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]

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