Looking for a method/suggestions/solvent to remove old pinstriping without damaging the surface underneath?

I just picked up an 85 GT that I'm going through with a good cleaning, and then check the mechanicals, getting it ready for the road. The PO did some nutty stuff to this poor car, but so far nothing seriously damaging (that I can see).

On the rear tail light lenses, he ran white plastic pinstriping tape horizontally in spaced rows across the width of each lens. Supposedly the light would shine out in between the tape spacing and look "cool". (They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder).

Anyway I'm trying to remove that crap and having a devil of a time. I've completely removed the lens from the car so I can work on it more easily. I can grab a loose end of each stripe, but as I slowly pull it to remove it, it will hit a spot and tear. (The tape seems to be somewhat plastic, like electricians tape). I don't really want to dig at the broken end with a knife or scraper, for fear of gouging the plastic lens.

Anybody have any suggestions.

Marc in sunny Titusville, FL
85 Sport Coupe w/V6 transplant
85 GT - waiting to get on the road
84 SE - son's car, low mileage, loaded

I have a round eraser, goes on a drill, low speed. Got mine at NAPA, works very well.

You could use some sort of solvent (WD-40 comes to mind) to soften the glue. Goo begone may also work to dissolve the glue. Neither should hurt the plastic. But to be sure try a dab on an inconspicuous place.

The dry eraser thing for pinstripe removal works good. as does the goo-gone products.

I would also get some "plastic polish" from napa as well. after you are done the lenses will look wierd and you will still see where the stripes were. a good plastic polish will get rid of that and bring back some of the shine.

Careful application of a heat gun usually helps considerably.

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88 Formula, Stock T-Tops, 4spd/auto, 3.2 V6, balanced, 9.5 comp ratio, roller chain, roller tip rockers, H260 cam, Darrell Morse throttle body, 19lb injectors, Trueleo intake, Spintech muffler, K&N , White 16" GTZ wheels

quote Originally posted by 88 Formula: Careful application of a heat gun usually helps considerably.

Ditto....Will save alot of time and aggrevation--if you don`t have a gun , try a hair dryer...

the dry eraser is what we use at the bosy shop i work at and it works great on old and new paint . just make sure you keep it at a low r.p.m. ive had them break apartr while screwing around with one at high r.p.m. . it made it so i had to re do a door on a customer's car.

2 things you might already have lying around, a hairdryer and lampoil (parifin wax)99% I believe. It might be a little more of a hassle but I used this on my Caprice and it did a good job. It was recomended by a bodyshop.

I second that. Use plastic polish, applied with a drill polisher (?). In this pic, I polished the TIAC side and look at the difference!



On my parts car:

quote Originally posted by timgray: I would also get some "plastic polish" from napa as well. after you are done the lenses will look wierd and you will still see where the stripes were. a good plastic polish will get rid of that and bring back some of the shine.