Vinyl decal
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
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From: NEBRASKA
Vinyl decal
Hi I’m looking for some help. I have a 2004 f150 that is yellow and has vinyl decals down the side. The decals are starting to come off and I want to take them completely off but the paint is faded around where the decal was. Can anyone give me any suggestions on how to make it look uniform?
Last edited by Croeber; Oct 28, 2018 at 05:01 PM.
Senior Citizen Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 4,347
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From: Outside city limits TN
You should be able to get the decals off using heat from a blow drier. A heat gun would work BUT, if you're not familiar with using one, it could actually make the process harder. Just warm them up and peel slowly. Once the decals are removed, there will most likely be some adhesive residue left behind. You will need a paint safe chemical to remove the adhesive. Goof-Off , Goo-Gone, whatever it's called, should work.
Unfortunately, reds and yellows tend to fade worse than other colors over time depending on sun exposure. The areas that were not covered up by the decals will be a much "deeper" color. You could try to buff it out and bring the paint back to life. If you don't feel comfortable with a buffer, a good detail shop can probably help you out.
If the decals have become brittle, they may come off in a million little pieces. Be prepared.
Post a picture of what you are dealing with.
Unfortunately, reds and yellows tend to fade worse than other colors over time depending on sun exposure. The areas that were not covered up by the decals will be a much "deeper" color. You could try to buff it out and bring the paint back to life. If you don't feel comfortable with a buffer, a good detail shop can probably help you out.
If the decals have become brittle, they may come off in a million little pieces. Be prepared.
Post a picture of what you are dealing with.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 117
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From: Florida
On a 5-year old red vehicle with substantial road time you might always have a ghost image from the old decals even if buffed. Between the probably slight fading and the protection from etching of the existing paint that the decals provided just expect that that you might always be able to see where they were, even if others might not notice right away. Still the right thing to do IMHO, doubly so if the decals are deteriorating.
FWIW I de-badged mine the day I bought it,
FWIW I de-badged mine the day I bought it,
Trying to figure it out!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,994
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From: Ft Worth, Texas
After peeling, if you go this route, a good wash, clay bar, wax and buff. It''l take a lt of elbow grease but you should be able to get them very close. I have a friend with red vehicle that is more than 20 years old. She can still make that thing shine like it's brand new with enough work.
Or if worse comes to worse - put new stickers on it.
Or if worse comes to worse - put new stickers on it.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,616
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From: Toronto
Forum me: Will say to use heat and slowly remove. Use goo-gone/goof-off to get rid of residue.
Real life me: Would use a pressure washer to strip and WD-40 to get rid of residue with a good wash and wax after. (Did this on my first truck 18 years ago)
Real life me: Would use a pressure washer to strip and WD-40 to get rid of residue with a good wash and wax after. (Did this on my first truck 18 years ago)