

junior

· #2 · Oct 14, 2005

Is the same guy that yelled at you for cleaning with cotton towels the one that painted it? My stripes had super clean lines EXCEPT for areas where it was hard for him to get to like the roof and the back of the hood. I took it back and he said "your right, they are crooked and fuzzy". He ended up repainting several times before I was pleased.

I had just got my car and the Body shop had it for 9 weeks to paint it. After 3 more weeks to do it right, and $3000 I am now happy. I use soft cotton towels to wash it and a California waterblade and towels to dry it, and there is NO scratches after 4 months. Good luck and if he continues to botch it, take it to another shop.

mach_73

· #3 · Oct 14, 2005

blmpt said:
I just got my yellow stang painted w/black shelby stripes. Overall, it really
looks great, however standing next to the car is a different story. The lines
aren't really that clean in most areas. Overall the stripes are straight, but
up close they are quite wiggly. I'm wondering if this is normal when you get them painted on and I am being too picky, or is there something that should have been done to avoid this.
Secondly, the guy who did em "yelled" at me for using cotton bath towels to wash/dry my car with and said only to use microfiber. Is this really correct?

No you're not being too picky. I have painted detailing on my 73 Mach 1 which is black. The accents are argent (silver). The lines even in the curves are crisp and without any fuzziness at all.
As to towels -- the guy who details my 'Stangs for me including the 05 GT if I'm just not able to do it only uses the microfiber towels -- chamois -- and the water wedge. The car always is beautiful -- so I only use the same options when I do the job myself. Basically my point -- if it works, I learn from the best and follow their lead.
Mach 73

blmpt

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 14, 2005

How do they get the clean lines? My guy was concerned about there being a smooth line btwn the 2 paints, so I'm wondering if he took the tape off to soon or does it have to be done this way?

junior

· #5 · Oct 14, 2005

Lots of wet sanding.....That's what you're paying for. :eyepoppin

blmpt

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 14, 2005

Okay, but instead of fuzziness, some of the lines actually look chunky, like someone was chipping away at it. And some parts appear to have no paint at all.

sonny1213

· #7 · Oct 14, 2005

blmpt said:
Okay, but instead of fuzziness, some of the lines actually look chunky, like someone was chipping away at it. And some parts appear to have no paint at all.

3k for stripes and not perfect :sterb: f-that bro. The stripes should be clean and sharp w/ no bump when you rub your hand over it. 100% cotton is A-OK. If you take a lighter to a not so sure % cotton cloth, it'll burn black and melt which means poly and that scratches. I use 100% cotton and no scratches. Good luck w/ that mess. :winks

my05toy

· #8 · Oct 15, 2005

2

Take it back!!!

I had my stripes done by a reputable shop (Marco's Auto Body in Monterey Park, CA). They sub-contracted the set up of the stripes, including taping, to a guy who's an expert in graphics (including stripes). He even used lasers to get the stripes perfectly straight!

My stripes are metallic black and then they got two coats of clear over them, one over the stripes alone and the other from edge-to-edge on the hood, trunk, etc. This made the striped area feel smooth with no bump from the yellow to the black. The set up was done with all parts on the car but the painting was done after removing the parts and then re-installing them. They even painted the rear spoiler underneath, all the way around. I found a couple of spots, on edges, where they missed putting paint. I immediately told them about it and they were happy to touch up those areas. Now it looks perfect! They even "feathered" in some clear onto the tops of adjoining areas, like fenders, to reduce the contrast of the smoothness of the newly cleared areas to the car's slight "orange peel" feel of the original paint.

My advice is for you to take it back for a good job or ask for your money back and go elsewhere. If they won't fix it or give you a refund, treat it like any other service/product you'd pay for and take legal action, including reporting to your state's Better Business Bureau or Bureau of Automotive Repair! Good luck!

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blmpt

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 15, 2005

Okay, now I'm jealous, and even a little sick. My paint job is so far away from what you guys are describing. I don't think my paint guy is capable of that so I guess it's time to find someone new. He said there would be a bit of a bump btwn paints, but there was never any mention of jagged lines. Afterwards he said, well the black has to end somewhere and the yellow has to start somewhere. I really think I'm going to be sick.

junior

· #10 · Oct 15, 2005

First off, they should have prepped the areas to be painted good otherwise when the masking is pulled the paint comes with it. If there are chunks missing, the paint stuck to the masking or bled underneath it. It can be fixed by touching up by hand with a small brush and then applying clear again and more wet sanding.

The last thing you want is your beauty looking like a south-of-the-border gypsy painted it. :happyhapp Good luck on your stang!

mustangbaxter

· #11 · Oct 15, 2005

sorry mine has crisp lines, and a smooth finish, you cant feel any ridges

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my05toy

· #12 · Oct 16, 2005

blmpt said:
Okay, now I'm jealous, and even a little sick. My paint job is so far away from what you guys are describing. I don't think my paint guy is capable of that so I guess it's time to find someone new. He said there would be a bit of a bump btwn paints, but there was never any mention of jagged lines. Afterwards he said, well the black has to end somewhere and the yellow has to start somewhere. I really think I'm going to be sick.

