Debadged truck and hoping for some good news

So yesterday I decided to remove the two Tacoma badges on the doors and the V6 on the tailgate. With some sun, turtle wax label and sticker remover and some floss they came off fine. However, there is a slight recessed spot where you can see where the emblem was. I removed all residue and cleaned it up perfectly but it's still there. You can not only see it ever so slightly, like a ghost image, but you can barely feel where it drops down into the paint a little as you run your finger over it. I just bought this truck brand new a few weeks ago and am not happy about this. Is this normal? Is there an easy fix?

Also, it appears that the crap turtle wax stuff that is made for cars and advertised for cars took a little chip out of the clear coat and left some streak marks where it dripped down the paint. That's a whole different issue, but as you can imagine I'm not too happy about that either so if anyone has any advice for that I'd appreciate it.

Thanks in advance guys.

 

No does not normal. Sounds like a paint / body defect. Can you take and post a photo of it from different angles and lighting?

 

Uploaded a couple images of the driver side door. It is tough to see coming from a phone camera.
If it is a defect of some sort is this something I would be able to take up with Toyota being that I just purchased the vehicle less than a month ago or are they going to tell me that I shouldn't have removed factory badging. I'm pretty upset about this, I love this truck.

 

Seems like maybe they put them emblems on before the paint was totally cured? I know there have been quite a few complaints with paint mismatch between body panels and how easily the paint chips on these new Tacomas. I never removed my badges and likely never will just for this reason.

I suppose you could take it to the dealer and ask them wtf is up with the paint/body flaw.

 

Those pictures don't highlight the problem.

 

I can see the TACOMA ghosted in the paint

 

+1

 

I agree with Smitty. Looks like some of the clear has come off with the adhesive.
You could always put the emblems back on. Or, get some decals that aren't as "in your face" as an emblem.
Maybe even something like what some of the police cruisers have, invisible until light hits it. Would be kinda cool, imo.
Good luck OP.

 

Now everybody is going to want ghost emblems.

 

Could try power buffing too. May take care of it a bit.

 

I don't think it was caused by the adhesive remover. Atleast not the ghost imaging because I didn't use any on the V6 emblem and it's identical to where the Tacoma emblems were. I'm going to try and buff some of it out but I'm hoping I can return this back to factory new. I wonder if ToyotaUsa or whatever their corporate office is would do anything about this if it is truly a defect.

 

Why should they ? Your the one who took the emblems off. Toyota won't see this as a defect.

 

Well countless people have debadged their 3rd gen tacomas without there being an impression underneath the emblem. I think it's reasonable to inquire with Toyota. It's clearly some form of defect or fault.

 

I don't like your chances but I don't disagree with your approach. Give it a whirl. It's bullshit but Toyota likes to play games so...

 

Durtymax Jack a youtuber had a video where he removed the emblems on his subie and showed a tool that helps reduce the problem that you have I would check it out. It might help.

 

You have to pull on the emblems while removing them to pull the letter indentations out.

 

Pretty sure a rotary buffer/polisher should do the trick...

 

That's what I'm hoping, gonna give that a try in a few days when I'm off work.

 

There is no way Toyota is going to accept responsibility for that. It wasn't a defect (if it ever was) until you fucked with it.

G.