Hello Folks,

My 2001 Lightning has a painted pinstripe (applied by the previous owner) applied all along the top of the body line. Over the years it has become faded, and in some spots it has completely disappeared.

The original red paint is otherwise in excellent condition.

I would like to remove the remainder of the pinstripe - is this something I could do, perhaps with careful use of polishing/rubbing compound?

Thanks in advance!

 

On fiberglass boats with a Gelcoat surface, the standard trick for removing painted pinstripes is to use Easy Off Oven Cleaner. It's a caustic and dissolves the paint used for on striping. I'd be very careful with this trick on automotive paint though. And I'd rinse the heck out of the area and follow it up with a good wax when finished.

As for polishing / rubbing compound, I'd be even more careful. In fact do not - under any circumstances - use Rubbing Compound. It's way too aggressive. Many polishes will remove your pinstripe, but they will also remove some amount of your clear coat. So if you're not comfortable with them, stick with the oven cleaner.

 

my dad uses a razor scraper carefully and buffs it after. i myself wouldnt try it

 

What about lacquer thinner?

 

My 2011 Edge came with painted on pinstripes from the dealer. Ugliest color I've ever seen and it was driving me crazy. I tried everything including Oven Cleaner. What worked great for me was Lacquer thinner. I put a rag over my fingertip and rubbed a little at a time. You will see the stripe color coming off on the rag. This method did not harm the clearcoat at all. I finished up by using a mild paint cleaning compound and a fresh coat of Zaino Z-2. I was scared to death doing this on a brand new Edge but it turned out great. Good luck!!!!

 

I never recommend Lacquer Thinner. It's one of the most aggressive solvents you can buy and the chances of damaging your clear coat are just too high for my liking. Yes, I've heard of some people using it successfully, but I just wouldn't recommend it.

BTW, I personally damaged the clear coat on my 1997 F-150's aluminum alloy wheels (yes, they were clear coated) with lacquer thinner while trying to remove a stain. Even the little bit that I used destroyed the coating. Good thing the spare was actually alloy at the time.

 

Oven cleaner works... my dad used that at his shop for old lettering he had done in the past via paint. Also used lacquer thinner a lot when he pinstriped. Isepropyl Alcohol after to clean the area