Removing painted pinstripes.

[flyinbrian]

I bought a 1993 K2500 Suburban this past summer over the internet. The seller e-mailed me over 50 high res pics of the vehicle prior to purchase. This vehicle met all my needs, I loved everything about the truck, other than the dated pinstriping.

Thinking the stripes were vinyl, I made a 1300 mile, one-way trip, to pick up my new-to-me Suburban. Upon arrival, I looked over everything, took it out on a drive. All was good. Then I picked at the striping with my fingernail to find that these stripes were not only paint, but clearcoated as well.

This article will show how I went about removing these stripes with much success.

[Luke2kZ71]

were is it?

[flyinbrian]

Tools needed-
Package of razorblades.
Clean bucket of water.
2000 Grit wet sandpaper.
Buffer, preferbly adjustable rpms.
3M Finesse-it polish.
Clean polishing towels, 100% cotton.
Your favorite wax.

1.) Here is the truck, outdated colors and scheme.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/urinalcake/SDC80106.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/urinalcake/SDC80107.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/urinalcake/SDC80108.JPG

2.) Off to work. Using the razorblade carefully, hold it at an almost flat angle, as close to the panel as possible. The goal here is to remove the clear on top of the stripes and a little of the stripe below. This is what it should look like when you get the angle right.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/urinalcake/SDC80109.JPG

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/urinalcake/SDC80110.JPG

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/urinalcake/SDC80111.JPG

OK, the clear and paint have been scraped away. By now you are wondering what you got yourself into and how in the hell is this ever going to look right again.

Time for the bucket of water with 2000 grit paper floating around in it. I like to fold the paper and concentrate on sanding on the stripe material, but it's okay to hit the factory color, just take your time and use lots of water.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/urinalcake/SDC80112.JPG

Here is what is left behind once the wetsanding is done.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/urinalcake/SDC80115.JPG

To remove these fine scratches you must buff them with a good compound like 3M Finesse-it and a good buffer with adjustable speeds. Spread the compound on the panels and buff away, not holding the wheel in one spot, continually moving it around. Work in small areas rather than the whole side of the truck at once. You will see these scrathes disappear.

After buffing, finish up with a nice coat of your favorite wax to protect your new looking truck. Be sure to use 100% cotton rags to both apply and remove.

Good luck!

Finished product---
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/urinalcake/SDC80114.JPG

[knapz]

awesome job! looks great :D

[Luke2kZ71]

added to fscu :D

[flyinbrian]

Cool!

I just finished the removal this morning, it took about 6 hours total. I did one side yesterday and the other today.

I enjoy driving the truck even more now.

Those stripes were driving me nuts!

[IH8FORD]

hey thats nice now i wish i could do that to my tailgate

http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=22b85b16-181d-7ab7-136e-451e5102187c&size=lg

i hate that thing i just bought the truck and now i have to paint it

[flyinbrian]

I see someone got carried away with the airbrush on your tailgate.

No need to paint it.

Get yourself some 2000 grit and wetsand that sucker. You may even start a little more coarse, like 1800. Wetsand it, using light, even pressure, preferably with a level block in this case. Sand diagonally from the bottom left to the top right, then sand the opposite way, from the bottom right to the upper left of the tailgate.

Start at 1800, keep lots of water on it at all times. Cut through the thick stuff and drop down to 2000. Once you are down to the factory finish, dry it off and buff it out.

Go to your local auto-body supply shop and buy the waffle pad for your buffer that matches the compound for the bottle of Perfect-it II you went there to purchase, all made by 3M.

Just take your time, don't sand on the edges or corners for any length of time and keep it moving with lots of water everywhere else.

If you screw up really bad, primer the tailgate. That will still be an improvement over the gaudy airbrushed mural.

Good luck.