Hello all,

I am getting ready to purchase a new mini hard top. I just have one worry; how do you wax around the stripes? I know they are decals instead of painted on which disappointed me a bit. Would you need to be careful getting the wax stuck outline the decals and should you wax the decals?

Thanks.

 

They are fine to wax/polish over. Just don't use a buffer/machine on them.

Seriously, its a non issue.

 

Wax right over them like they weren't there. I use my random orbital right across them no worries. Polish and clay bar, on the other hand, is a no-no. When you decide to do either of those be sure to mask off the stripes.


I just noticed dan got in there before I finished. A little difference in process noted. We're both saying near the same thing, the difference is in the use or non use of a random orbital. Polishing with a machine will take down the vinyl to it's backing. If you do wish to polish over them do so very lightly by hand. The purpose of polish is to take down the clear coat to remove swirls and scratches.

 

If you ever get wax on the black plastic pieces, which produces a white residue, best way to get rid of it is with plain peanut butter rubbed on the areas. The peanut butter contains an oil that removes the white wax residue permanently with no damaging effects on plastic or urethane parts

 

I use 3m blue tape as a safety against the black plastic trims.. And a white gum eraser in case any wax does get on the surface of them.

But I'm finding that washing with ONR and a spray polish really is all that's needed...

 

Hello, and welcome to the "club". I learned a lot detailing my first MINI: the peanut butter trick works; although I wish I had learned about Black WOW and Pre WOW before doing that. (look it up on here or online). Other than that, I waxed over my stripes and checkered decals no problem. HOWEVER: my new MINI has Carbon Fiber Viper Stripes, and I began noticing that the stripes were looking "worn". When I took my Roadster to the dealership for service, I requested that they replace a piece of striping that had bubbled and peeled. No problem! The guy that installed the new piece told me that it won't match exactly because I had waxed over my original stripes, leaving some white residue. He recommended that I clean the stripes with a "tire black" product to bring them back to original. I mentioned to him that I use Black WOW on my plastic trim, he said, "That should work!". When I got home I used Pre WOW on the original stripes and WOW! What a difference. Then I applied Black Wow to all the stripes and WOW! looks perfect again. So anyone with Carbon Fiber Stripes, Mirror Covers, Door/Boot Handles, etc. should use a little Pre WOW and Black WOW to keep those awesome mods looking HOT! WOW!