Scouser Posted August 23, 2013 Report Posted August 23, 2013 Can anyone tell me about maintaining rally stripes on the car? Is it ok to use the brushless drive-through that spray waxes at the end. I just bought my 2013 MCS and want to maintain the paint and also the stripes, but not sure about the waxing part. I hear Carnauba liquid is great, but of course the drive-thru's don't use it. I'll get it hand-done every few months, but in the meantime....any suggestions on making sure it doesn't peel etc? Also, I don't have a garage so want to protect as much as I can. Thanks for any input. Oh, I got MiniGraphics to supply them - they're 3M stripes.
Stephatron Posted August 23, 2013 Report Posted August 23, 2013 Here's a link I found: http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?30045-How-To-Maintain-Vinyl-Graphics-Stickers-Stripes-Decals You can use water and soap on them, it won't hurt. It's just stickers really. I had bonnet stripes on my car (just took them off earlier this summer). They were put on in 2007, when the original owner got my car. When I first got her in September 2011, the stripes were a really gross off-white, faded, dirty color. So my friend and I took some time to detail my car. We washed her with really soapy water. Then did a clay bar, even on the stripes, and then polished the car as well as stripes. They came back to life. I think you should be fine however you choose to clean the vinyl. I wouldn't necessarily get some fancy chemical. I also have a huge banner across my windshield that says Detroit Tuned and I put window cleaner on it when I clean the windows.
TGGRRR (Ali) Posted August 23, 2013 Report Posted August 23, 2013 I think stripes are easier to care for and certainly cheaper to replace then if you choose a clear bra to protect your front end from paint. I hit my clear bra with the clay bar and it scratched it. There also comes a point around 3 - 4 years when most stripes look really beaten up and just plain need replacing. Luckily they aren't too expensive Tigger 2006 the cabrio and Riversong the 2014 Countryman
mbabischkin Posted August 23, 2013 Report Posted August 23, 2013 There also comes a point around 3 - 4 years when most stripes look really beaten up and just plain need replacing. Luckily they aren't too expensive Of course the big thing there is that if you haven't taken care of your paint (wash and wax) when you remove the old stripes the paint where the stripes were will be a different color from the rest of the car... [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
TGGRRR (Ali) Posted August 23, 2013 Report Posted August 23, 2013 Of course the big thing there is that if you haven't taken care of your paint (wash and wax) when you remove the old stripes the paint where the stripes were will be a different color from the rest of the car... :top: Tigger 2006 the cabrio and Riversong the 2014 Countryman
Scouser Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Posted August 24, 2013 Thanks so much Ali for your input - yes - I wondered about when you remove the stripes if the paint would be a "newer" color than the rest of the car - especially since I don't have a garage. (maybe I'll get a car cover) - but that's a pain taking it off every morning. Will have to think about it. In the meantime, I won't worry and plan to enjoy my ride in this great new car!!
Scouser Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Posted August 24, 2013 Yep - I just said to Ali I wondered if the old paint would look obviously different from what's under the stripes when you take the stripes off. Guess I'll have to really keep the waxing up. I heard the Carnauba liquid wax is good.
mbabischkin Posted August 24, 2013 Report Posted August 24, 2013 Thanks so much Ali for your input - yes - I wondered about when you remove the stripes if the paint would be a "newer" color than the rest of the car - especially since I don't have a garage. (maybe I'll get a car cover) - but that's a pain taking it off every morning. Will have to think about it. In the meantime, I won't worry and plan to enjoy my ride in this great new car!! A car cover will help a little - but unless you're going to put the cover on everytime you park your MINI outside it's not worth the effort if this is your daily driver. Remember, even a well driven car is parked at least 80% of the day... Are you willing to be tagged as "that person" when you cover your MINI at the office... Enjoy your MINI - don't stress out over the paint... [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
TGGRRR (Ali) Posted August 24, 2013 Report Posted August 24, 2013 Blues don't fade nearly as bad as reds and orange Tigger 2006 the cabrio and Riversong the 2014 Countryman
Stephatron Posted August 24, 2013 Report Posted August 24, 2013 Yep - I just said to Ali I wondered if the old paint would look obviously different from what's under the stripes when you take the stripes off. Guess I'll have to really keep the waxing up. I heard the Carnauba liquid wax is good. I just took my stripes off that have been on my car since 2007. With a good buff and polish (that I have yet to get around to) it won't be noticeable.
Scouser Posted August 25, 2013 Author Report Posted August 25, 2013 Gosh - thanks all for the input. I had to smile at mbabischkin's (Michael) response because I was out with my girlfriend tonight & we were talking about the fact I should get a car cover, and I said to her - but will people think I'm crazy if I take it to work & cover it - I'll be a laughing stock - ha ha ha! But I still may get a cover for other times. Any recommendations? - there are hundreds of kinds with varying prices. And yes, Michael, you're right - I should just enjoy & stop fretting over the paint/stripes lasting.
