best side stripes for my T/A

looking to replace my stripes. Who should I use? Some of these places talk about the 3M stuff only lasting 7 years?? Some are offering gloss black and flat black, when I think it is suppose to be matte black?? Which is correct?? I am more interested in correct than cost. Thanks

Definitely matte black for stripes in '70, R/T stripes in '71 were gloss black, but T/A stripes in 70 were matte black.
As far as who is the best, not sure on that.
I haven't yet seen a repro one deteriorating for what it's worth.

Actually none of the stripes on the market are correct, factory stripes were somewhat slightly textured in a matte finish, if you want "correct" either purchase the mat'l and have one of the stripe making vendors cut you a set on your material, or purchase a quality aftermarket set and take your mat'l and repro stripe set to a sign shop capable of cutting the repro stripe set on your correct material, the correct mat'l (the closest your going to get to NOS) is available from 3M it's called Di-Noc

FWIW, Dave Patik at Performance Car Graphics may be able to help you procure the mat'l and make you a stripe set as well?...


Here's a 3M sample...

I used Phoenix Graphics.

The original material used was 3M ScotchCal which was a calendared vinyl as opposed to Cast. At the time, the material was only rated for 3-4 years (about how long people kept their cars back then since models & styles changed so frequently). Newer cast materials are generally rated 8-10 years. The only material that is close to the original (that I have found) is Avery HP700 matte black, which is rated 7 years in Matte Black. It has more correct level of sheen than the more flat cast materials and is about the right thickness.

The newer cast materials are pretty much all too thin when compared to the original NOS stripe materials. The original 3M was approx. 4mil. Most cast materials are 2mil. Even the Avery HP700 is a good bit thinner than the original 3M due to advances in materials through the years. Avery HP 700 Matter Black is 2.9mil.


All of that being said, they have recently changed the Avery material so that there is less stippling (texture) than there used to be. Plus it is a little more flat than it used to be as recent as a year or so ago. It is not something most people would notice but since I work with it everyday, it was a noticeable change to me.

BTW - the wear rating on the materials is based upon a vertical surface in a static position, in the elements 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

As most of the cars being built today don't stay out in the elements 24/7/365 anymore, the material will last a LOT longer than it is rated if your car is garage kept and not driven everyday (no matter from which supplier you buy the stripes). I have numerous customers on here and other boards that have had Avery stripes I made on their vehicles for well over a decade with no sign of being worn out.