New Shelby GT500 w glossy blue vinyl stripes

WJinLV

WJinLV

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Hello Mike et al, Ive read many of the posts about vinyl stripes and how to care for them. Seems like most of the posts are about older flat colored stripes.

Mine are new glossy sonic blue stripes on my white 2013 GT500.

All detailing done by hand. I first put Klasse sealer on the whole car followed by Pinnacle Singature II carnauba. Looks great. I spray detail with Pinnacle Crystal Mist. Pic below was when I finished.

Im thinking of switching spray detailer to Finish Kare 425 Extra Slick Final Body Shine or should I stay with Crystal Mist or does it matter?

Just want to make sure Im not doing anything to hurt the stripes in the long run.
 
That looks great. I was wondering the same thing after putting the new stripes on my 13 GT/TP. Good to know stuff right here.

new_stripes_QTR_close.JPG
 
WJinLV said:
Hello Mike et al, Ive read many of the posts about vinyl stripes and how to care for them. Seems like most of the posts are about older flat colored stripes.

Mine are new glossy sonic blue stripes on my white 2013 GT500.

All detailing done by hand. I first put Klasse sealer on the whole car followed by Pinnacle Singature II carnauba. Looks great. I spray detail with Pinnacle Crystal Mist. Pic below was when I finished.

Im thinking of switching spray detailer to Finish Kare 425 Extra Slick Final Body Shine or should I stay with Crystal Mist or does it matter?

Just want to make sure Im not doing anything to hurt the stripes in the long run.
Click to expand...

Nice car! I so want one of those. My 09 Bullitt will have to do for now.
 
Bill220 said:
Nice car! I so want one of those. My 09 Bullitt will have to do for now.
Click to expand...
Thanks man! took a lot of saving and 6 months after ordering to get it. Here is another on from last weekend when we drove over to Shelby.
 
WJinLV said:
Hello Mike et al, Ive read many of the posts about vinyl stripes and how to care for them. Seems like most of the posts are about older flat colored stripes.

Mine are new glossy sonic blue stripes on my white 2013 GT500.

All detailing done by hand. I first put Klasse sealer on the whole car followed by Pinnacle Signature II carnauba. Looks great. I spray detail with Pinnacle Crystal Mist. Pic below was when I finished.

Im thinking of switching spray detailer to Finish Kare 425 Extra Slick Final Body Shine or should I stay with Crystal Mist or does it matter?

Just want to make sure Im not doing anything to hurt the stripes in the long run.
Click to expand...


Sorry for the late reply, just been so incredibly busy lately it's impossible to keep up...

Two comments...

1. your car is new and this means the stripes are new and in great shape.

2. The finish on the graphics is shiny and this means a lot less porous than matte graphics.
​

For the two reason above you can use any kind of spray detailer that's safe for paint and it should be safe for your graphics. Key to be...

"Find something you like and use it often"



The most important thing you can do as it relates to your graphics is to always inspect your microfiber towels both visually and by touch before wiping the graphics.

Visually look for any contaminants.

Physically feel for any contaminants. Your sense of touch might find things you're eyes cannot see.
​


Once you put a scratch in a graphic like your car has you're going to have two choices,


1. Learn to live with it

2. Pay to replace it.
​

So treat them like a lady... use a soft, gentle touch...



:)
 
Love it! My bud it still waiting for his 14 Grabber Blue with black. As far as the stripes, I clay mine and top them with an LSP and then Glaze and maintain with UWW+ and Megs D156.

Clay made a big difference, my current LSP is 3 coats of UPG+ topped with WG 2.0. Let the modding begin!
 
Obviously, I am a fan.

I have been searching the internet since I bought mine for information on the stripes. There does not seem to be many willing to do much with them aside from clay and wax. I use Griots Garage Spray on Car Wash for cleaning light dirt. Speed Shine for dust and touch ups. I never use any force wiping them. Always a very light touch with only high quality microfiber towels. I actually drag the towel over the paint using only the weight of the towel.

I wax them with whichever wax/sealant I am using on the car.

Even though mine have been very carefully treated, they still get some minor swirling. I dont have the guts to try a light polish and get the swirls out.

I really wish Ford would have painted these on instead of vinyl stripes.

I always tape the edges of the stripes before machine polishing the white paint.
 
5.4 Shelby said:
Obviously, I am a fan.

I have been searching the internet since I bought mine for information on the stripes. There does not seem to be many willing to do much with them aside from clay and wax. I use Griots Garage Spray on Car Wash for cleaning light dirt. Speed Shine for dust and touch ups. I never use any force wiping them. Always a very light touch with only high quality microfiber towels. I actually drag the towel over the paint using only the weight of the towel.

I wax them with whichever wax/sealant I am using on the car.

Even though mine have been very carefully treated, they still get some minor swirling. I dont have the guts to try a light polish and get the swirls out.

I really wish Ford would have painted these on instead of vinyl stripes.

I always tape the edges of the stripes before machine polishing the white paint.
Click to expand...

Cool car Kev! LOL. Ive been using a light Calif duster, back and forth only, no circular motion. Then the pinnacle crystal mist, also back and forth light strokes only, but Im sure anything will work well. Mine hasnt even seen a regular wash with water yet, been keeping her quick detailed.
 
WJinLV said:
Thanks man! took a lot of saving and 6 months after ordering to get it. Here is another on from last weekend when we drove over to Shelby.
Click to expand...

I'll bet it's a blast to drive.

WJinLV said:
Thanks! Love the Poorboy's World Bold 'N Bright Tire Dressing, its the best.
Click to expand...

I have a bottle of this but haven't tried it yet. Glad to hear that it's a good product.
 
Might take a look at the Optimum Car Wax.

It's clear in the bottle and you apply, spread around and then wipe off any excess.

No residue next to the vinyl graphics and you can use it on both the paint and the graphics.


:)
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Might take a look at the Optimum Car Wax.

It's clear in the bottle and you apply, spread around and then wipe off any excess.

No residue next to the vinyl graphics and you can use it on both the paint and the graphics.


:)
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike. Since its a white car, I really dont see residue next to stripes. The Pinnacle carnauba goes on and comes off so smooth, I dont see any residue.

Can the OCW be used as a quick detailer? If not, do you use the OCW after quick detailing with another product such as FK425 or UWW+ ?

For intermittant spray detailing, any comparison of UWW+ to Finish Kare 425 you can give me?

Also, can you up the UWW+ concentrate in the 22 oz sprayer and get an even better result? Thanks.
 
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