The factory British flag on the roof is faded. What can I do/use to bring back the vibrancy and intensity of the colors? Short of just replacing it. Which I'm not averse to doing as I've done them before. (If you have an unused flag you never got around to installing, send me a PM.) But I'd like to try and restore the one that's already on the top. Thanks. ....Les
PM Richard (Octaneguy). I had a girl detail my MINI locally, and she was able to clean up my vinyl stripes so they were looking like new. I think she trained with Richard in CA, so he might be able to pass on some tips.
It depends on what has caused it to be faded. Is it faded because of contamination? Is it faded because of the sun..i.e. the UV protectant has failed and the inks are being affected? Sometimes improving the color is as simple as applying a wax. Sometimes it's as simple as putting on a vinyl dressing. Sometimes you actually need to polish it very gently to remove any oxidation, then wax it. Whatever you do, you want to be gentle. Remember the roof is the highest point of your car and takes the most beating from the environment. Keeping it protected is absolutely essential to prevent the fade in the first place. I'm not familiar with the factory flag but if it's UV coated, I would feel it and see if the surface is bumpy and if so, claybar it to remove any environmental contamination, then wax it. As long as it's UV coated, you won't hurt the inks underneath. Richard That must be Ashley
Thanks Richard, I knew you'd chime in. I've claybar'd, and by hand used Swirl, Amigo and Epic. But the colors just aren't responding. The vinyl is clean, not stained. Just dull. And smooth. So Richard. In the immortal words of Mr. Kesuke Miyagi........ "Become one with the vinyl, grasshopper (Richard), and reveal to us the secrets with which to restore it's health and glory." Well...he probably didn't really say that....but he could've.....or words to that effect. You know...that whole wax on wax off thing. ...Les
Haha thanks for the additional info...have you tried just putting on a vinyl dressing? It's most likely faded due to the sun beating on it all the time, lol. I don't know or think a vinyl dressing will help because if it's UV protected, anything we apply or do to it is just affecting that coating and especially since you've already done the Amigo and Epic thing. Similar to improving the clearcoat on a car to make the underlying paint look better, we really need to focus on improving that coating. Sometimes you need to just polish the graphic with a PC and a white pad. Swirl by hand may not have enough "ooomph" to improve the coating, but doesn't sound like a PC is available to you. Sorry, but replacement might be the only option. Improving stripes is different from printed graphics. Richard
Ah, but I do have a PC. In fact I have a PC 7424 XP with a 5 inch flexible backing plate, and 4 Lake Country CCS 6.5 inch pads (yellow, orange, white and blue) and both a 5 inch and 6 inch counterweight! What I don't have is your touch Richard. But I will start with Swirl on a white pad at speed 4. Then Amigo on a white pad. If it doesn't look better, I'll do it again. And finish it with Epic on a black pad. I may have to wait until April as it was 6 degrees F this morn on the back porch. But then again my son-in-law says he's buying a propane torpedo heater. Hmmmmm..... ....Les
It's on an '06 from the factory and has lived it's entire life in the Great Lakes Region. It just may need to be replaced. But I'm not giving up on it yet. I really like the design of the factory flag and am loath to obtain another from the dealer. But if it's at the end of it's life then I'll beat the bushes and see if I can scare up a factory flag but not from the dealer. ....Les
I have an 07 with the factory flag. Colors are still vibrant. I have been washing and applying hydro pretty much every 2 weeks since I bought her.
Mine are too far gone to salvage. Actually it's just the red that's toast. My plan is to source some red vinyl locally, cut the pieces to match and just replace them. Should be fun. ....Les
Reds fade, I use to be a painter and red paints outside in the sun always faded so quick. Guess same goes for red vinyl even when uv protected.
Go get a product called 303 from a auto parts store. You can also find it sometimes at a boat shops. It a UV product. I've used it on my car's decals since 05 and they look as good as new. I just spray it no and wipe it down with a microfiber towel about every 2 weeks.
Thanks for the tip. Once I get the new vinyl on I'll follow your suggestion. I'll try to remember to do pics before and after. ...Les
Huh? Are you asking a question about a 3 year old post? Yes, you can replace OEM strips they are just vinyl stickers.
Are you wanting to remove yours? If so you can easily remove them with a warm engine heating the bonnet first..... Start a corner and pull the vinyl slowly at a 90 degree pull to the surface.... Or apply a little heat with a hair drier just to soften the adhesive....They are real easy to remove when new.... As they get old and start cracking the vinyl, it become more if a chore... Any remaining adhesive can be removed with Goo Off or WD-40....