After removing the Octavia rear badge and all sticky gunk, im left with what looks like the word Octavia scratched into the paint! I run my fingers over it its not smooth and I can't get rid of it. I've heated it used sticky stuff remover, white spirit and rubbed and rubbed and it still won't go.... HELP please :(

The bad news is - there's no help to be had, I'm afraid :(

 

I also de-badged my black 2001 Octy VRs - and also had the same 'etching' in the paint that outlined the badges that you describe.

 

I tried to polish it out like you did - no dice at all. It was clear it was deeper han that - so then I thought at first it was just in the top layer of the laquer - so I got a mate round who is a car 'detailer.'

 

We had a go at polishing it out with a detailing spec electric rotary mop - very gently at first, going bit by bit - but as we progressed, it became clear that these etchings were deeper and deeper than we thought.

 

After a while, we blew right through the laquer to the paint below - at which point I now had a horrible dull patch that was obviously right through the top coat laquer. The etchings, meanwhile, were still very visible!

 

It seems that for some reason, Christ knows how - either the adhesive Skoda used on the badges, or the accumulation of dirt around the edges of the adhesive combined with the vibrations from driving (or something) causes damage to the paintwork that goes right down past the laquer into the base coats.

 

You can't polish it out.

 

Mine now looks hideous - I have the remaining etchings plus a patch that has no laquer - looks awful!

 

Simple fact of the matter is - either replace the badges again, or go to a smart repair place to have the paintwork re-done locally around the badge area.

 

I took it to a local place who looked at it, and said it would be no problem to do an invisible smart paint repair - cost around £65.

 

Hope this helps!

cheers for that mate. I was thinking its just gonna have to get professionally done. I gotta get the boot re sprayed anyway cos the lacquer has been scratched off by the spoiler . This is the way forward then

Mine did this. I just put a comedy sticker on it

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