If I remove vinyl lettering...

Supergus1

Supergus1

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Will the paint under the lettering be darker? (2012 Tundra, parked outside 24/7, 365).
I assume so, but I thought clear coat had UV protection.

If it is darker, is it the surrounding paint that has lightened or is it the surrounding clear coat that has changed?

The reason I'm asking is that the inside corners of the lettering on the horizontal panels have started to crack, and if it gets bad enough I may want to remove the lettering.

Thanks
 
Supergus1 said:
Will the paint under the lettering be darker? (2012 Tundra, parked outside 24/7, 365).
I assume so, but I thought clear coat had UV protection.

If it is darker, is it the surrounding paint that has lightened or is it the surrounding clear coat that has changed?

The reason I'm asking is that the inside corners of the lettering on the horizontal panels have started to crack, and if it gets bad enough I may want to remove the lettering.

Thanks
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We need to know what the color of your truck is, however it's safe to say there will be a discoloration.
It isn't actually the paint that will be different, but rather the clear coat. I'm being picky, but that's what actually lightens up when exposed to the elements.

Under the circumstances you're going to have a permanent "shadow" of where the decals "used to be". As old as the truck is and the description of it being outside all the time ........ you won't be able to polish enough to remove the shadowing completely. It'll take wet sanding.

Your call.
 
I was afraid of that. At least it won't be a repaint! BTW it's dark blue metallic ( Nautical Blue Metallic)
 
I would take them off. After a good polishing, all that will be left is a light ghost of the image of the letters and usually only someone with OCD (like an AutoGeek) will notice it.
 
Don M said:
I would take them off. After a good polishing, all that will be left is a light ghost of the image of the letters and usually only someone with OCD (like an AutoGeek) will notice it.
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And therein lies the problem!!:mad:
 
...it may be just fine. I've removed decals from a fleet of dark blue police cars when they changed their lettering style, it did take a god bit of compounding and polish, but you could NOT see any ghosting at all. Really depends on the clear and its UV protection. It there a small area you would be able to try?

Mike
 
it would drive me nuts knowing that was there.
Wet sand those areas and polish the entire vehicle out. It'll look like you have a new paint job.
 
TFTADetail said:
it would drive me nuts knowing that was there.
Wet sand those areas and polish the entire vehicle out. It'll look like you have a new paint job.
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It would bother me too! The bummer is that EVERY panel has lettering...BIG lettering! What's the going rate for color sanding and polishing a full sized double cab truck these days?!
 
Supergus1 said:
It would bother me too! The bummer is that EVERY panel has lettering...BIG lettering! What's the going rate for color sanding and polishing a full sized double cab truck these days?!
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Lol.

My pricing would be $1100 - $1300.
Kind of stuck either way ........
 
I would just remove the worst of the decals and see what is going on. If there is some noticeable difference in the paint and you can't polish out any defects that might or might not be there then just have the factory decals reapplied.
 
geekdout said:
I would just remove the worst of the decals and see what is going on. If there is some noticeable difference in the paint and you can't polish out any defects that might or might not be there then just have the factory decals reapplied.
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I wish I could but here's what I'm working with. I can't really remove just one little decal to see how it looks. With the size of them, if I start then I'm pretty much all in.


 
Oh wow you weren't kidding. I was thinking it was some TRD graphics.

I don't really see how there is going to be a issue because the paint seems to be in pretty good condition (the part that is not being covered by the decals) and the paint under the decals should be factory fresh. So judging from the picture you posted I don't think there is going to be a difference in the paint.

Even if there is a ghost effect left in paint it still might look better then the graphics.
 
3 year old with good maintenance and protection? You might not have too much contract between the paint bellow the decals and the rest of the truck. Just plan on compounding and polishing after removal.

I just removed badges off my 10 year old Dark Blue Caravan and after compounding and polishing, you can't tell there were badges there. Same for the dealer decal. So for a 3 year old truck, it should be even easier.
 
Supergus1 said:
I wish I could but here's what I'm working with. I can't really remove just one little decal to see how it looks. With the size of them, if I start then I'm pretty much all in.


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Dang!!! You're driving a rolling advertisement ... I couldn't have done that for three years. The "Emblem" on the hood is bad enough, but the lettering on the sides are hideous. I definitely vote for removal and wet sanding if need be. You wouldn't have to do much wet sanding, just enough to scuff the surface. Wet sanding, all in all, would be safer than heavy compounding because you have more control over how much clear is being removed.

Maybe someone .in your area would help you with this project.
 
Don M said:
Maybe someone .in your area would help you with this project.
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You'd think that New England would be swarming with detailers but oddly enough, I haven't found anyone in this area that does full paint corrections except body shops. :help: If there is anyone, they aren't advertising very well.
I may have to remove the lettering myself first, and when I get some practice with machine polishing I'll compound and polish. I draw the line at attempting wet sanding!
 
I don't know what town you are in but I did a search for Auto Detail Maine and a lot of sites came up. Try doing the same with the name of your town, you might be surprised. Google is your friend ;)
 
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