gen3 stripe question

[nate1121]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[nate1121]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[nate1121]

good info guys.

 

[nate1121]

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]

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

 

[Flexx91]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Cobraken]

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]

A few pics of mine processed

 

[TowDawg]

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]

A few pics of mine processed

Is that red seats in your car?

 

[sssammm]

Yes, full red leather interior by Venzano

 

[Venomiss]

Different stripe-

 

[CaptainDavid]

Thats called the Fangs stripe !