decal cleaning

[tensors22288]

i own a 97pathfnder LE an theres a factory stripe, about half an inch wide, that runs from the front fender to the back fender, right below the window. problem is after claying the car with a yellow mothers clay, all the crap got caught inbetween the paint an the decal. is there anyway to clean the stuff out? id consider removing it but first off i think it could harm the paint and second it was used to help seperate and blend the new paint on some bodywork i had done, meaning if i remove it i wiill see a sudden change in paint color above and below the decal



theres pics on my cardomain page on the bottom. they on page 2 and theres one taillight shot where u can see the stripe well an somewhat see the dirt

[imported_Totoland Mach]

I`ve got a 96 LE as well and found that a wood toothpick works great on that doggoned stripe! I tried a plastic toothbrush with limited results (was more worried about scratching the finish) and picked up the toothpick idea from a fellow Autopian.



Totoland Mach

[tensors22288]

nice man, thanx. should i actually get the toothpick down between the sticker an paint? cause i dont want it to start peeling or it mite keep picking up more dirt

[imported_Totoland Mach]

Originally posted by tensors22288

nice man, thanx. should i actually get the toothpick down between the sticker an paint? cause i dont want it to start peeling or it mite keep picking up more dirt



tensors: I used the edge of the decal as a guide and rubbed the edge with the toothpick. You will find (as I did) that it picks up a lot of wax/polish residue and you will need at least 2 per side. Obviously, cost isn`t the problem, but it will consume some time. The end result is very nice however.



See Ya and have fun.

[tensors22288]

i tried and yes it got the residue off the top, but check out the first 2 pics on this site and u`ll see what i cant get out. just tried getting a toothpic under there but the paint started to chip off when i went under the decal.



http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=570723020106&page=1&sort_order=0

[imported_Totoland Mach]

tensors: I see what you are talking about. Mine has similar looks in some parts of the decal. Almost like I`ve removed some layer of decal and it is discoloring.



I`ve tried to post a pic, but you might not be able to enlarge it enough to see.



I`ll take some close-up`s this weekend and post them.



Totoland Mach

[tensors22288]

love the color, didnt know they made that. some1 recomended just removing them, which i wouldnt mind at all, but i have a feeling it would rip alot of paint up with it an it would look a little off. but ill try workin at them again, no rush on the pics