Removing Union Jack/any decals from a white roof?

[bazking69]

We have just aquired an 03 Cooper for wifey, and it has the union jack decals on the roof (white roof)
The red in the decals (each colour/section of the flag is an individual decal) is a bit faded so we have decided to do away with the union jack theme and go with the chequered flag theme seeing as the car is black with white wheels...
I'm going to get a mate who is a van signwriter to make up a kit and apply it for me so it is a good job, but I was just wondering what you reckon the paint will be like underneath the decals, bearing in mind it could have been on there for 6 years...
I'm not concerned about the actual taking them off, but more what sort of fading I will find underneath...
Has anyone changed the roof decals and did the paint come back up after a tar and glue remover session washed down with a T cut session?

[ilikecars]

Its not nessecerily the paint underneath the stickers you need to worry about.

If they have been fitted proffesionally from new they would have been applied on clean paintwork.

There will be no fading underneath the sticker, but if the previous owner hasnt looked after the paintwork on show, there could be damage/fading on those bits which might show up against the shiny fresh paintwork which will be under the sticker.

I have removed a few stickers from MINI's and there haven't been any problems so far.

[bazking69]

I am inclined to pull one corner off and see what it comes up like. I'm sure it will be OK but others seem to suggest paint that will not match no matter what compound you take to it.
The worst case scenario is that we have to stick with the Union Jack, in which case I will just get a new kit and replace only the faded red ones.

[ilikecars]

Will you go for a chequered decal on the roof?

In which case it should cover it.

You have a white roof, which is one of the colours less prone to fading. (red is the worst)

So even if its not as shiny as the paint under the sticker, a bit of hard work with some polish and wax on top will sort it.

[bazking69]

I believe I'm right in saying that the decal isn't a one piece one but is infact made up of individual squares that you apply? The ones on ebay are anyway and my mate who does parts at a BMW dealer seems to think this would be the case with a genuine kit also?
I reckon it will be OK but others think I will have a problem. The only way to find out is to give it a go!

[worldwidewebs]

I was in the process of buying a Cooper S last year from a BMW dealer and it had a Union Jack on the roof that I wanted removing. After over 15 man hours they finally got it off (loads of little pieces) but the roof was very badly scratched and dented so I walked away from it. I'm sure most come off with no problems, but don't say you weren't warned!

[okgo]

One man and a heatgun does the job in an hour.

[Davel]

Could you not either paint over it or apply a vinyl wrap type thingy to cover it?

[bazking69]

I've tried peeling one edge and it seems to come off quite cleanly and there doesn't seem to be any difference in the colour, so I might be lucky!

[ilikecars]

Thats good news. Keep going. You should be alright.

I feel confident for you.

If there are any marks left once the whole lot is off, then they shouldnt be too hard to sort out.

[maxpaul]

We removed one from a 3 year old car and found that the roof had cut lines all over it where the original fitter had cut the flag to fit

[tartty]

All moden day cars are paint in clear over base,the paint cannot fade,you may need to buff it afterwards but a heat gun will do it, but don't heat it to much or it will bubble the top coat......