Vinyl Sticker Meets RagTop

blumango · 03-13-2013, 08:26 PM

Hi,

Pardon me as I'm new to this. I just took over a 2010 roadster and I noticed that there is a piece of vinyl that rests just below the roof at the trunk area. The edges of the vinyl sticker is in bad shape and with the roof top down, the vinyl is fully exposed and there are wrinkles everywhere. Does anyone know an online store that sells replacement vinyl?

Please advise.

Thanks!

Daveski38 · 03-14-2013, 07:41 AM

Doesn't exactly answer your question but I got mine replaced by the dealership for the same problem. Maybe not as bad but didn't like the way it looked.

havoc2 · 03-14-2013, 02:41 PM

I have found just the product to keep your vert top clean.Just spray on Mequires detail spray and wipe off with a terry clothe or mirco fibre cloth.

blumango · 03-14-2013, 08:10 PM

Just Spoken to my dealer and they won't replace under warranty. They want $120 for that piece of sticker and said that they will need to respray the sticker with paint and lacquer after its replaced. Is that true? I was assuming that the sticker would just come in body colour.

blumango · 03-14-2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by havoc2

I have found just the product to keep your vert top clean.Just spray on Mequires detail spray and wipe off with a terry clothe or mirco fibre cloth.

Hi, which detailer to be exact? The "quick detailer"?

blumango · 03-15-2013, 11:26 AM

Actually, I don't see the Mercedes needing the protective sticker. Has anyone tried removing the sticker and not using any?

Daveski38 · 03-15-2013, 12:37 PM

It's clear vinyl! No need to paint or spray with lacquer. Dealer did it under warranty.

If it's still under warranty raise a little H**L with them. Or just give the General Manger a call see what he hasto say.

zakimak · 03-16-2013, 12:29 PM

Had mine added to the sides because of a rub from the top. It is essentially a 3M clear bra piece of clear vinyl. If I had to do it, i'd cover the whole lid with it. just go to a tint shop if you can't work it out and have them replace it

blumango · 03-20-2013, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daveski38

It's clear vinyl! No need to paint or spray with lacquer. Dealer did it under warranty.

If it's still under warranty raise a little H**L with them. Or just give the General Manger a call see what he hasto say.

Here's a new problem. The previous owner for some stupid reason resprayed paint and lacquer over it! If I am to peel it off it will crack the surrounding paint. Now, since yours is transparent, can you please advise if the sticker is used to block off any gaps from water seepage? Or just solely used for paint protection? I am thinking of getting a body shop to just peel it off and respray that panel and not use any sticker in future. Unless of course it is required to block out gaps which I can't tell now cos its covered with paint!

Please advise. Thanks.

Daveski38 · 03-21-2013, 12:50 PM

It's only used for paint protection. The rubber boot/seal at the base of the top is used to seal.

Sorry about the respray.

I'd buy the replacement part on line and go to the body shop if you want it fixed.

Bummer · 03-22-2013, 10:00 PM

Bearing in mind that I've never done this - I'd go to my Nissan dealer and buy new vinyl. I'd then cut along the edges very gently with a razor knife just to cut the paint/clearcoat, then peel the plastic off and reapply to the exact place from which the old was removed. After all, there are lines there because of the sticker. Seems to me a line is a line.

Of course that's all very easy to say since I've never had that problem.

The idea of painting over it strikes me as a bit crazy, since it's there to protect the paint. Repainting would seem to defeat that purpose.

blumango · 03-27-2013, 10:23 AM

Thanks guys for the advise. Appreciate it.

We inspected the existing vinyl closely at the bodyshop. It's firm that the surrounding paint will crack if I try to remove it. Only 2 options. Spray over and lacquer the existing vinyl or get a vinyl installer to cover it up with carbon fibre sticker or something thick. Last resort is to remove the vinyl, sand the entire area down and respray the whole panel...

Parrotguy · 05-01-2013, 06:59 PM

The clear plastic film gets dirt along the edges and looks really bad, particularly on my white pearl. I removed about 98% of the dirt by spraying with orange degreaser cleaner, letting it sit a bit, then using a round toothpick to drag the dirt out along the edge. Its worst where the two pieces overlap. Change the toothpick often as the point gets blunt. I think it looks about as good as it did new. Even then some dirt was noticeable. A cloth will not reach it.

