How to Apply Vinyl Pinstriping

Make your car the center of attention by adding vinyl decals to your vehicle. Vinyl pinstripe decals are thin stripes that can be added to any area of your car to add style and sophisitaction to your ride. Many vehicles already come with a vinyl pinstripe, but if yours did not, get started right away to give your ride a new, classy look.

Things You'll Need

  • Masking tape
  • Clean towel
  • Prepare the surface of your vehicle before you apply the pinstripe. Clean your vehicle using car soap and water to ensure dirt and dust doesn't prevent the vinyl pinstripe from sticking to the surface of your car. Dry your vehicle completely using a dry, clean towel. Wash your hands, removing any oils or dirt, so they don't prevent the adhesive from forming a strong bond once on the vehicle.

  • Mark the points on your vehicle where the pinstripe will begin and end using small pieces of masking tape.

  • Place the vinyl pinstripe decal tape at the beginning marker on your vehicle. Peel back the corner of the wax backing paper and stick the pinstripe to your vehicle at the first marker.

  • Use one hand to pull back the wax backing paper and the other to guide the pinstripe across the car to ensure it is applied in a straight line. Apply the pinstripe along the surface of your car in sections to prevent the vinyl pinstripe from stretching. Align each section of the vinyl pinstripe to continue applying the tape in a straight line. Apply the sections of vinyl pinstripe until you have reached the ending marker.

  • Use your fingers to gently tap on the pinstripe to ensure a strong bond is formed between the vinyl tape and the surface of your car.