Removing Sasquatch fender badge problem

[JimmyZ]

Question about removing fender badges. Just bought my son a 2023 big band Sasquatch. He wants to remove the fender badge and just put the Bronco script on there. I took the fender badge off and there seem to be an indention in the paint where it goes on the body. Almost like there’s an extra coat of clear coat on the fender and when you take the badge off it leaves a little ridge the shape of the badge? Has anybody else run into this?

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[BigHoof]

Maybe the body was repaired and they didn’t remove the badge when they painted it? Definitely not normal.

 

[Ducati1098]

Definitely shouldn’t be any ridge. The sticker goes on well after the clear should.
is it the same on both sides?

 

[PetePerkins]

It's the emblem sticky backing. Use a blow dryer or heat gun to soften it, then work it off

 

[Danielsand]

I've been in a car business for many years. I'll chime in.

IF it's adhesive residue you are talking about, WD 40 will take it off. After that comes cleanup with denatured alcohol. IF there is a "shadow" left after removal of the adhesive (difference in paint exposure to the sun), a rubbing compound will blend it in.
IF in fact is a clearcoat "ridge", a good car detail shop can wet sand it, and buff it to blend it in.

 

[gtabert]

Is it possible it's due to a build up of ceramic coat applied?

 

[SHANUT]

Question about removing fender badges. Just bought my son a 2023 big band Sasquatch. He wants to remove the fender badge and just put the Bronco script on there. I took the fender badge off and there seem to be an indention in the paint where it goes on the body. Almost like there’s an extra coat of clear coat on the fender and when you take the badge off it leaves a little ridge the shape of the badge? Has anybody else run into this?

Mine came off completely clean with just a hairdryer. In fact, I installed the bronco script in their place and then I reinstalled the same Badlands stickers below with no issues.

 

[JimmyZ]

Is it possible it's due to a build up of ceramic coat applied?

I bet your right

 

[JimmyZ]

I've been in a car business for many years. I'll chime in.

IF it's adhesive residue you are talking about, WD 40 will take it off. After that comes cleanup with denatured alcohol. IF there is a "shadow" left after removal of the adhesive (difference in paint exposure to the sun), a rubbing compound will blend it in.
IF in fact is a clearcoat "ridge", a good car detail shop can wet sand it, and buff it to blend it in.

It's not that. the paint on the fender around the decal is higher the area that I remove the decal from. Almost like extra wax build up around it

 

[Brian_B]

It's not that. the paint on the fender around the decal is higher the area that I remove the decal from. Almost like extra wax build up around it

Well @Danielsand gave pretty good advice, and I think he's spot on. He pretty much covers whatever it may be. But it requires you to get out there and put some elbow grease on it. I think at this point you should just take it into the body shop and let them figure it out. They will have all the tools no matter what it is anyway.

 

[Danielsand]

Well @Danielsand gave pretty good advice, and I think he's spot on. He pretty much covers whatever it may be. But it requires you to get out there and put some elbow grease on it. I think at this point you should just take it into the body shop and let them figure it out. They will have all the tools no matter what it is anyway.

IF it's a build up of any kind (ceramic, wax, or even clearcoat) a reputable DETAIL shop (not body shop) can take care of it. "Elbow grase" might not work (depending on the age of the elbows and/or patience LOL). A good detailer (even mobile one that comes to you) WILL take care of it regardless of what it is. The easiest way to deal with it is to take it to a detail shop, and request a full detail. In that case as the vehicle is buffed (with an orbital buffer), it's buffed as a whole unit. Any discoloration from the UV exposure will be blended in on the surface of the whole vehicle. IF the OP goes that route, he should request a "clay treatment" first (ask if the shop does clay before buff). Most do. Ones that don't waste too much money on buffing pads, and thin the customer's clearcoat unnecessarily. EVERY vehicle should be "clayed" at least once a year. Buffing only when necessary (today's clear coats are VERY thin, and one might cut through it in just 4-5 buffs with the orbital) and using a MILD rubbing compound. IF the vehicle is not clayed regularly, heavier compound (and a more aggressive pad) needs to be used by a detail shop, which WILL thin that clearcoat much faster.
Hope this helps someone.
For my "credentials":
I owned two car dealerships from 1995-2000, and from 2000-2016 I owned two gas stations with full service carwashes, and detail shops.

 

[BroncocnorB]

Well @Danielsand gave pretty good advice, and I think he's spot on. He pretty much covers whatever it may be. But it requires you to get out there and put some elbow grease on it. I think at this point you should just take it into the body shop and let them figure it out. They will have all the tools no matter what it is anyway.

Hopefully: give son instructions to do it himself. His dad just bought him a Bronco…

 

[JimmyZ]

It's a black Bronco so I hard to get a good picture without it reflexing the other Bronco need to it, but as you can see in this picture. there is a edge of either clearcoat, ceramic coating that is higher then and area where the decal was when the decal is removed. Buffed it lightly with some compound and also rubbed it done with alcohol. Still no deference. it's 2023 Black Bronco. I'm guessing it a ceramic coating.

 

[Danielsand]

This will not level down with "elbow grease". Wet sanding, followed by a buff is the answer. The rest of the vehicle clayed and buffed, after which it needs to be waxed with a good Carnauba based wax, and it will look like nothing happened.
IF you never had the vehicle detailed, do some research in your area (Yelp helps). There are THOUSANDS of people out there calling themselves "detailers" but are nothing more than hacks. It is VERY easy to put uncorrectable "swirl marks" on the black car, if a "detailer" is a moron (plenty of them out there). Trust me on this.

 

[onechris]

Mine came off completely clean with just a hairdryer. In fact, I installed the bronco script in their place and then I reinstalled the same Badlands stickers below with no issues.

Similar experience except I placed my Wildtrack sticker on the rear window. Looks like it was a new sticker.

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