Pinstripe removal

s_wall98 · 03-26-2005, 12:33 AM

So I'm thinking about trying to remove the HIDEOUS pinstripe on my 94 4runner. I've done some searching on here and figured out how to remove it, but I'm wondering what the difference will be in the paint. Its maroon in color and since its a fairly dark color, I'm afraid there might be quite a difference. Anybody here done this and have pics? I'm really looking for something that's had a stripe for about 10 yrs or so.
Thanks alot,
-Shawn

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96LtdYota · 03-26-2005, 12:37 AM

there will be soooooo much difference that its not worth it...

someone did it a while back and the difference between regular and removed was night and day...

in my HONEST opinion, dont do it...

s_wall98 · 03-26-2005, 12:53 AM

Thanks for the quick reply 96.

I was kinda thinking the same thing, but I was running some wires the other day and was comparing the paint under the door sill to the exterior paint and I couldn't tell a significant difference. I know thats its kinda hard to tell, with it being inside the car, but it didn't seem like much at all. Also, wasn't the vehicle that you talked about black? It seems like, in my experiences anyway, that black and dark blues seem to fade the worse, and did he give it a good waxing afterwards?

Thanks again for the reply.

Diggertoy · 03-26-2005, 05:54 AM

Take them off....with either a heat gun and or some Laquer thinner and a Plastic razor blade. I'm the detail manager for a 4 location Car Wash Chain and I have over 12 years experience as a detailer. Take off the stripe, and color sand the whole panel with 2000 wet paper, to blend to the shade of the rest of the truck, follow with 3M Perfect -IT II or Perfect-IT III and electric buff at 1400 rpms, then follow with your favorite wax and you won't be able to tell it was ever there.

So I may be a detail manager , and I was able to upload my avitar to this site , but how do I up load a pic of MY De Striped Yota to this posting ?

any way it probably sounds too hard to do , but it's really easy

**waskillywabbit** · 03-26-2005, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diggertoy

...but how do I up load a pic of MY De Striped Yota to this posting ?

Pic has to be saved on a website somewhere...copy the link...paste the link in between "[img]" and "[/img]" minus the " marks.

tomrunner · 03-26-2005, 06:35 AM

I removed the pinstriping on my Black 1996 4runner a few months ago with the same technique as Diggertoy and the paint was not discolored whatsoever. I removed mine because it was starting to peel off in some areas so I didn't really think too much about discoloration.

You always have the choice of carefully pulling back a small area to see if discoloration has accured over time.

tomrunner

ctcost · 03-26-2005, 06:36 AM

Oh Digger that advice ROCKS! I saw one the other day w/out stripes and it really looked GOOD. Mine are about at the point where they need to go as well. How long did the process take you?

tomrunner · 03-26-2005, 06:42 AM

Before and after pictures can be found HERE

They are the top two pictures...

The process took me about 3 1/2 hours once I perfected the technique.

ctcost · 03-26-2005, 06:46 AM

Thanks Tom. And yup...it does look GREAT!!!!! hehehe

s_wall98 · 03-26-2005, 09:08 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys!!

Anybody else?

Denk · 03-27-2005, 01:21 PM

Stripes came off my gray runner and cannot really tell the dif. only in a wierd light angle. Mine were really cracked and broken in areas, so I opted to use the 3M stripe removal tool. Like a rubber eraser for your drill. Worked like a charm. Takes off the stripe and the leftover hardened glue with no defects. Just don't use a cordless unless you have multiple charged batteries, as they will drain quick.

evilcow · 03-27-2005, 03:45 PM

I removed the right side stripe on my 94 blue pu. It looks great.I just let it sit out in the hot summer sun and peeled of the sticker by hand, then I used a can of goof off from home depot. It was alot of work thats why I havent removed the left side strips yet. I will this summer though.
The only difference I could notice is that under the stripe was not scratched while the rest of the tuck had ten years of washing, polishing and tree branch pinstripes

s_wall98 · 03-28-2005, 09:16 AM

Denk-Where and how much for the 3m stripe remover?

Denk · 03-28-2005, 10:46 AM

I just did a general search for it and looked for the best price. Here's one at www.handsontools.com for $23. Might be able to find it cheaper tho.

