Auto body repair & detailing: Automotive Custom Paint Removal, auto body shop, elbow grease

Question
I bought a car about two years ago and when I bought it, a younger girl owned it previously, it is a black Honda Civic EX 1997 and it has teal and purple pin spriping going down the sides of it and on the rear.  I was just wondering if there are any ways to remove the paint at home without going to an auto body shop to have it removed and paying money for it.  I heard oven cleaner might work. Is that true? Thank you.

Answer
Most painted pinstiping is done with a stencil and a brush, and with uncatylized paint. If that's the case you should be able to remove it with just a little polishing compound on a rag, and some elbow grease. If it's graphics (much larger than pinstripes) it will probably be clearcoated, and will require sanding and repainting. You would never use oven cleaner on an automotive finish, never ever!Another alternative; if it's regular sized pinstripes, go to your local automotive paint supply store, and buy a pinstripe that will cover the old stripes. This is very easy to do, and looks much better than it sounds. (Car lots have been doing it for years)
I hope this helps,
Shawn