Ghost Lettering from Decal

What are some of the best and easiest ways to get rid of ghost lettering left behind from a dealer decal on the paint? I don’t want to use anything too harsh since it’s on the paint.

 

Goo gone
Or
Rubbing compound followed by wax

 

+1 on rubbing compound. It may take a few times but it should help.

 

I hate when dealers put their emblem on a rig. I am not going to give you free advertising. I asked them to leave it off when we bought our 2014 FJ. They asked if they could put their license plate frame on it instead. I said sure. It was gone a half hour later when I got home.

 

The paint shop at one of the local dealerships said ghosting is usually not going away until sunlight fades it to match the surrounding paint.

 

You would think that by that point, the paint will be fading at the same rate as the surrounding paint. I'd imagine relying on sunlight to do the work would leave you waiting forever...

 

Just got this 2020 last week with 50k miles. It was the original dealer decal from when it was new, and was already removed before I took ownership. I can't stand it! I'm buying a Toyota, not a dealership sponsor!

 

Thanks for this. Gonna wait for the pollen to settle down before giving her a bath and trying some rubbing compound. Hope that does the trick!

 

Really depends what is causing the ghosting. If adhesive residue, that can be cleaned and removed like suggested. If its from the rest of the paint get sun faded and the part under the decal hasn't faded, that is hard to correct.

 

Do you think the MGM paint can fade that quickly? I mean it has been on the road since May 2020, but that seems quick. I have a MGM 2013 4Runner that was faded pretty badly when I tried to debadge it when it was ~7 years old, so I don't doubt it, just curious.

 

You could go a lot quicker and repaint the truck

 

Don't tempt me..

 

Me too...

 

If all else fails, you can always cover it with a magnetic sticker.

 

You might try NuFinish car polish:

https://nufinish.com/car-polish/

This is a great product and my git rid of your "ghosting" issue. It certainly wouldn't hurt.

Dan

 

^ Yes this..
I'd go over it with a swirl remover and see if that helps.
But as Charles stated, some time in the sun will eventually help...

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$16 Meguiar’s Professional Swirl Remover M0916 – Remove Swirls & Scratches and Restore Shine & Gloss, Professional Results by Hand or Machine – 16 Oz

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Try some clay magic first, after washing the area with Dawn to remove any wax, then tape off the area and try some swirl remover or cutting compound. Maybe you can blend the edges and it won't be so noticable.

 

Typically do not recommend rubbing compound on paint. You would want a cutting compound follow up with a polish.

 

I had a similar look on a 21 Tundra that I bought in early March. My brother in law, who sells paint for a living, used WD 40 and some elbow grease. Problem solved within 15 minutes.

 

I am a big fan of Meguires ScratchX.