Matte Black Hood Decals Embedded Stains & Straches '21 Warlock

[crcraft]

I just purchased a used '21 Warlock from my local dealership. It appears the stains are embedded in the decal. Knowing the condition of the truck I was also aware of how it was looked after from a cleaning and detailing perspective. After some investigating, I determined that hot soap and water really cleaned up the decals but unfortunately for most of the area the damage was already done. Windshield washer fluid residue, tree sap, oils, surfactants and sealants from either the previous owner or the wash bay at the dealership combined all together I was only able to find a single solution that helped me and is temporary. I used Chemical Guys Silk Shine and it covered up most of those inconsistencies, knowing full well that it will only last a short time. While the decals are porous I realize that it will absorb everything for better or worse. I felt that it was the only viable solution because they are not surface contaminants. What are your thoughts on this guys?

 

[MarshRam]

What decals are you talking about precisely? If they are anything made of material like a vinyl wrap, no waxes at all, clean with soap and water. Previous owner(s) may have touched it with the aforementioned or didn't clean it on a sufficient cadence and baked in some issue which will cause that.

 

[MrBonez]

What decals are you talking about precisely? If they are anything made of material like a vinyl wrap, no waxes at all, clean with soap and water. Previous owner(s) may have touched it with the aforementioned or didn't clean it on a sufficient cadence and baked in some issue which will cause that.

Could be a decal(s) like mine has on it's hood.



I believe mine is vinyl and doesn't seem to absorb stains and other things.
Do note mine is a 2008 pickup, so differences in materials used would only make sense if so. I keep this one sealed with wax and a ceramic coating so nothing is really going to bother it as long as I maintain use of these things and don't somehow start an edge of it peeling off from washing it and so on.

One thing that might (And I stress might here)make a difference is using scotch guard or something similar on it.
That would make it repel stuff instead of absorbing it BUT I don't know if it can be used on such or effects it may have.

 

[MarshRam]

Could be a decal(s) like mine has on it's hood.

View attachment 585222

I believe mine is vinyl and doesn't seem to absorb stains and other things.
Do note mine is a 2008 pickup, so differences in materials used would only make sense if so. I keep this one sealed with wax and a ceramic coating so nothing is really going to bother it as long as I maintain use of these things and don't somehow start an edge of it peeling off from washing it and so on.

One thing that might (And I stress might here)make a difference is using scotch guard or something similar on it.
That would make it repel stuff instead of absorbing it BUT I don't know if it can be used on such or effects it may have.

Good info. If his has vinyl, just take it off, replace and take care of it.

 

[Pull Ya]

After we installed the aftermarket 3M black decals on my truck, we installed PPF on top of the decal to protect it. You might think about that if you decide to remove the current decal and put a new one on.

 

[MrBonez]

After we installed the aftermarket 3M black decals on my truck, we installed PPF on top of the decal to protect it. You might think about that if you decide to remove the current decal and put a new one on.

From the OP's description of things that would probrably be the best way to go.
Instead of trying to save what really can't be saved, just replace it and be done with it.

Any competent body & paint shop should be able to do it and do it right - Or just do it yourself if you want BUT realize the end result's installation quality is on the OP or whomever does the work.

However I also understand it's really a cosmetic issue, I seriously doubt the OP is in a rush to get it done; so my suggestion is look around, see how much a decal and installation would cost - They'll know what to do from there I'm sure.

 

[Pull Ya]

I had a friend who installs PPF and wraps professionally help(actually he did it) with the install of the decal and then the PPF. Sometimes it's a lot cheaper to realize and admit your limitations--LOL-
Jay

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

If you have scratches or pin holes in your decal, flat black nail polish works best at filling them in my opinion.

On my 24 classic, I caught a rock about day 3 of ownership, no dent, thank goodness, but a tear in the decal.

Had nail polish on that one spot for over 20k miles, can't even tell it was a touch up.

I would have never considered nail polish but was mentioned by a member here. Turns out it was spot on.

My experience

 

[Tray Burge]

After we installed the aftermarket 3M black decals on my truck, we installed PPF on top of the decal to protect it. You might think about that if you decide to remove the current decal and put a new one on.

This is what I was going to suggest.

 

[Tray Burge]

McQuires Back-to-Black works miracles too!
It's what I keep on my trim

 

[Tominator223]

You might try a spot with spray silicone . By the staining . That may be what the stain is. A spot just to see.