How to Apply Pinstripes

Pinstripes are extremely thin lines, usually in two colors, painted around a car for panache and to give a solid-color car a more personalized feel and look. This principle especially holds true on solid dark color cars or vans that have large expanses of black or dark blue that hits the eye and looks bland. You can easily apply pinstripes with easily obtainable items, and you need no prior automotive or painting experience. Let your imagination be your guide.

• 1

  Wash the vehicle with soap and water, and buff it dry with clean towels. Rub the application area with a cloth and a tar-removal solvent until it feels completely smooth to the touch.

• 2

  Rip small pieces of masking tape, and mark off the beginning and end of each of the pinstripes. Divide long sections of the vehicle into smaller, more manageable areas.

• 3

  Pull back a small section of the backing on one of the pinstripes, and press it down starting at one of the beginning tape markers. Use your thumb to make a firm connection between the stripe and the vehicle.

• 4

  Strip off the rest of the backing film from the strip, and gently pull it taut. Push the loose end of the stripe down at the end tape marker, and rub it down.

• 5

  Ease the stripe into a straight line using your finger. Try not to press the stripe down until sure you have positioned it correctly.

• 6

  Tap the stripe down onto the vehicle once you have placed it properly. Run your finger on top of the tapped-down stripe to adhere it completely to the vehicle.

• 7

  Apply all of the strips to the vehicle in the same manner. Trim any ends that meet or require adjustment using a brand-new craft knife.

• 8

  Roll off the top layer of protective film from the stripes until you have removed the entire upper layer. Peel the film carefully in case it has become caught on the adhesive of the stripes.