decal removal and paint questions

[DennisH]

I've got a 94 ford ranger that I'm going to use for a second vehicle/wood hauler. It had some rather large "splash" decals on it and I'm removing them. I'm not sure if they were factory or added later but once I remove them they are set in the paint/clear a little up toward the bed. On the doors it's not so bad. I'm wondering what I should do to make it all blend in so that you can't see where the decals used to be. It is a pita to remove the glue once I get the decal off. I used a heat gun to get the decal off and then an adhesive remover to get the glue off along with alot of scrapping with a plastic puddy knife. Is it possible to buff the paint, of course once the decal and glue are off, to smooth it all out? This is by no means going to be a show truck, I just want it to look decent. Thanks for your help.

 

[XLTsplash]

You may have to wet sand to area to remove the decal marks, you can start with 1500 grit, then 2000 grit, then buff it out with polishing compound. The old decals on my Ranger made marks that were too deep to wet sand out, so the area had to be repainted.

 

[grumpyguy]

You need this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHKN5_UfDik to remove the glue.
Then just cut polish the rest. Sanding would be my second option.

 

[DennisH]

Ok thanks. I may try wet sanding it. One if my buddies is pretty good with auto bodies so I may give him a call and see what he thinks. If I get the truck running real good I might just end up painting it. Do you think those decals were from the factory? I've never seen one like mine, but I supose it's possible. They did alot of weird stuff in the 90's

 

[DennisH]

That sticker grinder thing is pretty slick, but I've almost got all the sticker off already. It's alot of work and I'm sure that would have helped

 

[truckfan]

Use eraser wheels to safely and totally remove the glue. This stuff will not damage the paint.