Removing pinstriping

[Jason S.]

Need some advice.  My buddy has a 4-year old truck with pinstriping he wants removed.  Its starting to harden, crack, and chip away.  I don't have any experience with this, so I'm not sure what's the best technique.  I want to avoid any scraping so I don't scratch the paint.  Should I try a heat gun?  A solvent?  Thanks in advance.

[Ls1transam]

I want to know as well

[BRZN]

3M Adhesive Eraser Wheel

 

Hair Dryer, Goo Gone and a Plastic Razor Blade

Edited March 25, 2017 by BRZN

[falcaineer]

I'm sure you'll get some good suggestions, as Dave already chimed in, but I have to ask: What if the paint underneath has faded? Is there anything that can be done to "blend" it in with the rest?

[Chris@Adams]

I think I would try a hair dryer then use Goo Gone and a plastic razor blade to get all the adhesive off, like Dave said.

I have also used the top (solvent) of BG to remove residue as well.

Remember when done to apply wax or sealant to the area.

[Mariner]

I'm sure you'll get some good suggestions, as Dave already chimed in, but I have to ask: What if the paint underneath has faded? Is there anything that can be done to "blend" it in with the rest?

Chris, I think if anything, the paint underneath will be darker since it's never been exposed to lighting or the elements.

[falcaineer]

Chris, I think if anything, the paint underneath will be darker since it's never been exposed to lighting or the elements.

Good point...meant darker. It's opposite day (as my kids would say)!

[BRZN]

Added the Hair Dryer to my first post above, missed that somehow in my hurry to get going yesterday when I made the post.

 

The ghosting left from the stripe will/should be pretty minimal, but it depends on the age of the paint, quality of the paint, and where the vehicle sits during the day. If it's in the direct sun, say, somewhere in the south it could be worse than a northern car parked in a garage during the day.

 

Polish the area once the stripe is removed to achieve the best appearance.

[astro-jason]

3M eraser wheel is the best option, but be sure to hold it flat on the surface or you will burn through the paint fast if you dont pay attention.

 

Another good home remedy is a small rag soaked with WD40 and wet the striping with it let sit it will loosen it up enough to start peeling off.

 

If the paint is darker under the striping, you'll have painted on pin striping, just the opposite of ghost graphics lol

 

-Jason 

[dabellg]

I did this with my dad about 3 years ago.It was for pinstriping that was painted on. We talked to a few professional automotive car painters and they said use easy off oven cleaner. We sprayed it in the bottom of a cup and then we applied it directly to the pinstripe with q-tips. Let it sit until the pinstripe softens and then just wipe it off. I was very worried that it would damage the paint or the clearcoat so I've kept an eye on it and I haven't noticed any damage.

[CMDChase]

I had good results with a hair dryer and automotive formula goo gone.

[dabellg]

Good to hear that you got it off! I'm waiting for a reply if I totally messed up or if the easy off is an ok product to use

[Black Bowtie]

3M stripe off wheel

 

http://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Stripe-Off-Wheel?N=5002385+3293162209&rt=rud

[butters]

I did this with my dad about 3 years ago.It was for pinstriping that was painted on. We talked to a few professional automotive car painters and they said use easy off oven cleaner. We sprayed it in the bottom of a cup and then we applied it directly to the pinstripe with q-tips. Let it sit until the pinstripe softens and then just wipe it off. I was very worried that it would damage the paint or the clearcoat so I've kept an eye on it and I haven't noticed any damage.

 

Lol! I used to work in the detail center at a BMW dealership, many lessons learned on what not to do... but anyway we used Easy Off for painted pinstripes and shocking though it may be, it does work. Really nasty stuff so use great care.

[tbarn]

Lacquer thinner works on painted pin stripes. I guess it depends on the paint that was used.I used Easy off on my drag car and trailer years ago and it worked fine. My wife crashed my Silverado last fall. It had pin stripes so I took the old door home and experimented with it. Easy off wouldn't touch it so based on our body guys advice I tried lacquer thinner and it took the stripes off easily. Neither harmed the clear coat.