Detailing a car thats been VINYL'ed ?

[StealthInspired]

Hi guys,

My car is booked in tomorrow for a Vinyl Roof plus bumper sections.

Are there any do's and don't with regards to detailing a car that has Vinyl panels?
Some cleaning products could be abrasive, which might ruin the Vinyl or its colour.

Perhaps its best not to touch these sections, apart from during a routine wash with PH neutral car shampoo?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[craigmk6]

good vinyl like 3m is machine polish safe so no worries at all i machined my roof and it looked better

 

[FR_Flavoured]

Edited.

 

[n_d_fox]

Depending on the finish of the vinyl (matte, cardon) you may need to consider products that are designed to make the most of those finishes...

Just general care and attention really.

 

[StealthInspired]

Cheers n_d. Will bear that in mind. I've seen special sprays, for cleaning Vinyl finishes too.
Well it never happened at the weekend!

While the company were professional in their manner and customer care, they attempted to Vinyl the roof 4 times, and managed to tear the Vinyl each time, or hole it !

It was only after that 4th attempt, and over 4 hours waiting, that I called time, and drove my car away without the Roof done. The main reason I went in there in the first place, apart from a couple of small bumper sections. Not happy.

 

[abhardwaj1990]

Cheers n_d. Will bear that in mind. I've seen special sprays, for cleaning Vinyl finishes too.
Well it never happened at the weekend!

While the company were professional in their manner and customer care, they attempted to Vinyl the roof 4 times, and managed to tear the Vinyl each time, or hole it !

It was only after that 4th attempt, and over 4 hours waiting, that I called time, and drove my car away without the Roof done. The main reason I went in there in the first place, apart from a couple of small bumper sections. Not happy.

Dare I ask how much they've charged? Depending on where you are I could have done the roof for you!


For cleaning, you'll be fine with normal ph friendly shampoo. You should also be fine with machine polishing as long as its not matte.

If it is matte just make sure you don't use "greasy" products like wax, as that can ruin the finish, you can get specialist products for protection for matte finishes.

 

[StealthInspired]

Hello abhardwaj1990, checking your Location, I'm a little too far south unfortunately.
However thankyou for your offer.

The guy was genuine and sincere, its just a pity they could not pull off the roof wrap - considering they are a "wrap specialist". Now looking elsewhere.

Yes, the Vinyl colour finish I'm going for is a matte colour. Will stick with standard car shampoo.
Once complete, the sections Vinyled wont be subject to too much abuse - ie: stone chips or flies/bugs during the summer.
Bird toilet on the roof could be an issue, so as soon as I spot any, I'll have to wipe this off prompt!

 

[abhardwaj1990]

To be honest matte vinyl can be a pain in the backside to apply, but a pro should manage it easy enough!

Bird poo and tree sap can be really bad for matte finishes lol. Get yourself meguiars all purpose cleaner for things like that, helps get it off with no real work or worry of putting marks on the vinyl.

You can protect it with normal wax (i used Autoglym HD) but it does make the finish more "satin", which imo doesn't look bad, and its protected! You can get matte finish waxes from companies such as swissvax but can be very costly!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?nomobile=1&v=Uekm4tpqb9o

 

[StealthInspired]

Thankyou for the additional feedback, much appreciated.

In your expert opinion , on a Mk2 Leon, do you think a Matte Black Roof AND Bonnet would look better than just getting the Roof done? Better effect?

On the way into work this morning, thinking about all this, at one point I even convinced myself to get my whole car Wrapped in the Matte Black. But at over £1000 all in, I have other financial priorities that must come first.

I will look into the products you mention. Will be handy having them to hand, to help keep the Vinyl looking perfect (whatever look i end up going with).

 

[killieboy123]

Was told by the company that done mine not to use a harsh power washer on it, a car wash (like an electric supermarket one, you know what I mean), snowfoam or gazes/sealents. Mine is gloss. Just be careful for swirl marks cause there's no getting rid of them as far as I know, would be delighted if someone corrected me though.

 

[n_d_fox]

In your expert opinion , on a Mk2 Leon, do you think a Matte Black Roof AND Bonnet would look better than just getting the Roof done? Better effect?

I will look into the products you mention. Will be handy having them to hand, to help keep the Vinyl looking perfect (whatever look i end up going with).

My opinion is roof only... bonnet would be overkill to my taste, i'd prefer the roof with small touches here and there... its your car though.

At the moment for matte finishes there are only Zymol and Swissvax (that i know of) that offer products for cleaning and protecting vinyl or painted panels.

http://www.swissvax.co.uk/view_products/opaque_range

I cant find the Zymol range so maybe they dont do anything afterall...

 

[abhardwaj1990]

Thankyou for the additional feedback, much appreciated.

In your expert opinion , on a Mk2 Leon, do you think a Matte Black Roof AND Bonnet would look better than just getting the Roof done? Better effect?

On the way into work this morning, thinking about all this, at one point I even convinced myself to get my whole car Wrapped in the Matte Black. But at over £1000 all in, I have other financial priorities that must come first.

I will look into the products you mention. Will be handy having them to hand, to help keep the Vinyl looking perfect (whatever look i end up going with).

Just roof, hate it when bonnet's are done (i've been there lol) but it's your car!
As Mr fox said, swissvax do products for matte finishes but it isn't cheap. As said before I just coated my matte black roof in HD wax, made it look slightly more shiny (not that noticable) it makes it much easier to wash

Was told by the company that done mine not to use a harsh power washer on it, a car wash (like an electric supermarket one, you know what I mean), snowfoam or gazes/sealents. Mine is gloss. Just be careful for swirl marks cause there's no getting rid of them as far as I know, would be delighted if someone corrected me though.

Harsh pressure washer aren't good for paint let alont vinyl if not used at a correct distance. If you use it with care you'll be fine.
Gloss black vinyl does tend to swirl if not washed properly as I had one on my old car.

I now have a matte black roof, it is hard to take care of but looks much better. Use a pressure washer on it as normal, but the use of snow foam makes it much easier to clean, and of course a lamb wool mitt for a swirl free clean

 

[StealthInspired]

Great feedback above, n_d_fox/abhardwaj1990. I'll be placing an order on some good products that you've stated here - my car is now Vinyl'ed (just to make the joy of Detailing even more complicated)! The Thread along with initial Pictures is over in the Mk2 Leon section.


Another tip I was told by the company who did my car, if waxing (to include a Vinyl area), your "sweeping" movements over the area should be from the Vinyl and off, onto the painted panel.

As if you do it the other way, from the panel and onto the Vinyl, deposits of the polish/wax can work its way under the edge of the Vinyl, causing it to go white and ruin the finish - ultimately requiring the Vinyl to be removed/re-applied.

 

[n_d_fox]

Makes sense... the edge of the vinyl would be like any other step up from the paint surface, many many microns in depth as well, easily enough for wax to catch on.

 

[n_d_fox]

Dude... just found this while reading a FB update from a Detailer from DW...

http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/product_p/mattedet.htm

Its designed to clean and protect matte / vinyl and clear protection film panels.

HTH, Nige