I want to take off the pin stripe on my 2001 civic and i was wondering if it is easy to peel off and wont leave any sticky crap behind.

 

Use a hair dryer to heat it up as you peel it off. Might leave a little bit of residue, but there's a product call "Goo-Gone" that you can get at your hardware store. Smells like fruit and will take any sticky stuff right off there (will not damage the paint at all). After you're done, wash the car and apply wax to the area where the pinstripe was, and you'll be set to go.


[Modified by matt-eg, 6:19 PM 11/24/2002]

 

I had mine removed by a body shop. $30 and it took them 5 minutes with no residue or sign of the pinstripe left.

 

Be careful with Goo-Gone. I would make sure it won't strip your paint. Test it in an inconspicuous area first. Some of those products will destroy your car's finish.

I would go to your local auto parts store and just buy a wax and grease remover. I used to work at an autobody shop and this is what we used. Safe for the paint, but does the job.

 

The way we do it at the body shop that I work at is by using an "Eraser Wheel" on a die grinder. It just strips the stripe and glue off without burning the paint. I'm going to assume that you don't have access to this type of equipment, so the next easiest way to do it IMHO is to hit the stripe with a hose (get it wet), and just peel it off. The car is new enough where the stripe shouldn't be burnt on there too bad.

 

i 2nd the hair drier. works well

 

I used a heat gun, and a **** load of goo gone. It works well.