!Gn|T|0n

I removed my pin striping today. I was not sure whether I was going to leave the car without the pin stripes or to put nice new fine black ones on. Any way, as I got to the front quarter panel, I realised that the pinstripes were not on the outside, but covered by a thin transparent film, like it's been sprayed over with some kind of coating. Seemingly the whole panel is covered in this. At first I thought it was the result of a respray but both front quarter panels suffer from this. Now I have all pinstripes removed except for this geeky strip along both front panels. I tried to remove the coating to get to the stripes on a small section near the door, it is possible but then you are left with a section along the panel where the outer coating has been cut and I think it would look horrible. I've seen EL Fairmont Ghias with pin striping removed. How did others tackle this problem? Do you think that it will be easily buffed into insignificance? A cut and polish perhaps? I still think that the edges of the outer layer will remain visible. I'm stuffed, I can't leave the thing how it is and I certainly don't want my front panels looking like some form of surgery has occurred. I may have to decide to put the new black stripes on to cover the mess but still it will not completely hide the affected area.

What is this coating? Why it is only on the front two panels (car has not been in an accident to my knowledge) and how do you suggest I proceed from here?

South

That would be clear coat im assuming. Maybe the previous owner had the paint 'cut' and then had a flow coat over the front of vehicle. Also possible is the bonnet was resprayed and they need to blend the sides into the bonnet, hence a clear coat application.

Remove the strips (dont put any back on, they look silly IMO) take it to your favoured panel shop, and have them 'cut' that section, and then flow on a coat of clear, will look good as new.

!Gn|T|0n

What do you mean "cut" that section? So I should take the stripes off and get a panel shop to spray this clear coat on? What is this clear coat?????? Do they buff it back and just coat that section or do they need to do the whole panel? How much would this cost?

!Gn|T|0n

Mate, the pin stripes were faded and coming off in parts, they detracted from the look of the car :s5

South

S true 'cut' means to sand back the top layer, being clear coat, there is no colour to it. It removes most blemishes, being water marks, bug staines, some stone chips (if not really deep) etc etc.

Once the top layer has been cut, the painter will respray it with clear coat and it will look good as new. Most 90s cars have a clear coat on them, and yours being the colour it is will definately have one, hence the reason is shines so beautifully and looks very deep in colour.

Get some quote, see what ya come up with.

!Gn|T|0n

Damn, this sounds like a pain in the bum. The rest of the car is finished nicely without this layer. I'll see what I come up with. Thanks for your help South :s5:

South

No worries... btw the whole car is clear coated, it may just have been the front got a clean up prior to sale or seomthing... anyhow good luck