Question: I just purchased a 1973 Mustang convertible with Mach I stripes. The stripes look nice, but I would like to remove them since Ford never offered a Mach I convertible. What is the best way to do this without damaging the paint?
Answer: In most cases this is fairly simple, but there is always the chance that the paint will be damaged, so try it in the most inconspicuous place first. The most common way of doing this is by heating the stripe. A heat gun is ideal, but a hair dryer will work just fine. I’ve found that it’s best to use a low heat setting and leave it aimed at the stripe for a longer period of time, rather than using a high heat setting and leaving it aimed at the stripe for a shorter time. The idea is to soften the adhesive just enough so that you can easily peel the stripe off. Once the adhesive is soft enough to allow the stripe to be removed, peel the stripe away by holding it at as close an angle to the car as possible. Don’t pull it away from the car toward you, as this is the easiest way to damage the paint. If there is any adhesive left on the car it can be removed with bug or tar remover. Application of a light polishing compound and then a little wax will usually remove any trace that the stripe ever existed. However, if the stripe has been on the car for a long time - and the paint is faded, you may still see signs of the stripe.
Answer: In most cases this is fairly simple, but there is always the chance that the paint will be damaged, so try it in the most inconspicuous place first. The most common way of doing this is by heating the stripe. A heat gun is ideal, but a hair dryer will work just fine. I’ve found that it’s best to use a low heat setting and leave it aimed at the stripe for a longer period of time, rather than using a high heat setting and leaving it aimed at the stripe for a shorter time. The idea is to soften the adhesive just enough so that you can easily peel the stripe off. Once the adhesive is soft enough to allow the stripe to be removed, peel the stripe away by holding it at as close an angle to the car as possible. Don’t pull it away from the car toward you, as this is the easiest way to damage the paint. If there is any adhesive left on the car it can be removed with bug or tar remover. Application of a light polishing compound and then a little wax will usually remove any trace that the stripe ever existed. However, if the stripe has been on the car for a long time - and the paint is faded, you may still see signs of the stripe.
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