Removing aftermarket sidestripes.

[Rich_NYS]

My car has some type of aftermarket vinyl sidestripe that I'd like to remove; I'm guessing it'll just peel off with a little heat, is that correct?

It also has the gray factory stripe higher on the body; I like it but it's very worn and should be replaced, does that come off the same way?

I have two weeks before I drop the car off for repairs and I'm hoping to do a few small things myself before I do....is removing the stripes quick & easy?

[David T]

My car has some type of aftermarket vinyl sidestripe that I'd like to remove; I'm guessing it'll just peel off with a little heat, is that correct?

It also has the gray factory stripe higher on the body; I like it but it's very worn and should be replaced, does that come off the same way?

I have two weeks before I drop the car off for repairs and I'm hoping to do a few small things myself before I do....is removing the stripes quick & easy?

Old vinyl will break up into bits as you try to remove it. You can try using 3M cleaner to soften the glue but the best way is to use a special buff head and rotary tool that the auto body shops use.You can try a heat gun and a plastic scraper too.

[NightFlyer]

This is an experiment with different methodologies and do whatever works best type of job. Could be time consuming, but rarely is anything worth doing ever easy :)

I'd personally try heat and a plastic scraper, doing it in sections, unless once you start peeling, it feels like it wants to go. Glue clean up can be done chemically: muriatic acid, lacquer thinner, mineral spirits - again, it's whatever ends up working best.

Not sure what a buffing/grinding wheel would do other than making a mess and possibly damaging the grain of the stainless below.

Best of luck and be sure to post some pics of your results!

[jamesrguk]

Use a heat gun or best to just wait for a nice warm summers day when the stainless is hot, it makes it so much easier.

Then just a little tar & glue remover to take of any remaining adhesive.

J

[JMLaux]

I had good success using a heat gun and Nonmarring Scrapers on the original grey stripes on my car. They were severely sun damaged and came off in tiny stubborn chips. The residue came off pretty easy with acetone and goof off. Unfortunately something ate away at the stainless underneath the stripes resulting in tiny pin hole pitting along the side of my car so you may need to do some regraining. The pitting is nearly invisible on my car now but I still notice it if the light is right.

[Rich_NYS]

I had good success using a heat gun and Nonmarring Scrapers on the original grey stripes on my car. They were severely sun damaged and came off in tiny stubborn chips. The residue came off pretty easy with acetone and goof off.

I took off the aftermarket stripes this past weekend and used the same tools & chemicals. The goof-off worked great on the aftermarket vinyl, I haven't gotten into the grey stripe yet. Which do you think worked better for the grey stripe: acetone or goof-off?

I like the grey stripe, I'll likely remove/replace it this summer.

[NightFlyer]

I took off the aftermarket stripes this past weekend and used the same tools & chemicals.

Comparison pictures are needed or it didn't happen :smile:

[Rich_NYS]

Comparison pictures are needed or it didn't happen :smile:

Hahaha.... I took the "before" pics in my driveway this past weekend, I'm waiting until this upcoming weekend to take the "after" pics.

[JMLaux]

I took off the aftermarket stripes this past weekend and used the same tools & chemicals. The goof-off worked great on the aftermarket vinyl, I haven't gotten into the grey stripe yet. Which do you think worked better for the grey stripe: acetone or goof-off?

I like the grey stripe, I'll likely remove/replace it this summer.

If I remember correctly I think it was the goof off that worked the best. It seemed to have softened the adhesive and made it easier to come off. I actually used goof off xtreme which used to come in a bigger tin. It left a bit of a "greasy" residue for a lack of better term so the acetone helped to wipe up the left overs. By far the best thing was the heat gun though to get most of the vinyl off first.

[Rich_NYS]

Comparison pictures are needed or it didn't happen :smile:

Before:

25199


After:

25200 25201 25202 25203 25204


I also went over the the whole car (minus hood) with pads & BKF. In the Spring I'll hit it again when I can work outside and see better.

Saturday AM it goes to the shop for exhaust manifold gaskets, then into storage for a few months....momma gets to park in the garage again. :tongue:

[NightFlyer]

That's looking really nice - huge improvement just by getting rid of those stripes IMHO!

You're doing a GREAT job :thumbup:

[Rich_NYS]

That's looking really nice - huge improvement just by getting rid of those stripes IMHO!

You're doing a GREAT job :thumbup:

Thanks! Things are coming together nicely!

Did you notice I left the sidestripe logo? :cool1:

[NightFlyer]

Thanks! Things are coming together nicely!

Did you notice I left the sidestripe logo? :cool1:

Sure did, and they look pretty nice (if not better) without the rest of the upper stripe, IMHO. Nice touch :smile: