Yes you can sand it by hand utilizing a sanding block and starting off with 3M 900 Grit Wet Paper. then move up to 1200 to 1500 grit & then 2000 to final sand it You must also use an electric buffer to bring the shine back after sanding and using 3M Perfect-it II compound and then buff it with 3M Glaze afterwards. Know that once you start sanding the clear coat, the shine disappears, and you must buff the shine back with a buffer :Note: It's takes an experienced eye to know how far you can go wetsanding, all it takes is one extra stroke and it's riuined and you past the clear and into the base......at which point you now need to sand and reclear the whole panel.

I would first prep that paint lline with Laquer thinner before sanding to one see if the thinner will remove your line and to make sure all the glue is off from the sticker and two to help soften the area to be sanded. Make sure you soak the "Wet Sand" paper in a bucket of clean cool water for 20 minutes , to soften the edges .

Know that if you have never done this, I wouldn't recommend doing it!!! Unless you find an old car in a junk yard to practice on first. Know that your sanding your clear coat and that it's about 6 to 8 mils thick from the factory and that your's is now probably 4 to 5 mils after years of sun fade and waxing have worn it down. 6 Mils is about the same thickness as notebook paper at it's thickest , so this is why you'll want to practice "Colorsanding" another vehicle before you go too far on your yota and have to then have it painted.

Good Luck !

 

why does everybody hate on the stripes????????

 

Diggertoy, thanks for the reply. Do you just sand the edge of the thicker paint line?
Do you sand any particular direction? Damn, I'm nervous. Heh, how much would you estimate to have it done by a pro?

bob200587, actually I didn't hate the stripes except for the fact that they where so faded and cracked.
Thanks all.

 

You must sand the entire line in one direction , normally in this case horizontally.

I'd make sure that the line you see is not a glue line first , because Laquer thinner will remove it ( normally car manufacturers don't paint to the sticker, normally their applied after the paint has cured and even at the dealership ).

If you don't want to risk it .....have it done professionally , I can't imagine it costing more than $ 200 both sides to sand it off.........

 

I personally don't like any stripes or decals of any sort on a vehicle. It makes the vehicle to cluttered looking. The vehicle has a much cleaner look ( In my Opinion ) without decals and stripes. My yota hasn't any toyota emblems or stripes anywhere. In fact none of my vehicles do ! Also , vehicles start to look to ghetto , when you have more than 2 colors on the unit. For instance a black car with chrome wheels and a red stripe is too much...........In fact changing out your tail lenses to clear even makes it look better.....because technically you still have three colors once a stripe or decal is removed 1.paint color 2. black tires 3. red tail lenses........to be able to get it down to 2 colors is the cleanest look.....infact I personally like paint color with black rims , black tires and clear tail lenses and clear markers ........