Hood Stripe Care

[NY Andrew]

So how do you guys care for you good stripes?

I’ve always avoided them on my vehicles because the inevitable of them fading and peeling one day; but when that happens I’ll just get it replaced.

I’ve read Isopropyl alcohol and water (2:1 ratio), but not sure what percentage isopropyl, or if there’s better safer alternatives.

Thanks!

 

[joeygster]

I've got the Sport Performance Hood decal on my Ram. Someone was asking this question on another forum and below is what I posted.

Hopefully it gives you options.

You've got to be careful what you put on the decal. Any wax or sealant that will leave the white residue on black plastic parts will also leave a haze on the decal.

When I bought my Ram, the dealer must have waxed the truck before I picked it up.....that was my first mistake. I should have told them to leave it alone.

Anyway, in the sunlight the decal looked all hazy...not good at all. I spent a ton of time trying to get rid of the haze without damaged the vinyl.

Anyway, I finally found my solution through one of the guys at Carpro. He suggested I cleaned the decal with a product called "CarPro Eraser". It's a spray on wipe off product that removes all of the products that have been applied to the decal so you've got a clean slate.
https://www.autogeek.net/carpro-eraser-ipa.html

Here's what I've used and found to work very well:

During the spring I apply a sealant from Optimum Technologies called "Opti-Seal". It's a spray on and wipe off. Any excess you see that doesn't evaporate right away just wipe off. It's a great and idiot proof. It's a paint sealant so I do the whole hood with it. For the rest of my truck I use Collinite 845...just making sure that I don't get any on my black plastic trim. I also use the Opti-Seal for the black plastic trim because it doesn't leave any haze.
https://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-seal.html
https://www.autogeek.net/collinite-i...r-wax-845.html

In the fall I do the same thing to get ready for the winter.

During the winter I mostly go to the touchless wash and just use the Turtle Wax Ice Spray Wax just on the decal to help protect it between washes. I don't think the Ice Spray wax lasts very long at all but it's cheap.
https://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Wax-T-.../dp/B007KTINWQ

For you guys worried about sealants and waxes on the vinyl decal, mine still looks great after two summers/winters.

I tried the Aerospace 303 Protectant someone mentioned and it's a great product for protecting vinyl and dries to a satin finish as opposed to glossy. I just found it attracted dust more....and it leaves slight smear marks if you get any on your paint.
https://www.autogeek.net/32oz.html

I got another product recently that I might try as an alternative to see how it works.....Chemical Guys VRP Protectant...it dries to the touch.
https://www.autogeek.net/chemical-gu...-dressing.html

Adam's also makes a couple of products for cleaning and sealing the vinyl stripes. I've never tried them but this video is good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt5QdL6pzYQ

 

[Jrod]

I simply use quick detailer on my stripes to remove the haze after waxing my challenger. Any brand works. I’ve used both McGuire’s and Griotts. I’ve had the challenger two years and I haven’t had an issue with this process.

For the record, the haze doesn’t come back. It’s simply a once and done deal each time you wax it. I do it 3 times a year.

 

[NY Andrew]

Hmm tough one. First I was gonna try quick detailed, then I was gonna try 303, but ultimately Adam’s seems to be marketed for vinyl and I’ve always heard about their quality so think I’ll try one of their products and see how it works before trying the others. Thanks!