**UKMyers** · 03-28-2005, 06:34 PM

I took the stripe off my 94 and it was a huge PIA. The part on the front fenders came off easily with a heat gun but the parts on the back half didnt' go so easy. I used several different adhesive removers and lots of elbow grease scraping with an old credit card to get it off. I bet it took me around 5 hours total. I have no discoloration but then again my truck is white too. A white truck with my blue pinstriping and black bushwhackers looked pretty good that's why it had to go.

s_wall98 · 03-29-2005, 01:05 PM

So I just picked up one of those erasers and tried it out on a section that looked like @$$ anyway. WOW, this thing is awesome!! If anybody plans on removing pinstripes I would deffinitely recommend getting one. Didn't seem to be any trick to it, and it took it right off. I can't really see any discoloration, but then again, this was in a very small area. The biggest difference is the lack of scratches like evilcow said. Tomorrow I think I'll do it all then wax it good and post some before/after pics.

s_wall98 · 04-02-2005, 02:19 PM

Well, I just finished removing my stripes on the passenger side of my 4runner. It wouldn't have taken so long, but all I had was a black and decker cordless that wasn't exactly up to the challenge. I ende up using an AES industries pin-stripe eraser to remove the stripes, then wiped it down with wd-40, then washed it off real quick.

It looks alot better than I thought it would. There isn't much discoloration now, and I haven't even washed the whole thing yet. From what I can tell, after a good wash and wax, I dont think you'll be able to tell a thing.

Its cold and raining right now, but when it gets a little nicer out, I'll snap some pics. Thanks for the help guys.

**waskillywabbit** · 04-02-2005, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_wall98

So I just picked up one of those erasers and tried it out on a section that looked like @$$ anyway. WOW, this thing is awesome!! If anybody plans on removing pinstripes I would deffinitely recommend getting one. Didn't seem to be any trick to it, and it took it right off. I can't really see any discoloration, but then again, this was in a very small area. The biggest difference is the lack of scratches like evilcow said. Tomorrow I think I'll do it all then wax it good and post some before/after pics.

Where did you pick up the eraser? What was the name of it exactly and what did the packaging look like? I need to pick several of these up for future use as I have a lot of stickers to remove, but I'm not worried about the paint underneath as I'm going to repaint a different color anyway.

s_wall98 · 04-02-2005, 03:02 PM

I believe mine was the "pin-stripe eraser" by AES industries, cost about $15. I ended up going to a paint and laquer supply place to find mine. I asked about the 3m version and told them what I planned on doing with it and they gave me the AES one, saying they didnt carry the 3m but that they sold quite a few of the AES. Its gonna take me 2 to do the whole truck, 1 per side. I searched the net for another AES pad but couldn't find one. Did find this though:
http://www.nationalwholesaletools.co...OD&ProdID=3733

http://www.bradytools.com/bradystools/padpire35the.html

I thought I found one even cheaper but don't see it. I'll look through my history tonight. Don't forget you need the drill attachment too.

Sluggo · 03-25-2006, 03:26 PM

I apologize for bumping such a old thread but I have a issue.
I took off the factory decal off of my 1990 4runner today with the 3m pinstripe remover. On the front fenders and one of the doors I have found that it has been painted around the decal. So now I have a paint line in those sections...

I would appreciate any advice on how to blend the paint so there is no line.
Will I be able to sand it by hand? What kind of sandpaper? I have never done this before so any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

Diggertoy · 03-25-2006, 04:39 PM

Yes you can sand it by hand utilizing a sanding block and starting off with 3M 900 Grit Wet Paper. then move up to 1200 to 1500 grit & then 2000 to final sand it You must also use an electric buffer to bring the shine back after sanding and using 3M Perfect-it II compound and then buff it with 3M Glaze afterwards. Know that once you start sanding the clear coat, the shine disappears, and you must buff the shine back with a buffer :Note: It's takes an experienced eye to know how far you can go wetsanding, all it takes is one extra stroke and it's riuined and you past the clear and into the base......at which point you now need to sand and reclear the whole panel.

I would first prep that paint lline with Laquer thinner before sanding to one see if the thinner will remove your line and to make sure all the glue is off from the sticker and two to help soften the area to be sanded. Make sure you soak the "Wet Sand" paper in a bucket of clean cool water for 20 minutes , to soften the edges .

Know that if you have never done this, I wouldn't recommend doing it!!! Unless you find an old car in a junk yard to practice on first. Know that your sanding your clear coat and that it's about 6 to 8 mils thick from the factory and that your's is now probably 4 to 5 mils after years of sun fade and waxing have worn it down. 6 Mils is about the same thickness as notebook paper at it's thickest , so this is why you'll want to practice "Colorsanding" another vehicle before you go too far on your yota and have to then have it painted.

