Ultima Paint Guard Plus leaves white spots on a 09 Challenger decal

[Reflections]

I've been a loyal Sonus & Ultima fan unil this happened. After an exterior detail on a client's 09 Challenger, I applied Ultima Paint Guard Plus to the entire vehicle, including the hood decal. According to my contact at Autopia, this product is perfectly safe for all decals. Unfortunately, it seems to have left these deposits in the decal that I have not been able to remove with the following:

-More Paint Guard Plus
-Isopropyl
-Citrus degreaser
-Machine polishing
-High pressure steam
-Claybar

The replacement cost from the dealer on the decal is $595 for the hood, and $97 for where it continues on to the front bumper. Labour cost around $50, plus tax, for a total of $779.10.

I detailed this car when it was virtually brand new, and told my client that Ultima Paint Protection Plus was guaranteed the best sealant available by a company I trust. In telling my client this, I put my own reputation on this product. He called within a day or two, saying there were strange spots on his decals.

After trying everything I could to remove them, I contacted Autopia directly, who told me they have not had experience with this problem, and would discuss it with their chemist. I suggested it appeared that the sealant was build up in the recesses in the film, and had bonded some how. The person I talked to said they would talk to their chemist, and get back to me.

A week later, I received an emailing saying they had talked to their chemist, and he suggested that the sealant might have built up in the small recesses in the film.

I responded saying this is what I had suggested initially, and that I needed a way to remove the product from the film, and that since Autopia claims the product is safe to use on decalling, that they were partially responsible. I never received a response or follow up.

Does anyone have any suggestions, first, and preferably, how to remove this product from this decal.

Barring that, does anyone have any suggestions how to deal with the manufacturer (Ultima / Autopia) to get a better response.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[Cleaning Fool]

Man, that really stinks

[OCKlasse]

wow...I'm sorry for such an unfortunate situation. I hope Ultima or the likes step up here and do the right thing.

[Street5927]

This is probably a very long shot, but I am assuming that since this happened initially that the decals (which I assume are some type of vinyl) were not cleared over. Knowing that it is not a "hard" vinyl, but If they are not cleared over, would a good vinyl cleaner work????

[MobileJay]

can you feel the spots with your fingernail or is it smooth like the rest of the decal?

[Lumadar]

Originally Posted by MobileJay

can you feel the spots with your fingernail or is it smooth like the rest of the decal?

On that note, wet the surface (water or QD), put your fingers inside a zip-loc baggy, and run it over the area. Feel the spots?

Don't know how much it will help, but Radio Shack sells tiny ocular (proper name?) type devices that give 10x magnification that you place on the surface and peek into. You may want to grab one (couple bucks) and try taking a closer look to see if you can see exactly what is going on up close.

[Reflections]

I cannot feel the spots on the film, no. I have tried a vinyl cleaner, but thanks for the suggestion.

I'm not sure of the exact composition of the decals, or what they might be coated with. I talked to a gentleman at the Dodge dealer and he had no idea, so I will likely have to follow up with someone higher up.

Any other suggestions are welcome, and thanks again.

[chromecarz00]

Do you think its actually eating away at the vinyls' lateR?

[Scottwax]

Interesting. That is not a result I would have expected given how it clears out the way it does. I wish I had an answer for you.

I've detailed a new Challenger with the hood decals, had no problems with Poli-Seal topped with Carnauba Moose.

[Flashtime]

Judging by the last pic., and how the microscopic pinholes are concentrated
within the rectangles mostly, i'd guess it's the decal itself that has a problem.
And you merely filled in those pours (like solvent pop).

[YoMike]

most likely will wear off in a year or two, mean while dance really fast in front of your client.

[JSFM35X]

Just another thought, did your client perhaps do something to thwe car and is blaming you? Once the Ultima dries, I don't know why it would turn white. Just a thought? Perhaps re-apply on a small spot that you tape off and photograph before and after abd see if more white spot occurr. If they do, you know its legit. if not he did something. Perhaps acid ovfer spray.

MAYBE HIS KID SPILLED THE POOL CHEMICAL IN THE GARAGE AND IS AFRAID TO TELL HIS OLD MAN?

Good Luck, that really stinks that you have to deal with this.