Got an idea for a small vinyl stripe accent for my hood. The way I understand it, you don't wax matte vinyl. So, how do you wax around it? Do you tape the stripe off before waxing? Do you just carefully approach the edge of the stripe without crossing into it? How can you thoroughly wax the hood without covering the vinyl? Just seems like it would be a real pain.

 

I think your best bet would be to tape the stripe before waxing.

 

I would search for a good wax that does not leave residue, check out Justin from Obsessive Detail (a vendor here). The intent would be to apply wax close to the stripe, but not on the stripe then buff it off without residue. If you don't, everytime you'll be fighting the edge of the stripe to clean it off.

 

There was actually a debate about this on the Shelby site. If I remember correctly, most of the guys use painter's tape for a thick type of wax or even a clay bar. Others just use a liquid, spray on wax and avoid the stripes all together. Then, again, there are some that use Zaino liquid wax on the stripes also.

I look at wax as a protectant, but still worry about the product getting under the vinyl.

 

I always wax my stripes...see no reason not to. 2 years and it looks good as new.

 

when i wax my car with the stripes i tape it off with blue painters tape. It seems to do the trick

 

Are your stripes matte?

 

I had vinyl stripes on my 97 Probe GTS. 11 years, never masked them. Got wax jobs 2 times a year, they were fine.

 

As far as the semi-gloss stripes on the shelby's, I always apply a coat of wax on the stripe. When approaching matte vinyl stripes or paint, I just stay away from the stripe. If any wax gets on it, I wipe it clean with a dry rag, then I'll wipe again spraying it with spray detailer and wiping clean. Always came out fine.

 

DO NOT WAX MATTE VINYL STRIPES!!!!!

OTHER VINYL COLORS ARE FINE TO WAX BUT I REPEAT DO NOT WAX MATTE COLORED.

The wax leaves a cloudy residue which CAN be perm.

This is what you want to use to protect matte colored vinyl stripes.
I have used it for almost 2 years on my matte black stripes with fantastic results and so have many others on this site.

This stuff not only cleans but protects the vinyl from weather and sun fade.
THIS STUFF IS ABSOLUTELY WHAT YOU WANT TO GO WITH.

It's called 303 Aerospace protectant.
RV Companies, Boat Companies... and more use it to protect vinyl stripes on their products.

I recommend it not only for matte color vinyl, but for ANYONE with vinyl stripes.
Here is the link...

http://www.303products.com/shop303/i...protectant.cfm