Question on waxing cuda with billboards?

[Moparguy71]

Hello all,
I am brand new to this board. My name is Brian and I am a mopar- aholic. All kidding aside, I recently purchased a cuda with billboards and am not sure how to maintain them? In other words, when you want to wax the car with billboards, what do people do? I am assuming you dont wax over them? Any help is appreciated.  Might sound like a dumb question but never had a car with decals such as these. Thanks.

[tommyg29]

Im not sure but I know this...they can be buffed to give them just a little shine if you want. I know that because I recently had a guy polish the exterior, and I specifically told him not to touch the vinyl.
But, I had a couple small scuff marks in them and he swore he could buff them out. I told him to first experiment on the one that was least visible, and he got them both out with light buffing, though it did leave the area just slightly more shiny. He says it would look better if he did the whole thing, but I like the flat flat look.
Not sure what he used though.

[troutstreamnm]

Avoid getting wax on the vinyl billboards or stripes.  I've noticed the wax will make the vinyl loose it's flat appearance so I immediately remove it with Meguiar's quick shine or light cleaner.  Some may like a glossier look to the vinyl, but that's not for me.  Not sure if the wax has any long-term impact on the tape either. 

[06Daytona]

With my 06 Daytona I run some 1 inch masking tape around the edge of the flat black stuff to keep the wax off it. When it starts to look a little rough I just lightly buff it with whatever rag I used to remove wax from the paint. It keeps the flat/satin look to the black, but cleans up all the little scratches. When I get the billboards on my Cuda I'll do the same thing with it.

[Cuda Commando]

Keep your wax well clear of your billboards.Wax the paintwork,wash the billboards.Then dry off with a good chamois leather.
That is my method with mine to keep a nice satin finish and streak free.

[tommyg29]

a couple times I used armorall on them, but have been told that leaves an undesireable silicone film?
Definitely do not wax though. Everyone seems to agree on that.

[67vertman]

a couple times I used armorall on them, but have been told that leaves an undesireable silicone film?
Definitely do not wax though. Everyone seems to agree on that.

  Silicone is a painter worst nightmare...   It causes "fish eyes" in the paint and is very difficult to remove from prepped surfaces.  So, if you plan on painting your car DO NOT USE SILICONE!

As for cleaning Billboard and or Vinyl........Meguiar's make this product....Gold Class Trim Detailer, it is a dressing for rubber, plastic and vinyl and I've used this successfully for years for flat black paint and also vinyl graphics, again you would want to test first in an inconspicuous area.

[Moparguy71]

Thanks all. I find it interesting that no one has a magical answer. One thing is for sure, everyone agrees not to wax them. Thats kind of what I figured and I guess the mentioning of taping off the boards for waxing is probably a pretty good idea. Thanks everybody.
Brian

[burdar]

I'd better stock up on the masking tape for when I wax the doors on my 73.  It's going to take a week to tape off the strobe stripes.

[AARCUDADEN]

I just make sure i keep a small distance from my stipes while waxing mine.

[CID440]

Vynil car decals is one of the things I do here.   Wax will not damage the vynil in anyway or harm the glue that holds them to the car.    But it will make a matte finish a little shiny.    Good news is wax doesn't stay permanently on any surface except for flat black spray paint so after a couple washes your matte finish will most likely return.    Now I make a solution to install decals that removes some of the wax from lets say a car door for an install.  If any one wants the formula just lemme know it's also an awesome cleaner in general.

[tommyg29]

you mean a wax stripper?

[CID440]

No it's just my application fluid.

  If you really want wax off make a mixture of thirty percent vinegar, thirty percent windex and the rest water.  It won't hurt the paint and it will remove wax, hard water spots and bugs.  Just don't use it on a hot day in the sun.