vinyl stripes

[DP200248721]

hello everyone(first new thread)

i'm currently being asked to do some correction work on a 2007 Mustang with vinyl stripes "owner put them on" but his GF tells me they stripes are becoming discolored and, i believe, she mentioned they're beginning to rise along the edges, any way to fix this... both the vinyl's discoloration/rise? not used to dealing with aftermarket striping so i would figure i'd ask first, i'm doing this as a favor (paint correction portion) but i'd like to know what are my options

PS haven't actually seen the car yet so the severity of the issue is unknown

Thanks in advance,
Spencer

[davidc]

303 would probably help the color, if they are raising on the edges the only fix I know of is replacement.

Dave

[Mike Phillips]

I've had good luck with Meguiar's Trim Detailer to restore and maintain the color of vinyl pinstripes and vinyl graphics. I have an article about this in the "Hot Topics" forum group on MOL.

If they are lifting, then like Dave said the only real cure is to replace them with new stripes.


:)

[DP200248721]

thank u gentlemen, i figured the only fix would be replacement but i didn't wanna give him false info before i knew for sure, i'll let him know

thanks again,
Spencer

[Alphamale]

Interesting article. I also have a Mustang with vinyl stripes on it. They're doing ok, but this topic reminded me about a question I have on pinstripes in general. Cars that come with factory pinstriping: Are these embedded into/under the clearcoat or are they always added AFTER the total paint job? It would make sense to embed the stripes between the clearcoat and the base paint. That way you could polish and wax your car's surface without worry or risk to the pinstripes themselves. If they're usually applied over the top coat, is there any way to use a sealant or some product to encase these stripes for protection?

AM

[davidc]

usually on top of all paint. Unless you get painted pinstripes I would not try to encase the vinyl as funny things can happen during contraction and expansion. Maybe do as Mike was talking using Meguiars Trim Detailer. I have put wax/polish sealant over the vinyl stripes with no adverse affects so far.

Dave

[Mike Phillips]

I have put wax/polish sealant over the vinyl stripes with no adverse affects so far.

Dave





If they're usually applied over the top coat, is there any way to use a sealant or some product to encase these stripes for protection?

AM

You can use what you like or whatever you can find that you want to at least try, but test any wax or sealant out first and make sure it doesn't dry white or dull the pin stripes or vinyl graphics before applying to the entire surface area.

That's why I stick with something like the Trim Detailer as it doesn't dry white and turn surfaces opaque...


:)

[Alphamale]

usually on top of all paint. Unless you get painted pinstripes I would not try to encase the vinyl as funny things can happen during contraction and expansion. Maybe do as Mike was talking using Meguiars Trim Detailer. I have put wax/polish sealant over the vinyl stripes with no adverse affects so far.

Dave

Thanks, Dave. How did you apply it? If by hand, would you ever try machine application (PC 7424XP)?

[Alphamale]

You can use what you like or whatever you can find that you want to at least try, but test any wax or sealant out first and make sure it doesn't dry white or dull the pin stripes or vinyl graphics before applying to the entire surface area.

That's why I stick with something like the Trim Detailer as it doesn't dry white and turn surfaces opaque...


:)

Thanks, Mike. The problem is, these stripes are thin and there is a small space between them. I'd like to make sure that the paint between these stripes are polished/waxed. Since I will be using a PC to buff with, I was wondering if I can safely go over these without fear of pulling them off the paint with the buffer. Or do you think that the adhesive is strong enough to withstand this?

[Mike Phillips]

Your problem is a common problem for anyone that buys a new car with vinyl stripes or graphics.

Usually people don't figure out how they're going to wax the paint between and around the graphics till after they purchase the car, then they find out what a pain in the behind it is and all the ramifications involved like,


Avoiding getting polish and wax residue around all the edges and having it dry white and look ugly when working by hand.


Figuring a way to remove the wax residue around all the edges without harming the paint or the vinyl and without it taking a long time.


How to avoid lifting the edges of vinyl graphics anytime you work on the car.


Figuring out how to take care of the graphics so they always look new, not faded and blotchy.


How to machine polish and wax the paint around the graphics or stripes so as not to cream out the edges with product residue.


Those are off the top of my head but I'm sure there's others...


