Removing factory decals on cars...can it damage the paint?

[426Hemi]

My dad is looking at buying a used silver 2006 Dodge Charger and the previous owner had black decals on the car (factory decals). He doesn't want the decals and the dealership selling the car said they would remove it if he buys the car. I'm just wondering if the silver paint will be affected. Will there be any paint fade? Will the decal remove any clear coat? Keep in mind the car is 2 years old (~30,000km on the car).

Here are pics of what the car looks like (same colour, same decals, but this isn't the car):

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e134/drift55/charger1.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e134/drift55/charger2.jpg

[enforcerviper]

Since it's a 2006 that's been exposed to UV and the elements I'd say you will see a fine outline of where the decals used to be.

[Polaren]

Since it's a 2006 that's been exposed to UV and the elements I'd say you will see a fine outline of where the decals used to be.

I'd say you may see a outline, silver tends to hide fading and such very well.

[Asad_A203]

I'd say you may see a outline, silver tends to hide fading and such very well.

+1. It took a halogen light and close inspection to find how marred my paint really is...

I did have a dealership decal taken off my car (a sticker); it came off fine but I can still tell exactly where it is by its faint outline.

[FD3S]

+1. It took a halogen light and close inspection to find how marred my paint really is...

I did have a dealership decal taken off my car (a sticker); it came off fine but I can still tell exactly where it is by its faint outline.

Even after some compound?

[kleptodathief]

debadge FTW! :idea: cleaner look, use dental floss and heatup the emblem a bit with hair dryer

[mau108]

debadge FTW! :idea: cleaner look, use dental floss and heatup the emblem a bit with hair dryer

re-read the op's post, hes not de badging the car he wants to remove the stickers on it (not emblems)

[Shaner]

debadge FTW! :idea: cleaner look, use dental floss and heatup the emblem a bit with hair dryer

Yes, use dental floss to remove a sticker...ugh. Read the post next time.

I had a silver Sunfire quite a few years back. For about 3 years I had one of those bras on the front end. When I took it off I was really worried about there being a noticeable outline, but there wasn't. I looked up and down and I couldn't see any fade or outline of any kind.

You should be alright with silver paint.

[skidz88]

Just find one without the decals it'll be a lot easier. Depending on the condition of the exposed paint, it shouldn't be a problem taking the decals off though. Just pray the paint was regularly washed/clayed/waxed. The Dodge and Charger badges are also laid OVER those decals so they'll have to be removed as well, but of course can be re-applied to the car afterwards.

[urameatball]

those decals are HUGE...
I'm surprised the dealer agreed to remove the decals. Decals of that size are a PITA to remove.

[Kaldonis]

Why not just ask the dealer if they'll guarantee no noticeable paint fade... make them write it down on paper.

[Asad_A203]

Even after some compound?

It hasn't been compounded yet (well professionally). The stupid dealership detailed the car and tried to leave the decal on; and I had to point it out again and then they took it off... It might also be psychological since I knew it was there. Well here is a picture; you guys can judge for yourselves.

http://imusion.net/asad/pics/dict.jpg

If you guys don't know where the decal is; I think it is just me. My car is also darker than silver; more closer to a metallic grey. Technically Diamond Graphite; but who is going to remember that; haha.

It will be fully detailed in a couple of weeks and I will see if I still view it.

[Asad_A203]

those decals are HUGE...
I'm surprised the dealer agreed to remove the decals. Decals of that size are a PITA to remove.

Those decals do also look fugly unless to the original owner. I bet alot of owners would not take delivery a car with stuff like that on it.

They have a special compound I think they can use to make it easier. On a 2006 I doubt you will notice too much paint fade; it is more common in older (7-9 year old) cars.

[malbadon]

it BOGGLES my mind when I pass people on the road who have cars that look like driving billboards for dealerships. I can forgive, barely, the small unobtrusive ones made out of plastic/metal which matches the stock badging already on the vehicle, but the stickers are pure crap.

I recall one truck who had the what I am now calling the 'advertisers special".
The ever present dealer license plate holder, a big square sticker on the tailgate, some mudflaps with the dealers name on it, AND the newest insult, the dealers website address in block letters across the top of the back window.

For the dealer sticker on my Escape, a little heat and a small tug, and off it came, but on older cars those stickers start to turn into concrete. I think in the end a lot of grunt work is going to be the answer, then some buffing.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

It shouldn't be too noticable. Be very thankful that it isnt white.

Normally a dealership will decal up their parts truck and/or their shuttle vehicle and these decals stay in place for a couple of years and remove without a trace. I am not sure if the decals right from the factory are much different.

Is the spoiler silver under the decal? or is it painted at all?

[JAGpilot]

Those decals do also look fugly unless to the original owner. I bet alot of owners would not take delivery a car with stuff like that on it.

They have a special compound I think they can use to make it easier. On a 2006 I doubt you will notice too much paint fade; it is more common in older (7-9 year old) cars.

I see a mark on the top right but it looks to small to have been a decal...

[kleptodathief]

asad: u shud debadge everything xcept that middle infinity logo for a cleaner look!

[Asad_A203]

I see a mark on the top right but it looks to small to have been a decal...

Yeah the decal was actually on the left side; opposite of the G35 logo. I think what you might be seeing is a reflection or a distortion by my crappy camera; haha.

asad: u shud debadge everything xcept that middle infinity logo for a cleaner look!

Yeah man; debadging is coming. I just have had some people tell me to leave the G35; or leave the Infiniti logo; but in either case; the INFINITI lettering is tacky and will be coming off. I am just hoping I won't get too much of a noticeable shadow.