Hey guys,
I know that this has been brought up once or twice but I have a different twist. I took off the dealer badge which was a round metal badge with an adhesive backing. I took it off by sliding a piece of dental floss behind the badge and I got it off, the problem is that half of the adhesive backing will not come off. I tried goo gone, soap and water and in the process I made 100's of fine scratches in the paint around it. I just got the car yesterday and im pissed. Anybody have any secrets how to get the sticky crap off, also do you think that compound will get out the fine scratches?

Thanks guys

 

White polishing compound not the red stuff will get rid of the scratches, but I would only use a smallamount on a dampened towel using the mildest scratch remover you can find.

Heat the glue residue with a hair dryer till warm. (DO NOT burn the car!) rub gently with a soft terri cloth towel soaked in VM&P Naphtha (Quart sized can from Home Depot or Ace. Turn rag frequently.

Save the unused Naphta from the can. it is Bug & Tar Remover and also a type of dry cleaning chemical for stubborn spots on the sills or carpets or mats. DO NOT USE IT ON PLASTIC VINYL OR LEATHER.

 

soak it w/ WD40 for 30 min.
then, use your finger nail
finally, liquid wax will complete the job.

 

I agree. WD40 works wonders on the sticky-back stuff and glue residue.

 

So i got the sticky crap off but apparently I am a complete idiot. I used a lightly abrasive sponge on the car at first. I tested it first in a spot and it was fine so I used i on the glue but after everything dried I realized that I totally took off the clear coat in a spot around where the badge used to be. I tried grey rubbing compound and that got out most of the scratches but that spot is just flat still, no shine. I am really pissed, the car is 1 day old and I do something so idiotic. Does anyone know of a product that would help revitalize the clear coat as well as work those scratches or should I just take it to a body shop and see what they say.

Any help is always appreciated.

Thanks Guys

 

Ouch. You probably just scratched the h3ll out of your clearcoat with the sponge.

If I were you I'd just take it to a detailer. I'd be willing to bet a polish with a rotary or random orbit will get the dullness out.

If that doesn't work - your next step is a body shop.

p.s. if you are in Seattle shoot me a pm and I could try the Porter Cable + a machine polish on it for you. I'm by no means a pro detailer but I have some decent stuff

 

Im in NY, I guess I will just give the local detail place a shot. Thanks A lot

(im still Pissed)

 

They should be able to run a DA buffer on the problem area and bring back the luster.

 

hopefully you didn't go completely to the base coat If you did then you will have to clear coat the panel If you just dulled the clear coat a P/Cable with the right polish will work Let us know when you have it fixed

 

I seriously doubt you penetrated through the clearcoat unless you wiped rocksalt or corrosive dust particles in to the paint with a dry cloth.

WD-40 and a little heat from a hair dryer should do the trick to remove the adhesive backing. If it doesn't, pour a smidgen of gasoline over the adhesive and wait about 5 minutes....it will soften it right up.

I have had great success with Meguiars #9 polish on MB clearcoat paint. It is available for about $7 at Advance Auto, Auto Zone, etc.

After you get the adhesive off, wash the area with a small sponge, dry it to remove ALL dirt from the scratched area. Then use a soft cloth with the number 9 and 1st polish with moderate force parallel to the scratches until they are mostly invisible. Then use a new piece of towel and polish number 9 perpendicular to the scratches for about 2 minutes....unless they are really deep, only you will ever know they are there.

Good luck with it and enjoy the new ride.

 

In '05 is the E class trunk lid mounted star held in place with adhesive only or is it still pinned throuhg the metal with an adhesive seal?

 

Bump for an answer on deck lid star removal.

 

I have a 2003 and there are three pins for the star.

 

use a heat gun then get som wax

 

JDM,

Thought that might have been the problem.

Thanks.

 

Just in case you have not had your new vehicle detailed, I will detail the scratches for you; no charge ofcourse. Downside.. I am in South Jersey. Fancy driving to NJ Tpk Exit 4?