Advice needed on 35th Anniversary Camaro Decals

[sum12nv]

From the little reading ive done you dont want to polish on decals but wax is okay. What would be the best way to tackle a set of decals like shown? Its on a 35th Anniversary Camaro and between the checkered decals is paint. The problem is the paint in the checkered is swirled just like the rest of the car.

https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRMzXlTrPumS-JZpPg-4kjQa2lAazM32u3QgRuw1SKaO2-i5c31rw

[CamaroSS27]

Those are vinyl I thought or is that just aftermarket stripes?

[sum12nv]

Those are vinyl I thought or is that just aftermarket stripes?

Yes, they are vinyl decals. The area im concerned with is the exposed paint in between the checkered board. I just dont know what the best way would be to tackle this to remove swirls or do you just leave the inside areas alone?

[Mike Phillips]

From the little reading ive done you dont want to polish on decals but wax is okay.

What would be the best way to tackle a set of decals like shown?

Its on a 35th Anniversary Camaro and between the checkered decals is paint.

The problem is the paint in the checkered is swirled just like the rest of the car.
https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRMzXlTrPumS-JZpPg-4kjQa2lAazM32u3QgRuw1SKaO2-i5c31rw





I'm not a big fan of decals or stripes on cars even though I do believe they can add a unique look. The problem is over the years I've answered dozens of questions on how to remove the Ghosting and Imprint marks they leave in and on the paint when they are finally removed.

Here's an example that I was replying to just yesterday,

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/35609-help-again-mini-cooper-hood-stripes.html


That all said, if the paint in-between any of the graphics and around the graphics was in EXCELLENT shape right now, that is not contaminated, (doesn't need to be clayed, do the Baggie Test), or filled with swirls and scratches, (inspect in the sun), then maybe consider using Gtechniq EXO as you can use this on both the paint and any smooth surface and it won't leave any white residue on the edges of the graphics.

Watch the video to the end as we show how to apply the EXO to the paint on the 1965 Mustang and then watch the BEAUTY portions of the video as this was all shot in high definition.




1965 Mustang Fastback Machine Buffed Show Car...


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/GtechniqEXOatAutogeek.jpg



GTechniq EXO Ultra Durable Hybrid Coating (http://www.autogeek.net/gtechniq-exo-paint-coating.html)


It's on the high end as far as waxes, sealants and coating go but it also might be the perfect answer for your situation.

Most important, if you use this or ANY product, learn how to wash your car CAREFULLY!


Don't scrub the paint. I talk about this in my how-to book and if it's in my how-to book it's important.

It's easier to wash a car carefully than it is to spend all day trying to buff out car wash and drying swirls and scratches.

Don't take your car to a car wash, or a charity car wash or let the dealership wash it.

Take ownership of the car washing process and do everything you can to avoid instilling scratches into the paint around the graphics so you don't have to struggle with trying to remove them and then have to remove any compound or polish residue that builds-up along the edges.



:)

[Mike Phillips]

Yes, they are vinyl decals. The area im concerned with is the exposed paint in between the checkered board. I just dont know what the best way would be to tackle this to remove swirls or do you just leave the inside areas alone?


For all the work that is required to remove swirls in-between graphics, you might just want to learn to live with them.

So here's what you do, go for the BIG PICTURE

Buff out all the paint till it's swirl free "around" the graphics. Then pick a product you like and use it often to seal and protect the paint and the graphics and that also won't leave residue along the edges.

I'd say to go with either the EXO as shown above or something like the Optimum Car Wax. See the second page of this article,


Beginning Clearcoat Failure (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/29197-beginning-clearcoat-failure.html)



The only way to remove swirls out from between graphics safely is by hand and that requires a lot of careful rubbing and you have to be good at this type of work to start with, not learning.

I've been teaching people how to work by hand for years and to be honest, most people don't have the muscle, the patience or the skill to actually remove swirls and scratches by hand, especially in tight, intricate areas and have the end results look good.

Remember, removing swirls means REMOVING PAINT and doing it in a controlled way that doesn't leave swirls and scratches at the same time. That's where hand polishing becomes an art form.

I rubbed all the louvers out by hand on the Mosler BEFORE Meguiar's Ultimate Compound was introduced and I'm here to tell you it was a lot of work.


Can you achieve perfection by hand? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/47995-can-you-achieve-perfection-hand.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/Mosler0001.jpg


So maybe learn to live with the swirls in-between the graphics, polish the rest of the paint till it's flawless and then coat everything with EXO or Optimum Car Wax. If you go for the OCW it's as easy to use as a spray detailer and the key is to


A: Always wash your car carefully.

B: Use the OCW often, just like a spray detailer.


If you do the above it will always look great!


Get a copy of my book, it's loaded with good information...


Paperback
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/medium/paperbackDetailingBook01.jpg (http://www.autogeek.net/art-of-detailing-paperback-book.html)


:)

[Twister]

Depending on how bad the swirls are I'd leave them alone. If its an eye sore you could polish by hand but it will be time consuming.

I think that if you have a good finish on the rest of the car the small sections won't be noticeable at all. The stripe really draws your attention away from the individual painted areas.

[sum12nv]

** Edit just saw your 2nd post Mike. That makes sense to me and thanks Twister for your reply as well.



Thanks for your reply Mike. I'm going to give the owner a little class in proper car washing techniques so he can maintain his paint after I do this paint correction. I like the idea of the product you linked but unfortunately the paint inside the checkered areas are swirled. Is that just something I wont be able to remove without causing damage to the decals? I agree with your thoughts on decals, not my thing either. I had read through that thread about the mini too.

[Mike Phillips]

I like the idea of the product you linked but unfortunately the paint inside the checkered areas are swirled.

Is that just something I wont be able to remove without causing damage to the decals?





To remove the swirls and scratches in tight areas by hand you're hand is going to have to be working like you see in the below picture....


The Rule of Thumb (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/wet-sanding-cutting-buffing/25042-rule-thumb.html)

The paint below has been sanded flat using #3000 Unigrit sanding discs.

I'm moving my hand at LIGHT SPEED in a back and forth motion with extreme downward pressure in order to remove enough paint to remove the scratches and leave a glossy, customer pleasing appearance.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/834/RemvovingSandingMarksbyHand01.jpg


Like you see below. Then I buffed out the "major portion of the panel" by machine.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/834/RemvovingSandingMarksbyHand02.jpg


End results

Damp-Sanding Tools, Tips and Techniques by Mike Phillips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/wet-sanding-cutting-buffing/25915-damp-sanding-tools-tips-techniques-mike-phillips.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/834/DampSanding71.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/834/DampSanding75.jpg





Removing swirls and scratches in tight areas can be done but it's what I call,

Perfectionist Detailing


It's hard and takes a lot of time and you will find that most people are NOT willing to pay a fair price for your work nor will they understand what's involved even if you educate them.

Most people just don't understand what's involved in removing paint from cars in a way that makes the paint look beautiful, that is the abrading or polishing process.


:)