Good Luck !

bob200587 · 03-25-2006, 04:40 PM

why does everybody hate on the stripes????????

Sluggo · 03-25-2006, 04:49 PM

Diggertoy, thanks for the reply. Do you just sand the edge of the thicker paint line?
Do you sand any particular direction? Damn, I'm nervous. Heh, how much would you estimate to have it done by a pro?

bob200587, actually I didn't hate the stripes except for the fact that they where so faded and cracked.
Thanks all.

Diggertoy · 03-25-2006, 04:56 PM

You must sand the entire line in one direction , normally in this case horizontally.

I'd make sure that the line you see is not a glue line first , because Laquer thinner will remove it ( normally car manufacturers don't paint to the sticker, normally their applied after the paint has cured and even at the dealership ).

If you don't want to risk it .....have it done professionally , I can't imagine it costing more than $ 200 both sides to sand it off.........

Diggertoy · 03-25-2006, 05:10 PM

I personally don't like any stripes or decals of any sort on a vehicle. It makes the vehicle to cluttered looking. The vehicle has a much cleaner look ( In my Opinion ) without decals and stripes. My yota hasn't any toyota emblems or stripes anywhere. In fact none of my vehicles do ! Also , vehicles start to look to ghetto , when you have more than 2 colors on the unit. For instance a black car with chrome wheels and a red stripe is too much...........In fact changing out your tail lenses to clear even makes it look better.....because technically you still have three colors once a stripe or decal is removed 1.paint color 2. black tires 3. red tail lenses........to be able to get it down to 2 colors is the cleanest look.....infact I personally like paint color with black rims , black tires and clear tail lenses and clear markers ........

03-26-2005, 12:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
96LtdYota Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, Al... ROLL TIDE!!! Posts: 1,555	there will be soooooo much difference that its not worth it... someone did it a while back and the difference between regular and removed was night and day... in my HONEST opinion, dont do it... __________________ Beaux Its injured...

03-26-2005, 05:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
Diggertoy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 81	Take them off....with either a heat gun and or some Laquer thinner and a Plastic razor blade. I'm the detail manager for a 4 location Car Wash Chain and I have over 12 years experience as a detailer. Take off the stripe, and color sand the whole panel with 2000 wet paper, to blend to the shade of the rest of the truck, follow with 3M Perfect -IT II or Perfect-IT III and electric buff at 1400 rpms, then follow with your favorite wax and you won't be able to tell it was ever there. So I may be a detail manager , and I was able to upload my avitar to this site , but how do I up load a pic of MY De Striped Yota to this posting ? any way it probably sounds too hard to do , but it's really easy __________________ '89 Truck, 6" lift, 5:29's, Rear Locker ,35's

03-26-2005, 06:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
tomrunner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 43	I removed the pinstriping on my Black 1996 4runner a few months ago with the same technique as Diggertoy and the paint was not discolored whatsoever. I removed mine because it was starting to peel off in some areas so I didn't really think too much about discoloration. You always have the choice of carefully pulling back a small area to see if discoloration has accured over time. tomrunner __________________ 96 SR5 2WD 4Runner-'02 Headlights and Tailights, Side signals, Clear running lights, Bilstein Shocks, Pilot fog lights, tint, removed running boards and pinstriping, Kenwood deck, K&N FIPK, Flex-a-lite electric cooling fan

03-26-2005, 06:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
ctcost Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 466	Oh Digger that advice ROCKS! I saw one the other day w/out stripes and it really looked GOOD. Mine are about at the point where they need to go as well. How long did the process take you? __________________ Got a PDA? Stop on by!!! www.abfnet.com

03-26-2005, 06:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
tomrunner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 43	Before and after pictures can be found HERE They are the top two pictures... The process took me about 3 1/2 hours once I perfected the technique. __________________ 96 SR5 2WD 4Runner-'02 Headlights and Tailights, Side signals, Clear running lights, Bilstein Shocks, Pilot fog lights, tint, removed running boards and pinstriping, Kenwood deck, K&N FIPK, Flex-a-lite electric cooling fan

03-26-2005, 12:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
s_wall98 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Knoxville TN Posts: 443	Thanks for the quick reply 96. I was kinda thinking the same thing, but I was running some wires the other day and was comparing the paint under the door sill to the exterior paint and I couldn't tell a significant difference. I know thats its kinda hard to tell, with it being inside the car, but it didn't seem like much at all. Also, wasn't the vehicle that you talked about black? It seems like, in my experiences anyway, that black and dark blues seem to fade the worse, and did he give it a good waxing afterwards? Thanks again for the reply.

