Replacement stripes for GT350 / R

[AgSurfer]

Getting my 350R PPF'ed and the technician (who does many high-end cars and also done multiple 500s and 350s) said that he will remove the OEM stripes, apply PPF material across the entire sections, and then re-apply new racing stripes after the PPF is done.

Question - suggestions / recommendations on where to procure replacement racing stripes?

I found this website (Stripe Source). Any thoughts? Are these a direct fit?
https://stripesource.com/products/s...s-for-a-ford-mustang-2016-2017-2018-2019-2020

Appreciate the help.

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[1.8t]

The company who installed my PPF did it in individual strips to protect the paint and the stripes. They said if they protected the whole surface with 1 piece, there would be air bubbles that they couldn’t get out where the PPF transitions from the hood to the stripes. That said, I like that the stripes are protected and the method your installer is proposing, they wouldn’t be.

 

[AgSurfer]

The company who installed my PPF did it in individual strips to protect the paint and the stripes. They said if they protected the whole surface with 1 piece, there would be air bubbles that they couldn’t get out where the PPF transitions from the hood to the stripes. That said, I like that the stripes are protected and the method your installer is proposing, they wouldn’t be.

So that implies you have multiple PPF cuts and seams on your hood, roof, etc. as a result of not removing the stripes?

This was discussed with the technician / installer, who appears to have a lot of experience and has done 500s and 350s / 350Rs (and many more expensive and rare cars). I know some of his clients and talked to one first hand, and from al I can tell, this technician's reputation and quality is solid. The technician said the PPF will not adhere properly to the matte finish stripe material and he would have extra cuts and seams if the stripes stayed on and it would not look good. In his experience, he removes the stripes, preps the surface, applies the PPF cleanly, and then installs new stripes on top of the PPF.

The stripes are not terribly expensive.

My main reason is track protection from stones and rubber. I hate cleaning rubber off the paint; took me 2 hours after last track day.

Appreciate the input.

 

[Blwnsmoke]

The manufacturers (at least xpel) have precision cut templates for the stripes. You can't even tell that they are different pieces

As mentioned above, if it was all one sheet, you would have air gaps at the edges of the stripes. No reason to remove the stripes IMO. And I'm not sure why one would not want the stripes protected.

The PPF definitely adhears perfectly to xpel. Not sure what brand your guy uses. I've never read on here about anyone having the stripes removed and reinstalled on top.

 

[1.8t]

So that implies you have multiple PPF cuts and seams on your hood, roof, etc. as a result of not removing the stripes?

This was discussed with the technician / installer, who appears to have a lot of experience and has done 500s and 350s / 350Rs (and many more expensive and rare cars). I know some of his clients and talked to one first hand, and from al I can tell, this technician's reputation and quality is solid. The technician said the PPF will not adhere properly to the matte finish stripe material and he would have extra cuts and seams if the stripes stayed on and it would not look good. In his experience, he removes the stripes, preps the surface, applies the PPF cleanly, and then installs new stripes on top of the PPF.

The stripes are not terribly expensive.

My main reason is track protection from stones and rubber. I hate cleaning rubber off the paint; took me 2 hours after last track day.

Appreciate the input.

Correct, I have multiple seams…but they line them up with the edge of the stripes so they are almost undetectable. Take a look:

 

[AgSurfer]

Let me investigate this further. Perhaps I misunderstood something the tech verbally indicated to me. I very much appreciate the insight here. It is an expensive spend for the car but I believe worth it, especially being the car is tracked regularly.

 

[galaxy]

Another vote...no need to remove stripes. Since I only did my front clip, I think I opted for my guy to do the one piece over the stripes, and I don't recall the "air gap" at the stripe seam being anything cosmic...and I'm as picky as the best of us.

 

[key01]

I also used the Xpel pattern where the stripes are individually protected with separate cuts. It’s the way to go if you are looking to protect the stripes, otherwise they are subject to damage.

 

[AgSurfer]

I spoke to the tech / installer and he reiterated everything. You can do the PPF over the stripes, however, the PPF will turn a matte stripe gloss. To maintain matte finish and OEM look of the stripe, the vinyl stripes are removed. PPF installed in appropriate sections of the hood. Then new stripes reinstalled over the PPF protected sections. He extends the PPF edges so they can be properly wrapped in the applicable areas.

Installer is aware of others doing the PPF over stripes and also separate PPF sections for paint and stripes. He stated this creates raised edges in the PPF and will promote more dirt and build up between those raised edge lines between the paint and the stripe.

Installer uses Premium Shield, but that company just got purchases by Sun Tech and he has concerns on the new company owner not honoring the life time warranty that Premium Shield offered. The installer also uses Xpel. Installer stated that pre-cut patterns from Xpel and other manufacturers have gotten much better and more consistent.

 

[ChipG]

I've sections of mine redone - the stripes on top of PPF may have adhesion issues, and they will get damaged.

Another note, I also have PPF to protect my paint from track day rubber and stones, but the rubber is harder to get off of the PPF than it is to get off of the paint, and I am seeing some yellowing of the PPF from various track grunge that is difficult to clean up.

 

[09cs]

I spoke to the tech / installer and he reiterated everything. You can do the PPF over the stripes, however, the PPF will turn a matte stripe gloss.

That is not true. There is Xpel stealth that is matte in finish and will keep your matte stripe looking matte. If your installer does not know about that product, I'd be a little concerned

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