Equipment and Materials

The following equipment and materials are necessary when making a quality stripe or decal installation:

• A heat gun
• Wetting solution-a foaming type window cleaner that does not contain ammonia
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Varnish Makers and Painters (VM & P) naphtha

  Important:  Deburr any sharp or rough edges on the squeegee to prevent scratching of the stripe or decal

• A squeegee - 100 mm (4 in) wide, plastic or hard rubber
• A water bucket and a sponge, or a spray bottle
• Sandpaper - 800 grit or finer, wet or dry type
• A clean, lint-free wiping cloth
• A sharp knife or razor blade
• A pair of scissors
• A fine pin or needle
• A marking pencil

1. Remove the necessary molding or trim panel.
2. Remove the molding attaching clips, handles, sidemarker reflector, and/or other stripe or decal overlapping parts.
   Fig 1: Removing Molding Or Trim Panel

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
3. Wash and clean repair surfaces, adjacent panel, and openings as required.
   CAUTION: To avoid damaging the paint finish, do not use pointed or sharp instruments to remove the stripe or the decal.
4. Remove the stripe or decal from body panel using 3M™ Scotch Brite molding adhesive remover disk 3M™ P/N 07501 or equivalent.
   CAUTION: Use of harsh chemicals when cleaning can damage exterior lamps. Suggested cleaners are a mild soap and water, or Varnish Makers and Painters (VM & P) Naptha, VM & P Naptha is a specific type of naptha and should not be substituted by any other naptha.
5. Remove all traces of adhesive residue from painted surfaces with a Varnish Makers and Painters (VM & P) naphtha.