gen3 stripe question

nate1121 · Jan 28, 2013

As stated in some previous posts, I'm considering a gen3 for my next garage addition. I've always been a big fan of the classic striped viper look but my budget is gen3 territory and so a coupe (less a very moderately priced 06) isn't going to happen. My question is fairly simple, if I wanted to stripe a gen3, maybe white or black on red, is vinyl an option or is paint the best way to go? As I don't have a car yet, this is strictly an educational question. I've done vinyl on vettes with good results but the crosshair on the viper looks like it would be a beast to do properly. I've seen a few pics but I just want some feedback from owners who have done it, or decided not to and their reasoning. Thanks in advance.

Go RAVENS.

neo_rambo · Jan 28, 2013

The original stripes on the gen III's are all vinyl. Correct me if I'm wrong guys most of the first editions and the various striped gen III's have been vinyl in my experience.

MoparMap · Jan 28, 2013

I haven't actually done it myself, but I would lean toward vinyl if you have any plans of selling the car down the road. Either that or go with a factory style double stripe. There was one red car I was considering purchasing that had a single painted white stripe with black outline down the center of the car and it just didn't look right. It was about as wide as the air intake duct on the hood and just seemed off for some reason. That being said it's all personal preference, but I'd suggest vinyl just in case someone else doesn't share your preference later. Or if you get bored you can always take it off and do a new color!

steve911 · Jan 28, 2013

neo_rambo said:
The original stripes on the gen III's are all vinyl. Correct me if I'm wrong guys most of the first editions and the various striped gen III's have been vinyl in my experience.

Au Contraire mon ami.... ALL FACTORY striped Vipers are PAINTED. No vinyl has been used. I have an'06 VCA coupe red w/white stripes 1of 50. They are all painted. The first edition coupes are painted also.

If you have a vinyl striped Viper and are told "its factory" it ain't so...

The factory wouldnt charge 3000.00 put two slabs of vinyl on a car.

neo_rambo · Jan 28, 2013

I knew the Gen II's are painted. Is there a possibility that some first editions were vinyl? Cause I saw two and they were both vinyl white stripes but they also had the interior plaque and steering etc to prove they were vinyl. I ran my finger across and it was obivously vinyl all the way through the car. I also tested a white with blue stripes and it had vinyl blue stripes and it was an original. And a bumble bee with black stripes and it was vinyl. So not really sure.

JLorello · Jan 28, 2013

neo_rambo said:
I knew the Gen II's are painted. Is there a possibility that some first editions were vinyl? Cause I saw two and they were both vinyl white stripes but they also had the interior plaque and steering etc to prove they were vinyl. I ran my finger across and it was obivously vinyl all the way through the car. I also tested a white with blue stripes and it had vinyl blue stripes and it was an original. And a bumble bee with black stripes and it was vinyl. So not really sure.

It wasn't vinyl. The factory stripes were painted over the clear coat. They all have the "lip" that you felt.

neo_rambo · Jan 28, 2013

JLorello said:
It wasn't vinyl. The factory stripes were painted over the clear coat. They all have the "lip" that you felt.

ah ok I see. why would there be a lip if it was painted usually painted stripes don't have a lip like that pronounced. Is it just the quality of work? Cause I have seen superformance kit cars with stripes and they don't have a "lip". It's super smooth

steve911 · Jan 28, 2013

JLorello said:
It wasn't vinyl. The factory stripes were painted over the clear coat. They all have the "lip" that you felt.

100% agreement. All stripes had a "lip".

The car are factory painted. they then go to Prefix where the factory paint is scuffedin the area to accept the stripes. After the stripes are painted, the entire striped body panel is re-clear coated, thus the lip.

neo_rambo · Jan 28, 2013

steve911 said:
100% agreement. All stripes had a "lip".

The car are factory painted. they then go to Prefix where the factory paint is scuffedin the area to accept the stripes. After the stripes are painted, the entire striped body panel is re-clear coated, thus the lip.

Interesting, sorry to Highjack the thread Nate. I think vinyl would be cheaper for what you want to achieve and not as Permanent as painting it.

nate1121 · Jan 28, 2013

All good Neo... Just curious as to what most people did. I'd much prefer vinyl as, like most have stated, it's cheaper and can be removed. If I did it, it would be factory style stripes. Thanks for all the replies guys.

JLorello · Jan 28, 2013

I was thinking of vinyl'ing over my stripes to change the color, but was afraid of having a "super lip", haha

nate1121 · Jan 28, 2013

I've had a fair amount of experience doing vinyl but i'd say that going over existing stripes would be tough... If you go for an exact fit than it'll be an absolute nightmare to line up and if you go for a little overlap, you could create a sort of ridge in the new vinyl from where it lays over the painted stripe's lip... perfect spot to form bubbles. I'm sure a good vinyl guy could do it but it would certainly take some sweat to get it right. just my very modest opinion though.

