Charger Daytona wax experience

**ChargerDaytona** · 03-30-2007, 02:18 PM

I am the proud owner of a 2006 Dodge Charger R/T Daytona. It`s that time of year again (spring) when a young mans fancy starts turning toward keeping his pride and joy shiney.

However, this car presents me with a unique challenge. The Daytona Edition Chargers have large matte black Vinyl decals on the quarter panels, trunk lid, and hood.

On my previous car I always used Meguiars Gold Class Liquid or Paste Wax, but I`m afraid to use these on the matte black decals out of fear of hazing, discoloration, or scratching the heck out of them.

I`ve heard conflicting reports all over the internet about this problem, and I`ve heard everything from "don`t touch them with ANYTHING" to "Sprax Wax (Turtle Wax ICE/Zaino/Meguiars NXT) won`t hurt them, but don`t use paste or liquid" to "Paste and Liquid won`t hurt them one bit".

My gut instinct tells me to only use a Spray Wax like T.W. Ice or Meguiars NXT Spray on the whole car, but figured I`d consult the pros first. Any help is greatly appreciated! :2thumbs:

Pictures of the car below for those unfamiliar with this vehicle.

**BlueZero** · 03-30-2007, 03:59 PM

I would really like to know how to care for the matte decals as well. I read some where that someone used regular wax and it made them shine. Don`t want that. Anyone??? Thanks!

P.S. Nice ride!

**velobard** · 03-30-2007, 04:27 PM

This is why I`d never buy a car with this kind of vinyl sticker, I`m afraid I`d have to mask it off to wax and polish the rest of the paint. I`ve scratched my head more than once as I drive past the Dodge dealer and wondered how to best care for that. I wonder if Dodge has any recommendations? Have to searched on any of the LX or Charger forums to see what other people are doing?

**STG** · 03-30-2007, 04:49 PM

Nice car, but this is a Dodge Charger Daytona:

**STG** · 03-30-2007, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by velobard

This is why I`d never buy a car with this kind of vinyl sticker, I`m afraid I`d have to mask it off to wax and polish the rest of the paint. I`ve scratched my head more than once as I drive past the Dodge dealer and wondered how to best care for that. I wonder if Dodge has any recommendations? Have to searched on any of the LX or Charger forums to see what other people are doing?

My Mach1 has a bit of vinyl tape. I mask it off while polishing and apply LSP LIGHTLY by hand afterwards (NXT, #21 and #26 all seem to work fine). Be carefull around the edges! After washes, I spray rubber/vinyl protectant like Meguair`s Nxt Cockpit shine (or whatever they`re calling it now) onto a microfiber and wipe gently. It`s been over three years and the stickers look as good as new.

The picture was taken immediately after applying NXT High Tech Liquid Wax to the vinyl decals. THEY ARE STILL MATT.

**Ben Kenobi** · 03-30-2007, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by velobard

This is why I`d never buy a car with this kind of vinyl sticker, I`m afraid I`d have to mask it off to wax and polish the rest of the paint. I`ve scratched my head more than once as I drive past the Dodge dealer and wondered how to best care for that.

I wonder the same things. Do the manufacturing geniuses at the auto companies think about how the owners or the people who care for vehicles when they decide to slap these decals on? Luckily I haven`t come across any clients who have them yet, I suppose it`s just a matter of time. Let`s hear from other owners on how they care for them.

**ChargerDaytona** · 03-30-2007, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by velobard

This is why I`d never buy a car with this kind of vinyl sticker, I`m afraid I`d have to mask it off to wax and polish the rest of the paint. I`ve scratched my head more than once as I drive past the Dodge dealer and wondered how to best care for that. I wonder if Dodge has any recommendations? Have to searched on any of the LX or Charger forums to see what other people are doing?

Yea, the general consensus over there is that if you use a spray-wax (NXT or Ice) on the entire car (decals included) you`ll be fine....so thats more than likely what I`ll end up doing.

I know spray waxes don`t last as long as paste waxes.....but I like detailing the crap out of my car, so I`m not gonna lose sleep over having to wax a bit more often. I was just wondering if anyone here had other suggestions.

Oh well, whats the worst that can happen.

**gmblack3** · 03-30-2007, 07:56 PM

I detailed a friends Super Bee back in Jan.

Of course no polishing of the decals.

I did 1x of Z5pro and that left a very slight "haze" on the decals that came off with Z6.

I then did the new Zaino Clear Seal and had no problems at all.

This pic was after the Clear Seal cured on its own:

Next day after Z8: