Hey guys, just got a 97 F150 reg cab/flareside. Currently it has got some nasty pin stripes on it that I assume have been on since it was new. Now from what I have read and searched, using a hair dryer and maybe a plastic razorblade or something similar should take them off without too much trouble. The thing I am worried about is leaving ghost stripes where the pin stripes were. Do you think if I were to clean and wax the paint really well I could get rid of any posible 'ghost' stripes? I just bought some Meg's ScratchX and NXT Generation Tech wax that I was going to be using on the truck anyways. Would this stuff do the trick? Thanks.
-Mark

 

If it were me*
I would use a plastic razorblade with maybe even a qd. And a body solvent/bug and tar remover should take off any traces. Maybe even follow up with a paint cleaner if there's noticable demarkation. I'd use MPPC.

 

Tough call...

You may or may not end up with ghosting that is tough to impossible to remove... not sure what to recommend other than testing a small spot to see if you can accomplish what you're needing to do.

Odds are that you'll be able to tackle it but, I have seen vehicles where the paint was just a bit too far gone to bring it back and there was a ghost effect with the stripe. Tough call...

RP

 

Allrighty, well I did the tailgate, was a royal bitch to get it all off, I used a hairdryer/goof off to get the crud off. Now I do have ghost stripes, they aren't that bad, but for some reason the paint is lighter where the pin stripes were. Anyone dealt with this before? Seems it should be the opposite.
-Mark

 

What is a qd and MMPC?

 

QD= Quick Detailer spray

MPPC= Multi purpose paint cleaner (I think)

 

hmm well what color is your truck?

 

MPPC, traditionally, is Meguiar's Premium Paint Cleaner -- and, it's actually not a bad choice of products to try here. But, the problem is that it's discon'd and is impossible to find now (unless you're in my garage).

Another option for some 'cleaning' power would be #80 Speed Glaze or, for a little more oompah, #83 DACP (Dual Action Cleaner Polish).

For a little easier fix, you may try to run to Wally World and pick up a tube of Scratch-X.

What you're trying to do is to remove the oxidation on the rest of the paint. You may end up having to get someone with a rotary or similar to professionally do it though... it might be a BEAST by hand. Too bad you're not closer (Canada is a long haul), I'd be happy to attempt it for you w/ my shiny new rotary (replacement for my half-broken, shorted out, Makita).

-RP-

 

I have allready used Scratch X and then waxed with NXT Generation Tech Wax on the tailgate. I will look around for the other stuff. I do have a Random Orbital Simoniz Buffer. Haven't used it yet, but I might have to break it out.

And my truck is red.

 

I guess I should also say, I actually have decalling on my truck. Not pin striping.

 

Did Scratch-X even touch it? Any at all? Just one application or more than that? How did you apply?

 

I applied it with a terry cloth, one good layer of it. I worked it in pretty hard. It did a little bit, but definately not a huge difference. I am still going to take a better look at it all in the sunlight. Today it really did not look too bad, but it was a pretty overcast day.

 

Don't be afraid of going at it with multiple applications... Careful on pressing down with heavy pressure as the towel can mar the paint and then you have another set of problems to deal with...

 

There will be significant ghosting. After a few years of regular care it will go away completely. That's my experience with tape stripes and trim. That's with single stage paint, so YMMV.

 

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