DrgnflyZ28

I was able to debadge the rear last night using the hair dryer/floss method and that was simple. The PITA was trying to remove the adhesive. I used Goo Gone and the hair dryer to finally (with lots of elbow grease) removed all of the material… the problem is that I can still see the outline of the emblems clear as day. I thoroughly cleaned the surface, used my clay bar and even applied Zaino swirl remover to no avail.

Any suggestions?

omg its nate

You could kind of see mine when I first removed it. After a few washes I can not even see it any more? Magic!

johnand

When I debadged mine you could see the outline as well. I fixed mine by polishing the area with a DA and Menzerna Super Intensive polish. Seems the badges slightly etch the clearcoat. Your Zaino is probably not quite abrasive enough to remove the etching. Try something with a little more abrasive, like the Menzerna SIP, as the MB ceramiclear is really hard to polish out since it is REALLY hard.

03MBC320

after i got all the glue off i washed the car and then took the buffer i've got (Porter cable dual action orbiter or something like that) and buffed where the 4matic was with some meguiars medium abrasive compounding, was gone in a minute

zerocover

Try a scratch remover, like quixx (very good) or scratchx (alittle more elbow grease needed but gets the job done)

C300Sport

+1
Mine wasn't very obvious and the difference faded away within a few weeks of sun exposure and washing. How old is your car? There is the potential of UV fading of the paint if your car is old enough or has had intense sun exposure.

DrgnflyZ28

Hey, thanks for all of your suggestions and comments!
I looked up PPG Ceramiclear and was pleased to see how durable the clearcoat is. Going to find a good compound and put the elbow back to work.

Thanks again!

johnand

Menzerna polishes are designed for the ceramiclear, so that is what I would recommend if you are going to buy something new.

laneshift

I think it's because our cars are older and the paint has faded a tone or two, but the paint that has been forever covered by the badges received no sunlight exposure, hence the darker outline.

I waxed it and left it alone. A few washes and some weathering took care of it. (Parked in sun..)

DrgnflyZ28

So on my way home yesterday, I remember buying a bottle of Kit scratch removal for the girlfriends car a while back (for the door handle area). It was a bit more abrasive than the Zaino and took about a half hour of buffing but it's all gone. The compound buffed that section to a super smooth and scratch free finish too.

If the cheap old polish I used worked, I can imagine a polish specific to Ceramiclear. I think the claybar, compounding (probably Menzerna) and a lot of Zaino is in the very near future.

Thanks again for all feedback!!

e24kgold

why debadge in the first place

johnand

For a clean look.

B on my Benz

Use a buff and solution

Nokiemon

Yes just a quite blast with a good light compound should clean up any shadowing. Follow with a good wax or sealant to protect.

e24kgold

When I see debaged cars I always think of people that, for example have a e320 or e350 sport, throw AMG wheels on it and try to pawn it off as an e55 or e63. Same with BMW owners, 540i with M wheels on it and no badge. I know you guys arent trying to do that, but that what I think of when I see a debaged car.