Should You Wax Bonnet Stripes
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 16,274
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From: right next to a Diet Coke
Quoted from stripeman.com
"Taking proper precautions and care of your graphics will assure that you get the full lifespan that the materials can give. It is not necessary to wax vinyl decals and graphics to keep them looking good. Many waxes and paint treatment products will have information regarding decal care on their packaging, so read your product's label carefully. DO NOT USE PETROLEUM DISTILLATES ON VINYL PRODUCTS. Simple cleaning is all your decals need to stay looking good."
My thoughts:
I have used good old carnuba wax on my stripes for a year and a half with no problems. It does make them look better.
"Taking proper precautions and care of your graphics will assure that you get the full lifespan that the materials can give. It is not necessary to wax vinyl decals and graphics to keep them looking good. Many waxes and paint treatment products will have information regarding decal care on their packaging, so read your product's label carefully. DO NOT USE PETROLEUM DISTILLATES ON VINYL PRODUCTS. Simple cleaning is all your decals need to stay looking good."
My thoughts:
I have used good old carnuba wax on my stripes for a year and a half with no problems. It does make them look better.
I've used Zaino on my stripes for about 5 months now. Probably not long enough for a real test, but I haven't noticed any bad effects.
Ed at cooperflags told me not to put wax on my new hood scoop vinyl though. He recommended Aerospace 303 and gave me a little bottle of it. Said it really has kept his products looking brand new after years.
-- Jay
Ed at cooperflags told me not to put wax on my new hood scoop vinyl though. He recommended Aerospace 303 and gave me a little bottle of it. Said it really has kept his products looking brand new after years.
-- Jay
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: KC
Yes and maybe no
Here's a link to vinyl graphics care info from the NASSD - http://www.nassd.org/displaycommon.c...barticlenbr=11
Here's my personal take on the subject after 14 years in the vinyl graphics industry:
Non printed vinyl graphics will most definitely benefit from periodic waxing. Wax protects and prevents oxidation and fading. Care must be taken in the application of wax especially near the edges of the vinyl. You don't want to force any wax under the edge of the vinyl which could cause the graphic to lift.
Printed vinyl graphics are a whole other animal because there are so many different processes used. Most printed vinyl is over-laminated to protect the ink. Some printed or screend vinyl is not - meaning that the ink layer is exposed. Wax may or may not react with the ink causing fading or even removal of the ink. This is not highly likely but caution must be observed.
My rule of thumb is if you have a quality graphic, wax it just like your paint.
Here's my personal take on the subject after 14 years in the vinyl graphics industry:
Non printed vinyl graphics will most definitely benefit from periodic waxing. Wax protects and prevents oxidation and fading. Care must be taken in the application of wax especially near the edges of the vinyl. You don't want to force any wax under the edge of the vinyl which could cause the graphic to lift.
Printed vinyl graphics are a whole other animal because there are so many different processes used. Most printed vinyl is over-laminated to protect the ink. Some printed or screend vinyl is not - meaning that the ink layer is exposed. Wax may or may not react with the ink causing fading or even removal of the ink. This is not highly likely but caution must be observed.
My rule of thumb is if you have a quality graphic, wax it just like your paint.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 10
Originally Posted by sundancekc
Here's a link to vinyl graphics care info from the NASSD - http://www.nassd.org/displaycommon.c...barticlenbr=11
Here's my personal take on the subject after 14 years in the vinyl graphics industry:
Non printed vinyl graphics will most definitely benefit from periodic waxing. Wax protects and prevents oxidation and fading. Care must be taken in the application of wax especially near the edges of the vinyl. You don't want to force any wax under the edge of the vinyl which could cause the graphic to lift.
Printed vinyl graphics are a whole other animal because there are so many different processes used. Most printed vinyl is over-laminated to protect the ink. Some printed or screend vinyl is not - meaning that the ink layer is exposed. Wax may or may not react with the ink causing fading or even removal of the ink. This is not highly likely but caution must be observed.
My rule of thumb is if you have a quality graphic, wax it just like your paint.
Here's my personal take on the subject after 14 years in the vinyl graphics industry:
Non printed vinyl graphics will most definitely benefit from periodic waxing. Wax protects and prevents oxidation and fading. Care must be taken in the application of wax especially near the edges of the vinyl. You don't want to force any wax under the edge of the vinyl which could cause the graphic to lift.
Printed vinyl graphics are a whole other animal because there are so many different processes used. Most printed vinyl is over-laminated to protect the ink. Some printed or screend vinyl is not - meaning that the ink layer is exposed. Wax may or may not react with the ink causing fading or even removal of the ink. This is not highly likely but caution must be observed.
My rule of thumb is if you have a quality graphic, wax it just like your paint.
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I say no, don't wax 'em.
I recently used Mother's (can't remember which one, but it was a paste wax in the black canister, I want to say it was "touch of GOLD" or something), and it looks like the wax removed some of the black ink on my stripes.
I have a MCS, with the black stripes, but the black is merely printed on top of white stripes. Well, this wax left my stripes looking as if they had less black left, like a 95% black, on top of that base white layer.
And wouldn't you know it, I forgot to ask my MINI service advisor about it during my recent visit. They're supposed to be covered under warranty, if they came with your car during delivery.
I recently used Mother's (can't remember which one, but it was a paste wax in the black canister, I want to say it was "touch of GOLD" or something), and it looks like the wax removed some of the black ink on my stripes.
I have a MCS, with the black stripes, but the black is merely printed on top of white stripes. Well, this wax left my stripes looking as if they had less black left, like a 95% black, on top of that base white layer.
And wouldn't you know it, I forgot to ask my MINI service advisor about it during my recent visit. They're supposed to be covered under warranty, if they came with your car during delivery.
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