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Decals ???

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  • #1

    Decals ???

    I'm a police officer and I have just been given the task of detailing a few patrol cars. How do I go about cleaning, polishing (with a P.C.) and waxing with all of the decals, stripes, and stickers. So do I need to mask them and work around them. That would be a lot of work. Can I polish right over them? Some of these are the reflective types. I would hate to rub the color right off of some these. What is safe and what is not safe?

    Thanks
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  • #2
    Re: Decals ???

    Personally, I would tape off all edges with 1/2" painters tape before polishing, leaving a 1/8"-1/4" gap over the edge. Good luck.
    Superior Detailing - For All Your Auto Reconditioning Needs.
    Metro Detroit

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    • #3
      Re: Decals ???

      I agree shaun. It wouldn't be a bad idea to tape off the decal edges so that they won't lift. I've lightly buffed over a decal before and never had a problem. I say go ahead and mask them. Better safe then sorry. I'm sure you wouldn't want to ruin the decals on a cruiser. Make sure to use a paint safe tape. Good look.

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      • #4
        Re: Decals ???

        Originally posted by jguerra3235 View Post
        I'm a police officer and I have just been given the task of detailing a few patrol cars. How do I go about cleaning, polishing (with a P.C.) and waxing with all of the decals, stripes, and stickers. So do I need to mask them and work around them. That would be a lot of work. Can I polish right over them? Some of these are the reflective types. I would hate to rub the color right off of some these. What is safe and what is not safe?

        Thanks
        I would suggest the same about taping off the edges of the decals. Are you going to detail these cars in a garage or under a carport? Doing a job like that would be easier if done a constant shaded area. How old are the patrol cars? If they are new, like a few weeks or a month, I would careful about the new decals peeling up. I have never detailed a car with decals on the paint, but these are the questions I would ask myself. Make sure you take some before and after pictures. We would like to see the results. Good luck with it.
        2016 Focus ST

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        • #5
          Re: Decals ???

          I've got a truck with stripes on it. What I do it tape it off to do the cleaner and #80. Then, to apply the sealant I take the tape off since I do not apply very much pressure to my DA with #21.
          Not sure if this is the right way to do it or not, but it works well for me.


          Here is a pic...

          2008 Meguiar's Batmobile Team
          2008 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team
          2009 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team
          2010 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team

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          • #6
            Re: Decals ???

            I am the MAN at work. Sorry I don't have any pics. I did a total of 3 patrol cars. First they were given a good wash. Second I clayed them. You would not believe all of the stuff that I pulled from the paint. Third I masked off all of the decals. Fourth I used Color X. Fifth I removed the tape and used 2 thin coats of NXT. Everybody is shocked at how well they came out. These were about 10 year old Crown Victorias. They didn't trust me with the newer ones. And now they look better than the newer ones. There are still some swirls but there is only so much I can do by hand. Yes my right arm is about to fall off. My Captian was so impressed that he wants to put Meguiar's products in our maintenance budget. The guys at maintenance are gonna hate me.

            Thanks for making me look like such a cool dude at work.

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            • #7
              Re: Decals ???

              That is nice to hear. I am glad that it worked out. Since your Captain to put some Meguiar's products in the budget, just persuade him to include a G-100 DA to get even better results.
              Cheers!
              Life is a journey, enjoy the ride!

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              • #8
                Re: Decals ???

                I'll mention the G-100 to him. I'm sure the maintenance crew would like that. As for as me, I think he wants me to spend more time on the streets and less on cars. But this was a cool expiriment. These were 3 cars that they were gonna get rid of. They run in great shape but they were old and weathered. But now we are keeping them. As far as my home use, maybe Santa will bring me a G-100. I'll let my wife know. LOL

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