vinyl stripes

[C. Charles Hahn]

I understand what you're saying. But these are pinstripes perhaps 1/16 to 1/8 wide. Some on my car were vinyl that I applied a long time ago and still in excellent shape. But I also had an artist actually paint long straight pinstripes that ended in a "fish-hook" design. I wish I could remember what kind of paint it was. She worked third-party for a car dealer where I bought the car. This was thirteen years ago. The stripes still look vibrant and there's absolutely no show of wear or fading, although I do keep the car in a garage and only bring it out for inspections and car shows. So, I'd say the paint was some sort of lacquer or resin acrylic. These I definitely do NOT want to damage by using a DA machine with a paint correction polish. I'm wondering if I can still get away with light, slow speed buffing with the PC on these stripes.

Any opinions? TIA,

AM

I wouldn't try buffing on top of painted stripes that aren't buried under clear. If the person who did the job was using what most stripers (one p, not two... this is a family forum ) I've seen use, it probably was an enamel -- One Shot.

Regardless, if you're concerned (and as mike said, care should be taken when using masking tape so it would be your judgment call) you can get fine-line tape for use on those small areas.

 

[Alphamale]

Wow, SLD. I had no idea they made masking tape that thin. I think that would do the trick. Can I pick up that 3M tape at any hardware department or just hobby shops?rops:

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Wow, SLD. I had no idea they made masking tape that thin. I think that would do the trick. Can I pick up that 3M tape at any hardware department or just hobby shops?rops:

Probably just hobby shops or paint/body supply distributors (PBE Jobbers). I've never seen it at any hardware stores. :xyxthumbs:

Those thin tapes are what is typically used for laying out stripes or other custom paint jobs because it is easy to work into radius shapes and leaves an extremely crisp separation line as compared to wider traditional tapes.

 

[DARK HORSE]

Wow, SLD. I had no idea they made masking tape that thin. I think that would do the trick. Can I pick up that 3M tape at any hardware department or just hobby shops?rops:

You can pick up all different sizes of layout tape at your local auto paint and body supply store.

 

[nopassing]

I have a 12 year old Corvette with lots of vinyl graphics and some decals. In the past I have used only Griot's wax (paste and Best of Show). I plan on switching to Wolfgang DGPS then topping with either Fusion or SigII. Will any of these harm the graphics (they still look new).