Decal removal question?

[steve254]

So last August I bought my 2, was the dealership demo and got it at a fair price.

The only issue I have is that it has racing stripe decal going down the hood, roof and rear hatch, along with a m2 decal pinstripe along the side panels. Just wondering if there are any tips on how to safely remove these without ruining the paint.

also if I do remove them will you see a difference in paint color from the exposed paint and where the decals once were?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Slow Paul]

You can use a hair dryer to help aid in the removal of the decals. If there is any left over residue, there are products out there called Goof-Off or Goo-Be-Gone that'll make short work of the left overs. Just use a SMALL amount on a microfiber cloth. After the residue is gone, hit the area with some quick detailer. As for the difference in color under where the decals were, it depends on a few things. The color of the car, how long the paint was covered by the decal, and just how much sun exposure it got. I'd try to remove a small section on the rear hatch first before any big sections are removed to see just what your working with. Good luck.

 

[eyeballs]

WD-40 with a cotton cloth work great for removing glue residue, tar, and all kinds of sticky stuff.
Post up some pics before you take it off...sounds like it looks pretty cool as is!

 

[steve254]

As requested here are some pics.

Let me know what you think!

 

[rsvinylgraphics]

Personally, I like the way it looks with the graphics. I would leave them on if I were you. But yes they are fairly easy to remove if you do not like them.

 

[eyeballs]

It looks good! I really like the M2 decals on the side, definately unique. Now if it were my car....it'd be a tough call. I'd probably leave it on for a little while and remove it after suspension and wheel upgrades. The only time I had stripes on a car of mine was when the sunroof on my rx-7 was rusting and I used the vinyl stripes to cover it (I did the whole car though, and that was 15 years ago when I was in high school).

 

[Mazdamatic]

i assume thats just vinyl and if so will peel fairly easily if you can get a fingernail under a corner. ther will be a bit of residue under neath that will come off super easy with goof off/tar and bug remover, or slightly less easy with alchol. i always use goof off. s**** awesome.

i used to use power stripper till it ate thru my glove/hand/the glass/everything not magical.

 

[BeetleJuice]

That looks just horrific, u r doing a good thing by removing them. Looks like a rice burner with those graphics.

 

[DrWebster]

Let me know what you think!

(omg)

 

[Max Archer]

I actually like the idea of black stripes on a silver 2, it works in a Mini Cooper sort of way, but I agree with taking those ones off. Not only am I not into the little border stripes on the big stripes, I also don't like the way it stops at the front of the hood, or how it's "empty" in the Mazda logo at the back.

 

[steve254]

Well after a good bit of work and patience I got them off fairly nicely. Next just need to get a full exterior detailing for a good clay barring, polish and wax. Kind of seems like a new car. Also added mud guards.

 

[Racebrewer]

BTW, someone has stolen your license plates and replaced them with large rectangles........ J/K

Actually, I liked the hood stripes but not the side stripes<LOL> Everyone likes something a bit different.

I have a silver M2 and was thinking ab out a gloss black hood and roof. Not sure if it would make the car hotter inside or not.

John

 

[shortfuse12]

u should've kept the side stripes it was actually nice.

 

[Mazdamatic]

BTW, someone has stolen your license plates and replaced them with large rectangles........ J/K

Actually, I liked the hood stripes but not the side stripes<LOL> Everyone likes something a bit different.

I have a silver M2 and was thinking ab out a gloss black hood and roof. Not sure if it would make the car hotter inside or not.

John

i wrapped my roof in matte black and it sits in the direct texas sun everyday all day. and the heat isnt toooo much worse. but deff a lil more. though i keep my windows down a pinch now and tbh it has helped alot. black roof will get you lots of compliments. and gloss looks like a panoramic roof (very popular request i get from bmws and mercs)

 

[mykflo]

i was diggin the side stripes but not the hood/roof stripes.