Washing Darkhorse hood

[nle_bonqueque]

I just got my darkhorse but I didn’t get the painted stripes (cause 5k is outrageous) and I was wondering if I have to worry about the vinyl coming off or peeling when I wash it. Also I hand wash it ofc. Thanks yall

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[MCS]

I just got my darkhorse but I didn’t get the painted stripes (cause 5k is outrageous) and I was wondering if I have to worry about the vinyl coming off or peeling when I wash it. Also I hand wash it ofc. Thanks yall

You will be fine. Especially if you did some sort of Ceramic coating or what not.

Just be cognizant of the areas you are washing and the pressure with which you are running your wash rag over the corners.

I use a pressure washer and a hand mit and have never had any problems. I have PPF but that is NOT over the hood decals.

 

[Sf22giants]

When contacting the hood vinyl, I wash from the vinyl surface, onto the paint. Never the other way around.

When you drag the wash mitt from high to low, you avoid rubbing the tiny little lip created by the stripes. After washing and drying it dozens/hundreds of times, if done carefully, you’ll keep the edges of the vynl clean and smooth.

Not the end of the world if you don’t do it that way, just be gentle and it’ll last a long time.

 

[DFB5.0]

Just be mindful of the vinyl edges when washing, and 100% avoid the use of tar removers as these can also remove or break down adhesive.

 

[Doug Watson]

I've had mine a year now and drove it this winter no issues at all.

 

[25Raptor]

if you want to spend the $$$
- Matte,or Gloss PPF film alleviates this issue

 

[Skye]

With general tools and sensible steps, you shouldn't have to worry about the vinyl becoming damaged. I've had similar decals on my hood for three years: they look as good as when new. A simple mitt, good soap and modest pressure works well.

One step I take I see some people do and many don't: wash on a cool surface only.

On wash days, the car returns to the garage. I pop and raise the hood, then wait about 30 minutes. This allows the engine, body panels, brakes and wheels to cool. When I later wash, I do the hood and front last. The process helps prevent water spots from forming. For the car in-general, I wash in the early morning, when coolest and the low Sun.

Pressure washers can be used. The wand simply needs to be at the right distance, the pressure at the correct amount. I am aware of one instance where a person damaged their decals. They were blasting the surface. Totally unnecessary.

Ceramic coating over the decal is one option, to protect from fading. Some have done this when getting their cars coated. The appearance of the decal will change slightly, in your favor.

PPF can protect from impacts. An installer can place matte PPF over the decal. Some will run PPF on the hood, cutting around the decal. Then the ghost install for the decal only. It looks good, but at that expense, leave the decal and just budget for an eventual replacement.

I've done PPF on the hood, while leaving the decal as-is. If the decal gets whacked, I'll replace it then. I would not install PPF over the entire hood. Virtually everyone has problems with the PPF lifting at the decal edge.

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