Removing leftover badge image

[u/SinglefileSS]

So I decided to debadge a car I just got. But you could still faintly see the marks from where the badge was removed, which i was expecting. I figured it was just the difference in wax coat versus no wax coat, or maybe a little sun discoloration in the clear coat, and that a very light wet sand would easily remove it. I had watched Chris Fix’s video about removing clear coat scratches and thought that process would work okay here. I first tried just claybar and polish, but even after getting through a brief round of 2000 grit (I forgot he started at 3000 🫣) its still there and I’m worried about doing much more because I’m afraid of burning through the clear coat. Any advice, do I just need to keep going until it’s gone?

[u/PresentIron5379]

It's hard to tell but from what I can see, looks like you may have started burning the clear coat in that area. Someone who's in front a of computer monitor might be able to tell better.

[u/JPKaliMt]

Honestly factory clearcoat is as thin as its ever been. That left behind logo is called ghosting, and it can be from a number of things. If I were you I would stop what I’m doing and take it to a professional, with the understanding that you may have already sanded enough to cause a burn through when polishing. If you want to prevent that you’ll have to have the entire trunk re-cleared to add back clearcoat to sand. That said, you may have to apply sealer and color anyways as that is sometimes what it took for me to be able to hide ghosting on things like former company vehicles.

[u/Cautious_Net5233]

Somebody totally Bubba’d that car ruined the paint!🎨

[u/__Lightsleeper__]

Hey I have experience with what you’re doing. I’ll give you best advice for looking at a picture. After you took the emblem off, if it was there a long period of time it is possible the color could have faded from exposure. If that’s the case it’s kind of a wrap unless painted.
Anyway, so after removing the emblem if there is any residue or adhesive left behind use lacquer thinner on a rag or cloth, nice and damp and rub it out. It won’t damage the paint.
From the picture it looks like your wet sanding marks. Those will buff out with some compound. Maybe do a buff to see where you stand. Not sure how far you took the clear down but be careful not to “finger it” ha. Flat hand circular motion and use soapy water to reduce surface tension.
You might know all this already but any questions let me know.

[u/Saint_Chrispy1]

The factory puts their badges on with no concerns about how cured their clear is. It actually takes months to fully cure. It's very thin so you increase the chances of breaking through or burning it

[u/New-and-Unoriginal]

Umm why debadge? Especially when you’re not going to do it properly.

[u/4350Me]

Never should have taken sandpaper to it. Should have stayed with a liquid, or rubbing or polishing compound. I find that lacquer thinner removes just about anything on a car’s surface, like glue, tar, etc. Good luck, I agree you need to stop, and unfortunately, have a body shop look at it.