Polishing stripes

[Bitzie]

Pardon for the newbie question but how do you polish the bonnet stripes (if at all?). They tend to be a bit prone to slight scratching and my Dad has accidentally worn off the "Herbie" stripes on my Sister's 1961 Volkswagon and we don't want similar to happen on our 2007 Convertible and 2008 Hardtop.

Do you polish as normal and clay bar them and all that?

[leicaguy]

Originally Posted by Bitzie

Pardon for the newbie question but how do you polish the bonnet stripes (if at all?). They tend to be a bit prone to slight scratching and my Dad has accidentally worn off the "Herbie" stripes on my Sister's 1961 Volkswagon and we don't want similar to happen on our 2007 Convertible and 2008 Hardtop.

Do you polish as normal and clay bar them and all that?

Clay bar is OK when needed. I use hydro on the entire car (stripes, glass, plastic, everything) every wash. For spot cleaning or touch-up I use Slick.

[MiniMaybee]

You can polish your stripes - it makes them very shiny. However, like your Dad found out, if you get too aggressive you will polish off any print. On white stripes with black pins, the pin is at risk from too much polishing. With black stripes the whole stripe is at risk since most black stripes are simply printed on to a white back ground.
I have switched to a solid white stripe and I just polish away. If you have any printed part on the stripe you can polish but not too much. For pins you can always tape over them for protection.

[beasleyboy]

I use liquid Turtle Wax Ice. Should I NOT put it on the stripes? My Clubman has two black racing stripes going through the entire center of the car (hood, roof and trunk).

[MLPearson79]

Just the Ice wax? You can wax the stripes with whatever you use to wax the rest of the car...

[MadisonKobalt]

How about using the PC on the stripes? I just got a whole set up, but have hesitated to do the wifes MINI due to the stripes and checkerboard roof.
Any advice appreciated.

[BlimeyCabrio]

When folks here say "polish" - they mean with the PC. See MiniMaybee's post above - that's what he's referring to, including his caution regarding the pinstripes.

[TECENG]

I just used Epic for the first time this weekend and it seems to have left some residue that I cannot buff out. I applied manually with a circular motion and I see circular "streaks". Perhaps I used too much?

[BlimeyCabrio]

Very possible that you used too much... Epic should be applied so thin you can barely see it when hazed... much thinner than traditional wax.

You should be able to remove the residue with QD like Slick. Otherwise, worst case, you can remove the Epic with alcohol and re-wax...

[TECENG]

Originally Posted by BlimeyCabrio

Very possible that you used too much... Epic should be applied so thin you can barely see it when hazed... much thinner than traditional wax.

You should be able to remove the residue with QD like Slick. Otherwise, worst case, you can remove the Epic with alcohol and re-wax...

Thanks for the tip. I do believe I was a bit heavy on the sauce if you know what I mean.

[BlimeyCabrio]

It's hard to make yourself apply Epic THIN enough, especially by hand. Common problem - no shame.

[Fly'n Brick]

My recently acquired PS '06 MCSc has black stripes. The overall condition of paint is quite good with only a few small chips on the nose which I intend to deal with later. The problem on the stripes is what appears to be tree sap type stains, little dull, round thumbnail sized spots all over them. There are no spots like that on the rest of the bonnet. I've made some small area tests with a couple of standard cleaners but nothing has an effect. My mind is turning towards the idea of stripping them off and replacing them and adding the boot stripes but I'd rather not if possible.

I hope I made that clear, any suggestions?

[MLPearson79]

You can polish them with a buffer, just be careful not to push too hard and watch the edges! I do mine maybe once a year.

Otherwise, they're not *too* costly to replace, and you can install them yourself.