Water spots on 50th Anniversary Matte Decals

toro1966 · 03-04-2018, 09:07 PM

Hey guys - Have some pretty bad water spots on my decals. Positive they are water spots because I first noticed them after a good rain. it doesn't rain often in SOCAL but it left some nasty spots.

I can't seem to get them off. Normally I would polish them away, but since these are Matte decals, I don't want to do that. I have tried up to 75% vinegar and distilled water solution and that didn't work. In fact, even though I have not polished these, they seem to have some top coat on them because the water sheets/beads.

I read on another thread here that CLR might work. I am going to pick some of that up tomorrow. Any other thoughts on what I can use to get these spots off - Really makes the car looks terrible. These are on the deck lid and spoiler stripes. Thanks!

P.s. - I also tried Ispopropyl alcohol and that didn't work either.

STYLO LT1 · 03-04-2018, 09:36 PM

These water spots an the matte stripes are a pain in the rear to remove. Had them on my 2014 SS, and let me tell you that I could not find anything that worked without putting a sheen on the matte finish. I’d also like to know if someone’s come up with something yet.

toro1966 · 03-04-2018, 09:43 PM

There's one thing I know will work because I had it done to the hood stripe - but I really don't want to go down that route unless I have to - and that is to have Expel Stealth film installed over them . The guy that did my hood was awesome and he put the stealth (matte) film just over the stripe while covering the rest with expel ultimate. Looks great and the hood stripe is perfect. Should have had the rear stripe done but I had no idea these water spots on the rear stripe were a "thing"...

Liralen · 03-04-2018, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toro1966

Hey guys - Have some pretty bad water spots on my decals. Positive they are water spots because I first noticed them after a good rain. it doesn't rain often in SOCAL but it left some nasty spots.

I can't seem to get them off. Normally I would polish them away, but since these are Matte decals, I don't want to do that. I have tried up to 75% vinegar and distilled water solution and that didn't work. In fact, even though I have not polished these, they seem to have some top coat on them because the water sheets/beads.

I read on another thread here that CLR might work. I am going to pick some of that up tomorrow. Any other thoughts on what I can use to get these spots off - Really makes the car looks terrible. These are on the deck lid and spoiler stripes. Thanks!

P.s. - I also tried Ispopropyl alcohol and that didn't work either.

Toro1966, might want to post this on the ClubFifty thread. As most of us FIFTY owners have had experience with it once or twice. I usually just wash it again with Adams Car Shampoo and that gets rid of the waterspots. I also treat mine with Adams Polishes Matte Detailer and the Matte Protectant. So might be why when I wash mine the spots lift right off. Plus mine have not ever "baked" in like yours may have with being in SOCAL. I also make sure that when wash the car the stripes get dried completely right away to prevent spotting. I also have heard of using CLR...but have not personally tried it...

toro1966 · 03-04-2018, 10:33 PM

Thanks Guys.

Glen - won't using an orbital and polish make remove the "matte-ness" from the stripes and make them shinier?

Glen e · 03-04-2018, 10:39 PM

I didnt see you said Matte… In that case it's going to take a chemical, like the clr or vinegar

toro1966 · 03-04-2018, 11:08 PM

Thanks. Already tried the vinegar and it didn't even make a dent. Going to try the clr next.

Dysan911 · 03-05-2018, 06:58 AM

One of the first mistakes I ever made with my center hood stripe was to use a random orbital and a dab of Chemical Guys polish. I was doing the entire hood and my first car with vinyl stripes in matte. The end results were random shiny spots in the vinyl. It looked awful. I removed the matte center vinyl from the hood and was going to pay my dealer to replace it but instead I actually like it without the center decal and just the orange accent decals.

Also since the matte was almost the same color as the paint it really never stood out anyway and way less of a pain do deal with now. Because the orange stripes are gloss anyway I can buff the hood anytime I want.

PnCRedJwl2SS · 03-05-2018, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dysan911

One of the first mistakes I ever made with my center hood stripe was to use a random orbital and a dab of Chemical Guys polish. I was doing the entire hood and my first car with vinyl stripes in matte. The end results were random shiny spots in the vinyl. It looked awful. I removed the matte center vinyl from the hood and was going to pay my dealer to replace it but instead I actually like it without the center decal and just the orange accent decals.

Also since the matte was almost the same color as the paint it really never stood out anyway and way less of a pain do deal with now. Because the orange stripes are gloss anyway I can buff the hood anytime I want.

I think I like that look! Hmmmm....should I do mine?

51FIFFT · 03-06-2018, 09:42 AM

park in the sun they go away, mine was really bad and i thought i was going to need new ones. The next day parked in the sun they went away.

toro1966 · 03-08-2018, 02:13 PM

I'm in SOCAL. it's always sunny. They haven't gone away yet

MidLife RS:) · 03-11-2018, 09:45 PM

I have been toying with the idea of removing the matte and after seeing the pics I am sold. The Orange accents are just enough imo

IH8WNTR · 03-11-2018, 10:34 PM

Any luck with clr?

