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How do I remove stains from Bonnet strips?

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  • #1

    How do I remove stains from Bonnet strips?

    Hello,

    Got a 2008 Mini Cooper S with silver bonnet strips and since we moved to our new house in San Diego from TN, all of a sudden the bonnet strips got stained. I think it's from a flowering tree we have over the driveway but am not sure. Have tried bug & tar remover, all kinds of different soaps and a pressure washer with no luck. Pics below are after being washed and dried, so are not water spots, looks darker in real life. The area that is still silver is covered by clear anti rock chip cover.




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  • #2
    Re: How do I remove stains from Bonnet strips?

    Are the stripes painted on or adhesive type stripes??

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    • #3
      Re: How do I remove stains from Bonnet strips?

      Adhesive... Vinyl or something like that.

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      • #4
        Re: How do I remove stains from Bonnet strips?

        Hmmm...that's a tough one. If the stains are right on the adhesive I don't know that you will be able to get it out. I'm not that knowledgeable though. Hopefully Mike or one of the other Meguires guys sees this. The only thing I can think of is maybe on of the plastic polishes. This or one of the vinyl cleaners is the only thing I can think of. Let me know if you get it clean. I would be interested. http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotiv...leaner-polish/

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        • #5
          Re: How do I remove stains from Bonnet strips?

          Thanks for the tip Dave, never heard of that stuff but it says it removes stains from plastics so might be worth a try. I've never had an issue like this before and it has stumped me so far too. Will post up here with any results. New Bonnet stripes are over $300 plus the cost of having to redo the stone chip guard so will try just about anything else before I do that.

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          • #6
            Re: How do I remove stains from Bonnet strips?

            Are the stripes glossy?

            If so, a mild cleaner/wax application maybe.
            2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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            • #7
              Re: How do I remove stains from Bonnet strips?

              They have a bit of gloss to them but not much and I am kind of worried about removing the little they have and destroying them all together.

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              • #8
                Re: How do I remove stains from Bonnet strips?

                Are those just 'spots' or are they 'bumpy'? The pics (to me) kinda look like they are throwing a shadow.

                Like Murr said...I'd give a gentle cleaner/wax a try. Something like Megs A-12. Just put a bit on you finger tip and gently rub it in to start.

                Bill

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                • #9
                  Re: How do I remove stains from Bonnet strips?

                  There is no texture to them. The spots are just the darkest spot the whole stripe is stained a brownish colour.

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                  • #10
                    Re: How do I remove stains from Bonnet strips?

                    This is tough since the stains could actually be set into the material. If they're in the pores or microscopic texture of the material it could clean up fairly easily, but if they've actually etched the surface then removal may be darn near impossible. We'd suggest trying our M39 Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner, applied with a foam wax applicator pad, and then a light application of Ultimate Protectant. You don't want to scrub the surface, and you want to stay away from terry cloth applicators as they can be very aggressive. If the marks are actually etched into the surface then trying to repair this is similar to repairing etched paint, except that paint is very receptive to polishing or "leveling" to remove below surface defects, while vinyl, unfortunately, is not. So if that's the real situation here, it's bad news. But try the above first and let's see where that gets you.
                    Michael Stoops
                    Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

                    Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

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                    • #11
                      Re: How do I remove stains from Bonnet strips?

                      Thanks for the advice everyone... However I got bad news. I spent about 2 hours following Michael's instructions and got the darkest spots out, but overall the stripes were still looking rather brown. Anyhow I had to go run some errands and happened to pass the Mini dealership, so pulled in, figured they had to have had this issue before. Anyhow spoke to their head detailer, Service Manager and another customer who had, had the same issue. Apparently there is not bringing the stripes back from this as the San Diego sun "burns them up after a while" and the only option is to get a replacement set. Not a big deal if we didn't have the $500 3M nose bra on the car and the stickers go under it... Anyhow I guess now I am going to get in touch with a vinyl guy and get higher quality stripes that won't do this again or investigate paint shops that can paint and clear coat replacements on.

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                      • #12
                        Re: How do I remove stains from Bonnet strips?

                        Would you consider just going "strip-less"?
                        Originally posted by Blueline
                        I own a silver vehicle and a black vehicle owns me. The black one demands attention, washing, detailing, waxing and an occasional dinner out at a nice restaurant. The silver one demands nothing and it looks just fine. I think the black vehicle is taking advantage of me, and the silver car is more my style. We can go out for a drive without her makeup and she looks fine. If I want to take the black one out, it is three or four hours in the "bathroom" to get ready.

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                        • #13
                          Re: How do I remove stains from Bonnet strips?

                          Originally posted by davey g-force View Post
                          Would you consider just going "strip-less"?
                          Or real painted stripes?

                          Bill

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