I totally agree with Junior! You might consider taking it to a shop that specializes in stripes/graphics and get an estimate on how much they would charge you to "fix" yours. Then, go back to the place you had the work done and, since you don't think they're able to get it right, ask them for a partial refund to pay for the repair. If they won't do that then, honestly, consider taking legal action as I mentioned in my earlier post. I'm sorry you're going through this. It must be a nightmare for you! I wish you the best of luck in resolving the issue. Just don't "live with it" or you will be sorry everytime you look at your beautiful new car and wish it was right! :sosad:

Something else to consider, what about some vinyl pinstriping (maybe in a contrasting color like silver or red) along the edges to "hide" the flaws? Just a thought, in case the earlier suggestion doesn't work.

Tastyone

· #13 · Oct 16, 2005

Those ghost flames and stripes are righteous Mustangbaxter:worship

blmpt

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 16, 2005

Thanks for the help guys!

I found a guy that was confident over the phone that he could fix it, and even has several samples of work to show me. He describes them just as you guys described yours. Only problem is that he is a little over an hour away so I have to wait a few days before I can get there. Between now and then I don't think I will have the heart to drive my car, as hard as that sounds. Overall I'm feeling a little better but the clock is ticking before winter starts!

Pyrat

· #15 · Oct 17, 2005

Keep us posted on how it comes out.

my05toy

· #16 · Oct 17, 2005

Git 'er done!

blmpt said:
Thanks for the help guys!

I found a guy that was confident over the phone that he could fix it, and even has several samples of work to show me. He describes them just as you guys described yours. Only problem is that he is a little over an hour away so I have to wait a few days before I can get there. Between now and then I don't think I will have the heart to drive my car, as hard as that sounds. Overall I'm feeling a little better but the clock is ticking before winter starts!

You are most welcome! I'm so glad you found someone to, hopefully, fix it right! :winks Take some before and after pics so you can post and share with us. Hope it all turns out right for you!

crazyhorse

· #17 · Oct 17, 2005

blmpt said:
Okay, but instead of fuzziness, some of the lines actually look chunky, like someone was chipping away at it. And some parts appear to have no paint at all.

It sounds like they pulled the tape off when the paint was dry instead of taking it off while it's still wet. That is the trick to custom painting. We all ways take the tape off before it dries, so not to pull the paint off. You have to do this very carefully! also there is a trick to putting on fineline tape for painting stripes it takes a lot of practice to be able to put it on straight. If it's put on correctly there will be no fuzzy edges and the line should be straight. That is the difference in a shop that knows what their doing and one that think they do! I would take the car back and tell the owner that you want the job done right. or that you want a refund. good luck, I hope this information will be helpfull to you.

blmpt

Discussion Starter · #18 · Oct 18, 2005

Is there a down side to clear coating the entire panal after the stripe is painted? I had to return to my paint guy today b/c he called me at work to make sure I wasn't avoiding him. He made it sound like there was something wrong w/clearcoating everything but wouldn't say exactly what. Maybe it was a cost issue for him.

I let him know how unhappy I was and I think he understood pretty well and even feels bad about it now. So, he gave me my check back and gave me 3 options:
1. go somewhere else where they have the capability to do it right.
2. let them do a little more buffing and polishing, letting me keep my money, and knowing that they will never get the lines perfectly crisp.
3. they would buy my car at the price I paid for it so I would be free to get a 2006 - especially if I would be disappointed everytime I look at the car

Thinking...

SharpTJ

· #19 · Oct 18, 2005

blmpt said:
Is there a down side to clear coating the entire panal after the stripe is painted? I had to return to my paint guy today b/c he called me at work to make sure I wasn't avoiding him. He made it sound like there was something wrong w/clearcoating everything but wouldn't say exactly what. Maybe it was a cost issue for him.

I let him know how unhappy I was and I think he understood pretty well and even feels bad about it now. So, he gave me my check back and gave me 3 options:
1. go somewhere else where they have the capability to do it right.
2. let them do a little more buffing and polishing, letting me keep my money, and knowing that they will never get the lines perfectly crisp.
3. they would buy my car at the price I paid for it so I would be free to get a 2006 - especially if I would be disappointed everytime I look at the car

Thinking...

Option #3 is far beyond what I would ever expect them to do. But I would have to vote for option #1 if it were my car.

blmpt

Discussion Starter · #20 · Nov 5, 2005

$2000 and several weeks later, she's done right! The lines are amazing! This painter had done one a few weeks before mine and it didn't look quite as good as mine. Only problem now is that on the lower ledges of the bumpers the clear is built up a little much so it is a little rough in these areas. But easily fixed I imagine.
I would never had gotten through this hard time w/o you guys! Thanks!

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