To stripe or not to stripe. That is the question! Please opine!

[Rebostar]

I'm finaly seeing the light at the end of "paint jail". My friend Pedro shot the HOK Shimmerin II Brandywine this weekend. I went by his shop to check it out. WOW! The amount of fine metal flake and pearl in it is incredible. Quite a difference from the HOK Kandy Shimmerin he shot my Thunderbolt in. I REALLY love this paint. Now my pointed little head wants to complicate the corn flake! I'm thinking that any stripes at all would be a distraction from the base paint. What do you think?
I had planned on HOK Galaxy Grey for the stripes. The Grey does have metal flake in it but no pearl. I'm interested in hearing your opinions about stripes. I know its a "tradition" for these Cobra's to have them, and I'm a bit conservative in how I want my cars to look. So stripes were always in the plan. I've seen more than a few You Tube videos from the London car show, and there are about 10% or so with no stripes. I know its my call, but I'd like some input before I make a final decision. Right now I'm 70/30 for no stripes.
Thanks in advance.

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[Avalanche325]

It's completely up to you. I like stripes, so would say yes.

Most people paint the stripe color first. Besides more masking, I don't think it matters.

[Nigel Allen]

Vote no stripes.

Once all the bright work is fitted, this car will have the perfect balance. I wouldn't hide any of that stunning colour under any kind of stripe.

It's going to be incredible, and I think in this case more unique and visually appealing without stripes.

I had a very similar colour in mind, before being converted to silver with a heavier flake and some pearl (also a bit conservative). It has caused me to feel strongly about this car not needing stripes. However, I think it will pop regardless of the path you take.

Cheers,
Nigel

[Al_C]

I vote stripes. Your Brandywine is "redder" than mine (PPG Lexus Brandywine), but I think it will look great with stripes.

[brewha]

My car has stripes and I believe it highlights the hood and trunk curves which in my opinion, disappear without them. Plain cars with no stripes look good close up at shows, but a distance or moving, stripes draw you attention.
It’s all a personal choice.

Here is my car which is almost brandywine with white stripes….207971

[Mike.Bray]

I'll offer up a couple of thoughts.

Before building the Cobra I had a Gen IV Viper coupe that was blue with no stripes. Unusual as most Viper coupes had stripes in the tradition of the Cobra. I didn't like it but on the other hand didn't want to mess with the unusual aspect of a Viper coupe without stripes so I left it as it was.

My FFR Cobra is HOK candy blue, just gorgeous. Like you it was painted and stripes applied later. Everyone, and I mean everyone who saw it as straight blue and later with the stripes said it looked better with stripes. The car in solid candy blue was just too much blue.

Instead of plain white we went with HOK Sno White Pearl, https://www.houseofkolor.com/kolors/detail/index.html?id=S2-PBC44&ref=kolors Depending on the lighting and angle it goes from light gray to silver to white. It's a neat effect for sure.

I vote stripes!

[John4337]

I went without, but I also went without roll bars, hood scoop or side pipes. That said, build what makes you smile.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=207972&d=1734989382

[cv2065]

You should put a survey into the thread. :)

[Oshkosh Rob]

I like the looks with the stripes. With your color you have a lot of options you could go with. White, black, grey or even a darker ghost stripe would really set the color off.

[gbranham]

No stripes on my MkIII, and no stripes on my MkIV. It's not that I dislike stripes...I just think the body lines look better without the distraction of a sharply-contrasting stripes color.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Think stripes fit the image. This was our group at the local Ford vs Ferrari movie.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazine.com-vbulletin/580x435/80-fvf2_d54c1840b4cad0eaf0f5c23409cdd5a072e30676.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazine.com-vbulletin/850x637/80-fvf_623d3c6972d581cca46c4e1bed763672e9de9d9a.jpg

One no stripe. If you goal is to be different no stripe is the way to go.

[Rebostar]

It's completely up to you. I like stripes, so would say yes.

Most people paint the stripe color first. Besides more masking, I don't think it matters.

Yea, I know what you mean. I started to tell my painter friend about how the stripes could go on. He gave me the " when you can snatch the spark plug from my hand little carburator it will be time for you to leave the shop" look. I stopped talking!

[Rebostar]

You should put a survey into the thread. :)

Done! great idea!

[chmhasy]

Here is one with black strips
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[Cobraman]

This is the exact color I was considering it's beautiful as is NO STRIPES.
This what I'm going to use K136 Midnight is brandywine kandy mixed with a blue pearl, creating a purple-red color where the blue pearl will come out in the light and the color flops to almost black in the shadow.

[Jeff Kleiner]

After doing so many with stripes I’m kind of over them myself but know that to many they are part of what makes the Cobra a Cobra. Some of my favorites of the cars that I have done are stripeless. Current plan for my Mk5 does not include stripes.

Jeff

[DW66]

I like them all but prefer to be a little different. 208010

Dave

[kirby]

What about just laying a pearl or matte clear as the stripe? If my build doesn't sell that will be my plan on finishing

[GoDadGo]

I love them both, but prefer the less busy paint scheme of not having stripes.
It really depends on the color choice and the one you picked could go either way.

