How to Debadge Car, Remove Ghosting, and Paint New Badges

Learn how to debadge a car and then eliminate the ghosting that remains. As a bonus I also added how I painted some badges I bought. Having the badges red in theory sounded good to me, but in execution I did not like it so I didn’t install them. The process, however, yielded a nice result which seems pretty durable so I shared it in this video in case someone wants to try something similar.
For more content:
→ Become a subscriber: / @akqjtn (it’s free!)
→→Check out my MERCH! →→ boostshutter.m...
→→ www.amazon.com... This is my personally curated list of fantastic car products. Many of these you can see in my KZbin videos. Be sure to read the comments to see why they made the list!
→ Follow me on Instagram: / boostandshutter
→ Follow me on Facebook: / boostandshutter
→ Follow me on Twitter: / boostshutter
Above all, Thanks for Watching!!
CURRENT MODS→→→ I have associated install, overview, and review videos for all of the following products on my channel. Be sure to check them out if interested!
Ikon Motorsport Front Lip (BLF-SI15MP-A) → amzn.to/2CmYanV
Rear Spats → amzn.to/2GxlVYN
Vortex Generator → amzn.to/2KEzVCp
Kicker Tweeters → amzn.to/2Cgw3To
Kicker Door Speakers → amzn.to/2sxagaL
Kicker Powered Sub → amzn.to/2Eo2mpq
Rokblokz Rally Mud Flaps → amzn.to/2CfA5vn
Pioneer AVH-4200NEX → amzn.to/2NIHHwb
LC2i Active LOC → amzn.to/2CfgEmo
Alpine 445u In-line Amp → amzn.to/2BWFV9n
Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 → amzn.to/2soLEkd
Rockford Fosgate R500X1D → amzn.to/2EB0VTN
OBDLink LX → amzn.to/2ENylQ4
Tail Light Overlays → amzn.to/2NGZILb
Links above may be affiliate. Using these links costs nothing more to you. I will always provide my honest opinion about the products I use and acknowledge any sponsor.

[@ravencollins5434]

….this is exactly what I needed. I didn’t know how I was gonna remove the ghosting on my forester 😂. Thanks man!

[@SpikeletTheBoss]

Same just done my Impreza and was wondering how to deghost it lucky had some polish sitting right there haha

[@risky1]

i watched a couple of videos today on this....and one was yours. It worked PERFECT. Took the hood badges off of my 2005 Chevy 2500. Used Goo Be Gone and worked great....it smells citrus. Put the new badges on and I am PLEASED beyond measure. Used fishing line.... Works great. No heat gun. Thanks again Boss.

[@daniela7948]

I thought I messed up my paint for a second when I removed them and saw that ghost lettering but this worked perfectly!!! thank you

[@LifeTakerIman]

How old is your car? How many years had the car with the badges?

[@dannykrinkle4726]

Thank you! This was a lifesaver… I thought I destroyed my paint, but using polishing compound (and a lot of elbow grease) restored it.

[@urdaddyefrain]

Years later and this video still coming in clutch. I debadged my 11 ram 2500 and there was ghosting under each badge. Went and got some of turtle wax’s polishing cream and followed your method with micro fiber towels and now I can barely barely see a couple of them. Most of them disappeared but the bigger ones on the doors are faintly visible and that’s me looking extremely hard for them.

[@danielmcqueen1024]

Try using 3M Eraser wheel... Clean that up very quickly!

[@lindachor50]

Thank you for this video. I debadged my car about 4 months ago. There is def ghosting. Going to try this tomorrow am, I hope it works 🙏🏽

[@ZiggyReviews]

did it work?

[@wrxhex]

@@ZiggyReviews I got a similar turtle wax polish compound from autozone cause they didn’t have a premium version like his in the video and it still worked for me today. And I’ve been trying everything from leaving googone on it, to Orange products, dawn dish soap, and nothing was working. But I used some of the polish I bought today and it worked. And my ghosting was pretty bad on my subie.

[@LifeTakerIman]

@@wrxhex how many years had you got the car with the badges?

