Just took deliver of my 2006 Space Blue/Silver MCSa. The dealer did a decent job detailing it, not the best, I can see some light surface scratches here and there, but it's nothing I can't fix easily with some TLC, that is, a few applications of the Zaino process. My MA said they actually used an orbital buffer and a coat of the MINI-branded wax they sell at the dealership to detail each MINI before delivery.

This is my first MINI with a vinyl stripe on the bonnet. It is the "U" shaped checkmate silver stripe. There are 3 tiny bubbles in the top right corner of the vinyl (about 1" from the outer edge) in an otherwise perfect application job... I pointed them out to my MA and he said they will try to remove them "with a hairdryer" (Is this possible?) and if that does not work, they will apply a brand new stripe. They're gonna do this in 2 weeks when I go to pick up my plates. He said "who knows, the bubbles may go away on their own by then." ????

But my question is: how to take care of and properly detail exterior vinyl stripes. Do I apply zaino directly to the stripe? Do I avoid getting any synthetic/natural waxes on the stripe at all?

Thank you.

-boognish

 

Very small bubbles in the stripes will tend to go away after time, especially time in the summer sun.

I have white stripes and wax them along with the paint whenever I wax the car. I'm not 100% sure you can wax silver stripes the same way, but my guess is that you can.

 

During Foamy's big detailing last night, I washed & applied Klasse Sealant Glaze to the metallic silver stripes while doing the same to the whole car. They look good so far. I was careful to apply and buff (mostly) from center of stripe towards paint so I wouldn't accidentally rip the stripe off. My plans are to do sealant-glaze everywhere including stripes, but to keep the overlying wax limited to big painted areas staying away from stripes & plastic. I fear wax-crud.

 

I have the silver U-stripe as well on my '06 MCS. I claybarred some bird poo off of it, washed it and Zaino'd it. The stripe looks great, and the Zaino is the perfect product for protecting them (you can read more about all of the Zaino -friendly surfaces on the Zaino site. That is where i read that it would be okay to Zaino the stripe).

 

Been Zainoing my stripes for two years now. Works great.

 

Zaino 'em...no problem

But I do mine by hand.