Redbone Graduation Video From 2020:
https://youtu.be/iwslgKJUaKc

Post Graduation Update Video 2024:
https://youtu.be/iwslgKJUaKc

By the way, I Love Your Color Choice, but I'm a sucker for Red Roadsters!

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah!

[pelzerd]

Which ever decision you make, your car will look great! I like stripes on the cobras, but I like roundels also. It gives the car an even more of a race car look.

[cv2065]

Stripes! I’m thinking a solid color versus another one with flake. It will break it up but still give a nice contrast.

[rich grsc]

So Jeff, what shade of blue? :rolleyes:

[ggunter]

Stripes are certainly a personal preference. I put stripes on my car simply because I think stripes enhance the car overall. 208014208015

[ggunter]

The only thing I would do differently with the stripes is stop them under the windshield. The sunlight glare, up on the windshield creates a terrible blind spot from the stripe that is borderline dangerous.

[zarnold]

Oh, I like stripes :)

[OB6]

I voted no stripes. That's my preference but I told my wife she could pick the color scheme of my Mk4, so I may end up with stripes.

Either way, you're going to have a stunning car.

[FarmerDave1321]

Nice color choice, here's mine in a similar color with gunmetal grey stripes ...

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[Theshandman]

Love stripes! Consider the same color as your wheels.

[Jeff Kleiner]

If you go with the stripes it’ll look a whole lot like this one that I did about 5 years ago :cool:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=208034&d=1616937646

Cheers,
Jeff

208034

[Rebostar]

Love stripes! Consider the same color as your wheels.

I did not go with the FFR wheels. I got mine from Americal Racing, they are fully polished. No grey paint in the center. But the HOK Galaxy Grey is a pretty close match to the FFR grey painted wheels.

[Rebostar]

If you go with the stripes it’ll look a whole lot like this one that I did about 5 years ago :cool:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=208034&d=1616937646

Cheers,
Jeff

208034

Well done Jeff. Thats super sharp! Your right, thats how mine will look if I do the stripes. Thanks for taking the time to find and post the pic.

[Nickjj]

I will being doing my roadster with painted stripes but considered getting a professional do the stripes in a wrap. This way It can be removed or the color changed without having to start over. Not sure if this makes sense.

Nick

[Mick40]

It's your car but, I would stripe it!

[rthomas98]

I was orginally going to do stripes and my bodyshop sent me the first photos and I went nope I am not doing them. I do not regret my decision at all.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=201069&d=1719537133
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=201904&d=1721167400

[AMRE2ME2]

Ghost stripes! Best of both worlds.

[egchewy79]

��+1 on the ghost stripe. Solid color makes it look classier where the stripe makes it sportier IMO
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I chose the best of both worlds

[Grubester]

Just curious, was it rear exhaust or just under-car exhaust with side exit still? On my Mk 4 289 I'm working towards rear exhaust... if I can pull it off.

[cv2065]

13 to 13 on the poll. DOH!!

[Mike.Bray]

13 to 13 on the poll. DOH!!

I find that surprising as it's not very even in the real world.

[Wizbangdoodle]

I voted no stripes. However, I think a ghost stripe might play very well. Since mine will essentially be the same color, I'm waiting to see what you choose. Good luck, it'll look great no matter what you choose.

[Pizzman76]

Trigger alert for purists and body guys!

I completely understand where you are on this. I'm 100% convinced on the color I want, but indifferent about the stripe color. I plan to paint the car in one color and wrap the stripes. My logic on this is as follows; If I hate the stripe, peel off and motor on. If I don't like the stripe color, peel off and replace it with a new color.

[MaxVmo]

I’m going to do a silver with no stripes.

[Nigel Allen]

A third voting option for ghost stripes might be the go...

Best of both worlds.

[Jim Doak]

I generally vote for no stripes, depending on color and paint type (metallic vs. non-metallic). However, I think some paint jobs benefit from stripes.

While I remain undecided on color choice on my current build, my first car was stripe-less. (And sidepipe-less too!)

[JCB52]

I would vote for ghost stripes on candy colors.

[GoDadGo]

What Would Carroll Say?

CSX 3178 Before Restoration
https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/g1779506/gallery-1965-427-cobra-csx-3178/

CSX 3178 After Restoration
https://www.mecum.com/lots/444471/1965-shelby-427-cobra-roadster/

Hummmmm?

[Rebostar]

What Would Carroll Say?

CSX 3178 Before Restoration
https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/g1779506/gallery-1965-427-cobra-csx-3178/

CSX 3178 After Restoration
https://www.mecum.com/lots/444471/1965-shelby-427-cobra-roadster/

Hummmmm?

Now THAT changes everything! I think I just made up my mind, or should I say Carol made it for me! Gonna go NO STRIPES for now. May concider vinyl down the road if they can wrap around the hood scoop as its glassed in and not removable. We'll see.

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[Mike.Bray]

Now THAT changes everything! I think I just made up my mind, or should I say Carol made it for me! Gonna go NO STRIPES for now. May concider vinyl down the road if they can wrap around the hood scoop as its glassed in and not removable. We'll see.

