This is a heads-up for Mike-in-Orange about my latest attempt to bring the dreaded tape strip back to life.

I (gasp!) used Meguiars High Gloss Hot Shine Tire Gel after a thorough cleaning-6 week ago. Still looks great.

I'm sure that I just voided my warranty, but it's the best product I've found for this troublesome bit of plastic.

It's definitely worth trying for those who care!

 

We get calls and emails all the time from people who have used one of our products, with fantastic result, in a way not originally intended. So I'm both surprised and not surprised that this works so well for you. I'll have to give this a shot when I get home today - I just happen to happen to have some Hot Shine Tire Gel at home (funny that, eh?).

Thanks for the tip, Max!

 

New roadster owner here.

Are we talking about the strip that the rear of the top mates to when it is down?

 

That's the one. If it's exposed to the elements for any length of time, such as a dealers lot for a year waiting to be sold, they tend to turn gray on the outside (exposed) area. It's been my personal mission to try to get it back in shape, and this is my latest attempt! So far, the best stuff to use.

I also put a coat of Meguiar's NXT 2.0 wax on top. Give 'er a try and let us know next month how it's holding up?

 

I'll have to give it a try tonight...my last attempt was Mother's Back To Black with very limited success - it would look good for about a day before going gray again.

 

There must be something in those tire shine products as I have used Stoner's tire shire with better results than any of the products sold for strip reconditioning.

 

Bump to the front of the line.

Mike, have you a report for us?

 

Went out and bought some of the Hot Shot today. Fine stuff...wheels look great. Will try soon on that rear strip.

 

I had a chance to use this over the weekend and I must say it does look pretty darn good. I also want to try patpur's paint cleaner step on it. My problem seems to be not only a faded tape strip, but a difference in texture between the portion that is always exposed and that which is covered when the top is up. The exposed part actually feels smoother to the touch. I can get both halves of the strip to look good, very good in fact, but I can't get them to look "equal". Perhaps patpur's paint cleaner on a D/A will do the trick.

 

Mine needs some work too.I just went out and bought a bottle of the Hot Shine Tire Gel yesterday and hope to give it a try sometime this weekend.

 

I suggest a very thorough cleaning before application.

 

great tip!

Thanks

 

Well? Waddaya' think?

 

Does anyone know the expense in just replacing that strip? I wonder how hard/expensive it can actually be. Might be something to have on hand for the future.

 

I asked about a year ago and was told $180 plus install. He said it was a pain in the butt and the "Chilton" on it was 2 hours. Danged pricey!

 

Am I mistaken in saying that the reason the hot shot works well because it contains silicone of some sort??

I have used this over the years on black trim pieces when I detailed at a Bimmer dealer, it is just like the look on your tires, great for a week, maybe a month, then back to normal - grey. You are in essance just putting on a bandaid, right??

 

Oh, heck yeah. But it's the longest-lasting band-aid found to date.

 

Ok, it's been awhile now, Max. How is your strip holding up? I have a similar problem with mine and am hoping this is the way to go....

 

I removed mine, and it looks much better without it. Several people saw my car at the Dragon and were amazed at how much better it looks without the tape. It is easy to remove, and I have had zero problems with rubbing, leaking, etc. since the removal. Not to mention that it is also so much easier to detail the car without having to worry about the strip being there.

 

No leaking issues? No that my car spends anytime in the rain, but just in case. What about fading vs where the tape was located? I know you can get a new tape strip for about $80 from my guy & he said its super easy to install. Just weighing my options....