I just got my MINI and the windshield washers are weeping all over my black stripes and staining them.

Can anyone make a recommendation on what to use to remove the stains?

 

i would try claybar and detailer spray. go easy on it

if that doesn't work, ScratchX and a soft foam pad.

 

I have the exact same problem. I emailed my MA within 2 hours of driving it home and within 70 miles. He said he was going to talk to a "graphics" guy and still has yet to get back to me.

I've tried Hydro and it didn't work. It sure does look great on the painted surfaces though.

 

Hydro does not have abrasives so does not work on stains unless it was
applied prior to staining. if applied earlier it would help remove the stain
rings much easier given that you cleaned it within a reasonable time.

so... try clay, if that doesn't work, try scratchX on a foam pad.

 

I've had great success cleaning my white stripes with Swirl and a PC with a white pad.

 

Yep, did the same with my black stripes after nothing else would work. Stripes have never looked better, not even when they were new.

Just be careful not to press to hard on the buffer or to go against the edge of the vinyl lest you might lift up the edge just a bit (just a bit is too much).

 

Pardon my ignorance, but what is "Swirl and a PC"

 

Swirl is a polish made by a company called Prima. Prima Swirl polish is a favorite around here because it provides great results in removing scratches, swirls, and other imperfections.

A "PC" is a Porter Cable random-oribital buffer. Safe to use because the random pattern of the pads prevents damage to the paint... easy enough for a rookie to use.

The "white pad" refers to one of the pads in the Lake County family of buffer pads. It's a rather soft pad that is not very abrasive. It's important to combine the right pad with the right product to achieve the results you're looking for when polishing your paint (or vinyl).

Since it's obvious you don't have a PC buffer or any Prima polishing products, try kenchan's suggestion of using Scratch-X and a foam pad. If that doesn't work, I would highly recommend you invest in the PC buffer. It's an investment you'll use over and over.

 

^ now this is an awesome post.

 

You quit that !!

 

I've got a picture of all this stuff on my post from yesterday, located here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=117550

The Swirl is yellow bottle; the PC will be obvious...

-Ed

 

Well, the dealer has told me that they'll replace the stripes and clearbra at their expense. One would think that it would be cheaper for MINI to fix this weeping problem at the factory.

 

There is a service bulletin out on this problem (weeping front washer jets). The only thing is, it was an addendum to a bulletin on the R53s so a lot of the SAs can't find it when looking for a R56 problem.

The dealer should also replace an stained stripes under warranty. I've finally been able to get an appointment to have mine fixed. They are replacing both of my stripes even though only one is stained. I asked to have the other one replaced under warranty so they will both be equally faded. I'll have had the car for just under four months by the time it goes in to be fixed.

My clear bra is sectioned off so it doesn't cover and isn't covered by the stripes so there will be no issues with it.

 

My stripes were also stained. I told then about the weeping washer jets and the possible fix. They said they had no knowledge of a check valve fix from BMW. They replaced the stripes with no questions and diluted the fluid more as per BMW.

 

Northwest Mini fixed my valves, and removed the stains for me

 

My weeping jets have stained both my black stripes. My dealer had me in to day to look at the jets, and I pointed out the stains. Although telling me that he has "never heard of staining before", he has promised to repair the jets and replace the stripes "all in one go" later this week.

Thanks to NAM, or I wouldn't have known that there was a bulletin on this problem!

 

My dealer replaced my stained black bonnet stripes and installed the check valve under warranty. The stripes look awesome, but I wonder if I should dilute the washer fluid with some water or some generice blue stuff, try to siphon it all out and replace. Thoughts?

 

I just got my stripes replaced and check valves installed.

I plan on emptying the stock wiper fluid, then adding my own (99cent Kragen brand) so that my stripes don't get stained again. I rarely ever (never) use the washer jets, and on the rair occasion that I do, I don't want them staining my stripes again.

I have to say, Mini of Mt.View took care of me without any hassle, gave me a loaner, and addressed each of my issues (I also had loose roof trim, and dashboard creaks). They did take a little longer than I would have liked (1 week), but they were waiting for the bonnet stripes to get delivered.

Tony