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I'm sad:(

[GoDadGo]

When CSX 3178 was sold to Peter Klutt for 1.4 million he stated that he was going to restore it to bring it back to it's original livery.
On my car, which is all red, my wheel choice in the video linked below was an attempt to capture the spirit of the street style Sunburst wheels.

https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA

Once Mr. Klutt totally refinished that car and sold for 5.4 million, I no longer wanted mine to resemble CSX 3178 since it had a color change.
That is why it ditched the Anthracite colored wheels and went with an unconventional 17X9 with 18X10 staggered FR-500's with stickier tires.

https://youtu.be/iwslgKJUaKc

Whether you go with stripe or not, your car will be magnificent.
I love them both ways and I am sure everyone else does too judging from the results of your survey.

Good Luck & Can't Wait To See The Graduation Pics!

[Rebostar]

Getting closer! Clearcoat went on today. Pick up scheduled for Tuesday at 3pm. More pics in my build thread.

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[Jeff Kleiner]

Looks great! Stripes would add nothing to that :cool:

Jeff

[OB6]

Outstanding. It makes me rethink my color choice... again. But it also confirms my preference for no stripes. Thanks for sharing.

[jeffbob]

We vote stripes but blended/ghost!

[Rebostar]

Don't forget to vote!! Poles close in an hour. (remember if you dont vote you can't complain:o)

[Rebostar]

Thanks everyone for contributing. The stripes won but not by nearly as much as I thought they would. It seems to me that only 10% of the Cobras I've seen do not have stripes. So in the community at learge stripes are the most popular.
As for me I'll be letting the HOK Brandywine speak for it's self. Not doing the stripes. That may change down the road who knows.
Thanks again all!
Allyn

[kevin j sullivan]

Actually, many (if not all) original period correct Cobra's did NOT have stripes. SO...if that's your main concern... I bought mine 10 years ago which is a solid green and planned to add stripes later. Never did, like the lines the way they are and all the comments.

[Larrygk]

If not recommended already, have a vinyl wrapper put one on to see if you like it. Easy to get off if you do not.

[Rebostar]

Done deal! Back from paint. No stripes!

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[TXeverydayDad]

That’s a great color, and looks great without stripes, even though I’m a stripes guy.

Are your overriders on upside down?

[Rebostar]

That’s a great color, and looks great without stripes, even though I’m a stripes guy.

Are your overriders on upside down?

Yea they were. Great call. On my build thread I mentioned that I wanted to try them upside down to protect the oil cooler, with the cav'et that if after I installed the rears if it looked goofy I would swich them back. It did, (look goofy) so I swapped them around'
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[Avalanche325]

If you do put vinyl stripes on, wait a while to let the paint out-gas.
If you want to play with different colors, do low tack fender stipes first. Small, cheap, and easy DIY.

[Rebostar]

If you do put vinyl stripes on, wait a while to let the paint out-gas.
If you want to play with different colors, do low tack fender stipes first. Small, cheap, and easy DIY.

You bet. If I do stripes, it wont be for a year or so, if at all.

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong either way. You can always try PPF stripes to see if you like it first. I think it's more about the color combination. I went with ghost stripes so it's subtle.

[CW_MI]

I like stripes, but prefer them ghosted, so a little more subtle. And when the time comes, mine will be different, I plan on doing them offset.

[jcarcustom]

I like stripes! Awesome paint!

[BrewCityCobra]

Like many I've seen some gorgeous Cobras both with and without stripes (and with different types of stripe layout). My big reason for including stripes is simply 1) they are so associated with the car, and 2) how often do you really have an opportunity to put stripes on your car!

[J R Jones]

I find stripes on almost any type vehicle with the exception of luxury cars. I have seen LeMans stripes on compact economy cars and Ram pick-up trucks.
I suspect this is not attributable to racing or styling/design departments, but to marketing bozos trying to push out another model with minimal cost.
jim

[2nd2none]

If you go with the stripes it’ll look a whole lot like this one that I did about 5 years ago :cool:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=208034&d=1616937646

Cheers,
Jeff

208034

Actually just saved a thread you posted this picture in from 2021. I'm sitting down, what could I expect to pay for a paint job like this?

[Jeff Kleiner]

Actually just saved a thread you posted this picture in from 2021. I'm sitting down, what could I expect to pay for a paint job like this?

Material prices have skyrocketed and labor rates are higher so you'd pay more today than what that owner did back in 2019! That car was done using PPG Vibrance "Hellfire" and the stripes are a custom color from Charley Hutton. Hellfire is a true three stage tri-coat candy...that really boosts both the labor and material costs. For me to duplicate it today with all bodywork & prep, paint, cut & buff and complete reassembly it would come in close to 16K. I can create the same effect but reduce the cost by a couple grand by using a custom base/clear formula that I get from Randy Borcherding at Painthouse in Texas. Here's what that looks like:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=218256&d=1756653923

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=218257&d=1756653970

It's still expensive paint but saves some on material as well as labor.

Cheers,
Jeff