Removing pin stripe - tips/advice?

[dannyg]

I want to remove the pin stripe on my 4runner. its an 03 limited.
I tried peeling it with my fingers, but that didn't work very well. Is it painted on?
There was one forum talking about this on here and people said use easy off oven cleaner... any advice or tips before i go try this would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jono6716]

Best thing to use is a heat gun or hair dryer to remove the pin stripes. It is not painted on its like a plastic strip that will easily break if not heated up. You can also carefully use a plastic razor blade to remove after heating up the material. I use to work in detail and that was our method. Worked with a little patience. :biggrin2:

 

[mndanielsncsu]

Mine was painted on and I used Easy Off Oven Cleaner and Q-Tips to remove it. It took a couple of hours and a ton of nerves but it worked. Do a google search for "painted pin stripe removal easy off" and you'll find some stuff a lot of information about it. You have to use a specific type of the Easy Off... if I recall it had to be the one with a Yellow lid but I could be mistaken.

 

[Uneek]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/60367-how-remove-painted-pin-stripe.html

 

[dannyg]

so i've been outside with a hair dryer for too long trying to get the pin stripe off..
i can only get the little line off in big (6inch or so) sections sometimes. usually it peels for about an inch or less, then it breaks. its really frustrating, i've tried heating it only a little all the way to where it hurts my fingers to touch.
the big stripe, forget it, it just crumbles when i try to peel it. I can't even get it going.
any suggestions?

 

[audiqtr]

so i've been outside with a hair dryer for too long trying to get the pin stripe off..
i can only get the little line off in big (6inch or so) sections sometimes. usually it peels for about an inch or less, then it breaks. its really frustrating, i've tried heating it only a little all the way to where it hurts my fingers to touch.
the big stripe, forget it, it just crumbles when i try to peel it. I can't even get it going.
any suggestions?

As mentioned above, you have to be patient. Some pin stripes are crappier quality and will cause more problems when trying to take it off. keep doing what you're doing.

 

[mndanielsncsu]

As mentioned above, you have to be patient. Some pin stripes are crappier quality and will cause more problems when trying to take it off. keep doing what you're doing.

I agree... I had pinstripes on my Camry and had the same troubles you are having now. I just had to be patient and take my time. My fingers were raw from peeling by the time I was done but it eventually all came off and looks much better now.

 

[12guns]

For the tape stripe use one of these and you'll be done in 10 mins. Won't hurt clear coat, buff/wax after if needed. This is what body shops use to remove factory stripes and stickers. If done slow and steady it will literally "erase" the stripe w/ no damage.

Remove Pinstripe Adhesive Tape Eraser Wheel (3732)

 

[rook]

For the tape stripe use one of these and you'll be done in 10 mins. Won't hurt clear coat, buff/wax after if needed. This is what body shops use to remove factory stripes and stickers. If done slow and steady it will literally "erase" the stripe w/ no damage.

Remove Pinstripe Adhesive Tape Eraser Wheel (3732)

I have used this product back when I did body work. Super fast and it does not scratch.

 

[4Runnewbie]

Use the Eraser, it really works fast.

 

[12guns]

I have used this product back when I did body work. Super fast and it does not scratch.

I don't suppose that wheel will "buff" off a painted pin stipe will it? Oven cleaning didn't work, local body shop said they'll have to wet sand w/ 1500 or 1000 grit, then buff. Not to interested in sanding off some of my clear with the stripe, any ideas from a body shop guy?

 

[rook]

I don't suppose that wheel will "buff" off a painted pin stipe will it? Oven cleaning didn't work, local body shop said they'll have to wet sand w/ 1500 or 1000 grit, then buff. Not to interested in sanding off some of my clear with the stripe, any ideas from a body shop guy?

I never tried it on a painted stripe. But I doubt it would work.

Try some laquer thinner to see if that gets the stripe off. Dont worry, it wont damage the clearcoat.