Paint correction and Decals

[BudsJLM]

So this spring i would like to do a multi step correction on my daily,

My car has multiple decals, checkered flags running the length of the car on fender, door and rear quarter one on the rear spoiler and want some tips/ trick on this

I ask becuase there is paint between the checkers and want to get those aswell but i don not want to posibly mess up the decals in anyways

Here is a few pics of the car so you can see what i am talking about
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/552236_10151066537204433_1166508638_n.jpg

http://photos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/409586_10151009486249433_1133428303_n.jpg

[ihaveacamaro]

tape everything up using 3M automotive tape (green tape) and either use a 3" polisher or da polisher with a 3" backing plate or polish it by hand.

[rmagnus]

In addition to taping you might want to consider polishing inbetween the flags by hand. You do ot want to grind on top of the decals. I say stay off the decals all together or if they need a touch up use a wax pad vs polishing pad to go easier on them but taping the edges adds safety.

Car looks great. I like it. Post final pics!

[ShaunD]

A lot of vinyl(at least 3M) these days actually has a coating similar to the clear coat on your paint, and can be polished. But to be safest always go least aggressive by hand. Even if the surface of a decal and/or vinyl can be polished, you still want to be cautious around edges; at the least prevent from having to remove product/polish from the edges.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using AG Online

[Mike Phillips]

I've had people volunteer cars with these types of graphics and even complicated pinstripe designs for our Thursday night projects here at AG and I always turn them down as they are such a pain to try to correct and the fact of the matter is that if they are a daily driver they are just going to become swirled again between all the graphics.

Plus, every compound, polish or wax or paint sealant you rub around the graphics is going to build-up around the edges. Now you have to be careful to wipe the edges so you can remove the residue without inflicting scratches at the same time.

Here's a brand new Camaro we did for a Thursday Night Live Broadcast and we taped the graphics off before buffing... a much simple design than what you have to deal with...


Video & Pictures: 2012 Black Camaro Convertible - Blackfire Show Car Makeover! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/53703-video-pictures-2012-black-camaro-convertible-blackfire-show-car-makeover.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1516/2012CamaroFin027.jpg



If it were mine, I would machine buff around the graphics, (big picture detailing), and just do a quickie on the paint in-between the graphics and then let your choice of wax or paint sealant do it's part to give the entire car a uniform appearance.


:)