polishing & waxing new car with matte stripes

V

Valiant Showoff

New member
I've spent years buffing, polishing and waxing the various cars I've owned but I'm about to do my first new car with factory matte black stripes. Black Challenger R/T with the hood & side stripes. $38000 car that I don't want to mess up within weeks of bringing it home.

My fear is the sealent and/or wax staining the matte finish if you get a little bit on the edge.

What can I use as a weather protectent glaze without fear of staining the stripes? I've applied Klasse All-in-One with my orbital buffer many times but never on a car with stripes. Can I still use AIO?

What about wax? I assume my carnuba based PS-21 will leave the dreaded white haze. What about something synthetic?

Suggestions?

THANKS in advance for the help!
 
My neighbors Camaro is the new version, and has black taped on matted stripes. We used a sealant on them with no issue. One thing that I would stay away from is a buffer and aggressive polishes of any sort. You could use a paint cleaner for cleaning the surface by hand but that's about it IMO based on what I have seen of those stripes.
 
I dont know what you should use but I wouldnt use Klasse AIO as its also a mild polish and you could end up with shiney stripes .

If you use a machine on areas around it I would tape it off so it doesnt get touched by the buffer or splatter.

Refer to your owners manual and it may have advice about the stripes.
 
I would tape off the edges and be careful. You don't want to pull up an edge or corner of you decide to use a machine. Plus you won't get wax build up on the edge that's a pain to clean up later.
 
UTTG works wonders on those stripes and will not leave those white stripes. And It will hold up for a pretty long time!

I really wouldn't suggest a polish or AIO on those. Perhaps a good APC such as OPC would be a better choice to clean them with.
 
Rocket said:
I would tape off the edges and be careful. You don't want to pull up an edge or corner of you decide to use a machine. Plus you won't get wax build up on the edge that's a pain to clean up later.
Click to expand...

Make sure that its the blue painters tape, or you could lift the edges. Regular masking tape has a lot more adhesive
 
I do a white 2011 RT every two weeks. I always tape the stripes off and stay away with any products. I am trying to talk the owner into having them removed and painted on.
 
Beemerboy said:
Make sure that its the blue painters tape, or you could lift the edges. Regular masking tape has a lot more adhesive
Click to expand...

You are correct. I should have been specific, sometimes I take things like this for granted thinking we all would use painters tape anyway
 
Thanks for the info guys. Looks like I'll be spending more time taping it off than waxing. Oh well. I need something to keep me out of the house.....
 
I saw on AGO that there was someone with the same car that used Opti-coat on the stripes. They said it didn't add any more shine but it did look darker. It might be worth considering
 
Chemical guys has a matte detailer that leaves a great look on matte paint and wraps. Also Swissvax has a matte wax that looks amazing on matte vehicles. I would look into those products for your stips.
 
well well well. here it goes my very first post. to start i'm a newbee started this spring w autopia:autopia:. i have a black 99 ram van with the curvy decals all over it ((so real fun to tape it off with straight tape (back then didn't know i should have done that) )). yup u guessed it i waxed it and sure enough it's all over the edges and surface:wall. i know use sealant. regardless i found using Pre-WOW Pre-Cleaner by Black WOW a life saver:bigups. little gentle brushing on the edges rub over decal and viola!!! fixed. so there u have my 2 cents. hope that might be informative for you.:rockon
 
I would call the dealership where you bought it and ask them if anything should be applied on top or not .They should know for sure ..hopefully!
 
Any car wash soaps that you have will be fine to use on them, but please do not try to wax those Matte stripes, because waxing will start to put a shine to them, and it won't do it very evenly. You can use a small amount of Meguiar's Gold Class Trim Detailer on them, but IMO just some Meguiar's UQD on them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top