removing pinstripes?

[OhioCichlids]

Id like to remove the pinstripes from my Explorer and maybe start getting it ready to paint. They are the factory pinstripes.

Also, the Exploder is gold, will the spot where the pinstripes show up badly? Any way to remedy this until I get it primered?

 

[Brian_B]

On an older vehicle they will show up when you remove the stripes. The paint under them will look new and the old paint will be faded. Sometimes if the rest of the paint is bad enough the paint will actually be higher under them. That means more sanding before new paint or you sill still see the old stripe lines. I don't think the color will matter a lot (not sure).

You can try waxing it really well (several coats) afterward to minimize the appearance some though.

Maybe a body guy like MONMIX will jump in here, but that been my experience with my limited body and paint work.

 

[OhioCichlids]

well I plan to paint it because the front clip is a different color. I just dont know when Ill get it painted because I have to get new doglegs welded in.

I dont mind the color difference from now, I just dont know the correct way to remove them.

 

[etc]

I removed mine about 2 yrs ago. 96' and the difference in shade was minimal. To take them off, heat them up and peel off. There's gonna be residue left behind most likely, a little mineral spirits will take it off.

 

[Brian_B]

Oh sorry. I used a heat gun to do it, but its too hot (even on teh lowest setting) and you have to be really careful or you will burn the paint.

Typically, you can use a blow dryer or even one of those hot garage light things to heat them up to remove them. Umm...I don't know what they are called, but they have a small tube bulb and get really hot. I have several of them in myagarge sitting around. They are like 500 watt or something.

Anyway, heat up the stripe and try to get ahold of an edge with your fingernail and peel it back across itself. When I am going to imediately start body work and paint I use the heat gun and a plastic putty knife. This damages the paint however. Just slow and careful and you should be fine.

 

[OhioCichlids]

cool deal, Ill try it. thanks guys

 

[Brian_B]

Please post back in this thread once you do it. That way other can benefit from your experiences as well.

 

[OhioCichlids]

coole deal, Ill take before and after, although Im not sure Ill finish today, Ill post what I get done

 

[Brian_B]

I found a picture of the type of lights that I have. They are 500 watt halogen and get super hot.

 

[Lee S.]

I took mine off a couple of weeks ago. Just park it in the sun and peel it off with your finger nail. Mine came right off. Like Brian B said, the area where the pinstripe was can be noticed if you look carefully. The paint seemed to be protected by the pinstripe and is brighter than the more faded paint on the rest of the X.

Lee