rhs63

Just picked up my new 2008 Cayman S design edition today. What a great car, I love everything about it...well, almost. I'm not too fond of the black vinyl stripes and I'm thinking of removing them. I've removed vinyl on cars before with a heat gun which worked great, but I'm wondering if this factory installed vinyl is somewhat "bonded" to the paint, so removing it could damage the paint. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

Also not sure about loosing value on the car when removing the vinyl?

Hi-Arc

Very nice purchase. Could be a valuable car down the road. I have removed pin stripe with a drill using an eraser material wheel. No harm to paint.

ECS Tuning

Congrats! Post a few pictures Don't see to many design editions around.

Spokayman

You might take the car to a shop that installs clear bras and car graphics and ask them the question.
I'm pretty sure they could remove it for you at a modest cost.
I don't know that I would remove it unless I was sure I could get a replacement set of stripes to have installed at a later date should a future owner value that. Maybe even buy the set now.
The value of any special edition is related to the things that made the car different from the factory.
If I recall correctly there was also some luggage that came with the SE from the factory. Special luggage is the type of thing that would be most highly prized among collectors.

rhs63

I'll see if I can find a company that deal with car graphics and ask them. Good advice. The stripes have to go, they are in bad shape (weathered) and just look cheesy imho.
I hear you about the value of the car in original condition, that's what I'm wrestling with. However, it already has some modifications done to it, such as a GT3 steering wheel and shift ****, plus sports exhaust, and some engine work, it probably doesn't make a difference. I'm also planning to make a few changes, such as adding bumper wire mesh, and a Porsche decal on the back. I think the car will look nicer when I'm done, but maybe that's not where the money is...

Unfortunately, the special briefcase with watch, pocket knife and other Porsche merchandise was not with the car when I purchased it. I'm the third owner, I'm sure the first owner kept it.

lee_337

I have removed vinyl from paint before. I have used a hair dryer on low, you want to be careful hearing the metal too much, as a heat gun can deform the metal. So warm it up and start at a corner and peel slowly. You will probably have to polish the paint as the paint under the vinyl will be pristine and not match the surrounding paint. Good luck!

rhs63

I found a specialist vinyl guy that I'll meet next week to get his opinion on the removal, or more likely reconditioning the vinyl as I'm having second thoughts. The replacement cost for the OEM stripes is $3,500!!! That's not a typo... I know that specialist car graphics shops can do that for a fraction of the cost, but wow...

These are the part numbers for reference:
987 559 443 00
987 559 444 00
987 559 447 00
987 559 449 00
987 559 451 00
987 559 453 00

66mustang

check out KIstudios. They do graphics for Porsche's. the owner has a Cayman, I bet he make you a replica set for under $500.

How is anyone going to know if the stickers are OEM or not?

Spokayman

+987

rhs63

Thanks for the lead. I checked with a local vinyl guy, who quoted $450 for the stripes, without the wording, so if I go that route, I'll check KIstudios. For now I'll leave the stripes on that go over the car, I found a vinyl cleaner and protectant from Mothers that cleaned them up nicely, so they look ok from a few feet away. I removed the stripes on the doors, I just didn't like the look at all. I'm glad I did, looks much better and the paint underneath was fine. Just needs a buff...

Some pictures:

Hi-Arc

Car looks great! Love the Steering wheel and shifter

I have a complete original exhaust system off a 2006 S Contact me if interested

ECS Tuning

That is a beauty! Love that steering wheel

Sven76

I'd keep the stripes. One of the previous owners deleted the decals (Porsche writing) on the doors of my Cayman R, now I'm going to retrofit them. Cars does not look complete.

rhs63

Totally agree with the side stripes of the Cayman R. Those I would keep as well.... the ones of the Design Edition 1 are different and take away from the look imho. I already removed them and it looks much better now. I'm keeping the stripes over the center, though.

Bigwave

rhs63, I'm in the same boat. looking at a black design edition and want to remove the door tripes. When you did yours was it just a case of heat and peel or was there a lot of glue residue??
Thanks,
David