.... No really, I'm serious! Some time during the past few weeks of the heat wave , when I used my windshield washers the washer fluid dribbled down both of my white stripes and dried. Today, I washed the car to get rid of all that grey brake dust, and there are yellowish stains on the stripes. I couldn't wash them off with the car soap, so I'm wondering what would be a good, simple solution to remove those stains.

 

Let me know when you find a answer. I swear I'm gonna yank them off and have stripes painted on

 

I had the same issue and was unable to ever get it off. I had them replaced by MINI and it happened again. I switched to sports stripes and now at least it wipes off my paint :(

 

I've had a few stains and most come off with regular cleaning car wax (McGuiar's). Maybe I've just been lucky so far?

 

anyone with black stripes??? mine have alot of scratches in them but i don't know the best way to get them out or if it's even possible.....

 

generally i wash them with water and soap. haha.

I took mine off yesterday actually, makes the car look much cleaner overall.

 

Are you using a special kind of washed fluid? The fluid should not leave a permanent mark. Maybe you guys in the US use a different liquid?

I've had stripes for many years, and never had this problem.
I assume you have original MINI stripes and not aftermarket stripes. Quality of the vinyl should be good for years!

The only thing i do know about, is about the second generation S (R56S, Clubman S, R57S) where the heat under the bonnet (turbo!) is just too much for the viper striping and the striping begins to discolour. But it is not caused by the fluid.
I mention Viper striping because those stripes go in the middle on the hood. f you have different striping, like 'bonnet stripes' which are not on the middle of the hood, you wouldn't have that issue.


As for keeping any vinyl striping/roof flags/ etc in tiptop condition, treat them with the same car wax as you would do the rest (painted) of the surface. Wax them immediately after they are put on the car for best protection effect.

 

I'm in Canada, not the US but anyway.... these are the white bonnet stripes, presumably factory or dealer installed - I bought the car used a few years ago. And the washer fluid: well, the dealer filled it up, after they replaced a broken hood latch (which, ironically, broke when I tried to open the hood to - you guessed it - fill up the washer fluid! And that was 2 days before the warranty expired...

I even tried some Meguiar's vinyl cleaner/conditioner, but all that did was produce lots of streaks which I had to wash off with water. It's like the washer fluid has actually _stained_ the vinyl.

 

You might try using a Clay Bar, if you do be sure and use a lubricant, do a search of Clay Bar and you should find lots of helpful info. on the subject.

 

Yes, exactly what has happened with my Black Stripes. Sad thing is my nozzles leak even when I don't use the fluid :( They replaced my stripes, then the nozzles and eventually gave me sport stripes instead...

 

I've used clear coat safe rubbing compound on the stripes with excellent results. Hand rub on with medium to hard pressure in the direction of the stripe...

With the black stripes on my hood, it made them look relatively new again once completed (took out a good bit of oxidation).

 

Just don't go hard on them and you'll be fine. I don't think they require any special treatment.

 

I had one-way valves installed on the Molly Car just last month after I noticed hers were weeping. Do a Forum "Search", I'm sure you will find ways of getting rid of the stains.

 

I replaced the OEM stripes and went with flat black "viper" stipes (done by a local shop) and I have no problem with scratching or any kind of marking.