[@aaaaaaaa6685]

I appreciate this video, just bought a car and there was some ghosting left from a custom badge they added.

[@Roadglide86]

dude just debadged my maxima and it's ghosting like yours thought I had screwed up bad but looks like I got hope! Lol thanks dude

[@LifeTakerIman]

How many years with the badges on?

[@Zip_Zero_ZILCH]

I had my Charger in for a few style changes including debadging and on the taillight a reputable shop simply took a scraper to it and removed the letter and scratched the crap out of the taillight.

[@kksan]

I found that WD40 also works very very well on the residues. Just spray over it, wait about 10 sec, and wipe the residue off with a microfiber towel

[@3xchamp388]

Lifesaver with the polishing compound🙏 i was frustrated for over an hour because of the ghost leftover

[@DOCvip808]

This was a LIFESAVER...didnt know what to do so I youtubed it and you popped up!

[@Horizon301.]

How long was the badgin in the vehicle

[@LifeTakerIman]

@@DOCvip808 how long the badges on the car before removal?

[@LifeTakerIman]

How long?

[@tian2185]

i was with you until the credit card bit *shudders*

[@DanielRamos-tq7cz]

Thanks man i used the exact product and fishing line but the ghosting was super annoying

[@jordangonzales8398]

We purchased some compound to remove the ghosting but it's not doing the job. I'm wondering if glue remover is still on the surface- will that counteract the compound? "chemically- speaking"?

[@LifeTakerIman]

Any improvements?

[@kingd00fu52]

For adding the lettering back on, what type of glue should I use and do I add it to the back of the lettering

[@BobSmith-mc7uq]

Paint 101. Use a light colored primer for dark paint.

[@supbrobanjoban]

Thanks man, was literally gonna order some rubbing compound but will try polishing compound first.

[@supbrobanjoban]

@Eric Ballard I just used a little of the ultimate compound on a foam pad and buffed it out for a good couple minutes by hand. Wiped away with microfiber and it looks perfect. Finished with Ice Seal N Shine spray wax/sealant and it looks and feels immaculate. Never had any need for the polish. This is on a mineral grey metallic.

[@Christian-cb3le]

@Eric Ballard I have the same issue on a grey car . Did you have to use the compound or the polish ?

[@MetalDetailer]

I just debadged my G. Saw this video and tomorrow I’ll mess around with the ghost letters using your method. Thanks!

[@MetalDetailer]

Boost & Shutter thank you. And great job on your video bro.

[@MetalDetailer]

MaximusX45-1911 i had the same issue. Didn’t work. So I wrapped the trunk. I’m replacing it tomorrow. My other lid someone tried to blend it but burned right through the clear coat. The lid I’m getting is already debadged so I can’t complain to much

[@MetalDetailer]

MaximusX45-1911 also try meguires compound. If that doesn’t work find a detailer shop and have them do it professionally may cost a few bucks but clean is clean.

[@MetalDetailer]

MaximusX45-1911 yeah I noticed my new trunk lid that was debadged from previous owner that it’s like that. I used light compound and polish so far so good still visible but good enough.

[@NALOW84]

@@MetalDetailer id try a light wetsand and buff.

[@stepherrsse]

Would using WD-40 ruin any re-sprays I have done later on? Ive just bought a horse lorry with the sticky residue and ghost lettering, but don't want to bugger any paintwork now or any future repsrays. Thanks :)

[@fastmoney__884]

Will this work for ghosting from stripe decals

[@bailey4857]

Going to use this 2001 golf ,previous owner took off both rear badges but it left ghosting,only can see it with sun at a angle so will use that to remove it

[@dogedude9537]

How did it turn out? I have a '99 Camry and the Camry and Toyota lettering has significant ghosting.

[@wrxhex]

@@dogedude9537 I got a similar turtle wax polish from autozone cause they didn’t have the premium version like he does in the video but the kind I got still helped remove my ghost lettering.

[@dogedude9537]

@@wrxhex Thanks. the ghosting on my car isn't too bad if you're farther away so I just decided to leave it lol.

