Removing pinstriping

[Zxtole]

Hey all, just picked up my Fr-s (Ultramarine, great color).

Anyway one of the installed options was pinstripes down the sides and I haven't seen any posts yet on the forums and I'm rather new to modding. What is the best way to remove them without access to a hair dryer?

I read about using goo gone as well as a heat gun but goo gone didn't seem to have any effect on it as well as a heat gun seems a little excessive and have no experience operating one.

[Draco-REX]

Park it in the sun and carefully peel it away after it heats up. Then you can use Goo Gone or Turtle Wax bug and tar remover to get the rest of the adhesive off.

The professional way to do it is to use a stripper wheel on an air drill.

[Zxtole]

Thanks for the quick response, so far no luck after a few hours in the sun. Seems much more stubborn then other pinstripes I've had to remove that just came off with my finger nail.

[mines13]

The fact that they would even put a pin stripe on this car offends me. It is 2012.

[moniz]

Why do car dealers still do this sh*t?!? Unless a customer specifically ask for it, leave the damn car alone from the factory! I personally wouldn't have bought it unless it was removed or waited for another one. Sure I'd want the car bad, but not bad enough to let dealers get away with this garbage!

[Zxtole]

Originally Posted by mines13

The fact that they would even put a pin stripe on this car offends me. It is 2012.

Yea, I agree. I didn't even realize it was an option until I saw it. Haven't even seen one on here yet with that option. Still doesn't even seem to want to come off. I guess I'll have to invest in some real equipment to remove it, curses.

[michaelahess]

Originally Posted by Zxtole

Yea, I agree. I didn't even realize it was an option until I saw it. Haven't even seen one on here yet with that option. Still doesn't even seem to want to come off. I guess I'll have to invest in some real equipment to remove it, curses.

If you are VERY careful, use a razor blade to lift one edge and either a heat gun or hair dryer (yea I know you said you don't have one, ask a lady relative) and slowly pull it at about a 30 degree angle while applying just a bit of heat.

I've taken off a lot more vinyl tape than I'd like to admit...

Use turpentine or goo-gone (terp is quicker but harsher) to get rid of any residual glue, then wash with alcohol and wax that spot.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Zxtole

Yea, I agree. I didn't even realize it was an option until I saw it. Haven't even seen one on here yet with that option. Still doesn't even seem to want to come off. I guess I'll have to invest in some real equipment to remove it, curses.

Probably a stupid question, but given how stubborn its being, you sure its not paint?

[Zxtole]

Originally Posted by michaelahess

If you are VERY careful, use a razor blade to lift one edge and either a heat gun or hair dryer (yea I know you said you don't have one, ask a lady relative) and slowly pull it at about a 30 degree angle while applying just a bit of heat.

I've taken off a lot more vinyl tape than I'd like to admit...

Use turpentine or goo-gone (terp is quicker but harsher) to get rid of any residual glue, then wash with alcohol and wax that spot.

Yes the issue is that I have one, but I have no garage and no way of reaching to an outlet in order to give it power. I appreciate the advice though, I will be able to do it at a friends home when get comes back but I'm sort of restless when it comes to finishing things.

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Probably a stupid question, but given how stubborn its being, you sure its not paint?

Yes, while you do have a point, I did already manage to pull of half of it on one side, and it came off just fine. However it just stopped wanting to come off after awhile and just wont now. So I can confirm it isn't paint, it's just really obnoxious.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Zxtole

Yes, while you do have a point, I did already manage to pull of half of it on one side, and it came off just fine. However it just stopped wanting to come off after awhile and just wont now. So I can confirm it isn't paint, it's just really obnoxious.

Guess I missed the part where you had already pulled it half off!

[Zxtole]

I hadn't mentioned it, I don't think I've even heard of painted on pinstripes from the factory. But might as well point it out in case someone else tries to remove them.

[Turbowned]

Just out of curiosity, did you buy this car in Florida? I feel like they're the only state that still puts that crap on their cars.

[Zxtole]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

Just out of curiosity, did you buy this car in Florida? I feel like they're the only state that still puts that crap on their cars.

Good guess, yes I did sadly. I'd recommend anyone who doesn't want them on double checking the options list.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Zxtole

I hadn't mentioned it, I don't think I've even heard of painted on pinstripes from the factory. But might as well point it out in case someone else tries to remove them.

I doubt it came from the factory that way. They were probably added at port or at the dealer (most likely the dealer). I asked about the paint because years ago a relative of mine worked at a dealership where they used paint. Why? Because one of the guys in their body shop had been doing pinstriping by hand for something like 30 years, and he could do it faster and cheaper (and better) by hand than most folks could do otherwise.