Sticker shadow

[Rantsc_imp]

The previous owner of my newly acquired ‘13 CB1100 removed the caution labels from the gas tank at some point. When I picked up the bike, I assumed what I was seeing on the tank was simply adhesive residue. After several attempts to remove I’m left with dark areas where the stickers were. I’m reluctant to get any more aggressive in fear of damaging the finish. Anyone experience anything similar?

[GoldOxide_imp]

I vaguely recall and I used kerosene to remove what I saw was a residue, but no remaining "dark areas". Although not required, I cleaned up the area with a bit of NuFinish polish.

[Stichill_imp]

Purely speculation, but if the stickers were removed after the bike had been exposed to sun and oxygen for several years, the paint underneath may simply be less weathered. Some kind of oxidation-removing polish may be called for; NuFinish that GoldOxide mentioned may do the trick.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Purely speculation, but if the stickers were removed after the bike had been exposed to sun and oxygen for several years, the paint underneath may simply be less weathered. Some kind of oxidation-removing polish may be called for; NuFinish that GoldOxide mentioned may do the trick.

(+1) On the possible sun fade of paint around sticker area. If that is the case, I am much less confident that NuFinish will make a difference. However, maybe Forum members can suggest a product that will safely "blend in" the patch area.

[Mixagon_imp]

Hmmmmm I'm watching this post with interest because I have the same problem but on a much much bigger scale. I bought a two year old van which is highly polished and looks brilliant but on cold mornings or damp weather the old sign writings and logo's all show up as plain as if they were still on the van. Every panel has had a sticker on it in the past.
I've tried many things but at the end of the day its there to stay but only shows under certain weather conditions.
The only logical but not practical solution I've heard is to cover the rest of the van with stickers just leaving the sign written part open to the sun for two years.

Being your tank sticker is small one solution I would think about trying is mask off the area around it and try a sun lamp on it for a while and see if it fades. Other wise just leave it or buy a sticker of your choice to go over it.

[Cormanus]

Or just ride it a heck of a lot not looking at the tank?

[Houtman_imp]

Can you " clay " the tank and than use different grades of polish to get an even color ?
Perhaps a GOOD detailer can do this for you.

[Mixagon_imp]

lesson learnt here, just peeled my tank sticker off and no shadow.

If there is clear coat over the paint no amount of polishing will help.

[Lord Popgun]

Back in the day a number of us removed the stickers after we got home from the dealer so as to avoid the problem.

Our tanks are clear coated.

If one wants to put the stickers back, they can be ordered.

[Rocky_imp]

Back in the day a number of us removed the stickers after we got home from the dealer so as to avoid the problem.

Our tanks are clear coated.

If one wants to put the stickers back, they can be ordered.

That's exactly what I do with a new bike, remove the stickers immediately before the bike is exposed to the elements; the sun in particular.