Question about racing stripes

[TurboKillaZ]

I have the Rksport ones,had them over 2 years and they still look great [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Matt-MAN]

Well, I must admit, that sucks! (If I ever catch a jerk damaging a car, ANY CAR, I'm gonna kick his butt). Back to your issue. I have a 97 Red RS. I love the RS, the ground effects really bring out the style of the Camaro body. BUT, you have to be so careful about where you go and how you pull into places. And, without fail, you are eventually GOING to scratch up the ground effects if you drive the car at all. It's a fact of life, if you drive the car, it's going to get scratched. Well, I pondered taking them off, but then it's not really an RS after that. Instead, I found that some good touch-up paint makes a WORLD of difference. In fact, you can't see the scratches if you stand back a few feet. Most people don't notice them, even at car shows. So, I'd reccomend that you look into a TINY detail brush and some good touch up paint. Clean the surface with dish-washing detergent and let it dry, and then get a comfy seat and take your time. The touch up paint can't hurt. After all, if you do find something to cover it up with, you'll just cover up the touch up paint. And, if you decide to paint the whole car, that area is going to require special attention anyhow to get it right. So you don't lose a thing by trying some touch up paint. I hate it for ya, but I think that's the best option. Good luck!

[Tony Ridino]

Matt: But if you mess up with the touch up paint it will ruin the whole section. Like what if it dries too quickly and you didn't smooth it out, ya know?

I want to try it, but whats the best brand and stuff I can get at an auto parts store like kragen?

[ravenp]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by wolf:
you could try http://www.3rdgendecals.com/<hr></blockquote>

Glad to hear the recommendation... I just bought the 35th SS stripes for my car from them.. Jay seems really cool.

Sent me the instructions and everything...now just waiting for the stripes [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Matt-MAN]

Well, first of all, there are touch up paints that are designed to match the color of your car. Simply make sure that it has clearcoat in it if your car has clear coat (which it should). That will help it to blend in. They are NOT hard to find. Heck, Wal-mart carries them. (not that I'm recomending that, cause I'm not). Any place will carry them. Simply look for the GM color in the year model range of your car. Now, if you are patient, I found that you can even use a spray touch-up paint by spraying it into the lid and using a SMALL detail brush (see arts and crafts section of a wal-mart or K-mart or something for a good brush). See, the spray paint is much thinner, so you can take your time and use multiple coats to build up the paint. Or you can spray it into the lid and wait as it gets thicker in just a few moments. Also, if you mess up? Keep a CLEAN Dust-free paper towel handy. I use Chem-wipes. As long as the paint is wet, and you are quick about it, you can clean up any you get on the origional paint very easily. Just don't take your time about doing it. Oh and make sure to strip the wax before you start and then re-wax the area when you are done.

I was the same way you are about using touch-up paint. I hated the idea. But, once I got started, I found that it's not so bad. It's just one of those necessary evils. It doesn't fix the paint like new, but it does make the problem MUCH less noticeable. Usually enough that you can live with it. Now, if you are REALLY worried about this paint issue. Then it is possible to do a "panel repair" to the back clip. Basically, you sand the entire body panel and tape it off, making sure to cover up everything you DON'T want painted, and then you just paint that panel. However, I must caution you, make sure you have the right color, and even then there is no guarentee that it'll come out right. I've never done it myself, but I know guys that have. A good body shop would be able to do it and PROBABLY get the color right with no problem, not sure what it'd cost tho.

Generally, you can think of a paint job just like any other part of a car, if you use the car, it is going to "wear out". Eventually, it will need "service" or even "replacement". No matter what you do, if you drive the car, it's going to get little dings and scratches in it. Heck, I even had some jerk lean his butt against the back fender of my car at a show and scratch it!!! I never found out who, or he'd pay to paint my car. So, you had better get used to the idea. Keep it waxed, take care of it, and use touch up paint until it gets bad enough that it's time to paint the whole thing. But, don't lose sleep over it. After all, it is just a car (even tho we love them so much).
I imagine that, like my car, under the paint is probably white primer or fiber-glass. So, the scratch probably sticks out like a sore thumb right now. Just covering it with a VERY light coat of touch up paint would do wonders for it. If you get close, of course you will be able to see it, but life isn't perfect, is it?

And finally, the last option, take it to a body shop and just ask what they can do. I doubt they will have any other options for ya, but no harm in asking.