Removed 17 Year Old Decals, Need Input

[Canuck BJ74]

I removed the factory decals on my black 1989 Toyota Land Cruiser BJ74 and as expected the paint underneath has not faded comapred to the paint that has always been exposed. What would be the best products to use to minimize the difference between the faded areas and the non-faded areas? I was thinking of something out of the professional line, a number of local stores carry it so I have access to the full line.

Thanks for any input.

[N.E.W.car]

Pictures would definitely help us help you...but...

I would start with #83 if you have a PC - 8006 pad on speed 4-5. If that isn't cutting it, there aren't many more options unless you have a rotary.

Like I said, it really depends on how "faded" the rest of your finish is - and pictures would really help.

If it's a clear-coat finish, your goal is to "clarify" the clear which would give you a clearer "window" to the black paint underneath.

I am no real expert, so I am sure others will chime in as well. You definitely came to the right place though.

Good luck!

[Marcus]

I suspect that you will need to go more agressive than #83 on a paint from '89. The paint under decals are usually a lot better off than the rest of the paint, at least this was the case for me on my old red car (that had decals removed 5 years after they were put on, still a huge difference)

But start off with the #83 then I suspect that you'll have to get tougher, something like Diamond Cut (#85, right?) probably?

Kind regards,
Marcus

[Canuck BJ74]

Thanks for the input so far guys. Here's a pic as requested.



As you can see there is still some adhesive residue left, I removed as much as I can but short of sanding the paint, I don't think I can remove it all.

[N.E.W.car]

Get new stickers!!! Just kidding, though that would solve your problem...

I am not sure about getting the left-over adhesive off of there - but once you do get it off I don't think your in too bad of a place with your paint.

Like I said, I am no expert, but I think some #83 might work for your application.

I hope somebody can give you some input on getting that adhesive off...

[YukonG]

I would definitely look into applying some adhesive remover to remove the residue left from the decals. You can try 3M Adhesive Remover or perhaps Meguiars Body Solvent. Removing the residual adhesive will give you a much better surface to begin polishing.

[Canuck BJ74]

I'm already using the 3M Adhesive Remover and it does remove most of the adhesive but some of it will just not come off. Looking at the product page fot the Meguiars Body Solvent, it doesn't seem like it would be aggresive enough....

[YukonG]

Hmmm...

I didn't know that you were already using the 3M Adhesive Remover. Maybe Mike, Joe, or 2hotford will chime in with their expert opinions

[Mike Phillips]

My guess is what use to be and adhesive with some type of elasticity is now more like hardened cement.

You have two options,

1) Dissolve it - This means finding something that will dissolve what the adhesive is now become without dissolving the paint under or around it.

2) Mechanically remove it - I can't think of a way that you can mechanically remove it without harming the paint under it and around it at the same time, so you back to option 1. I guess it's possible to try to heat it up with a heat gun but my suspicions are that it's just to case-hardened to soften under heat, at least at a temperature that won't also soften the paint.


Have you tried any products like Goo-Gone?


Compounding with a wool pad on a rotary buffer may work but you'll have to buff long enough, and press hard enough that you're back to harming the paint in the process.

I would look at trying to find some type of solvent that will soften, dissolve, loosen the old adhesive enough that you can scrape it with a plastic razor blade, and if you can get this to work then you can always polish out most/all of any marks you put in the paint scraping it.

One more option I just thought of and that would be to abrade it off by hand using a peice of terry cloth towel and some M04 Heavy Cut Cleaner. This would be time consuming, but it just might work. If it does work, then you could come back and polish out the scouring left by the M04 as it's a rotary applied product only for scour-free results. By hand, it has a lot of bite to it.

If you were in the SoCal area I would invite you to bring it by the garage and we would be happy to take first hand look at it and try a few things to try to see you through to success.

[Canuck BJ74]

I'm going to try Goo Gone next. The 3M remover takes off the major areas of adhesive but seems to have trouble remove some areas. But you're right Mike, one area on each side were there was a translucent sticker, that residue is pretty much baked on and almost seems like it has become part of the paint.

[93ZF6]

I have had the same issue with striping aroung an 82 Z 28, went around the whole car, I was able to get 100% off without any paint damage by using a 3M product it is Woodgrain & Stripe Remover, My can says Part # 051135 08907 LAST 5 are bold .

I did use a blowdryer on the tough spots, didn't have a heat gun handy and didn't want to screw up the paint.

This stuff is somewhat thicker than some of their other products and has a longer open time before it drys out so it will work longer with each application. Probably 3 trips around the vehicle is what it took me.

I found this through a PBE shop after trying a bunch of other products including the general purpose 3M adhesive remover.

[Mobilejoe]

Here is a product I tried to get old decals off of a boat, it is called Orange Peel and I purchased it from www.signwarehouse.com after it was suggested by a buddy who owns a sign shop. I checked the website and they still carry it.

[N.E.W.car]

Have you tried a clay bar? It will be ruined after you try it - but it might be worth a shot...

[Canuck BJ74]

The 3M Woodgrain & Stripe Remover is what I used to get the decals themselves off, which leaves behind the adhesive residue which I then used the 3M Adhesive Remover to remove. I'll try the Goo Gone next and then if that fails give the claybat a go too.

Man, why did Toyota have to put these decals on in the first place

[cleanbrain]

When I took of my decal it left a bunch of adhesive as well. I tried a bunch of stuff and it drove me nuts. Then I tried scratchX and its all gone. My car is only 5 years old though.

Good luck!