I have a PW/B, and I have the factory black stripes. I have noticed they never look nice and clean, and now thanks to the cat they look awful.

The cat has left these "scuffs" in the stripes. They aren't scratches as you would imagine a cat would make, they just look sorta like fingerprints or swirl marks, but obviously from cat paws. Just kinda hazy. Any help on how to clean up the stripes? I am willing to replace the stripes and eliminate the cat as a last resort, but I'm hoping there's something I can do to get these odd cat prints (as well as the water spots) off the black stripes. Thanks in advance guys!

 

Clay bar will clean them up just don't drag toward the edge of the stripe. go from stripe to the paint. Do the whole bonnet then wax. do a second coat on the stripes. You can do a search on clay bar. If you need more info there is plenty to be found.

 

Is this your cat? A stray cat? What?

And why is the cat getting on the MINI?

Just make sure the thing doesn't crawl up into the engine bay...trust me, I've seen the result (scarred me for life).

 

Yeah I've also seen that happen, but not with a MINI. It was disturbing.


I think I'm going to order a Scat Mat and see if I can electrocute him enough to teach him a lesson because nothing else is working.

 

I have not had much luck with clay on stripes.

I have polished them many times with a paint cleanser (very fine abrasive). Rub with a foam-only applicator in back and forth motions. Wax when done.

Remember that the stripes are just ink on vinyl so keep the polishing to a minimum for the situation. It doesn't take much to bring them up to snuff. I have polished mine maybe 5-6 times since '04.

By the way, this is the best pad for hand polishing with an abrasive. It makes for a very solid and "flat" application. These are made by Viking and also available at many auto stores like Pep Boys, Auto Zone, etc. and

Smaller, regular round pads allow uneven individual finger pressure to push through.

 

Well Brad in the past I've bought everything you suggested and had great results. So what paint cleanser should I use?

 

I've always been under the impression that you're not supposed to put a wax or polish on the vinyl stripes? In fact, some manufacturers even print that on their product bottles.

Now, that being said, I HAVE put a very thin coat on mine before to clean them up, so I'm glad to see that others are as well!

Anyone ever come across a cleaner/polish specifically made for vinyl graphics?

 

My experience with waxing the ink on vinyl was horrible. They turned mostly white and hazy. Had to use a solvent to remove the wax and then use armor all to bring back the shine. Only got back about 80% of the color and shine. I found out from my girlfriends father who does vinyl graphics that wax is fine for black vinyl, or if the vinyl is sealed, and as long as the bottle doesnt say anything to the contrary. And alot of that is CYA from the manufacturer. By the way I was using Meguiers wax, a paste, dont remember the exact label.

 

KennyMooper:
There are a few good ones. I especially like P21S and the Sonus works well also. If you have Zaino (actually it works with any polish), the new ZPC is excellent.

KC MCS and Geotek:
I have always waxed my stripes but I use Zaino. Most polymers do not leave any white wax residue in the cracks. If you use a regular carnauba wax just be sure that you do not wax when the surface of the hood is hot or in the sun. If the solvents in the wax dissipate too fast then it will often cause the symptoms Geotek mentions.

IMO, Many manufacturers ask you not to use wax because they don't have control over it. Cleaner waxes (with abrasives) could cause scratches or dull the finish, or situations like Geotek's. But in general you should never have an issue.

 

I've been using Zaino on my stripes and graphics for a few years now, without any problems.

 

Sounds good. I'll wax'em more often now, but will just make sure that I steer clear of them when I'm using a cleaner wax!

 

The Scat Mat is great to keep the cat from where it doesn't belong. We used it on our piano & kitchen counters... just kept moving it around a bit wherever we didn't want the cat.