No easy way, no fast way to do what you want to do. Some vinyl pinstripes or graphics you can run a polishing pad on a DA Polisher over and it won't cause any harm, but you would have to test each product you want to use and see how the graphics react. Hope nothing bad happens because there's usually no "inconspicuous" area to test on...


To date, the only safe way is to work by hand and use products that don't stain trim white. Take your time, slow down and work carefully around any stripes or graphics.


Maybe others will chime in with fast, easy, safe ways to to work around vinyl stripes and graphics...


:)

[davidc]

I have used a rotary and wool pads on vinyl stripes/decals with out problems but that does not mean it is carved in stone. By hand would be the safest unless you feel lucky. I have also seen the dual stripes that are actually one stripe with clear vinyl between them so there is no real paint exposed between the color stripes. If you try the buffer go slow on the speed at least until you see how the stripes are being affected.

Dave

[Mike Phillips]

I have used a rotary and wool pads on vinyl stripes/decals with out problems




Interesting...

I've used a wool pad on a rotary buffer to remove vinyl stripes and decals...


For anyone reading this, if you're working on your own or a customer's car with vinyl strips or graphics of any type, just be sure to do some testing before going over the entire car...


:)

[Alphamale]

Your problem is a common problem for anyone that buys a new car with vinyl stripes or graphics.

Usually people don't figure out how they're going to wax the paint between and around the graphics till after they purchase the car, then they find out what a pain in the behind it is and all the ramifications involved like,


Avoiding getting polish and wax residue around all the edges and having it dry white and look ugly when working by hand.


Figuring a way to remove the wax residue around all the edges without harming the paint or the vinyl and without it taking a long time.


How to avoid lifting the edges of vinyl graphics anytime you work on the car.


Figuring out how to take care of the graphics so they always look new, not faded and blotchy.


How to machine polish and wax the paint around the graphics or stripes so as not to cream out the edges with product residue.

Those are off the top of my head but I'm sure there's others...


No easy way, no fast way to do what you want to do. Some vinyl pinstripes or graphics you can run a polishing pad on a DA Polisher over and it won't cause any harm, but you would have to test each product you want to use and see how the graphics react. Hope nothing bad happens because there's usually no "inconspicuous" area to test on...


To date, the only safe way is to work by hand and use products that don't stain trim white. Take your time, slow down and work carefully around any stripes or graphics.


Maybe others will chime in with fast, easy, safe ways to to work around vinyl stripes and graphics...


:)

Mike, great advice. I usually use an old soft bristle toothbrush to remove wax residue from the sides of these stripes. Is that a supported method in your opinion? In the past, when I did not own a PC (just got one), I'd always wax these areas in long sweeping strokes and then remove the residue with same long strokes and a MF towel, finishing with the toothbrush along the sides of the stripes. Should I continue this way? TIA,

AM

[Mike Phillips]

I usually use an old soft bristle toothbrush to remove wax residue from the sides of these stripes. Is that a supported method in your opinion?


I've used nylon brushes of all types, I used to have a small brush, with a single row of only a small bundle of nylon bristles and this worked pretty well because you didn't have all these other bundles of nylon bristles touching the paint.

I've used my fingernail, even a toothpick, pretty much whatever I can find at the time. In most cases, any car I'm working on with stripes or graphics has The Other Guy's Wax already present so I have to remove theirs and mine.


TOGW = The Other Guy's Wax (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/21283-togw-other-guy-s-wax.html)







In the past, when I did not own a PC (just got one), I'd always wax these areas in long sweeping strokes and then remove the residue with same long strokes and a MF towel, finishing with the toothbrush along the sides of the stripes. Should I continue this way? TIA,

AM


That method actually works really well. When working with these types of stripes and graphics you often have to compromise somewhere...


:)

[Alphamale]

I have used a rotary and wool pads on vinyl stripes/decals with out problems but that does not mean it is carved in stone. By hand would be the safest unless you feel lucky. I have also seen the dual stripes that are actually one stripe with clear vinyl between them so there is no real paint exposed between the color stripes. If you try the buffer go slow on the speed at least until you see how the stripes are being affected.

Dave

Understood. But how can you see how it's affecting them when they're covered by product? I'm worried that when I remove the residue, I'll see nothing there at all! It's then a little too late to stop using that method. I guess I'm looking for someone who has successfully used the PC 7424XP (or similar) on these stripes. What speeds were used, how aggressive was the polish, how fast was your arm speed...stuff like that.

Thanks,
AM