Has anyone ran into problems removing the "black stripe" on the bottom?

[Natty]

If it warms up this week, I am going to try and remove that black stripe on the bottom that all S13's have. Anyone do this before?
Were there any problems like faded paint or the stripe ripping paint up?
Thanks,
Jeff

[96SEChick]

I'm sure the paint beneath will be a different tone than what's been "weathered" for 12 years. As for difficulty--not sure. On my '96, the dark 4" thick (or wide??) stripe looks more painted than a sticker. Is that the stripe you're talking about on your S13? Or is it a pinstripe on the actual door/front fender/rear quarter itself?

[AKADriver]

He's referring to the 1/2" wide black stripe that goes all around the car about 1/3 the way up the body.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/akadriver1/images/rear.75.jpg

On the metal panels it peels right off, even on my beat up '90.

It's really hard to get off the bumpers though. I still haven't gotten around to that. I've been able to pick off little chunks of it without damaging the paint underneath, it just doesn't come off as neatly and easily as it did on the other panels.

[96SEChick]

Originally posted by AKADriver
He's referring to the 1/2" wide black stripe that goes all around the car about 1/3 the way up the body.

Ahhh, that's what I was wondering. From what others have said, along w/ AKA, it's pretty easy to take off. If it's being difficult, you can take a hair dryer and heat it up and the glue should soften. If some glue residue stays on, you can use Goof Off and it will take it right off. The paint underneath will probably be a bit brighter than the rest of your car, but probably won't be noticable w/ that small of an area.

[killdie]

there is a tool that can be used to remove this. it is like a big eraser almost. it connects to a drill or an impact wrench and spins you just push it up against the stripe and it takes it off. it doesnt damage the paint because its kinda soft. its what body shops use to remove stickers and stripes. very quick and easy and leaves little to no residue. we used it to take that stripe off of thorpedo's car. im not sure where to get one, i dunno if an auto parts store would have them. i just get it from my dad (he manages a shop). hope this helps.

[icer]

on my first s13 i took it all off with some gas and a cotten rag, the rear bumber took some elbow grease though

[Natty]

Cool, thanks.
I just wanted to have a heads up so I could do it all at once. I bet the white paint will be faded, but it's in a little grove, so it shouldn't matter.
Thanks!
Jeff

[deviousKA]

you can get that eraser wheel at auto paint shops. very handy tool. it will take it right off, best used with low speed air drill.

[96SEChick]

Originally posted by Natty
Cool, thanks.
I just wanted to have a heads up so I could do it all at once. I bet the white paint will be faded, but it's in a little grove, so it shouldn't matter.
Thanks!
Jeff

You shouldn't see much of a difference since your car is white. Good luck!! Let us know how it goes!! :D

[240 2NR]

Actually, you'd be pretty surprised how dirty white can get. When I picked up my car I thought it was clean, then I clay bar'd it. It's like those tooth whitening ads, it's about 3 shades whiter now. My guess is even the white will look pretty dramatic, the flip side is since it's in a groove, the color shift is less noticable than if it was all one panel and could probably pass from more than 3 ft away.

My advice, start peeling and finish with a clay bar. I haven't yet since it's still cold, but even the easy parts on metal, while the tape came off fine (it's actuall thick rubber, versus a "paperish" tape on the plastic panels so it scratches off instead of peeling), the glue leaves a residue. Pick up a clay bar kit and spend a day doing the whole car. It's pretty killer. Way cleaner than any wax I've used before.

[p_action]

my rear strip on the rear has some "battle damage" nothing some electrical tape cant fix!!

http://www.boroboro.com/paction/pictures/0sort/battle_damage.jpg

god!! you cant even see it...heh...what kind of battle damage is that!