Stripes - Paint or Vinyl?

[MK1_Oz]

Thinking ahead again....

I have chosen my colour scheme (well for this week anyway ). What are your thoughts regarding painting on stripes versus applying them over paint with stickers?

Stickers cheaper
Paint more professional
Sticker easier to repair
Stickers can peel especially when removing event decals post-event

Will be a fairly simple effect similar to the old XA Cobras.

[turbodrs]

go stickers at least if you dont like it you can remove it easy and repace it with another colour

[MK1_Oz]

true.

i also wanted to put the white square on teh doors for the numbers. again, paint or sticker......thinking paint for that

[ozstang65]

White Contact squares and black for the numbers is all i've ever used on the doors. Depending on the complexity of the stripes as to whether I'd go for paint or vinyl.

These are paint only (contact on the doors of the X19). It's a bit easier to make an edge using a body line. Use the best quality tape, there's a blue 3M one that's pretty good, and get it off as soon after painting as you can. (That can be tricky/messy and frought with danger!)

With paint you'll get a good finish, and no bubbles (well, theoretically anyway )

[MK1_Oz]

The stang pic shows pretty much the stripe size I was thinking of using over the top. Might do thinner stripe low down on the sill similar to current Falcon XR's or whatever they are.

Not really knowing much about paint, I guess the two colours need to butt up against each other exactlyand be the same thinkness paint in order to achieve a good finish or does a clear coat always go over the top to cover imperfections?

[gen mk 1rs2000]

PAINT for stripes
vinyl for door patches so you can change numbers easily

[MK1_Oz]

[gen mk 1rs2000]

[MK1_Oz]

[kizza]

Not really knowing much about paint, I guess the two colours need to butt up against each other exactlyand be the same thinkness paint in order to achieve a good finish or does a clear coat always go over the top to cover imperfections?[/quote]

The paint doesn't have to meet up perfect you just paint the whole car 1 colour then do the stripes over the top and then clear over everything.

[MK1_Oz]

Oh i see. that would make it much easier. i assume the multiple layers of clear removes most of the edge that builds up between the colours?

[ozstang65]

Depends if you are doing clear over base or not. The F100 and X19 are painted with industrial 2-pack, no clear. The quicker you get the tape off, the less 'edge' you'll get, as long as you don't build up the paint stupid thick near the tape.

The Mustang is in Acrylic with clear over metallic base. It's no show car but looks OK. There's a noticible (with your finger anyway) edge but if you wanted to get rid of it you could keep going with clear/sanding until it went away.

Best thing to do would be to get some scrap panels and try a few different techniques to see what works best for you.

[Neville Bertwistle]

When my RS was originally built in the 70's it was obviously painted with the red/blue stripes and sign writing for the De Bortoli Wines.

When I restored it in 2006 I had to make the decision to paint the stripes again or go with vinyl In the end I chose vinyl and have been very happy with the result. Key points - choose the best quality vinyl you can afford and have a professional do the job.

From my perspective the edges are all perfect, colour is consistent right across the car and if any of it gets damaged it can be repaired easily. My vinyl is the highest quality 3M with a 10yr guarantee not to fade in direct sunlight etc etc etc. Sticks like @#$% to a blanket and you can polish it until the cows come home without damaging it.

As always, you get what you pay for. It wasn't cheap but it looks great and should stay that way for years to come.

[MK1_Oz]

Thanks Nev. Have you ever put stickers on top of the vinyl then removed them??

[Neville Bertwistle]

[Glenn_T]

[MK1_Oz]

[ozstang65]