Waxing the stripes

[tucsoncamaro]

I want to get some more shine out of my stripes that are about 1.5 years old. I will be waxing my car and stripes. Should I stick with the hand wax since my stripes are black? Or would it be ok to use an orbital on it? Any tips?

[sac2165]

When I got a replacement piece, it said "Do not wax stripe". If you decide to wax, I'd be careful.

[hockeyman]

My stripes came with instructions on how to care for them after installation, but you know how that goes :rolleyes:
I wax over my stripes all the time, by hand. I really don't like the orbital polisher.

[Heartbeat_of_94]

i wouldn't use an orbital polisher, when i got mine i was told by a lot of people at the shop not to be as careful as possible when caring for them. i don't even wax mine normally...maybe every once and a while like when ever i claybar i'll wax them but other than that i just scrub them really good. i'd hand wax them just to be on the safe side cause they may not come off immediately but the edges may start to wear out and eventually it'll screw up the stripes.

[Lionel'z Camaro]

I always wax by hand. I don't have stripes but I think the orbitals are more likely to leave marks of some kind if you don't pay attention to how much pressure you're putting on it.

[tucsoncamaro]

If I do not wax them, what other options are there to ake sure the shine comes out. Arizona's sun takes its toll on them.

[Heartbeat_of_94]

i usually just clean them really well with my car cleaner (i use NXT) then really scrub them good, not necessarily hard, but good. then i dry them off with a microfiber towel. if you don't wanna put all that out just get some kinda speed detailer and it'll clean them up nice. if you wax them though they should stay cleaner longer.

[Lionel'z Camaro]

or just decide how you want them exactly and get the money to pay to get them painted on, then just forget about it and as long as you keep your car clean they stay clean. I don't think you have to paint your whole car to do this either. If it were me, I'd get the stripes painted, then get the whole car clear coated and that would make it all look fresh at the same time. just an idea. If you find the right place, you might be able to get this done for between $400 and $200. I don't suggest going to a big named body shop, but just someone you trust. That's how I got my little detail work done.(Black-mirrors, area inside of t-top area, berger panel, arch over the top of my car in between the back window and t-tops. all that costed me $60) and it looks great. On the other hand, before I found this shop I went to a big named place and they charged me like $160 just to paint my damn grille!

[casketcrewchick]

I always put wax over my stripes (didnt get any instruction not to) and well, I just be careful around the edges and of course I am gentle when applying. I am not like scrubbing over my stripes. I might break out the orbital buffer this weekend though.

[silverV6firebird]

I always wax mine by hand. just be careful and you should be fine.

[Heartbeat_of_94]

i just waxed mine by hand...even used clarbar on them...and turned out fine. kinda made them glow a little more in sunlight. didn't seem to hurt them (claybar, colorX, and NXT wax).

[Camarorulz]

Wax over them definitely, it will help protect them. I didn't wax over my previous set of stripes: big mistake, they became corroded beyond repair. Clay bar might not be a bad idea either.

[ June 10, 2005, 07:25 PM: Message edited by: Camarorulz ]

[Heartbeat_of_94]

Originally posted by Camarorulz:
Clay bar might not be a bad idea either.

sure doesn't hurt them...i can vouch for it

[tucsoncamaro]

Yah sounds good. I will claybar them, then use Meg's Gold Class. I would have used the NXT, but because of the sun in AZ I have been told it would be better to use the gold class, as it doesn't rain that much either. Just a quick question, would microfiber towels be good to remove the wax? I was going to use applicator pads to put it on.

[Alt space n]

Kristen here on the boards waxes and clays her stripes and they're as clean and as smooth as the rest of the car. I would recommend it.