Tape stripes

[Gunnar Schroder]

Dear all of you,

Spares for my 1978 G22 are now or less completed as I have got hold of most parts from various supplyers.
Having said that I have checked and doublechecked looking for the correct set of tape stripes. I presume I have looked for the wrong stipes as per attached photo.
This wonderful G22 has different types of stripes, broader and lower than the ones on mine. The reason for mine having a different set must be that my model was not imported to Norway before late 1982 as the document says it was registrated in January 1983. Having read the book from Lee Iacocca he describes a so called "Sales Bank" in those years so I presume it must have been one of these. In 1981 I bought a brand new 1978 Dodge Club Cab from a person dealing with Dodge. A "Left Over". The picturewas taken in Scotland, Isle of Arran, in 1983. A wonderful car indeed.

Now to the point:

Have any of you the correct spares number for those Dodge stripes on the 1978 G 22?
And, if not, perhaps you may help with the size (how wide they were) of the strapes).

Take care all of you and drive carefully. The winter roads over here in Norway is full of drivers who are not used to snowy roads and icy too!

Gunnar

 

[Fresh Air Inspector]

Hello Gunnar,

I'm not familiar with stripping kits or their availability for your vehicle but their maybe a work around. Apologies for the lengthy reply.

If you are looking for a 'do it yourself' (DIY), solution, you can look for a roll of pin stripe and / or chrome trim. Both are self-adhesive and are easily applied. I must point out that these items are starting to disappear due to lack of demand but a little searching on the internet should be successful.

The huge supplier of pin stripe kits was TRIMBRITE (picture below), but I believe they have been bought by ProStripe. 3M also makes pin stripe but tend to only be available through auto body shop suppliers. 3M (picture below), also makes chrome strip in rolls of various widths. I've seen it in 1/16" (~1.5mm), 1/8" (~3mm), 1/4" (~6mm) and 1/2" (~13mm). Both products are easy to apply as long as the temperature of the product and the vehicle are above ~60F (~15C), and the surface is absolutely clean (no dirt, wax, silicones, etc.). I like to use Brake Clean on a rag to clean, Rubbing Alcohol will also work. It may help to put a strip of painters tape just below where you want the pin strip and / or chrome strip. Just use your eye to look along the side of the car from front to back and back to front to judge the 'straightness'.

Start laying the pin stripe by gently tapping one finger to set it in place every 6" (15cm), or so, checking straightness every time. Don't stretch the pin stripe, but keep it taught as you lay it on the body pulling the backing off as you go along. By tapping every 6" (15cm), you can adjust it as required before the final firm passes. Leave about 1/2" (~13mm), of extra tape at each door gap to allow you to wrap around the edge of the door or door jam (picture below). When you are happy with the stripe you have just added, gently slide your finger along the strip, check straightness again then a second time to set it in place. Now grab a rag or shop towel and do a third pass with firm pressure. Wrap the end of the strip around the door edge or gap (this needs to be clean too). Grab some clear nail polish or clear lacquer and a small paint brush to put a small dab on each end of tape, this will prevent the tape end from coming loose.

TIP: If you are using a 'Multistripe' (a wide pin stripe, a gap and a thin strip above - picture below), it has a clear film over both to keep it accurately spaced. This is removed after you have applied the pin stripe. You can 'merge' the two stripes to create a 'point' at, for example, the leading edge of the front fender. It is fiddly to do it as you have to carefully cut the clear film so you can move the thin stripe. When it is firmly in place, use a raiser knife to gently cut the ends of both stripes. If you don't push too hard you won't cut the paint clear coat. Don't forget the nail polish or clear lacquer.

Adding the chrome trim is exactly the same except, of course, of don't wrap around the edge of door edges or gap. You do need a very sharp knife or hose cutter to ensure the edges are clean and sharp at whatever angle is needed.

If you do decide to purchase the TRIMBRITE or ProStripe or 3M pinstripe, buy at least 16m (TRIMBRITE comes in 8m rolls). A single 8m roll is more then enough to do one large vehicle, the second roll is a back-up for repairs, corrections, etc.

Hope it helps. If you have any questions, you know where to find me.

 

[Mikes5thAve]

Various original ones pop up on ebay sometimes but it usually won't work that well anymore at that age.

The pinstripe in a roll is pretty easy to curve around the wheels but where that ends and goes back to straight you'd have to cut it and re-start it.

I prefer yours over the original way. It's actually similar to what LeBaron had.

 

[Gunnar Schroder]

Thanks for your mail and hints and advice. I have finally managed to find out the correct spares number for my Dodge Diplomat G22
What have made me confused was that it came with LE BARON stripes and not DIPLOMAT stripes. The reason for that is still not clear but as the name DIPLOMAT was an Opel name over here, she came with LE BARON name and stripes. The official name on her is actually Dodge Le BARON 1983 MODEL. When I show her up to the MOT I will bring with me documents from the Spares Book where all can be checked. I agree that the small stripes on the 1979 LE BARON are elegant. I have seen a 1978 Dodge one with the same dark green paint with a RED tape stripes. Photo attached so this will be the solution I presume.
All good wishes to all of you and safe driving.