Scratched Paint While Debadging

[Garrett Tate]

So I just got done debadging my truck and while the removed lettering came out looking great, the long strips of chrome on the bottom of the door are showing scratches.

At first I thought they were from me accidentally riding my drill along the truck, but the scratches are too uniform and consistent. I’ve come to the conclusion that they are most likely from the sawing motion from the fishing line I used to get the chrome strips off.

I’m both surprised and angered now because I was super meticulous about everything and made sure to be gentle and to take my time. The scratches are small and pretty hard to see from a distance, but once your eyes catch them, they’re so noticeable, especially when the truck is cleaned.

99% of people will probably never notice them and it looks good from a distance, but it will always be in the back of my mind that my paint is jacked up on the truck I bought two months ago. I’m now extremely regretting pulling the badges off. Is there anyway to buff these out? Or is re-painting going to be my only option. Pics attached

[2018GMC]

Have you tried a light rubbing compound?


Turtle Wax T-415 Premium Grade Rubbing Compound - 18 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NMDFNY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rDDVDbRX3GS00

[Thomcat]

Photo looks like the damage is down to the primer and past the use of rubbing compound. If fingernail feels a chip/depression, it's too late for that.

 

Fishing line or dental floss by itself will not damage the paint no matter how hard you try, if done correctly. Then soap and water and remove dirt on top and around the emblem. The plastic line must be used in a sawing motion between the emblem and the adhesive backing.....not between the adhesive backing and the paint, otherwise if you do, you have to be very, very careful that grit and dirt stuck on the top of the thin adhesive backing between the emblem and the paint isn't forced downward by the line cutting through and chipping the paint...looks like that's what happened right down to the primer. The other thing to avoid is not to pry on the raised end of the emblem as it comes loose or the opposite end will dig into or chip the paint.

 

The pro way as shown on many Youtube videos is to heat the emblems mildly with a heat gun or hairdryer, then use fishing line between the emblem and adhesive backing, and then remove the adhesive backing with a drill at under 400 rpm with a rubber eraser wheel, best $10 bucks I ever spent :

 

https://www.amazon.com/Degumming-Polishing-Pinstripe-Adhesive-VIBRATITE/dp/B07PY1H6YW/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=decal+removing+wheel\&qid=1572723751&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzVTBJVlVaWE5YOVZOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODczNjI2M1RUTUZZV0xKSlhUSyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODQ0OTg1T1kxUDRZSEZEVkNJJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

and after all adhesive is removed by the wheel, a wipe with Goo Gone or mild solvent will remove any remaining stickiness and a mild buff with polishing compound will complete the task. Debadged and rebadged many vehicles and this is the easiest, cleanest and most damage free method. You'll never know a badge was there.

 

My .02 Unless OP wants to repaint the bottom of the door and hope it matches is to either live with it or buy some 3M emblem adhesive tape and replace the original molding.

[Donstar]

Welcome to this forum!  I also hate scratches that only I notice!  My wife is less than sympathetic when I complain about such things!  Drive to your local collision repair shop and ask for their help.  Chances are they will offer to buff out the scratches for a little cash payment.  This will save you a lot of stress, wasted money and time on a DIY repair.  Get it done right so you can move on!

[Garrett Tate]

1 hour ago, Donstar said:

Welcome to this forum!  I also hate scratches that only I notice!  My wife is less than sympathetic when I complain about such things!  Drive to your local collision repair shop and ask for their help.  Chances are they will offer to buff out the scratches for a little cash payment.  This will save you a lot of stress, wasted money and time on a DIY repair.  Get it done right so you can move on!

I was considering heading to Walmart and grabbing a whole bunch of supplies for a DIY scratch repair job, but I think you’re right. I’ve done more than enough damage for one day, and if I were to try and fix it myself I’ll probably just botch the paint more than I already have.

[Garrett Tate]

1 hour ago, Thomcat said:

Photo looks like the damage is down to the primer and past the use of rubbing compound. If fingernail feels a chip/depression, it's too late for that.

 

Fishing line or dental floss by itself will not damage the paint no matter how hard you try, if done correctly. Then soap and water and remove dirt on top and around the emblem. The plastic line must be used in a sawing motion between the emblem and the adhesive backing.....not between the adhesive backing and the paint, otherwise if you do, you have to be very, very careful that grit and dirt stuck on the top of the thin adhesive backing between the emblem and the paint isn't forced downward by the line cutting through and chipping the paint...looks like that's what happened right down to the primer. The other thing to avoid is not to pry on the raised end of the emblem as it comes loose or the opposite end will dig into or chip the paint.

 

The pro way as shown on many Youtube videos is to heat the emblems mildly with a heat gun or hairdryer, then use fishing line between the emblem and adhesive backing, and then remove the adhesive backing with a drill at under 400 rpm with a rubber eraser wheel, best $10 bucks I ever spent :

 

https://www.amazon.com/Degumming-Polishing-Pinstripe-Adhesive-VIBRATITE/dp/B07PY1H6YW/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=decal+removing+wheel\&qid=1572723751&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzVTBJVlVaWE5YOVZOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODczNjI2M1RUTUZZV0xKSlhUSyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODQ0OTg1T1kxUDRZSEZEVkNJJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

and after all adhesive is removed by the wheel, a wipe with Goo Gone or mild solvent will remove any remaining stickiness and a mild buff with polishing compound will complete the task. Debadged and rebadged many vehicles and this is the easiest, cleanest and most damage free method. You'll never know a badge was there.

 

My .02 Unless OP wants to repaint the bottom of the door and hope it matches is to either live with it or buy some 3M emblem adhesive tape and replace the original molding.

The thing that bothers me is that I followed instructions similar to these to a T. I want to say that it was a combination of allowing the fishing line to come into contact with the paint and not frequently replacing fishing line that became rough and jagged from cutting through the adhesive.

 

The simplest, easiest and most cost efficient solution would be to put the moldings back on, but I absolutely hate them so I am headed to the auto body shop! Now I’m just gonna take a deep breath, drink a beer and chalk this up as a learning experience. Thanks for your help!

[Donstar]

16 hours ago, Garrett Tate said:

I am headed to the auto body shop! Now I’m just gonna take a deep breath, drink a beer and chalk this up as a learning experience. Thanks for your help!

Did this work for you?

[Garrett Tate]

50 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Did this work for you?

I’m going to go to the body shop sometime this week and let them give it a look over

[Donstar]

36 minutes ago, Garrett Tate said:

I’m going to go to the body shop sometime this week and let them give it a look over

I've had good luck on a couple of occasions with different shops.  Little jobs like these are often welcomed. One shop owner buffed out some door scratches for no charge and simply said, "remember us when you need collision repairs".   Another shop introduced me to one of their employees who does dent repairs in his spare time.  This person removed my dent on his lunch break for $50.   Good luck!

[T1Kaiju]

Maybe some black or redline emblems would work?

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

[ickyoldman]

Yea, that's in the paint.  Either new paint or moldings back on.