Matte Decals

J

JSFM35X

Active member
I have a Jeep Trailhawk with a very large Black Matte decal on the hood.

When I originally prepped the car I applied GTECH EXO and it came out streaky (you could see the application marks). In speaking with GTECH USA, I was told I did not get enough product on the decal. They advised that I apply a wetter, heavier layer so that the whole decal was wet at the same time and to wipe off before it flashed off 100%. That solved the issue and it has been 12 months since application and the paint still beads like mad, as does the decal, but the decal is showing spots.

I can get the spots to disappear with the GTECH Quick detailer and some elbow grease, but they re-appear several days later.

Can someone give me advice on a better way to handle these decals?









Poorboy said:
me too Jeff .. just be careful with vinyl .. it has at most a 8-10 year life (always an exception) but like convertible tops, you have to have a plan for eventual replacement
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try some Spray and Wipe and keep products that make other things shiny away from decals
 
using anything with a petroleum distillate in it , ie polish or wax, will cause premature whitening and early degrading of the vinyl material ...

here is a post from a Dodge Forum talking about this topic ..

I do vinyl graphics and know all to well the difference, the quality and uses vary too greatly to try to explain it all. If one wants something to last, go paint. I like to change things up every couple of years, so I go vinyl. I don't expect to get the 6 year life out of my vinyl when applied on the hood, windows, or trunk. Maybe 2-3 years bvefore there is a noticeable change. I HAVE tried the cheap overseas crap and you may get a year of ok look out of it. You get what you pay for. As for cleaning, I do normal washes and do not scrub them hard or wax them. I have done matt vinyl for people (used a 8 year vinyl) but never cleaned them. Speciality vinyl like chrome will not last as long, my stock is a 3 year vinyl and on a slanted window after 18 months, it had lost its shine and started to whiten. I have delt with the manufacturers too for warrenty stuff and learned a lot. Placement, climent, care, and so many other things come into play making every case different. Common sence goes a long way in how you care for your vinyl, just stop and think before you do. In the Corps, a senior Marine once said "The only stupid question is the one not asked." When in doubt ask before doing.
 
JSFM35X said:
Love spray n wipe. Smell is addicting.
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me too Jeff .. just be careful with vinyl .. it has at most a 8-10 year life (always an exception) but like convertible tops, you have to have a plan for eventual replacement
 
Its 1 year old next month, it does not look faded or bad, just spotty. I would replace if that would be a long term solution. Its just a stipe up the middle of the hood. Stock Jeep Cherokee Trail hawk decal. It is on the matte side of the scale but not murdered-out looking.









Poorboy said:
me too Jeff .. just be careful with vinyl .. it has at most a 8-10 year life (always an exception) but like convertible tops, you have to have a plan for eventual replacement
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interesting look ... how are you liking it? haven't had too much luck with vehicles made by Chrysler
 
Having trouble loading pictures, I have done many cars that I see on a regular basis and none have had problems with the graphics once cleaned up. Just use the weight of the machine and a low speed of about 3 on a da and make a couple of passes then check. Very simple.
 
Well, it is a low mileage Vehicle and so far its been very solid. I have had Loads of Updates and Flashes but no problems yet. I did not want to buy this in the worst way after reading the forums, but so far so good. I did buy the extended warranty 7/100,000 bumper to bumper (wear items excluded-Brakes, wipers, belts, Glass, Hoses) to cover myself. It a capable snow mobile, comfortable as anything I have ever driven, the tech is the best in the family-front crash avoidance, rear crash avoidance, lane departure warning and interference (keeps you in the lane), blind spot detection, auto parallel parking (very kool to see-I have not used buy my son has), Texts you when tired are low on PSI, factory remote start. Lock, unlock from phone, locate from Phone. Killer radio, Superb Bluetooth integration and music playback (using iphone), excellent Nav, huge screen. Power tail gate. And I'm sure I'm missing many things. All for a very fair price.

This is the first American Auto I have purchased in my life. The rest is to be seen. I hope it stays Solid--In either case, I will learn something.
 
JSFM35X said:
Well, it is a low mileage Vehicle and so far its been very solid. I have had Loads of Updates and Flashes but no problems yet. I did not want to buy this in the worst way after reading the forums, but so far so good. I did buy the extended warranty 7/100,000 bumper to bumper (wear items excluded-Brakes, wipers, belts, Glass, Hoses) to cover myself. It a capable snow mobile, comfortable as anything I have ever driven, the tech is the best in the family-front crash avoidance, rear crash avoidance, lane departure warning and interference (keeps you in the lane), blind spot detection, auto parallel parking (very kool to see-I have not used buy my son has), Texts you when tired are low on PSI, factory remote start. Lock, unlock from phone, locate from Phone. Killer radio, Superb Bluetooth integration and music playback (using iphone), excellent Nav, huge screen. Power tail gate. And I'm sure I'm missing many things. All for a very fair price.

This is the first American Auto I have purchased in my life. The rest is to be seen. I hope it stays Solid--In either case, I will learn something.
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Yes, the extended warranty is a no brainer for Chrysler ... had a couple minivans one was super the other a nightmare ... i guess it's hit or miss .. maybe made on a Wednesday :)

Good luck with it :)
 
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