Vehicle branding and decal removal takes off logos, contact details, lettering, stripes and printed graphics from a vehicle’s paint or glass. It is usually done when a vehicle is sold, leaves a fleet, moves to a new business, or is being prepared for updated branding.
It suits businesses retiring or reallocating vehicles, employees buying an ex-company car, dealerships preparing stock, and private owners removing old stickers or stripes.
About this service
Branding and decals are typically thinner vinyl than full wraps and are often cut into small letters and shapes. Removal uses controlled heat to soften the vinyl and adhesive, then each piece is lifted carefully. Fresh, quality vinyl on healthy factory paint usually comes away cleanly. Older, sun-baked or cheaper vinyl can crack into tiny fragments, which takes longer and leaves more adhesive to clean off.
The most common surprise after removal is ghosting: a faint outline of the old logo or lettering. This happens because paint around the decal has been exposed to sun and weather while the paint under it has not, so the two areas have faded differently. Polishing often reduces ghosting, but where fading is significant the outline may not disappear completely.
Resprayed, damaged or poorly bonded paint can lift when decals are removed, which is a particular risk on older fleet vehicles that have had panel repairs. We assess first and test a discreet area. Where removal is ahead of new branding, the new layout can sometimes be planned to cover areas where ghosting remains.
Suitable vehicles and common uses
- Fleet vehicles being sold or returned at the end of a lease
- Ex-company cars bought by employees
- Vans and bakkies changing ownership between businesses
- Vehicles with outdated phone numbers, addresses or logos
- Dealership stock carrying old promotional decals
- Private vehicles with stripes or stickers the owner no longer wants
Available options
- Full removal of all branding from a vehicle
- Selective removal, such as old contact details only
- Rear window and perforated window graphic removal
- Adhesive residue cleaning
- Post-removal polishing to reduce ghosting, if agreed
- Removal followed by new branding installation
Options depend on the material available at the time of your project and on your vehicle. We confirm exactly what is possible in your quotation.
Why choose it
- Leaves the vehicle ready for sale or new branding
- Careful technique to reduce risk to the paint
- Adhesive residue cleaned rather than left behind
- Honest assessment of ghosting before you decide on polishing
- Can be coordinated with replacement graphics to keep vehicles on the road
Things to consider
- Ghosting may remain visible even after polishing
- Old, brittle vinyl takes longer and may come off in fragments
- Resprayed or weak paint can lift with the vinyl
- Polishing is an additional step, separate from removal
Preparation and installation process
- Assessment. We check the age and type of vinyl, the paint condition, and signs of previous repairs on each branded panel.
- Test removal. A small area is removed first to see how the vinyl and paint respond.
- Heat and lift. Each logo, letter or graphic is warmed and lifted carefully, working slowly on old, cracked vinyl.
- Residue clean-up. Adhesive is removed with automotive-safe removers and the panel is cleaned.
- Ghosting review. We show you any outlines left on the paint and discuss whether polishing is worthwhile.
What affects the price
- Amount and size of branding on the vehicle
- Number of small letters and fine details
- Vinyl age and how sun-damaged it is
- Adhesive residue left behind
- Polishing to reduce ghosting
- Number of vehicles if part of a fleet removal
Every vehicle is different, so we quote each job individually. Your final quotation depends on the vehicle, the material, how much of the vehicle is covered, any artwork, and the condition of the paint once we have assessed it.
Turnaround
Timing depends on how much branding there is, how old and brittle the vinyl has become, and whether polishing is needed afterwards. Many small letters often take longer than one large graphic. For multiple vehicles, scheduling is planned around your fleet’s availability. We confirm timing with the quote after assessment.
Care and maintenance
- Wash and inspect the paint once the vehicle is home
- Apply a paint sealant or wax to newly exposed paint
- Allow time for any polished areas before applying new film, if advised
- Touch up any chips found under old branding
- Expect any remaining faint ghosting to become less noticeable as surrounding paint weathers, though this is not certain
Frequently asked questions
Why can I still see the logo after removal?
The paint around the logo has faded from sun exposure while the paint under it was covered. This difference is called ghosting. Polishing can reduce it, but it may not disappear entirely.
Can you remove only the old phone number?
Yes. Selective removal is common when contact details or a slogan change. Keep in mind that ghosting may show where the old details were, so new text is often placed over the same area.
Will removing branding damage the paint on an older fleet vehicle?
Healthy factory paint usually comes through well. Older vehicles with panel repairs or resprays carry a higher risk of paint lifting, so we test first and tell you what we find.
Do you remove window graphics too?
Yes, including perforated rear window graphics. Glass removal needs care around demister lines, and we work slowly to avoid damaging them.
Areas we serve
Customers bring their vehicles to our workshop in Rivonia, Sandton from across Gauteng. All installations take place at the workshop.
