Stripes - Durability?

[Standard]

I'm guessing the front/back stripes are a sticker.

What happens to these things after 10 years of weather?

Can they be removed? What happens to the underlying paint?

I'm coming to decision point, am at a "stripes vs no stripes" decision point.

Thanks,
Matt

[AJax]

I brought the hood/hockey stripes. I liked the way they looked, but quickly wished I would have had them painted on instead. After the first month, I already had two scrathes in the sticker on the hood. So, after an accident with a rather large raccoon had me in the body shop, I asked them to remove the stickers and paint them on! It cost an additional $100 to remove the stickers, and it was only $1200 to paint them on. If I had it to do all over again, I'd skip the whole sticker fiasco and go right to the paint - cost difference is minimal, but the paint makes a HUGE difference! Matte vs metallic - no comparison!

[DET MUSL]

^
+1

[Scott@Bjorn3D]

Also depending how dark the stickers are they will fade and crack in about 5-6 years. Also remember your paint will fade some too so pulling off the stickers will make the car look like crap.

Paint them on if getting them.

[Dboy23]

$1,200 is a lot to have them painted on, a local dealer paints them on for $500.

[sscamaro]

I had silver vinyl stripes put on mine. I didn't get the factory stripes though. I had a graphics place put the on. Better quality, workmanship and I had them made like I wanted. It cost $300 for the whole job. If something goes wrong with them, they can be replaced. I had silver stripes on my 02 SS for 7 years and they looked the same as they did when they were put on.

See Pics.

[DrumDawg]

Originally Posted by AJax

I brought the hood/hockey stripes. I liked the way they looked, but quickly wished I would have had them painted on instead. After the first month, I already had two scrathes in the sticker on the hood. So, after an accident with a rather large raccoon had me in the body shop, I asked them to remove the stickers and paint them on! It cost an additional $100 to remove the stickers, and it was only $1200 to paint them on. If I had it to do all over again, I'd skip the whole sticker fiasco and go right to the paint - cost difference is minimal, but the paint makes a HUGE difference! Matte vs metallic - no comparison!

So it's the factory stripes fault that they were scratched? Good thing that raccoon didn't tap dance on those $1200 stripes!

The main problem with painted on stripes is getting them off when they fade/crack. I had to sand them off my 69' and this required the whole car to get repainted. Once the paint starts cracking your screwed. Stickers can be tough too though.

[fee5fofum]

Originally Posted by AJax

I brought the hood/hockey stripes. I liked the way they looked, but quickly wished I would have had them painted on instead. After the first month, I already had two scrathes in the sticker on the hood. So, after an accident with a rather large raccoon had me in the body shop, I asked them to remove the stickers and paint them on! It cost an additional $100 to remove the stickers, and it was only $1200 to paint them on. If I had it to do all over again, I'd skip the whole sticker fiasco and go right to the paint - cost difference is minimal, but the paint makes a HUGE difference! Matte vs metallic - no comparison!

I had the same problem with my Factory matte vinyl stripes so i had them removed and painted / clear-coated on at the Dealership for $700.00 ( tax and removal of the vinyl stripes were all included in the price) the Dealership said that the stripes will also get the full Factory Paint Warranty that comes with the car...

[drtwo]

I actually like the matte finish! If they wear out you can always get them replaced... maybe even with a different color?!! That may be one advantage of decals...

[HeavyD]

I will ask my dealer when order time comes for a quote on painting. If painting will cost more than 3 applications of vinyl, I will stick with vinyl. As for durability, just make sure they use a quality 3M, or Avery material that is meant for cars and outdoor use. I had another thread asking this very question;
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41748
I would say 5 years min for vinyl, 15 years for paint. (With proper care)

[shockandawe]

Originally Posted by HeavyD

I will ask my dealer when order time comes for a quote on painting. If painting will cost more than 3 applications of vinyl, I will stick with vinyl. As for durability, just make sure they use a quality 3M, or Avery material that is meant for cars and outdoor use. I had another thread asking this very question;
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41748
I would say 5 years min for vinyl, 15 years for paint. (With proper care)

I'm willing to bet that if the car is garaged,the vinyl stripes will last a good 10 years. Chances are after 5 years,most of the people on this site won't even own there Camaro's anymore.

[AJax]

Funny!! The raccoon incedent was the reason we were in the body shop - not the cause of the scrathes on the stripes! I just decided since we were already in the shop for a week, might as well have them add the stripes. And my husband corrected me... it was $1200, which included $500 for the deductible for the raccoon damage, so the actual stripes were only $700... my bad - sorry for the misinfo.

As for the scratches... would you believe they were from pecans falling off of the tree that I park under? Never dawned on me that could damage my car, but I will definitly not be parking under that tree till fall is over!!

[ClaymoreZ28]

I debated paint vs stick on.

Went with stick on since:
a. The CGM stripes are actually really glossy with metal flake look and look very good for stickers
b. If I decide to change pattern in next few years I can do that without a total respray
c. Easier to change stickers in event of a ding/chip than get painted hood with stripes repainted.

Downside - cleaning/waxing - but after checking with Meguiars I am using their quickwax on the stripes (no solvents) and normal wax/polishes on the rest of the car

Ultimately no wrong answer.
Stripes really do finish this car nicely

[EarliestMemory]

I am sooooo not happy with the flat black stripes ordered with my car. I'd originally expected them to be glossy, and by the time it came out that they were not, it was too late to change my order. I figured they'd grow on me, and they did -- until they started to fade. Come spring I'm going to take them off and get painted stripes if my brother's willing to do it, or aftermarket *glossy* vinyl otherwise.

More info here: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...48#post1038048