Unfortunately, my car came equipped with painted on pinstripes from the dealership. At first I did not mind them, but over time they have begun to irritate me. The pinstripes are not ugly, don't get me wrong, but they just do not belong on a wrx.

So in my valiant search for an effective and unharmful method of removal I found this (http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t14709.html). Apparently a bunch of guys over at the Lexus boards do not like the pinstripes that the dealer put on their cars. This method seems to work fine for them and supposedly will not harm the finish.

I just wanted everyone's opinion on this method and if you thought it might be safe to attempt.

Thanks guys. :)

I don't know much about that method. When I removed the pinstripes on my '04 I just borrowed my sisters hair dryer, heated it up and started rolling it off with my thumb. Worked out quite nicely. Afterward I followed it up with some "Goof Off" to clean up the adhesive residue.

if you happen to have a buffer, they should buff right out. or a pinstripe remover wheel (basically like a rounded/circular pencil eraser) that you put on the the end of a dremel or drill.

I don't know much about that method. When I removed the pinstripes on my '04 I just borrowed my sisters hair dryer, heated it up and started rolling it off with my thumb. Worked out quite nicely. Afterward I followed it up with some "Goof Off" to clean up the adhesive residue.

The pinstripes you described removing were probably just the stick-on kind.
The ones on my wrx are painted on.

if you happen to have a buffer, they should buff right out. or a pinstripe remover wheel (basically like a rounded/circular pencil eraser) that you put on the the end of a dremel or drill.

Nope, I do not have access to a buffer. :(

From what I've read, the removal wheels only work on the stick-on type.

Mustang,
I don't have an answer for you since I've never been in your posistion. However, a quick Google search revealed that even the oven cleaner method could have undesirable results. .....and I don't know if wet sanding/compounding would be a good idea either if you don't have experience. Personally, I would consult with a few professional detailers and/or body shops and get their 2 cents. Another option is to check out the forums on www.autopia.org for advice.

Mustang,
I don't have an answer for you since I've never been in your posistion. However, a quick Google search revealed that even the oven cleaner method could have undesirable results. .....and I don't know if wet sanding/compounding would be a good idea either if you don't have experience. Personally, I would consult with a few professional detailers and/or body shops and get their 2 cents. Another option is to check out the forums on www.autopia.org for advice.

I do understand that this method is risky and can potentially harm the paint. I did not think about autopia, though. I will ask there as well. :)

I did not think about autopia, though. I will ask there as well. :) ...yeah. I figured since a lot of detailers (pro & amateur) hang around there, it's worth a shot.

I would personally wet sand them off. take your time and u should have no problem.Keep It very wet and use a small rubber 3m squeegee as your back to the sand paper.

I would personally wet sand them off. take your time and u should have no problem.Keep It very wet and use a small rubber 3m squeegee as your back to the sand paper.

This is probably what I will wind up doing. I think I will get a quote from a professional detail shop so I don't screw it up myself. :rolleyes:

... are you SURE they're painted and is not a vinyl? You'd be surprised. It just doesn't seem like a likely thing for a dealership actually paint the stripes on.

... are you SURE they're painted and is not a vinyl? You'd be surprised. It just doesn't seem like a likely thing for a dealership actually paint the stripes on.

I am 100% sure.
The dealer has a company that paints pinstripes on their cars. :(

don't have an good answer, but these guys might help.

autopia.org

don't have an good answer, but these guys might help.

autopia.org

Been there. Some have done the oven cleaner method with some success but unkown affects on the paint. Some reccomend the wet sanding approach, which is most likely what I'll try.

That probably your best approach.

If you do wet sand it, start with a high grit paper. say 800 or so. you don't want to take any excessive subaru paint with it. These cars have a very thin paint job.

I would be very careful putting something as caustic as oven cleaner on the very poor quality factory paint that subaru uses.

gentle wet-dry may be the way to go.
d

I am 100% sure.
The dealer has a company that paints pinstripes on their cars. :(

ouch, sorry man :(

Thanks for all your help and opinions, guys.

wetsand with a very very fine grit followed by a polish to clean up the marring.

Use some 3m painters tape along side the edges of the pinstripes to minimize sanding where its not needed.

wetsand with a very very fine grit followed by a polish to clean up the marring.

Use some 3m painters tape along side the edges of the pinstripes to minimize sanding where its not needed.

How fine of grit would you reccomend?

start off with as fine as you can, if that doenst work you can step it up from there.

it all really depends on the quality of the pinstripe really.

start off with as fine as you can, if that doenst work you can step it up from there.

it all really depends on the quality of the pinstripe really.

Awesome. Thanks for the info.

god damn pinstripes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!