Not seen this before with removing old adhesive

[gabagoo]

We are working on what was once an old rental ford transit. Somebody stripped the vinyl off but left all the adhesive and we are taking that off. The dark outline around the edges would not come off with Rapid Remover or steam and then we took a flat metal blade to it to see just what it would take to remove and it comes off. The strange thing is that it is not adhesive but a very thin piece of vinyl... How is this even possible? I don't know who took off the main vinyl but I am perplexed as to how this thin border of vinyl remains on the vehicle. Gonna be a s&%$ show today. I will add that this vehicle has been repainted at some point as who ever did it cut around these two large circular logos at the rear and I can see the clear coat on the edges.

 

[DL Signs]

I know how bad that sucks.
You'd be surprised how many body shops will mask off graphics rather than just have them replaced, especially when repairing/ repainting/ touching up fleet vehicles... Do it as cheap as you can is the goal, and they believe it's cheaper to mask it all off rather than just re-applying vinyl. When they do, most will mask into the graphic slightly, and/ or hand cut the masking tape along the edge of the graphic, then slit the edge of the masking tape to make a clean line when unmasking, either or both cuts through the vinyl leaving you with a mess, paint and clear over the edge of the vinyl, cussing and swearing in 20 different languages you don't even know. Sand all the ridges off and do a full wrap, or sand and repaint are usually your options. Or dump it back in the owner's lap and have them make it right before you're into it too deep $$$-wise.