Bedside Decal Removal - I may have made a horrible mistake

Yesterday, I started to replace the white TRD 4x4 passenger side decal with some new matte black ones for both sides.

As I was peeling off the factory decal I realized with horror that there was some kind of significant coating over the top of it, resulting in a glaring outline where the sticker used to be.





I did have the truck fully detailed, clay bar, and ceramic coated in October. Could this possibly be the ceramic coating? It seems so thick like it somehow got factory clear coated over the sticker.

I have an email out to my detail shop asking the same question, but wanted to get some more eyes on it or see if anyone here has had this experience?

Trying to determine if this can be "buffed out" and re-coated or if I should be calling around to auto paint shops to correct it.


Good news is the driver's side looks great!

 

Have you tried one of the eraser wheels that goes on a cordless drill? That might just be residue.

 

It can be buffed out. You are correct it is probably polish and ceramic that built up on the edges of the stickers.

Either you or your detailer can buff it out.

 

It will come right off with the correct buffing wheel. I once was able to remove PAINTED on lettering on outboard power head. After removing the lettering, you could still read the lettering underneath as it etched the original surface. I tried polishing first with an orbital and then was able to finally remove it with a high speed rotary and a heavier compound. Yours will be quick and easy.

 

Well these replies are good to hear. Finally a situation where hearing "It'll buff right out" is actually true!

 

Well, your issue is going to be that if it was ceramic coated and you remove the decal, there is no ceramic coating there. You’re gonna have to strip the entire panel of ceramic coating and then reapply so you’re going someplace anyway to get that done. Might as well have them do it.

 

I had the same residue after I took my bed stickers off. I too used the eraser wheel. Removed all the un-wanted sticker goo! Good Luck

 

Looks like it might just be glue?

Go to the autoparts store and get 3M adhesive remover. Usually comes in a white aerosol can with red lettering. It's magic. Spray directly on the remaining glue then wipe off with a soft cloth. Might take a few times, but it'll come right off if thats what it is. That's how i removed my TRD stickers.

 

I think some of you guys are seeing the image in the reverse of what it actually is.
Where the sticker was is an indentation - in other words the entire rest of the panel surrounding the sticker shape is a raised coating.

 

That's really weird if so. Is it the same on both sides?

 

It's actually very interesting, to see the ceramic coating and how thick it is over the paint. I hope it doesn't cost you too much to have to reapply the ceramic

 

Yea, I'm confused how the driver side is OK but the passenger side had this issue? Maybe I'm missing something.

 

I only had an OEM decal on the passenger side. Sorry, didn't mean to be confusing, I just assumed that was Tundra stock - I guess the PO removed the driver side decal at some point in the past pre-whatever-the-hell-this-layer-is.

So my driver side was all good-to-go for the new matte black decal.

 

Has the truck been repainted on that side?

 

I guess I don't have any record or evidence of it being repainted.

 

This will do it.

ABN Rubber Eraser Wheel 4in Pad & Adapter 1-Pack – Pinstripe, Adhesive Remover, Vinyl Decal, Graphics Removal Tool

$13 ABN Rubber Eraser Wheel 4in Pad & Adapter 1-Pack – Pinstripe, Adhesive Remover, Vinyl Decal, Graphics Removal Tool

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018WG2XYE

 

Removed the TSS stickers from that location on both of my 2018s. WD-40, a microfiber, and elbow grease removed that with no problem. Follow that with a wash and coat of wax and theres no evidence the sticker was even there.