Cleaning the wrapped hood?

[DaemonGPF]

What are you guys doing for yours?

I pondered this for quite a while yesterday as I was detailing the car. Since it's brand new and there really wasn't much on it I just used a damp cloth this time, but later on if there are stubborn water marks, etc. what would be a good cleaning solution without damaging the wrap?

Also, I read somewhere about not getting wax on the wrap. True/False?

[ST1LE]

I get my car soap from Chemical Guys as well as a UV treatment solution for the warp, that is made for matte black so doesnt add any shine like Adams VRT does. Other than that I make sure I wash the hood last and dry it first, that keeps away water spots and it is perfect every time with minimal to no special attention.

[daspes]

Per 3M instructions. Soap and water for regular cleaning. For trouble spots use Isopropyl alcohol and water (ratio 2:1).

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawe...M&pNM&MMMMMM--

[Broke Pilot]

Man I got blasted on here for asking this question... Glad you're getting some responses. I have super hard water where I live and I had white AND black water spots in the wrap that were almost etched into the vinyl.
I ran across the Adams guys at a car show and they came over with some of their VRT vinyl and rubber cleaner, and rubbed it in and they disappeared. I tried everything on that hood short of polish to get them out... I bought 2 bottles on the spot.

[Nick S]

Here's a reply I gave to Broke Pilot in his thread.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showpo...3&postcount=14

If you want to see other people's responses just click on the thread title in the upper right bar of the post linked above.

[bluBlud]

Originally Posted by daspes

Per 3M instructions. Soap and water for regular cleaning. For trouble spots use Isopropyl alcohol and water (ratio 2:1).

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawe...M&pNM&MMMMMM--

It's true there have been a lot of threads for cleaning our hoods but this link is a good resource - one haven't seen it before. Thanks!

[SSTG]

I use this.
http://www.autogeek.net/flitz-matte-finish-cleaner.html

I've tried the others including CG. I did not like it.

This leaves the Vinyl looking like new.

[Nick S]

Originally Posted by SSTG

I use this.
http://www.autogeek.net/flitz-matte-finish-cleaner.html

I've tried the others including CG. I did not like it.

This leaves the Vinyl looking like new.

I might have to get a bottle of this and try it sometime. Thanks for the link.

I've had really good luck with my Wizards "Wipe Down" but I'm not sure how much it cleans the wrap. I have my Dr. Beasley's detailer for cleaning but then I will have to go back over it with Wizards "Wipe Down" to get rid of any streakiness that Dr. Beasley's left on it. With that combo I can keep my hood looking just like it did when it was first wrapped. But it would be nice to have an all in one spray for this instead of having to use two different sprays.

[SSTG]

Originally Posted by Nick S

I might have to get a bottle of this and try it sometime. Thanks for the link.

I've had really good luck with my Wizards "Wipe Down" but I'm not sure how much it cleans the wrap. I have my Dr. Beasley's detailer for cleaning but then I will have to go back over it with Wizards "Wipe Down" to get rid of any streakiness that Dr. Beasley's left on it. With that combo I can keep my hood looking just like it did when it was first wrapped. But it would be nice to have an all in one spray for this instead of having to use two different sprays.

The Flitz does not leave any smearing as it is a cleaner. It really does work well.

[Stoned Hemi 6]

I'm going to order a bottle of the Flitz. Thanks for the link.

[SSTG]

Originally Posted by Stoned Hemi 6

I'm going to order a bottle of the Flitz. Thanks for the link.

I wish I would have found it first. I tried a lot of the other products out there and this is by far the best if you are looking to keep the Matte look.
It will NOT leave a sheen.

[Msmall143]

Adams makes a vinyls cleaning but it has a bit of a shine when applied. A great product that looks awesome. But if you're wanting to keep it as matte as possible it's. It what you want

[Egon]

I was having the same issue with mine until I changed the way I was washing and drying the car. Now when I do a 2 bucket wash the hood is the last thing I wash and the very first thing I dry on the entire car. I use Optimum Car Wash with a microfiber wash mitt, then immediately sheet as much water off the hood as I can then dry right away. Since I have been doing this I haven’t had any issues with water spots and the wrap looks better than it ever has. I did buy some of the Chemical Guys Meticulous Matte Detailer but it wouldn’t do anything for water spots, and I find now I don’t even need it since making this change in how I wash. I recommend you give it a try before spending any money on additional products.

[Nick S]

Originally Posted by Egon

I was having the same issue with mine until I changed the way I was washing and drying the car. Now when I do a 2 bucket wash the hood is the last thing I wash and the very first thing I dry on the entire car. I use Optimum Car Wash with a microfiber wash mitt, then immediately sheet as much water off the hood as I can then dry right away. Since I have been doing this I haven’t had any issues with water spots and the wrap looks better than it ever has. I did buy some of the Chemical Guys Meticulous Matte Detailer but it wouldn’t do anything for water spots, and I find now I don’t even need it since making this change in how I wash. I recommend you give it a try before spending any money on additional products.

This works great for washing the car but what if you go to a car show and a bird decides your car makes a great target for him and makes a bullseye with your hood. You don't want to let that sh!t bake onto your hood in the sun or else you will always see that spot even after you clean it up when you get home. So it is always a good idea to have a quick detailer handy that you can use to do a quick spot clean like this to help keep permanent stains from happening.