Will magnetic signs on truck ruin paint job?

Clean County

New Member
I have no advertising on my Black Dodge Dually pickup truck. I have magnetic signs from my last truck that are in my garage just sitting there. On my last truck they left an outline on my doors that I could not get out no matter how much compound I used. I sold that truck even though the doors looked terrible.

This truck I bought new and I don't have the heart to put these magnetic signs on my doors(I know sounds crazy). Has anyone else come across this with the paint on there vehicle when they removed there magnetic sign? Does anyone know of a good compound that could get the square mark out of the paint where the sign was?
 

HarQuin

New Member
When I bought mine I was told to take them off or move them every so often because the paint from the sign Will bleed through to whatever they are attached to. I take mine off perodically, clean and wax them front and back then put them back on. If you dont dirt will also collect behind them.

Harlyn
 

charlie

New Member
I had a mag. sign on my truck for awile it blew off. Starting looking around and saw how unprofessional it looked having a mag. sign on my truck, went to a sign shop and had them put letter stickers on. Looks more professional. My 3 1/2 cents.
 
L

Lenny Schrecengost

Guest
I was told when I got my meg signs to take them off about every week and wipe them off and put them back on. I friend that has a body shop told me the same thing.

I see alot of lawn care guys out there that must have all the work they want because very few have any name on them. I know they work. I got a call and then the contract for a few thousand dollars because they saw me go through town with my trailer and signs
 

yankee

New Member
I had the same effect on my pickup. I live in Florida and the paint gets faded everywhere but under the signs. Buffing and polishing didn't fix the damage. skip the mag sign. Mike
 

laynlow

New Member
Buffing

You cannot use rubbing compound or "buff" out the discoloration cause by magnetic signs. Modern clear coat paint is layered differently than non-clearcoat paint jobs. The pigment layer of the paint is below the clear-coat layer, and the whole thing is about as thick as a business card.

In the paint jobs of old, using a rubbing compound removed the damaged portion of the paint (which was all pigment) revealing fresh paint below. With a clear coat paint, you are only removing a portion of the clear coat, and doing nothing to the already UV damaged (or in a signs case, protected) pigment layer. In effect, you are causing more damage by thinning the very thin layer of clear coat.

I think you can take steps to reduce the damage cause by signs, but you will not eliminate it. The signs are bound to slip a bit, scratching the clear coat, and there is absolutely no way to prevent the un-even aging of the paint. Using a high quality pure wax (this means polishing in a separate step), will help though.


Just my thoughts,
Sam
 

Greg Rentschler

New Member
We had the same problem with one of our trucks. Moisture gets trapped between the magnet and the clear coat and it fogs the clear coat. We used 3M polishing compound and a hair dryer. Heat the area that is fogged to "dry" it out then buff it out with the 3M microfinishing compound followed by the 3m handglaze. This took MOST of the haze out but not all. Best solution?? Go get it lettered with 3M vinyl.. it cost me $260 but it looks sharp and you rid yourself of the magnet headaches.
 

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Threeeseas

New Member
Just a thought!

The magnetic sign takes the oxidation out of the paint if left on for an extended time. I remove mine at the end of each day. Takes all of 2 seconds. Another aspect is insurance. If you have lettering on your vehicle- I have been told by numerous insurance agents that if an accident occurs and you do not have commercial insurance on your vehicle-----No coverage. I am not for sure on that but its something you may want to check out....
 

Dominic A

New Member
Greg,

That is a sweet rig you got there. And the stickers on the side look really sharp. Man I just had to tell you that is a nice looking truck. I am a DODGE Freak. I own a 99' Cummins. Fully loaded. It is sweet. I think I am going to have the 3 mm stickers put on it instead of signs. Thanks for tthe posting the photo. It help make up my mind
 

Ronniels

New Member
Rick,
That is partially true on the insurance, they may still cover the one accident, but will more than likely drop you.

An added benefit to commercial ins is that if someone is injured, and they find out you were working, then a lawsuit is more likely and commercial ins is going to definitely be needed.

Better safe than sorry.
 

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