Opinions wanted on getting rid of ugly SMB paint striping

[BrianW]

My 98 EB SMB has the oft-maligned horizontal and vertical stripes applied by Sportsmobile. Overall the paint on the van is in excellent condition, so I don't want to mess with it too much. However, I absolutely hate the vertical part of the stripe, as it makes the van look like the A-Team van from the 1980s or something.

I've mocked-up three options for getting rid of the vertical stripe. A local body shop quoted me around $400 to repaint the area and clearcoat. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I'm interested in what you all think about the various options:

As it is now


Option 1


Option 2

[BrianW]

Option 3

[Ford_6L_E350]

I like option 2.

1 looks bizarre, 3 looks unfinished.

Mike

[schluchtenflitzer]

I like option 1

Option 2 strech the van to long and 3 let me think there is something missing

[Pschitt]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

I like option 2.

1 looks bizarre, 3 looks unfinished.

Exactly the same for me !

[Viva]

Hey, welcome to the club I actually passed up an EB high top I would have liked, because not only did it have the upwards swoop that yours has, but it actually doubled back and came forward again on the high top. Between that and the fact that it was in beiges/browns (not my favorite), I just couldn't take it

But I do now have a late 90's RB PH top with "the stripe" like your option 2 (slightly different color combo though). I think it looks a LOT better than the "upswoop" (I agree with your assessment of it, LOL).

I vote for your option 2, both because it looks nice to me in your mockup, and because I like the way it looks in real life on my van more than I would if it stopped short, as in your other options.

There is another forum member with a really sweet-looking silver 1997 EB with a stripe that looks like your #2... let me see if I can turn up a photo for you so you can get a "real life" view of it.

Edited to add: Okay, it's in this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=8597&hilit=1997+way+back

Viva

[larrie]

I like number 2 but find number 3 interesting. Ar you planning on wrapping the stripe around and across the back doors?

[vandiesel]

Option 2. A 3m rubber wheel will take the decals right off.

[Viva]

Originally Posted by vandiesel

A 3m rubber wheel will take the decals right off.

I believe the 3M wheel (guessing you mean something like the "Stripe off" one) is for removing vinyl type stripes and decals, not painted ones. The OP's era of SMB (which is also mine) has stripes that are painted on and then clear-cloated over. This is great if you like them, as mine are still shiny and in great condition; but they are not removable in the way that vinyl/decals are.

Viva

[daveb]

I also like the #2 stripe best but if you can get rid of the whole thing it will look more "non 80's". Overall the original stripe doesn't bother me that much, it just dates the van, probably older than it really is.