03-26-2005, 06:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
ctcost Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 466	Thanks Tom. And yup...it does look GREAT!!!!! hehehe __________________ Got a PDA? Stop on by!!! www.abfnet.com

03-26-2005, 09:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
s_wall98 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Knoxville TN Posts: 443	Thanks for all the replies guys!! Anybody else?

03-27-2005, 01:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
Denk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 371	Stripes came off my gray runner and cannot really tell the dif. only in a wierd light angle. Mine were really cracked and broken in areas, so I opted to use the 3M stripe removal tool. Like a rubber eraser for your drill. Worked like a charm. Takes off the stripe and the leftover hardened glue with no defects. Just don't use a cordless unless you have multiple charged batteries, as they will drain quick. __________________ ~ Those who hesitate are not only lost, but miles from the next exit! ~ 1990 4Runner SR5, 3.0L V6, 5-Spd. ~ 3" BL ~ OME 900 ~ 32x1150 Dueler AT's ~ Magnaflow Cat-Back ~ Optima ~ Manual Hub Conversion ~ FLX-165 ~ Hella 530s ~ ISR

03-27-2005, 03:45 PM	#12 (permalink)
evilcow Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 499	I removed the right side stripe on my 94 blue pu. It looks great.I just let it sit out in the hot summer sun and peeled of the sticker by hand, then I used a can of goof off from home depot. It was alot of work thats why I havent removed the left side strips yet. I will this summer though. The only difference I could notice is that under the stripe was not scratched while the rest of the tuck had ten years of washing, polishing and tree branch pinstripes __________________ Dave 94' 4x4 Xtracab 22RE 5spd 4ROC NC My Truck's Webpage

03-28-2005, 09:16 AM	#13 (permalink)
s_wall98 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Knoxville TN Posts: 443	Denk-Where and how much for the 3m stripe remover?

03-28-2005, 10:46 AM	#14 (permalink)
Denk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 371	I just did a general search for it and looked for the best price. Here's one at www.handsontools.com for $23. Might be able to find it cheaper tho. __________________ ~ Those who hesitate are not only lost, but miles from the next exit! ~ 1990 4Runner SR5, 3.0L V6, 5-Spd. ~ 3" BL ~ OME 900 ~ 32x1150 Dueler AT's ~ Magnaflow Cat-Back ~ Optima ~ Manual Hub Conversion ~ FLX-165 ~ Hella 530s ~ ISR

03-29-2005, 01:05 PM	#16 (permalink)
s_wall98 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Knoxville TN Posts: 443	So I just picked up one of those erasers and tried it out on a section that looked like @$$ anyway. WOW, this thing is awesome!! If anybody plans on removing pinstripes I would deffinitely recommend getting one. Didn't seem to be any trick to it, and it took it right off. I can't really see any discoloration, but then again, this was in a very small area. The biggest difference is the lack of scratches like evilcow said. Tomorrow I think I'll do it all then wax it good and post some before/after pics.

04-02-2005, 02:19 PM	#17 (permalink)
s_wall98 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Knoxville TN Posts: 443	Well, I just finished removing my stripes on the passenger side of my 4runner. It wouldn't have taken so long, but all I had was a black and decker cordless that wasn't exactly up to the challenge. I ende up using an AES industries pin-stripe eraser to remove the stripes, then wiped it down with wd-40, then washed it off real quick. It looks alot better than I thought it would. There isn't much discoloration now, and I haven't even washed the whole thing yet. From what I can tell, after a good wash and wax, I dont think you'll be able to tell a thing. Its cold and raining right now, but when it gets a little nicer out, I'll snap some pics. Thanks for the help guys.

04-02-2005, 03:02 PM	#19 (permalink)
s_wall98 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Knoxville TN Posts: 443	I believe mine was the "pin-stripe eraser" by AES industries, cost about $15. I ended up going to a paint and laquer supply place to find mine. I asked about the 3m version and told them what I planned on doing with it and they gave me the AES one, saying they didnt carry the 3m but that they sold quite a few of the AES. Its gonna take me 2 to do the whole truck, 1 per side. I searched the net for another AES pad but couldn't find one. Did find this though: http://www.nationalwholesaletools.co...OD&ProdID=3733 http://www.bradytools.com/bradystools/padpire35the.html I thought I found one even cheaper but don't see it. I'll look through my history tonight. Don't forget you need the drill attachment too.