Gen6 softtop · 03-12-2018, 02:08 PM

Just a suggestion, orbital with aggressive rubbing compound. Should clean it and dull the surface?

03-04-2018, 09:07 PM	#1
toro1966 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Convertible 50th Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Ojai, CA Posts: 340	Water spots on 50th Anniversary Matte Decals Hey guys - Have some pretty bad water spots on my decals. Positive they are water spots because I first noticed them after a good rain. it doesn't rain often in SOCAL but it left some nasty spots. I can't seem to get them off. Normally I would polish them away, but since these are Matte decals, I don't want to do that. I have tried up to 75% vinegar and distilled water solution and that didn't work. In fact, even though I have not polished these, they seem to have some top coat on them because the water sheets/beads. I read on another thread here that CLR might work. I am going to pick some of that up tomorrow. Any other thoughts on what I can use to get these spots off - Really makes the car looks terrible. These are on the deck lid and spoiler stripes. Thanks! P.s. - I also tried Ispopropyl alcohol and that didn't work either. Last edited by toro1966; 03-04-2018 at 09:23 PM.

03-04-2018, 10:39 PM	#6
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	I didnt see you said Matte… In that case it's going to take a chemical, like the clr or vinegar __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

03-05-2018, 06:58 AM	#8
Dysan911 Drives: 2017 50th Anniversary 2SS Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 930	One of the first mistakes I ever made with my center hood stripe was to use a random orbital and a dab of Chemical Guys polish. I was doing the entire hood and my first car with vinyl stripes in matte. The end results were random shiny spots in the vinyl. It looked awful. I removed the matte center vinyl from the hood and was going to pay my dealer to replace it but instead I actually like it without the center decal and just the orange accent decals. Also since the matte was almost the same color as the paint it really never stood out anyway and way less of a pain do deal with now. Because the orange stripes are gloss anyway I can buff the hood anytime I want. __________________ Former Ride: 17 Camaro 2SS, M6 - Fifty \| Procharger P1SC \| 3.7 Pulley \| Stage 2 IC \| Race Bypass \| DSX FF Kit \| JRE Custom E85 Flex Fuel Tune \| LT4 Fuel System \| JMS Voltage Booster \| MSD Plug Wires \| American Racing 1-7/8's LT Headers Full System Catback \| Baro Breakout Harness \| LT4 Map Sensor \| Katech Ported TB \| MMS Oil Catch Can \| 160 Thermo \| Solo Performance J-Pipes

03-06-2018, 09:42 AM	#10
51FIFFT Drives: 2017 2SS M6 FIFTY @51fifft Join Date: May 2017 Location: California, Woodland Posts: 187	park in the sun they go away, mine was really bad and i thought i was going to need new ones. The next day parked in the sun they went away. __________________

03-04-2018, 09:36 PM	#2
STYLO LT1 Drives: 2016 Camaro SS Vert. Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Garden State Posts: 537	These water spots an the matte stripes are a pain in the rear to remove. Had them on my 2014 SS, and let me tell you that I could not find anything that worked without putting a sheen on the matte finish. I’d also like to know if someone’s come up with something yet.

03-04-2018, 09:43 PM	#3
toro1966 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Convertible 50th Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Ojai, CA Posts: 340	There's one thing I know will work because I had it done to the hood stripe - but I really don't want to go down that route unless I have to - and that is to have Expel Stealth film installed over them . The guy that did my hood was awesome and he put the stealth (matte) film just over the stripe while covering the rest with expel ultimate. Looks great and the hood stripe is perfect. Should have had the rear stripe done but I had no idea these water spots on the rear stripe were a "thing"...

03-04-2018, 10:33 PM	#5
toro1966 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Convertible 50th Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Ojai, CA Posts: 340	Thanks Guys. Glen - won't using an orbital and polish make remove the "matte-ness" from the stripes and make them shinier?

03-04-2018, 11:08 PM	#7
toro1966 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Convertible 50th Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Ojai, CA Posts: 340	Thanks. Already tried the vinegar and it didn't even make a dent. Going to try the clr next.

03-08-2018, 02:13 PM	#11
toro1966 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Convertible 50th Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Ojai, CA Posts: 340	I'm in SOCAL. it's always sunny. They haven't gone away yet

03-11-2018, 09:45 PM	#12
MidLife RS:) Drives: 2017 2SS 50th Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Maine Posts: 50 View My Garage	I have been toying with the idea of removing the matte and after seeing the pics I am sold. The Orange accents are just enough imo

03-11-2018, 10:34 PM	#13
IH8WNTR Drives: 2017 1SS 1LE Silver Ice Metallic Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 255	Any luck with clr?

03-12-2018, 02:08 PM	#14
Gen6 softtop Drives: Hyper blue 1ss convertible 6 sp Join Date: May 2017 Location: Munger mi Posts: 205	Just a suggestion, orbital with aggressive rubbing compound. Should clean it and dull the surface?

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