How to handle pinstripping?

[jkk7479]

Hello,

As some of you may know, I have been attempting to detail my fiance's 2002 Hyundai Accent ( please don't ask why....she begged me to do it). Anyway, I have done a descent job on the hood and roof....but now it's time for me to tackle the fenders and doors. The problem I have is that she has pinstripes running along the side of the car. They are pretty much stickers running from front to back. They aren't clear coated or anything like that. I want to know what I can do to best avoid harming them. Should I apply a small line of tape down the car or could I just polish right over them without having to worry? Anyone with experience on this would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you,

[MrSmoothTouch]

Re: How to handle pinstripping?

Awesome question, Ive been wondering this same thing!!!!

[Shawn T.]

Re: How to handle pinstripping?

Both of my parents' cars have pinstripes running down the sides and I have gone right over them with the G110V2 with no problem. They are not clear coated and are regular stickers. Have not had a problem yet even when using UC on speed 5 and an W8207 polishing pad.

I would simply be careful and keep checking the area to make sure you are not peeling or distorting the sticker. If you are truly worried then you could tape off this section and do it by hand later.

[boiler7904]

Re: How to handle pinstripping?

From personal experience I can tell you that accidentally hitting them with clay is a bad idea. Clay will tear and remove any loose edges.

[Murr1525]

Re: How to handle pinstripping?

I tend to avoid working on them, and wipe along the length of them rather than up/down, to try and avoid catching the edges.

[Fly Bye]

Re: How to handle pinstripping?


I would go over the pin stripes with the PC, but...very, very gently. And as Murr said, go along the length of the pin stripes, (common sense) that way you're not going up againts the edges of the sticker. Always, always go parallel (with) the edges, never, never go againts the edges.

I would definately, lightly buff the pin stripes, that way you will be able to polish the immediate area next to the pin stripe without having to go againts the pin stripes edges.

[RGP]

Re: How to handle pinstripping?

Mask from the top edge of the stripe, down an inch or two. Buff the area above the stripe. Reverse the process for the area beneath the stripe.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: How to handle pinstripping?

Another vote for taping them off. Saves trouble in the long run.

[jkk7479]

Re: How to handle pinstripping?

Thank you everyone for the great advice. I will try taping them off and see how that goes!

[Mary S]

Re: How to handle pinstripping?

I'm going to be facing that problem too, for my car and my husband's motorcycle. I was going to do as Bob said, mask the stripe on top (to include stripe) and buff below, mask the stripe on the bottom (to include stripe) and buff above. Plus my bike as well as his have pretty big decals, I guess I will try to mask to the inside of the border, not sure how that will work.

Also, 3M has a masking tape that is 1/4" wide (6.7 mm).

http://www.autogeek.net/3m-scotch-tape-18.html

[Mary S]

Re: How to handle pinstripping?

Also, 3M has a masking tape that is 1/4" wide (6.7 mm).

http://www.autogeek.net/3m-scotch-tape-18.html

I apologize, please disregard, this is the one I meant.

Scotch fine line tape

They have it in 1/8", 1/4", or 1/2 inch.

[StoneRaizer]

Re: How to handle pinstripping?

Hello,

As some of you may know, I have been attempting to detail my fiance's 2002 Hyundai Accent ( please don't ask why....she begged me to do it).

Hyundais need love too bro.

I drive a 2002 Accent myself and I can tell you that detailing them isn't that difficult because they're so small that you don't have to use a lot of product. Washing and drying literally takes about 10 minutes. I'm only 5'5" and don't even need a stool or stepladder to wash and dry the roof. My particular car doesn't have pinstripes so I can't give any advice on that unfortunately.

Here's a tip for cleaning the interior - the headliner is probably made of textured vinyl instead of cloth, so apply a coat of your favourite vinyl/rubber protectant to it. Use the same stuff that you use on your dash and door panels, ie: Natural Shine, #40 Vinyl & Rubber Conditioner, Ultimate Protectant, etc. A foam or microfiber applicator works great for applying an even coat and getting protectant into the bottom of the texture.

[RGP]

Re: How to handle pinstripping?

I'm going to be facing that problem too, for my car and my husband's motorcycle. I was going to do as Bob said, mask the stripe on top (to include stripe) and buff below, mask the stripe on the bottom (to include stripe) and buff above. Plus my bike as well as his have pretty big decals, I guess I will try to mask to the inside of the border, not sure how that will work.

Also, 3M has a masking tape that is 1/4" wide (6.7 mm).

http://www.autogeek.net/3m-scotch-tape-18.html

Sounds like a plan, Mary! A bit tedious, but I think the rewards will more than repay you for your efforts. I suspect, as a matter of fact the laws of physics dictate, that the 1/4"' tape will not have the adhesive power of a wider tape. I'd do an isopropyl alcohol wash over the decal area to maximize your adhesion.

BTW, lemme know how the entire process goes. I "ain't" never done it!!! It just seems like the only possible safe way to do it.

Oh G'wan, it'll work out just fine!!! Keep in touch...

[Mary S]

Re: How to handle pinstripping?

Sounds like a plan, Mary! A bit tedious, but I think the rewards will more than repay you for your efforts. I suspect, as a matter of fact the laws of physics dictate, that the 1/4"' tape will not have the adhesive power of a wider tape. I'd do an isopropyl alcohol wash over the decal area to maximize your adhesion.

BTW, lemme know how the entire process goes. I "ain't" never done it!!! It just seems like the only possible safe way to do it.

Oh G'wan, it'll work out just fine!!! Keep in touch...

LOL, I'm sure it will work! Plus if you take the buffer mostly parallel to the tape and not go across it, you won't have problems with it coming off. I don't know if you saw my correction,

Scotch fine line tape

Actually comes in 1/8", 1/4", and 1/2"!

My husband has a ton of pinstripes that are adhesive that he put on his bike. I think this is the way to go for that. I will be doing his bike pretty soon (he keeps bugging me about doing it!)

[Fly Bye]

Re: How to handle pinstripping?



Hopefully the pin striping doesn't peel when the masking tape is pulled.