Up On The Roof - To Stripe, Or Not To Stripe...

Subscribe
Feb 14, 2010 | 02:17 PM
  #1  
I know stuff like this is completely subjective, but I just want to tap into the collective brilliance here () before my MCS goes in for stripes in 10 days.

My car is Chili Red with a Black top. I want the bonnet-and-boot sport stripes in Black. Now, my question is...should I do the matching roof stripes in Red? I have the double sunroof.

I've tried to think of every reason why putting the roof stripes on the car would not be a good idea, but I'm really leaning toward doing the whole package.

Anybody been in a similar situation? Resolved it how? Regrets?
Reply 0
Feb 14, 2010 | 02:50 PM
  #2  
My vote is no. Red stripes on a black roof seem to clash IMO. No offense to those that have them, I prefer none.

Obviously, it's a matter of preference but I didn't even run stripes down my bumper... somehow, it can be too much.








Mark
Reply 0
Feb 14, 2010 | 02:52 PM
  #3  
My preference is no. Stripes should be an accent not a two-tone
Reply 0
Feb 14, 2010 | 03:12 PM
  #4  
I agree with others...as you say it is entirely subjective...but you asked for opinions.

I wouldn't do it...it would look odd some how in my mind...
Reply 0
Feb 14, 2010 | 03:47 PM
  #5  
The only car I've seen do the two-tone stripe idea was a Chili Red Cooper with a white roof. The owner did the white sport stripe kit for the boot and bonnet and the red roof kit. For that particular application, I thought it looked pretty sharp.

Red and black, I wish I could help you. Would I do it? No. But I'm not a stripe guy.
Reply 0
Feb 14, 2010 | 04:00 PM
  #6  
I appreciate the honest feedback; and I'm not offended by anyone saying that roof stripes might "clash" or look "two tone." I've been going through all those rational arguments myself.
But, and excuse me for borrowing someone else's pic, I keep coming back to this MCS with Viper stripes (too wide for my taste). The effect is interesting. And I keep thinking it would look even better with the narrower (and closer together) Sport stripe kit.
Decisions, decisions.

Reply 0
Feb 14, 2010 | 04:08 PM
  #7  
Quote: I appreciate the honest feedback; and I'm not offended by anyone saying that roof stripes might "clash" or look "two tone." I've been going through all those rational arguments myself.
But, and excuse me for borrowing someone else's pic, I keep coming back to this MCS with Viper stripes (too wide for my taste). The effect is interesting. And I keep thinking it would look even better with the narrower (and closer together) Sport stripe kit.
Decisions, decisions.


John,

I agree, the viper stripes are too wide IMO. However, when I look at the roof, it just looks toooooo busy.

But again, it's your car and you're the one that has to like it.

Mark
Reply 0
Feb 14, 2010 | 04:29 PM
  #8  
How about matte black stripes on the roof? There but not there?! I know there are a couple of black cars out there in threads for the visual but I can't find them right now.
Reply 0
Feb 14, 2010 | 04:37 PM
  #9  
Quote: How about matte black stripes on the roof? There but not there?!...
That's a cool idea! There's a guy with a red MCS I've seen driving around Hollywood occasionally. His top is Black, and he has the checkered flag top done in Flat Black and Clear squares (which let the gloss Black show through). Subtle, but really different. I'd imagine most people don't even notice it at first glance.
Reply 0
Feb 14, 2010 | 04:49 PM
  #10  
Roof stripes are awesome! I thought about adding some to mine (I even have them cut and ready), but I first need to white-out my sunroof... or it would clash. I'm the type that loves stripes going to the ground. I have to agree with everyone, stripes are personal tastes .

My suggestion is to take red and black electrical tape and tape those sections of your car where you want stripes. This way you will get a good idea of how your car will look with those stripes on the roof and without them on the roof.

And if you do get the roof stripes and change your mind (within an hour or two of the striping, at least before it dries on) you can remove wet applied stripes very easily. I had to do that on my first striping attempt.

I'm going to post a picture of my car, just because I love looking at it.

Reply 0
Feb 14, 2010 | 05:41 PM
  #11  
John Felix,

Are you taking it to the dealer to have them install the stripes? You may want to check out the below thread before paying a lot for stripes...

I even did a detailed writeup on how to install them.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ood-price.html
Reply 0
Feb 14, 2010 | 05:51 PM
  #12  
I read that thread, Jim. Excellent write up. You almost convinced me.
I am having a pro do my stripes for me - not the dealer.
I am not at all confident in my ability to do it myself to my own satisfaction.
Sure, I could try it, but when I didn't like how it looked, who could I gripe at?
I've done racing graphics (logos, numbers, etc.) where precision is not so important. But, stripes gotta be STRAIGHT.
Reply 0
Feb 14, 2010 | 10:05 PM
  #13  
Well it seems to me that you were hoping everyone would vote for roof stripes because in your heart that is what you want to do. Follow your heart!!
Reply 0
Feb 14, 2010 | 10:57 PM
  #14  
I have laser blue with a white roof and I put laser blue stripes on the roof. I really like it and I get complements on how good it looks. I don't have any updated pics but I could take some tomorrow and post them up for ya!
Reply 0
Feb 15, 2010 | 05:16 AM
  #15  
Go with the stripes! It's about being unique and different.

Reply 0
Feb 15, 2010 | 06:15 AM
  #16  
Roof stripes only work if the roof is body colored, or if you're doing stripes that don't match the body color or the roof color. Like if you were to have gray stripes on your CR/B, then it would look ok in my opinion.
Reply 0
Feb 15, 2010 | 07:33 AM
  #17  
I have a CR/B car and vote no. way too busy. However, I would consider matching black with white border stripes, similar to my OEM ones, for the rear hatch.
Reply 0
Feb 27, 2010 | 05:27 PM
  #18  
It's done. New stripes. No roof stripes.

Reply 0
Feb 27, 2010 | 05:52 PM
  #19  
John,

Looks GREAT!!! I'm partial to the chili red anyways but the black stripes on your car look fantastic.

Wish I had gotten red instead.


Mark
Reply 0
Feb 27, 2010 | 07:26 PM
  #20  
Always take some pics of the top angle and then play around with the look in Photoshop before hand. You'll get to see what it will look like without having to really do it.
Reply 0
Feb 28, 2010 | 01:13 AM
  #21  
I have a CR/CR, and really like the idea of stripes. But I'm very hesitant about striping the roof, and I think it would look silly with just the bonnet and boot striped. I worry about the stripes on the roof going to hell in the sun, then dealing with fade if they ever came off. So I just run my solid red without stripes...but maybe someone out here has a CR/CR that's striped that could post a pic, cause I've never seen one.
Reply 0
Feb 28, 2010 | 07:46 AM
  #22  
Quote: It's done. New stripes. No roof stripes.

That looks great!!! Did you get the boot done?
Reply 0
Feb 28, 2010 | 02:47 PM
  #23  
Very Nice! I too opted just for the regular sport stripes.
Reply 0
Feb 28, 2010 | 02:51 PM
  #24  
Yes, boot, too!
Reply 0
Feb 28, 2010 | 04:49 PM
  #25  
It's "interesting" if you're looking at the car from the second story window and it's parking in the driveway. Maybe if you're 7 foot tall. But otherwise it's probably a waste of time to do the roof.
Reply 0