How are Viper stripes applied?

[CuHead]

I read in another post that Prefix Corporation is the place that "applies" stripes to the vipers.

My dealer said that the stripes are painted on, and then the car is clearcoated.

But the phrase above implies that they may actually be applied taped or vinyl.

So my questions are:

1) Are Viper stripes "painted" or "applied"?
2) Are the stripes clear coated after application?
3) Has anyone successfully removed their stripes and if so, how?
4) Has anyone else experienced a white haze at the edge of the stripe, looks like wax build up, but isn't?

-CuHead

 

[Neil - UK]

1. painted
2. yes

 

[2 VENOMOUS]

1.painted on vipers, please no stick ons vinyl, leave that for civic's
2.yes only the stripe is clearcoated
3.once painted almost inpossible to remove
4.not me, but can you exlain or pics maybe, is the car keeped outside?

 

[GR8_ASP]

1996 RT/10 had vinyl stripes with clear coat over. 1996 - 2002 GTS and 1997 - 2002 RT/10 had painted on and clearcoated at ASC. 2006 + have Prefix painted stripes. Only the stripes are painted. No whole car clear coat follows.

 

[malcoll]

1996 RT/10 had vinyl stripes with clear coat over. 1996 - 2002 GTS and 1997 - 2002 RT/10 had painted on and clearcoated at ASC. 2006 + have Prefix painted stripes. Omly the stripes are painted. No whole car clear coat follows.

That's odd... I have a 1996 RT.. and the stripes are definitely PAINTED on then clear coated over.

Not sure where the above comes from, but I've looked at more than a few 1996 RTs (when searching for mine to buy) and they all appeared to be painted on.

Did you have a 1996 RT with vinyl stripes? I am 99.9% sure that mine has not been repainted.

 

[GR8_ASP]

I would take that 0.01% to the bank. Yes, yours are vinyl and then clearcoated. How would you tell what is under the clearcoat anyway?

 

[malcoll]

No slamming here... but I'd really like to see your proof.



Everything indicates to me that they are painted on.

 

[GR8_ASP]

I do not need any proof. I witnessed it first hand.

 

[Hisserman]

Malcoll -

Ron is an engineer at DCX and he knows . . .!!

 

[2 VENOMOUS]

you could tell by more than one way, specially thickness, vinyl stays plyable and with time they look rougher, I didn't know the early ones were vinyl.

 

[GR8_ASP]

you could tell by more than one way, specially thickness, vinyl stays plyable and with time they look rougher, I didn't know the early ones were vinyl.

That would only be true if the plastic was exposed. In this case it is under a coat of clear.

 

[2 VENOMOUS]

c'mon you should know, vinyl reacts different to heat like expansion and contraction, than paint and also vinyl just contracts with time disturbing the cleared surface with it, Quality automotive paint are disigned to deal with this changes, and remain very constant on aperiance, I know these are subtle changes but I can tell the difference, It's the same as pinstripes vinyl is painted and paint is paint.

 

[GR8_ASP]

Here are 2 threads with reference to the stripe method for 1996 RT/10. All I could find. If you want to know more you will need to buy a Viper book.

http://www4.forum.viperclub.org/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=300337&Forum=UBB14&Words=stripe%20RT%2F10%201996&Match=And&Searchpage=0&Limit=250&Old=allposts&Main=300337&Search=true#Post300337

http://www4.forum.viperclub.org/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=508498&Forum=UBB14&Words=stripe%20RT%2F10%201996%20vinyl&Match=And&Searchpage=0&Limit=250&Old=allposts&Main=508492&Search=true#Post508498

 

[malcoll]

I stand corrected. Actually I am sitting right now... but either way, you learn something new every day!

 

[Jay Herbert]

I wondered about this, and talked to both the Viper Grailkeeper (Herb Helbig) and the Viper Body engineer today. Both said all Viper stripes have always been painted. I specifically asked about the '96 RT/10 "sabre striped" cars, and he said the same thing... adding "we have never used Vinyl". That's what Team Viper says.....

 

[dansauto]

you can not clear over vinyl. The factory does not clear them eather. They are single stage.

 

[GR8_ASP]

Jay, I would talk with someone who was involved back then on the body. ASC called it an applique. Definitely not paint. They complained quite heavily about the process when I was there.

Tell Herb he could not tell if the car was painted or not. Only if it was fast. j/k

The correct body engineer to ask is Sandy E. No longer on the Viper team.

 

[PDCjonny]

c'mon you should know, vinyl reacts different to heat like expansion and contraction, than paint and also vinyl just contracts with time disturbing the cleared surface with it, Quality automotive paint are disigned to deal with this changes, and remain very constant on aperiance, I know these are subtle changes but I can tell the difference, It's the same as pinstripes vinyl is painted and paint is paint.

Any more incorrect information you wish to add?
Your batting 1000.

 

[2 VENOMOUS]

what confused you my last sentence, what do you mean by batting 1000 every thing I said is correct, if you need me to clarify for you just ask.