DodgeCharger.com Forum

Mopar Garage => Paint, Body & Trim => Topic started by: UH60L on June 24, 2023, 12:37:25 AM

Title: Car wash soap and vinyl decals...
Post by: UH60L on June 24, 2023, 12:37:25 AM
I may have asked this on here years ago but can't remember or find it.  Is there a particular brand or type of car wash soap that is safe, or safer, to use on a Charger with vinyl decals? (so you don't damage the decals)  You know like the tail stripes or the general lee graphics etc etc.

I know some waxes will cause dark colored vinyl decals to turn white.  My car has the General Lee decals and I probably won't be financially able to replace them for a long time... so I want to make them last as long as possible...

I see a lot of car wash soaps going to "ceramic" which I am guessing would be bad on decals.  I was using the "Turtle Wax Ice" brand and it was working great, but it got discontinued...
Title: Re: Car wash soap and vinyl decals...
Post by: Dino on June 24, 2023, 12:41:42 AM
Hot water, dawn dish soap, clay bar from time to time. No need for anything else.
Title: Re: Car wash soap and vinyl decals...
Post by: birdsandbees on June 24, 2023, 03:12:39 PM
Dawn will strip the wax as well...
Title: Re: Car wash soap and vinyl decals...
Post by: Dino on June 24, 2023, 05:59:28 PM
Quote from: birdsandbees on June 24, 2023, 03:12:39 PMDawn will strip the wax as well...

Right. From the post I got that he just wants something to clean the car that is safe for the decals.
Title: Re: Car wash soap and vinyl decals...
Post by: UH60L on June 25, 2023, 05:23:41 PM
Quote from: Dino on June 24, 2023, 05:59:28 PM
Quote from: birdsandbees on June 24, 2023, 03:12:39 PMDawn will strip the wax as well...

Right. From the post I got that he just wants something to clean the car that is safe for the decals.

Yes, correct.  That's what I'm looking for. 

On that note, the clay bar would only be used on the paint, correct?  I've used one before on a different car, and I wouldn't think that would be healthy for the decals.
Title: Re: Car wash soap and vinyl decals...
Post by: Dino on June 25, 2023, 05:41:08 PM
Yes, paint only
Title: Re: Car wash soap and vinyl decals...
Post by: AKcharger on June 25, 2023, 11:05:54 PM
Cash wash soap isn't the biggest threat, it's WAXING THE DECAL, that's what you have to avoid.
Title: Re: Car wash soap and vinyl decals...
Post by: DownZero on June 26, 2023, 07:23:06 PM
Use any quality ph neutral car wash soap. DO NOT use dish detergent. I use either chemical guys spray butter wax or Turtle wax ice and shine. Never had any discoloration with the decals.
Title: Re: Car wash soap and vinyl decals...
Post by: JimShine on July 02, 2023, 10:51:46 PM
Talk to the decal vendor that made your decals for their suggestions. They will know what attention their product requires.

I always had mine plotted from cast materials, not printed. They didn't require any special attention.