Help Again - Mini Cooper Hood Stripes

kemo

kemo

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You folks were so helpful in figuring out what I needed to restore the paint on my black Dakota (I finally went with the Wolgang line), that I thought you may be able to help me figure out how to fix my Mini Cooper S Cabrio.

The problem is; I replaced the original stripes with Viper stripes, but you can still see where the old stripes were. The old stripes went down each side of the hood and there is a darker line where they were. So that should mean the rest of the paint is faded, right? But here's the thing: the paint on this car is in almost perfect condition. So how did the car fade perfectly all over (if that's what it did)? Or did something transfer from the old stripes on to the paint?

The car was always garaged, it's an 05 with only 12,000 miles on it and as I mentioned above, it's a cabrio, so it's only driven about 6 months a year (point being, it doesn't spend an unusual amount of time in the sun). That's the car in my profile pic, with the new stripe on it.

BTW, I did let one detailing shop try to polish out the lines, but he only worked on it for about 15 minutes and only polished the lines. Knowing some of the stuff I do now, after finding Autogeek, I'd say they had no idea what they were doing. If you guys have a solution, I'll be doing it myself this time, using a 7424XP with LC pads.
 
Elite, the only thing I can show you is where the old stripes used to be (the line left by removing them won't show up enough on my camera). So when I removed these stripes the paint is darker underneath, but the rest of the paint doesn't look faded at all.

imgp4060gggggg.jpg
 
Mike? BobbyG? Someone must have run into this problem before? :)
 
I've only run into 'fade' de-badging cars....1 in particular was an Audi that sits outside 24/7- after de-badging and polishing I could clearly see where the badge used to be, within a month it disappeared- The Audi is an '03 de-badged last year

Sweet ride BTW
 
Thanks Eilte. I wanted a convertible, plus something different. I'm used to driving American muscle cars (68 Camaro, 70 Roadrunner, etc), so I wasn't sure about going small and German/British, but this thing really is a blast to drive. It's like a street legal go-kart:xyxthumbs:
 
What you're seeing is often times referred to as Ghosting, it's either fading of the paint or an imprint left in the paint by the vinyl graphics.

Paint problems are usually one of two categories,

  • Topical
  • Below Surface

When it comes to Ghosting, if it's topical then abrading the surface by either compounding and/or polishing should fix the problem. If there's an impression or depression in the level of the surface on one side of where the previous stripe was applied the goal would be to level the surface till it's flat. Of course, you are limited by what you can do by paint thickness or film-build.


If the problem is below the surface, then it's either a color fading issue and because it's below or under the clear layer then there's nothing you can to to the surface to fix the problem.


Another possibility is that something from the adhesive has affected the paint over time and the problem is now topical and to some degree below or "into" the matrix of the paint.

A simple test would be to place a tape line 90 degrees across the line where the stripes use to be and then compound on just one side of the tape line for 6-8 section passes and then wipe off the residue and inspect.

You might have to repeat the 6-8 section pass procedure 2, 3, maybe 4 times in order to see a difference and if you're not seeing a difference at all... then the problem is under the surface.

Using a tape-line like I described will help you to trouble shoot where the problem is and if you can fix it or not.

If it is topical but penetrates into the clear layer then sanding might be an option but you should be able to troubleshoot and verify using a foam cutting pad and a compound like UC or XMT #4


Cool car by the way...


:)
 
Thanks Mike....the help is very much appreciated. I knew you'd have some suggestions. I'll work on it next week and let you know how I make out.


.........and thanks for the comment on the car, coming from a guy that sees the kind of vehicles you do on a daily basis, I'll take that as a real compliment:)
 
BTW, here's a shot of the car I took late last Fall with the new stripe. So you can see with it being a 2005 and still in the kind of shape it's in, why I want to get rid of the ghost stripes. Granted, not everyone notices the phantom lines, but that's the hazzard of being an auto geek.......we notice "everything":xyxthumbs:
imgp4248aaaaaaaa.jpg
 
kemo how did the car turn out? was the problem below the surface? i ask because i am having the same problem.
 
Kemo, I had a Mini about 5 years ago and I too removed the stock stripes and replaced them with "Viper style" stripes and I too had the same issue but back then, the shop I worked at, had a great relationship with a detail shop and I had them polish them out for me (didn't have a wheel or AG back then) and they did a great job, so its all in knowledge I guess.

Good luck and put up some picks when your done, AAAA!
 
i have the same thing on my corvette

the trunk had a badge that was removed and u can clearly see its more colorful than the rest of the trunk

i didnt do anything to it

i still didnt do a full correction on my car

it has very light hard to see random scratches and no swirls
 
kemo said:
Mike? BobbyG? Someone must have run into this problem before? :)
Click to expand...

Mike's hit the nail on the head and I hope it's something that's on the surface and not in the color coat itself.

Clear coats not only provide a protective barrier or film, they are formulated with UV inhibitors retard or lesson the sun's impact on the color coat. Even with the new formulations and ingredients the color will still fade but more evenly and much more slowly.

Stripes

While vinyl stripes look great, they keep the paint beneath it shrouded in darkness. This darkness protects the finish even more however keeps the finish from fading equally...

With single stage paints you had more control to even the color because you were working the color. Today's cars and trucks for the most part are cleared so if it's not in the clear coat the only permanent solution is to refinish the section...

I hope you make out well.....:props:
 
kemo said:
Thanks Mike....the help is very much appreciated. I knew you'd have some suggestions. I'll work on it next week and let you know how I make out.


.........and thanks for the comment on the car, coming from a guy that sees the kind of vehicles you do on a daily basis, I'll take that as a real compliment:)
Click to expand...

Hey kemo... where did you go?


This is an example of why when a forum member follows-up their thread with the results I try to say "thank you".


Otherwise, everyone is just left hanging...


:dunno:
 
You're right Mike!

I honestly overlooked the posting date when I replied this morning. I too would like to know how he made out...His last activity was July 2011.....
 
carmine_peluso said:
kemo how did the car turn out? was the problem below the surface? i ask because i am having the same problem.
Click to expand...


:welcome: To Autogeek Online!

Take a look at what's posted here and see how you make out.... :props:
 
BobbyG said:
You're right Mike!

I honestly overlooked the posting date when I replied this morning. I too would like to know how he made out...His last activity was July 2011.....
Click to expand...


That's kind of the norm though, people join, ask questions, get answers, solve their problems and move on...

Follow-up posts are the exception... so have to be thankful for all of them...



:)
 
It's no problem I expected not to get a reply since last activity was a while ago. I am new to detailing and trying to learn. so when and if I try to get rid of the ghost stripes I will make a thread on how it turns out :)

Sent from my DROID X2 using AG Online
 
carmine_peluso said:
It's no problem I expected not to get a reply since last activity was a while ago. I am new to detailing and trying to learn. so when and if I try to get rid of the ghost stripes I will make a thread on how it turns out :)

Sent from my DROID X2 using AG Online
Click to expand...


As an Admin, I can send kemo an e-mail and kindly ask him if he could revisit this thread and post a follow-up. Especially since I'm tying this thread to this thread,



http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ce-needed-35th-anniversary-camaro-decals.html


:)
 
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