I've had Basil for 2 weeks now, and have decided that I am not in love with the graphics he came with.
I'm guessing that the vinyl is 3-4 years old, and has been subject to a lot of sun exposure (he lived in SoCal for a year, then NM the rest of the time).
So, my guess is that the vinyl is probably very brittle. Is there anything I should use to re-hydrate/soften the material prior to the peeling stage?

Also, the front end has sandstorm damage. The bonnet is no issue, because it can easily be resprayed, but the left headlamp lens is heavily sandblasted. Is there any hope for it, short of replacement?

 

Use a hairdrier to help soften up the glue. Once the vinyl is removed and there is leftover glue, use 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover (PN 08984), NAPA sells it. Then use a polish and/or wax to finish up the job.

Hope this helps.

 

I've had luck defogging plastic lens on other cars....

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT

hmmm - link insn't working?

go to eastwood.com and search on headlights - a couple of headlight polishing kits will come up

 

^^ wat Mr.P said. you can use WD40 or GooGone too if you can't
find that 3M.

also, if you can get a hold of a plastic razor blade those are very
useful too.

 

Living in the great Midwest several of my cars plastic headlight have become scratched, hazed over and yellowed. My best fix for this problem is to wet sand the plastic with 1000 girt emery cloth sandpaper, then 1500 girt than 2000 grit, the plastic sould look cloudy when finished with the 2000 grit. Next step is to polish the plastic clear with Bluemagic Plastic & Plexieglass cleaner & light scratch remover, Mothers also makes a plastic polish and you can even use rubbing compound.
Wet sanding is the key...with lots of water, never let the plastic get dry when sanding. Several of my friends have had some really bad headlights and for those scratches we started wet sanding with 800 girt paper. Make sure you mask off all the chrome and paint around your MINI's headlights before you start wet sanding. Do it by hand you have more control.

 

Thanks for all of the advice so far, however the emphasis of my Q is on the old vinyl part. I know how to remove the stuff, just trying to avoid the shredding and flaking that comes with age.

Good stuff on the headlamp refinishing. Thanks!

 

Get yourself one of these. I bought the 12 pack but of course shipping cost more than the products did.

http://www.signmakingsupplies.com/ez...productID=3783

This will safely lift the edges of the vinyl.

Then use a hairdryer to soften the vinyl. Lift, heat, pull back gently. As far as I know, there isn't any way to rehydrate or make old vinyl pliable again. Consider that most outdoor vinyls are rated atleast 5 years, if it's been less than that, you're probably ok.

Richard