How to Remove a Car's Pinstriping

So you've decided that green and gold pinstriping doesn't look so hot. Now what? The trick for this job is to take your time. It could take an hour or two to remove pinstripes from a standard pickup truck.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car Wax
• Car Wax
• Blow Dryers
• Mild Liquid Soap
• Scrubbing Pads
• WD-40
• Plastic Putty Knives

1. Heat the stripe with a hair dryer.

2. Peel the stripe slowly, pulling it off at a 90-degree angle while heating the next section. Do not overheat the paint, or it will be more likely to chip.

3. Use a plastic putty knife if you don't have long fingernails, but be careful not to scratch the paint.

4. Put some multipurpose cleaner and lubricant, such as WD-40, on a scrubbing pad (the type with a net covering) and rub off the leftover adhesive.

5. If the stripes are old, they may not peel off easily, even with heat. Soak them with WD-40 for 15 minutes and then try scraping.

6. Wash the car thoroughly with mild soap.

7. Wax and enjoy!

Tips & Warnings

• If you aren't having much success with the hair dryer, you might want to try a heat gun. Just be careful not to hold it on one spot for too long.
• Never use a metal scraper or anything abrasive on your car's finish.

[scottjoffe]

on 10/18/2009 I applied a bit more Easy Off to a micro fiber towel and used that to rub the remaining specks away. I then applied some good wax to the area and buffed it to a perfect shine as I went along. While other more aggressive methods work, this method DID NOT mar, scratch or break my paint's clear coat seal one bit. Crazy, but true!! Scott in MIlwaukee.

[scottjoffe]

on 10/18/2009 Heavy Duty Easy Off Works!! I used it yesterday (did it outside, temp was 44 degrees) to remove 2 year old PAINTED on pin stripes from my black 2007 Ford Expedition Limited and it works GREAT!! It really does. After perusing the many auto forums looking for a quick and easy solution for removal, I thought I'd try using the Easy Off & Cue Tips method. (An area auto body shop told me that they were not sure how to do it and that any technique they tried might result in my truck having to be "repainted" at a cost of over $2,000.00.) NO BUFFING. NO WHEELS. NO RUBBING COMPOUND. I applied it (I concentrated on a few inches at a time), waited 3-4 minutes (I was always applying small amounts to 2 different areas so I would always have something to remove while another area was setting). I then used a bit more on a clean cue tip and rubbed the stripe a little bit until 90% of it was gone. I ...

[92lsda]

on 4/18/2009 Don't know what these morons are talking about. This method worked fantastically! I have a 92 so the pinstriping on the car is very old, but the hair dryer and wd-40 really did the trick all it takes is a little patience,

[soho]

on 8/6/2008 All of this is wrong. I killed myself for hours using chemicals and rubbing, untill I used 3M's "stripe off wheel" If I ever meet the genius who invented this simple device, I will hug them and never let go.

on 2/28/2006 The easiest way to remove painted-on stripes and lettering (taking care to test on a hidden area first) is to use Easy Off oven cleaner. The stripes and lettering will just melt away in seconds leaving the paint under them untouched. I have done this hundreds of times with out any problems. Try it, you will be amazed.