Green Viper · Jan 28, 2013

We put Vinyl stripes on our Gen 3 and it looks great. It would be very difficult to put over existing stripes in part because the strip is not exactly a straight line due to the curvature of the hood about half way between the scoop and the wipers. We cut two sets before getting the center gap to be within 1/8" variation and ended up having them taper out towards the windscreen to keep the gap consistant. If you look close at your hood about 6" above looking from the scoop towards the back you will see the hood contours that cause this issue. Hope that helps!

neo_rambo · Jan 28, 2013

Green Viper said:
We put Vinyl stripes on our Gen 3 and it looks great. It would be very difficult to put over existing stripes in part because the strip is not exactly a straight line due to the curvature of the hood about half way between the scoop and the wipers. We cut two sets before getting the center gap to be within 1/8" variation and ended up having them taper out towards the windscreen to keep the gap consistant. If you look close at your hood about 6" above looking from the scoop towards the back you will see the hood contours that cause this issue. Hope that helps!

And easier way to accomplish this is you put the green knifeless tape on the edge of your existing stripes. Then you put the vinyl over it then you can use the knifeless tape to cut the vinyl on top without cutting it before or figuring out how to cut. It will be exactly like your old stripes. The knifeless tape has a small dental floss like string in it. this string will cut the vinyl when you raise the string. Youtube the knifeless tape videos it's what a lot of vinyl guys use for expensive cars so you don't have to use a razor blade on the paint.

Cobraken · Jan 28, 2013

Painted stripes usually are wider towards the middle to give an optical illusion of being even.

nate1121 · Jan 29, 2013

good info guys.

nate1121 · Jan 29, 2013

Green Viper said:
We put Vinyl stripes on our Gen 3 and it looks great. It would be very difficult to put over existing stripes in part because the strip is not exactly a straight line due to the curvature of the hood about half way between the scoop and the wipers. We cut two sets before getting the center gap to be within 1/8" variation and ended up having them taper out towards the windscreen to keep the gap consistant. If you look close at your hood about 6" above looking from the scoop towards the back you will see the hood contours that cause this issue. Hope that helps!

Any pics? I'd enjoy seeing them.

sssammm · Jan 29, 2013

I put vinyl on mine, ripped it off the next day and got the stripes painted

Flexx91 · Jan 29, 2013

I have a Gen. IV hood installed on my Gen. III Commemorate Edition and the striping situation was unique. It had to be done (I insisted that it be done) the same way as the original factory hood in that the entired hood was painted white, clear coated, and then the blue stripes painted and clear coated to get the "lip" edge effect. Had I not told the painter to do it this way, I would not have the "lip" edge that is unique to Vipers regardless of the generation.

I had a '96 white/blue RT-10 and yes, the stripes on the Gen. I's were vinyl and then the clear-coated.

sssammm · Jan 29, 2013

Flexx91 said:
I have a Gen. IV hood installed on my Gen. III Commemorate Edition and the striping situation was unique. It had to be done (I insisted that it be done) the same way as the original factory hood in that the entired hood was painted white, clear coated, and then the blue stripes painted and clear coated to get the "lip" edge effect. Had I not told the painter to do it this way, there would not have the "lip" edge that is unique to Vipers regardless of the generation.QUOTE]

Exactly how I had it done, no lip

Nine Ball · Jan 29, 2013

Vinyl will never look as good as paint. Especially on the hood and grille area. To keep the stripes straight, the section in the middle where the hood is raised and the vents are located actually requires more than a constant width of vinyl. Only paint can do this properly.

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nate1121 · Jan 29, 2013

Nine Ball said:
Vinyl will never look as good as paint. Especially on the hood and grille area. To keep the stripes straight, the section in the middle where the hood is raised and the vents are located actually requires more than a constant width of vinyl. Only paint can do this properly.

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This is exactly why i asked the question... It seemed as though doing vinyl would be extremely difficult if done to high standards.

Green Viper · Jan 29, 2013

I tried to upload a photo and got an error message. Sorry, will try again tonight.

Cobraken · Jan 29, 2013

Gen 4 hood on '06 VOI 9. Hood is painted first and then the stripes painted on for the ridge effect.

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sssammm · Jan 29, 2013

A few pics of mine processed

TowDawg · Jan 29, 2013

I did vinyl on my Gen III to make sure I liked the color, but never bothered to paint them because they look fine as-is. If I ever get a Gen IV hood, then I'll paint them on the rest of the car because trying to get the vinyl to go through the IV hood vents might be an issue. Anybody with a Gen IV hood with vinyl?

JohnnyH · Jan 29, 2013

sssammm said:
A few pics of mine processed

Is that red seats in your car?

sssammm · Jan 30, 2013

Yes, full red leather interior by Venzano

Venomiss · Feb 1, 2013

Different stripe-

CaptainDavid · Feb 1, 2013

Thats called the Fangs stripe !

gen3 stripe question

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