Hey NAM,

I washed my car this weekend and might I say she is beautiful...BUT, there is an awful mark on the bonnet stripe! I accidently hit the washer button when I first got the car and it left a little trickle along the stripe and a little ring around the washer nozzle. I attempted to wash it off but it just wouldn't leave! I tried scrubbing but I didn't want to use any chemicals that would harm the stripe or the paint.

I was under the impression that the stripes were made of vinyl but I wanted to be sure. What do you use to clean the stripes?

Thanks!
-Nick

 

I had stains on my factory bonnet strips which I removed with some Meguiar's ScratchX and polymer waxed (NXT TechWax) it afterwards.


The ScratchX will remove a layer of the stripe when you apply.

 

hmm...don't really want to remove a layer of the stripe...anyone know what they use at the dealers to clean em?

 

Wal-Mart has this stuff called "De-Solv-it". Works on everything and it's never hurt anything I've used it on. Try a tad of this, I'll bet the mark comes right off.

 

Yes, they are vinyl stripes, Thadeus. I would suggest making a very dilute solution of Simple Green and water, spritz it on the marks/stains, wait about 20 minutes, then clean it off with plain water. Gently rub it with diaper cotton cloths, which are super-gentle. See if that doesn't help! I do that to removed bug guts from Wanda's bonnet and bumper, and it loosens up even baked-on stuff! :smile:


Clover

 

If it's water spots, try a little white vinegar. Should take the spots right off. Do not use anything abrasive on your stripes!

My striping guy says to wash stripes with normal car shampoo and do not wax them!

 

Wonder why you shouldn't wax them? I wax mine and it makes them shine....and crud comes off them easier.

 

i wax mine all the time. the only time you shouldn't wax is right after installation so that the edges don't lift.

Not sure why you wouldn't want to wax them.

 

my dealer said wax on stripes is OK.

 

Meguiar's NXT Techwax on the vinyl bonnet stripes doesn't look all that good. Swirly and "oily" looking. Like when you put a drop of oil in water you get that rainbow, shimmering effect.


At least that is what I get if I wax them.

 

I just waxed Kathy last weekend and noticed that it left the stripes looking like they had a residue film on them. The wax came right off with extremely light fingernail pressure. I ended up rubbing the heck outa the stripes with my terry towel and that took care of the ugliness. I don't know if there is still wax on them or not but they look fine now. Next time i wax ill use my power buffer (still in storage right now) and see what difference that makes when i get to the stripes.

 

Maybe try using a lighter wax or polish? My vinyl has about 15
coats of Mother's Reflections polish and a couple coats of glaze and
look great. In fact, I believe that has helped keep the vinyl from fading
and protects it from the elements as well. I took off the factory bonnet
stripes after two years and fully expected to see a visible difference in
paint color, but there was none. I am a firm believer in polish!

 

That's the exact wax I use. my stripes look solid black and shinny.

You probably need to buff it more.