03-13-2013, 08:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
blumango Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Singapore Posts: 75 Drives: 2010 370Z Roadster Rep Power: 12	Vinyl Sticker Meets RagTop Hi, Pardon me as I'm new to this. I just took over a 2010 roadster and I noticed that there is a piece of vinyl that rests just below the roof at the trunk area. The edges of the vinyl sticker is in bad shape and with the roof top down, the vinyl is fully exposed and there are wrinkles everywhere. Does anyone know an online store that sells replacement vinyl? Please advise. Thanks!

03-14-2013, 07:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
Daveski38 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South of Houston Posts: 114 Drives: 10 BC A/T T Roadster Rep Power: 15	Doesn't exactly answer your question but I got mine replaced by the dealership for the same problem. Maybe not as bad but didn't like the way it looked. gr8-wrx likes this.

03-14-2013, 02:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
havoc2 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kelowna ,B.C. Posts: 17 Drives: 2010 370z Black Rose Rep Power: 12	top I have found just the product to keep your vert top clean.Just spray on Mequires detail spray and wipe off with a terry clothe or mirco fibre cloth.

03-16-2013, 12:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
zakimak 6/2/80 - 9/29/14 - RIP Lukas Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 450 Drives: ZR; Q45; VTR1K, GT65 Rep Power: 17	Had mine added to the sides because of a rub from the top. It is essentially a 3M clear bra piece of clear vinyl. If I had to do it, i'd cover the whole lid with it. just go to a tint shop if you can't work it out and have them replace it __________________ What doesn't kill you might make you a cripple so chose wisely. Free Stuff for Premium Members - Yeah Really

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03-14-2013, 08:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
blumango Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Singapore Posts: 75 Drives: 2010 370Z Roadster Rep Power: 12	Just Spoken to my dealer and they won't replace under warranty. They want $120 for that piece of sticker and said that they will need to respray the sticker with paint and lacquer after its replaced. Is that true? I was assuming that the sticker would just come in body colour.

03-15-2013, 11:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
blumango Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Singapore Posts: 75 Drives: 2010 370Z Roadster Rep Power: 12	Actually, I don't see the Mercedes needing the protective sticker. Has anyone tried removing the sticker and not using any?

03-15-2013, 12:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
Daveski38 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South of Houston Posts: 114 Drives: 10 BC A/T T Roadster Rep Power: 15	It's clear vinyl! No need to paint or spray with lacquer. Dealer did it under warranty. If it's still under warranty raise a little H**L with them. Or just give the General Manger a call see what he hasto say.

03-21-2013, 12:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
Daveski38 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South of Houston Posts: 114 Drives: 10 BC A/T T Roadster Rep Power: 15	It's only used for paint protection. The rubber boot/seal at the base of the top is used to seal. Sorry about the respray. I'd buy the replacement part on line and go to the body shop if you want it fixed.

03-22-2013, 10:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
Bummer Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 303 Drives: 13 370Z RTS SR M6 Rep Power: 50	Bearing in mind that I've never done this - I'd go to my Nissan dealer and buy new vinyl. I'd then cut along the edges very gently with a razor knife just to cut the paint/clearcoat, then peel the plastic off and reapply to the exact place from which the old was removed. After all, there are lines there because of the sticker. Seems to me a line is a line. Of course that's all very easy to say since I've never had that problem. The idea of painting over it strikes me as a bit crazy, since it's there to protect the paint. Repainting would seem to defeat that purpose.

03-27-2013, 10:23 AM	#12 (permalink)
blumango Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Singapore Posts: 75 Drives: 2010 370Z Roadster Rep Power: 12	Thanks guys for the advise. Appreciate it. We inspected the existing vinyl closely at the bodyshop. It's firm that the surrounding paint will crack if I try to remove it. Only 2 options. Spray over and lacquer the existing vinyl or get a vinyl installer to cover it up with carbon fibre sticker or something thick. Last resort is to remove the vinyl, sand the entire area down and respray the whole panel...

05-01-2013, 06:59 PM	#13 (permalink)
Parrotguy Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 51 Drives: '10 Roadster Touring Rep Power: 16	The clear plastic film gets dirt along the edges and looks really bad, particularly on my white pearl. I removed about 98% of the dirt by spraying with orange degreaser cleaner, letting it sit a bit, then using a round toothpick to drag the dirt out along the edge. Its worst where the two pieces overlap. Change the toothpick often as the point gets blunt. I think it looks about as good as it did new. Even then some dirt was noticeable. A cloth will not reach it.