2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Fix for clearcoat mishap?

[Rhondasway]

Well, it finally happened. After many years of putting stickers on and taking them off, this last time one of them took some clearcoat with it!!! (see rectangular pale area on the right).
OMG, have I horrified myself! This is not the stock tailgate, but had this one custom painted over a decade ago and it's looked great until this.
My question is: could a person (with skills, not me), sand the area and spray some clear coat over it? The truck has a few other issues and I'm not going to spend $500+ getting the whole tailgate repainted. I just want to minimize the ugliness and prevent further peeling or rust. I'll put another sticker over it, but won't cover that...
This is the first clearcoat I've lost...

 

[Missouri Mule]

It looks like it took more then clear coat.
Should be no problem wet sand it down. I think you will need to get it painted. The rest of the tailgate paint looks good ( does not look faded) and should be no problem with a little wet sanding to get the new paint to match the old paint. Then the clear coat can be sprayed on and it mite need s little wet sanding.
Of course paint isn' t cheap but it is the sanding is what cost you.

 

[Thump]

Invest in magnetic decals?
Seriously, though... wet sand, spray clear, wet sand, cut and buff (whole tailgate to properly blend)
You'd almost do better off just to respray the whole tailgate as the spot will still be there to some degree trying to spot spray, even with feathering.

 

[Rhondasway]

It did take some of the color too, but not down to metal. I know to be done right it should just be re-painted, but the truck has issues on all sides and will need done some day. I just want the tailgate not to explode, and the damage to be less obvious. After all, it's the only part of the truck everyone sees...

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to see about doing or having it sanded and spot-sprayed. Can't hurt at this point, and I won't have to replace my big sticker...