Decal etched into paint?

[jarred767]

Hey guys, so I need a little help, I got stumped today. Working on this customers Scion and after the removal of a wrap, this is what the hood looks like. It looks like there was some sort of decal on the hood that was "removed" before the wrap was installed. Nothing I've done has had any success. I've worked my way up from D300 and a LC orange pad to M101, a Meg's MF cutting disc, and my Rupes21 on speed 6....absolutely nothing. The surrounding paint looks practically perfect (no swirls) so I'm thinking that this may have etched completely into the paint?? Any suggestions? Should I try a chemical cleaner? Would wet sanding be an option? Any help is appreciated, thanks!



Oh, and the lower right corner looked like that when that wrap was removed, so at some point in history someone was able to remove this, don't know why they didn't finish the job.

[davey g-force]

Re: Decal etched into paint?

Wow.

I'd maybe try a chemical cleaner like Trix or Tarminator.

If that doesn't work, just tell the customer he's going to have to wrap it again - at least just the hood. Too risky wetsanding a customer's car IMO, unless you are confident at it and have a PTG etc.

[Jarhead0754]

Is it possible it's ghosted in the paint and not a decal transfer? Might b a stupid question but anythings possible right.

[The Guz]

Re: Decal etched into paint?

It looks like the sun took it's toll on it and left a ghosting effect. Considering you threw everything at it, I think you are right and that it etched it's way to the paint. I'm not sure if wetsanding would remove it. It may have to be repainted or recovered.

[jarred767]

Re: Decal etched into paint?

Thanks for the replies guys, I currently left it as is and told the customer I'd do some more research. I'm pretty confident that since the paint has been buffed to almost perfection in a couple test spots without the removal of the lettering at all, it has literally become one with the paint. I'm guessing that it wasn't removed right originally and then when the wrap was installed over it some combination of the wrap's adhesive, heat from the sun, no air due to being trapped under the wrap, and time have caused this.

The customer is thinking of having it repainted, so I may offer to give wet sanding a shot to see if it does anything first, and if worst case scenario we go through the clear without resolving, it's going to be sanded completely down before repainting anyways.

I'll keep you guys posted, and if anyone else has any ideas in the meantime, I'm all ears.