03-25-2006, 04:40 PM	#22 (permalink)
bob200587 Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,853	why does everybody hate on the stripes???????? __________________ 87 4runner 4x4 SR5 22RE ARB Bull Bar, 31X10.50 Mastercraft M/T's, Stock 4.10 Gears, Flowmaster Muffler, LCE Header AISIN Manual Hubs, Marlin Crawler Sliders 190XXX miles

03-25-2006, 03:26 PM	#20 (permalink)
Sluggo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5	I apologize for bumping such a old thread but I have a issue. I took off the factory decal off of my 1990 4runner today with the 3m pinstripe remover. On the front fenders and one of the doors I have found that it has been painted around the decal. So now I have a paint line in those sections... I would appreciate any advice on how to blend the paint so there is no line. Will I be able to sand it by hand? What kind of sandpaper? I have never done this before so any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

03-25-2006, 04:39 PM	#21 (permalink)
Diggertoy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 81	Yes you can sand it by hand utilizing a sanding block and starting off with 3M 900 Grit Wet Paper. then move up to 1200 to 1500 grit & then 2000 to final sand it You must also use an electric buffer to bring the shine back after sanding and using 3M Perfect-it II compound and then buff it with 3M Glaze afterwards. Know that once you start sanding the clear coat, the shine disappears, and you must buff the shine back with a buffer :Note: It's takes an experienced eye to know how far you can go wetsanding, all it takes is one extra stroke and it's riuined and you past the clear and into the base......at which point you now need to sand and reclear the whole panel. I would first prep that paint lline with Laquer thinner before sanding to one see if the thinner will remove your line and to make sure all the glue is off from the sticker and two to help soften the area to be sanded. Make sure you soak the "Wet Sand" paper in a bucket of clean cool water for 20 minutes , to soften the edges . Know that if you have never done this, I wouldn't recommend doing it!!! Unless you find an old car in a junk yard to practice on first. Know that your sanding your clear coat and that it's about 6 to 8 mils thick from the factory and that your's is now probably 4 to 5 mils after years of sun fade and waxing have worn it down. 6 Mils is about the same thickness as notebook paper at it's thickest , so this is why you'll want to practice "Colorsanding" another vehicle before you go too far on your yota and have to then have it painted. Good Luck ! __________________ '89 Truck, 6" lift, 5:29's, Rear Locker ,35's Last edited by Diggertoy; 03-25-2006 at 04:50 PM.

03-25-2006, 04:49 PM	#23 (permalink)
Sluggo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5	Diggertoy, thanks for the reply. Do you just sand the edge of the thicker paint line? Do you sand any particular direction? Damn, I'm nervous. Heh, how much would you estimate to have it done by a pro? bob200587, actually I didn't hate the stripes except for the fact that they where so faded and cracked. Thanks all.

03-25-2006, 04:56 PM	#24 (permalink)
Diggertoy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 81	You must sand the entire line in one direction , normally in this case horizontally. I'd make sure that the line you see is not a glue line first , because Laquer thinner will remove it ( normally car manufacturers don't paint to the sticker, normally their applied after the paint has cured and even at the dealership ). If you don't want to risk it .....have it done professionally , I can't imagine it costing more than $ 200 both sides to sand it off......... __________________ '89 Truck, 6" lift, 5:29's, Rear Locker ,35's

03-25-2006, 05:10 PM	#25 (permalink)
Diggertoy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 81	I personally don't like any stripes or decals of any sort on a vehicle. It makes the vehicle to cluttered looking. The vehicle has a much cleaner look ( In my Opinion ) without decals and stripes. My yota hasn't any toyota emblems or stripes anywhere. In fact none of my vehicles do ! Also , vehicles start to look to ghetto , when you have more than 2 colors on the unit. For instance a black car with chrome wheels and a red stripe is too much...........In fact changing out your tail lenses to clear even makes it look better.....because technically you still have three colors once a stripe or decal is removed 1.paint color 2. black tires 3. red tail lenses........to be able to get it down to 2 colors is the cleanest look.....infact I personally like paint color with black rims , black tires and clear tail lenses and clear markers ........ __________________ '89 Truck, 6" lift, 5:29's, Rear Locker ,35's

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