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Removing painted pinstripes from 2011 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by ngagun, Dec 20, 2011.

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  1. ngagun

    ngagun Junior Member

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    My new 2011 Prius came with some rather tacky-looking PAINTED pinstripes that were apparently put on before it got to the dealer. The dealer has promised (in writing) to have them removed, but the bodyshop was closed when we bought the car (it was Sunday). So we are taking it in for that on Friday.

    But I'm worried that removing the painted pinstripes could damage the paint. They say they've done it before, but really, is this safe? Does anyone know how they would remove that, or have any experience with something like this?

    The pinstripes are just 1/8 inch wide or so. The pinstripe paint seems rather fragile. You can pick it off with your fingernail. In fact, they originally thought it was a stick-on and tried to remove it, so an inch at one end is kind of half removed. So it seems to come off... but still...

    If there's any chance that removing the pinstripes would mess up the real paint, I think I would rather just live with the ugly pinstripes.

    Any thoughts?

    Thanks a lot!
     
    #1 ngagun, Dec 20, 2011
  2. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    I really think that since they have done it before it would be better to let them do it.

    You said your car was new, who put these things on it? Painted on pin stripes are a thing out of the 50s & 60s how weird.
     
    #2 tumbleweed, Dec 20, 2011
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  3. Gary Otto

    Gary Otto Member

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    A heat gun works well for removing unwanted adhesive applied things, like pin-stripes, dealers decals, etc.....just heat and peel off.
     
    #3 Gary Otto, Dec 20, 2011
  4. ngagun

    ngagun Junior Member

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    @tumbleweed, Yeah I don't know what moron thought that this would make the car look better. It is very cheap and dated looking.

    @Gary Otto, I wish they were adhesive, they would come right off. Unfortunately they are painted on.
     
    #4 ngagun, Dec 20, 2011
  5. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Sounds like they did not sand before applying the pinstripe paint as it comes off so easily, so removing it "mechanically" would probably not damage the paint. The sooner they remove it the better, before it "sets". If they plan to sand it off and repaint, well, that's another story.
     
    #5 David Beale, Dec 20, 2011
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  6. ngagun

    ngagun Junior Member

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    Well they said it would take 60-90 mins, so that can't possibly involve any repainting, right???
     
    #6 ngagun, Dec 20, 2011
  7. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    I agree with Gary, it's got to be vinyl and should peel off, if they were painting it would be an overnight activity.
    Take a high definition picture, if any damage is done it's documented.
     
    #7 ursle, Dec 20, 2011
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  8. ngagun

    ngagun Junior Member

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    It's definitely not vinyl. I wish it was. They originally thought it was vinyl and they were going to pull it off before the sale. The tried to do so, and discovered it's painted on, over the top of the clear coat.

    From what I have read online, there are various methods for removing it. Like for instance, a felt polishing wheel, followed by waxing. But I don't know... I would hate for them to damage the paint underneath.

    Can I trust a dealership body shop to do it right, I wonder?
     
    #8 ngagun, Dec 20, 2011
  9. BayAreaPrius11

    BayAreaPrius11 New Member

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    OP can you post a photo of this?
     
    #9 BayAreaPrius11, Dec 21, 2011
  10. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    If your dealership promised in writing to have them removed, then they're on the hook for doing so without damaging your paint.
    I'd let them do it.

    It sounds like the paint will come off easily enough, but I'd let the body shop take a whack at it, and hold your dealer's feet to the fire if something goes awry....especially if you haven't already completed the "customer satisfaction survey" forms that always seem to accompany a new vehicle purchase these days.

    Good Luck!
    Let us know how it turns out.
     
    #10 ETC(SS), Dec 21, 2011
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  11. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    If your question is "Is there a chance it could mess up the original paint?" Then the answer is yes. There is a chance....

    However, what you describe is sounds pretty removable. If it is fragile and flaking off now.

    As stated above the dealer has agreed to remove it. Just let them, and then check very carefully after it is done and make sure you are happy with the results.

    I think the chances they can remove it, and NOT damage the underlying paint are good.

    If the results are not to your liking afterwards? Then let them know immediately.

    Also, I wouldn't accept a vehicle with pin stripes I thought were ugly and did not like. You are buying a new vehicle, you should not have to live with something you obviously do not like.

    I say, go for it...there is risk, but you have it in writing. Hopefully it is simply removed and you are happy. But if not? It will be the dealerships responsibility.
     
    #11 The Electric Me, Dec 21, 2011
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  12. ngagun

    ngagun Junior Member

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    Thanks very much for your input, everyone.

    Here is a photo of the front of the offending pinstripe. You can see the part that they flaked off already. I think they did it with a plastic razor. And the little nick behind that, I did with my fingernail.

    So yeah, I am hoping it will come off pretty easy.

    Sure, the dealership would be liable if they mess it up, in theory. But really, would I have any realistic recourse (especially since I live about 2.5 hours away...)

    Anyway, I'll see how it goes on Friday and hope for the best. I will let y'all know how it turns out.

    Thanks.
     

    Attached Files:

    #12 ngagun, Dec 21, 2011
  13. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    It'll be fine ... they'll just buff it off. You'll never know it was there.


    REV
     
    #13 revhigh, Dec 22, 2011
  14. Gary Otto

    Gary Otto Member

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    Must have been done at the regional level. Were there any other Prii on the lot at the time with similar striping?
     
    #14 Gary Otto, Dec 22, 2011
  15. ngagun

    ngagun Junior Member

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    Every single Prius on the lot had the silly pinstripes. Otherwise I would have been near tempted to upgrade to a III or something to avoid them!

    Poor cars...
     
    #15 ngagun, Dec 22, 2011
  16. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    Wow, really a moron? I still like pinstripes.
     
    #16 mgb4tim, Dec 22, 2011
  17. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    The stealers call them " Dealer add on profit" item. I think they may cost at least couple hundred dollars. How much did you paid for this or what is the price on the supplement MSRP sticker?

     
    #17 bedrock8x, Dec 22, 2011
  18. ngagun

    ngagun Junior Member

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    @mgb4tim, sorry, no offense intended. I realize it's a matter of taste, and of course tastes will vary! I am just irritated because I didn't have any other option. I mean, it would be easier to put them on than take them off.

    @bedrock8x, at least I didn't pay for them. The only add-on I couldn't escape was tinted windows. But in Arizona, that is well worth having. We used truecar and got a great deal, I would highly recommend it (but I would suggest getting *detailed* information on the phone before you drive 2.5 hours to make a deal!)
     
    #18 ngagun, Dec 22, 2011
  19. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    They should be able to take that right off without harming clear coat.
     
    #19 32kcolors, Dec 23, 2011
  20. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    If you had refused delivery until they were removed you could have walked away from the car if you don't like the job. If it's done right you won't know the difference.
     
    #20 JimN, Dec 23, 2011
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