[@Kattpaccino1]

Great video. This was so helpful. I’m going to be doing this soon.

[@TheDarknessConsumesMe666]

3:35 I'd leave it just like that

[@kennethlow6619]

Must it be polishing compound ? I ordered a bottle of Meguiars Ultimate Polish to remove the ghosting effects. My car is under a week old.

[@kennethlow6619]

That's very reassuring because the Meguair's line of product is not cheap in Asia. Just one last thing, based on your experience in car detailing, would you say the ghost lettering appears due to UV rays or is there another factor ? As mentioned before, my car is under a week old and I plan to de-badge it for easier cleaning,polishing etc. so will the ghosting be very obvious on my car ?Sorry I'm just paranoid and OCD when it comes to my cars well being :) Thanks again mate and have a great day !

[@kennethlow6619]

Understood. Will let you know the end results once I've completed everything !

[@Horizon301.]

@@kennethlow6619 the car had ghosting at one week old?

[@dnice033]

So how did you stick on the painted badges again? Aren’t they missing the adhesive?

[@akqjtn]

The painted ones were new

[@hermanoestrada401]

You’re the best!

[@akqjtn]

Tell that to my wife 🤣

[@1Truckman]

I have no sound on my computer, so I have to ask...What kind of string are you using to saw off the badge?...I've heard of both dental floss and fishing line being used, but want to know what's most effective...I'm going to replace the badges on my 2009 Ram 3500...Thanks...

[@1Truckman]

@@akqjtn Any particular size or type?...

[@SDG1855]

@1Truckman @Boost & Shutter I use guitar strings. 0.030 works beautifully, as the steel strings are not wound, but also not thin enough to break at the first sign of adversity. Of course, you should wind them a few times around something on both ends to give you handles, unless you want to subject your fingers to absolute misery. Side note - I think every tip I leave in comments these days makes me remember an incident in which I was completely retarded and hurt myself. [sigh]

[@1Truckman]

@@SDG1855 Thanks, that's a good tip...Are the steel guitar strings coated with anything?...I got mine off a different way seen here: 1truckman.blogspot.com/2019/08/rebirth-update-10.html

[@isthisbreezy9302]

25-30lb fishing line works well

[@57RollsRoycePhantom]

Ik you said your car was fairly new but do you think this would work on ghosting that is on a car about 5yrs old? I’ve tried everything and can’t seem to get it off :(

[@davidmoffat819]

thanks for sharing. I just got a 2017 and I'd like to mess around with it without dipping to mechanical upgrades. This video and the mud flap vid are very useful

[@jessep979]

Regular polish/wax didnt work....the compound polish did the trick w a lil elbow grease!

[@MakoTheShark96]

worked for me thanks man

[@kksan]

I got a blacked out badge & trunk emblem kit on Aliexpress for $10-ish bucks. It does make the car a bit more stealthy

[@OBZRV82]

I want to do this to my Lexus RC 200t someone hold my hand.. I'm a bit frighten to do so..

[@5uitcase]

Or just use an eraser wheel

[@sxmori]

I left a few scratches :/

[@AmgKevo]

Did this and it’s still there ....

[@LifeTakerIman]

Any improvements?

[@Harleystandit91]

I appreciate you showing how you removed the Ghosting...not to sound critical,but if your putting these new badges in the exact same spot...i cant see why ghosting would be a problem...unless you was using a different size where Ghosting would be seen or over lap...anyhow...i still liked your video and idea on how to remove badges...thank you.

[@LifeTakerIman]

I believe that it was the author intention to just help the one's that want badges. Do he doned that just for tutorial.

[@denim8]

so many ads…

[@linternasmx]

An ereaser.

[@x_Sotto]

the credit card is a stupid idea, please dont do that. cover it with microfiber cloth atleast first. smh

[@dcowboys6213]

Always a hater

[@alejandroirizarry7746]

Sotto b

[@MakoTheShark96]

worked for me thanks man

[@sf415city]

did you use the same polishing compound?