Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

[Gary J.]

I bought my 1969 big block with an added LT-1 Stripe which I need to remove in preporation for Flight judging. As has been stated, leaving the stripe would result in a total loss of points for the exterior paint. Although, not the topic on this thread, I feel that the addition of the attractive stripe should not result in such a huge loss.

Now on to my question and need for assistance, I thought the stripe was a decal, and so far I have tried hot water to get the removal started on an edge, I have tried a hair dryer, I have tried goo-b-gone, all with no success at all. If its paint or a stubborn decal, can anyone provide a means for removal of the strip without damage to the surrouding hood paint?

Thank you for your advice, pictures attached.
Gary

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

If it dosn't peel its paint. I woul guess you will have to repaint the hood. You also get NO points for too shiny jams. Ask me how I know.

[Dale C.]

Re: Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

I've thought about this alot (as probably a bunch of others have too) and have decided - I'll not have my car judged because it's the way I want it, not the way somebody else thinks it should be. I have gone through big bucks and time to take the nice new looking repop bling off (that I've seen would pass muster) to replace with older worn OEM, cause thats what I want. I live here in Houston and watched the transformation of the Pro Team L88 at Nabor Brothers and its sure is a nice looking CC-Paragon car that is now top flight. You take the parts off my car and they are GM numbered and that's the fun part to me. I don't even want to recondition the parts to look new, cause they're like me, looking better with age. It's not a true survivor in that the parts may not be orininal to the car but they are the closest numbered and dated possible. As it's not show room and it's not a true origional survivor, maybe it could be, there is really no kind of classs for these twix-n tween cars, except to please the people who really enjoy putting cars back to real and not just real shinny. Maybe if you want to top flight and are going through all this trouble you could use a take off for judging hood. It would be big bucks though, just a thought. I have three tops, soft, hard and vinyl. I've got three cars for the price of one, kind of.

Ken, I noticed the emission sticker, yours being a BB with A/C, could you please tell me what GM part # and code that sticker is. A picture would be outstanding.

Good Luck
Dale

[Dick W.]

Re: Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

Gary if it is painted on and not under clear coat, it can be removed by very carefully sanding with 1200-1500 wet or dry sand paper. Keep the paper wet with soapy water. There will be evidence that it was removed, but if done carefully, very slight.

[Michael W.]

Re: Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

There will be evidence that it was removed, but if done carefully, very slight.

If the stripes have been on there a very long time, the body coloured paint underneath might be a different shade. That by itself might cause a deduct. Not sure if I'd fool around too much and make things worse.

[Gary J.]

Re: Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

Dick
thanks for that suggestion, it appears they must be painted on and I feel the stripe is above the clear coat. Too bad there is not an inconspicuous place on the hood to test, but we all know there is not. It appears that this is a place where tip toeing is not possible and if I choose to get wet,I'll need to dive in the deep end of the pool.
As they say, "no guts no glory" I'll will gently dive in this weekend and advise how I survive, I hope I don't my head on a sharp rock. Lol
Gary

[Timothy B.]

Re: Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

Gary,

You know that stripe looks pretty good on that car... very nice color also. You may want to consider leaving well enough alone.

[Gary J.]

Re: Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

Tim,
I agree totally with you and have held off for 6 months fighting the car because I like the stripe so much. Having said that, although it is still possible, a total loss of paint deduct makes a good top flight score very wry difficult.
I have struggled for a year deciding to or not to remove the stripe and put the standard exhaust on the car, which is all it needs other than some decals. I love the look of the stripes and the side exhaust, I did not put on either, both were on this 3 owner. 60,000 mile car when I found it.
Gary

[Michael G.]

Re: Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

I'm not so sure you would lose all paint points for having a stripe painted onto your car.......maybe points deducted but all paint points? Would want conformation/understanding of that point before I went to the lengths of sanding off the stripe or worst, ending up with a repaint of the hood.

[Gary J.]

Re: Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

Michael
i have asked the question and it has been answered, FULL paint point loss. I personally feel it is too harsh, but I play by the rules of those smarter than me.
Gary

[Timothy B.]

Re: Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

Gary,

I just want to share with you that my 67 convertible has GM side exhaust that I bought new and installed because I liked the look. The car originally had under car exhaust but it's my car and very original at that. I realize about the point deduct but the side pipes look very nice to me.:-)

[Michael G.]

Re: Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

Michael
i have asked the question and it has been answered, FULL paint point loss. I personally feel it is too harsh, but I play by the rules of those smarter than me.
Gary

That's harsh. Having been there at a Regional judging event one is scrambling for all the points you can muster. One of my outings included loss of all paint points (too glossy) which cost me a top flight. If that's the direction your headed you can't afford to give up the points.

Myself, love the hood with the stripe. Kool stuff.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

I know this may not be what you want, but you could always live with the Second Flight award should that be the result. You'll know why you got it yet still have the car you like.

If you damage the paint by sanding then you're stuck with repainting the hood and there's no guarantee a repainted hood won't stick out like a sore thumb. It's easier and likely cheaper to buy another hood, paint to match for judging, and then sell the spare hood. At least, it's what I'd look at if you absolutely have to have that Top Flight.

Patrick

[Ron G.]

Re: Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

My own suggestion is what Dick W. mentioned. However, if the stripe has not been cleared over, you can remove it with a light (mild) abrasive such as a compund. You will need to be cautious as to not remove all the paint down to the primer as then that would leave you with no options other than to re-paint the hood and hope it matches the rest of the car.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Help Removing LT-1 Stripe

Ken, I noticed the emission sticker, yours being a BB with A/C, could you please tell me what GM part # and code that sticker is. A picture would be outstanding.

Good Luck
Dale

DALE
Witch Corvette are you talking about? the 1967 or my 1970 454. The 70 is in MI. I will be back there in May if that's the one.
KEN