Question about factory GT350 stripes...

[SHELBY GT350R]

The good detailers in my area use steam to remove stripes off of cars.

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[PP0001]

precisely, u see bird poop, use a kleenex to wipe it off boom theres light scratches on the surface

If you see bird poop on your stripes or your paint job don't wipe it off just hose it off and in most cases if you have some wax on these vinyl stripes the bird poop will hose off very easily with no scratches.

From 2007 to 2009 the stripes on the GT500 cars were done by a private firm that Ford employed but after many bad stripe jobs and the cost of doing business Ford let them go and finally bought the own in house stripe machine starting with the 2010 GT500 cars and from there also started applying stripes/decals in house for the 2012 Boss 302's in early 2011.

It is my understanding that 3M is the supplier to Ford for these stripes and I have had great success keeping my stripes in great shape whether it be the GT500 cars or my Boss 302 cars and now the GT350/R cars.

The key is to apply a couple light coats of liquid wax in a directional basis after which time bird poop and light grime just washes off very easily. The worst thing to do is to wipe off abrasive objects off of your car which in most case can be hosed off with some high pressure water.

At least this process has worked for me for a very long time.

Good luck!

 

[gtaindetail]

If you like the stripes and don't like how easily they scratch, just go get satin black stripes. Satin black is the same finish as the black R stripes.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

If you like the stripes and don't like how easily they scratch, just go get satin black stripes. Satin black is the same finish as the black R stripes.

How does that work?

Is it a matter of scratches not as visible on satin as on gloss sort of like how scratches are less visible on some colors of paint even though the clear is the same and they all scratch just as easily.

 

[gtaindetail]

How does that work?

Is it a matter of scratches not as visible on satin as on gloss sort of like how scratches are less visible on some colors of paint even though the clear is the same and they all scratch just as easily.

The long and the short of it is this. Satin or matte finishes are pre-scratched. Basically, if you took a gloss piece of vinyl and got 4000 grit sandpaper and very uniformly ran that over the vinyl for hours, you would have a satin piece of film. Because it is "pre" scratched it is much more difficult to see random marring on it. Another way to think of it is this; imagine bare polishing aluminium, like a mirror... run the edge of a credit card or say some #0000 steel wool on it, immediate marring. Now do the same to "polished" aluminium, nothing. So it has less to do with the color of the stripe and more the starting finish.

Next time you see a GT350R with a stripe check it out, they come satin from the factory... at most angles you can barely tell the difference.

 

[Mspeedster]

So what products are you guys using to protect your stripes?

I just applied a coat of Rejex. It's supposed to be safe on vinyl stripes and even helps to extend its life by 50% according to what I've read. Not sure if it's the best product for stripes, just happened to have a bottle handy as I've been using it on the wheels of my other cars.

 

[302toVoodoo]

Agreed, never use anything dry to wipe the stripes down. No stripes for me if I do it all over again...

Funny thing is my factory stripes are perfect....no scratches/stains etc... but I did wash the car myself instead of having the dealership do the prep. Used a microfiber sponge and rag, and about 5x the amount of rain-x wash soap as normal.

All in how you care for it. :-)

 

[Zombo]

Agreed, never use anything dry to wipe the stripes down. No stripes for me if I do it all over again...

I don't have stripes, but the black panel on the trunk is also prone to scratching.

 

[Bossing]

After a thorough wash or when occasional extra detailing is needed on a moderately clean car, I use Driven's Race Wax (basically a formulated detailer spray) on my OTTS and also on the painted surfaces. I have been using this since earlier this year and have gone thru two 24 oz. bottles already.

It's formulated for cars with vinyl graphics, stripes, or wraps so it won't mar or smear or ruin the vinyl. It provides a great shine and depth on the stripes not just on the paint... I even use it on the black panel on the trunk. It also helps deter dirt & dust from clinging on so it acts as a protectant layer too. I'm pretty satisfied with it.

 

[PP0001]

Funny thing is my factory stripes are perfect....no scratches/stains etc... but I did wash the car myself instead of having the dealership do the prep. Used a microfiber sponge and rag, and about 5x the amount of rain-x wash soap as normal.

All in how you care for it. :-)

Well said!

It is all about preparation and then execution and how you care for your car long term including these factory stripes.

The stripes on the attached two cars are in excellent shape with virtually no marks or scratches on either car with the first cars stripes being pretty much 6 years old as this car was assembled in the Fall of 2010 with the second cars stripes being 5 1/2 years old as was assembled in February 2011.

Personally I like stripes a lot but many of these great cars also look outstanding without stripes as well.

Either way we are all winners!

 

[Itisfun]

So what products are you guys using to protect your stripes?

I just applied a coat of Rejex. It's supposed to be safe on vinyl stripes and even helps to extend its life by 50% according to what I've read. Not sure if it's the best product for stripes, just happened to have a bottle handy as I've been using it on the wheels of my other cars.

I am using 303. My guy who did clear bra highly recommended it. Seems to work great. Use on track pack spoiler as well.

 

[stinger556]

Are the stripes tied to the VIN?

 

[Mspeedster]

I am using 303. My guy who did clear bra highly recommended it. Seems to work great. Use on track pack spoiler as well.

Good stuff. I've been using it for years, but it never occurred to me that it would work well on stripes. Makes sense I guess, as the stripes are vinyl.

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