How to Remove Stickers from a Car
Did you buy a car with the wrong politician on it? Maybe your local dealer thought the license plate holder wasn’t good enough and stuck an ugly bumper sticker on your trunk instead.
Whether you bought a car with a bunch of irrelevant stickers on it or your tastes have simply changed, at some point in your life you’ll want to remove stickers from your car.
Even stickers that have been stuck on forever are possible to remove without damaging your paint. Even stubborn residue (or other nasty sticky stuff like tree sap) can be removed with a little muscle power. Car stickers and vinyl decals can be removed using heat or chemicals that melt the adhesive. Use the method that is most practical for you and your car.
How to Remove a Sticker with Heat
Use a hair dryer, heat gun, steamer, or regular hot water to melt the adhesive that holds your car sticker or window sticker in place. Step one is always to clean the surface.
It’s important to start by washing the area around the decal with soap and water to remove any surface dirt or debris. This increases the heat exposure to the decal and reduces the chance of debris damaging your vehicle’s paint when removing the decal. While you’re there, it’s a good idea to give your car a thorough wash.
Hair Dryer
You can easily use a hair dryer with an extension cord. Place it on high heat and about 6 inches away from the center of the sticker. Make sure to move it continuously to avoid damaging the paint or plastic. After about a minute, the edges of the sticker should peel off slightly.
Hot Air Gun
A heat gun (such as Wagner) also works well for melting the sticker adhesive. It is much more powerful than a hair dryer, so be more careful when using this method. Hold the heat gun about 30cm away from the sticker and leave it in one place for only 1-3 seconds.
Continue heating until the sticker starts to bubble a little. If you want to quickly remove the badge from your car, a heat gun (or hair dryer) is also handy. This is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to improve the appearance of your car.
Steamer
A steamer like the Conair Steam Wand is also a good option because it emits hot steam. Use it like a hair dryer, hold it about 6 inches away, and move it around until the edges of the sticker start to peel off.
Boiling Water
Slowly pour about 2-3 cups of boiling water over all areas of the sticker, both the edges and the center. After using your heat method of choice to loosen the adhesive, try removing the sticker using a plastic scraper such as a plastic scraper. Example: an old credit card or a plastic spatula. If the sticker tears or is only partially stuck, reheat and continue scraping.
If there is any residue left after removing the sticker, remove it with a maintenance spray or a soft microfiber cloth with rubbing alcohol.
Remove the sticker using a chemical solvent Wait, don’t worry… not all chemicals are bad for you or the environment. Check out the options below to find the method that works for you.
First, wash the sticker and the area around it with soap and water. This allows the solution to penetrate the sticker more easily, reducing the risk of dirt damaging the paint.
White Vinegar
This is a great option that is safe for you and not harmful to the environment. Soak the sticker in white vinegar and leave it for 3-5 minutes or until the edges start to peel.
A good way to do this is to soak a sponge or small towel in vinegar and place it over the entire sticker.
Gently spray this around the edge of the decal, lift it, spray some more and lift it again, which can loosen the adhesive enough to remove the decal. You may need to let the WD-40 sit for a bit before peeling it off.
Adhesive Remover
Commercial adhesive removers, such as Goo-Gone Automotive, are a good solution for very stubborn or old stickers.
Read the instructions carefully before use, but generally you should soak the entire sticker in the same way you would with white vinegar, leave it for about 5 minutes, then peel it off.
Acetone (Window Stickers Only)
Nail polish remover, which contains acetone, is a great way to quickly dissolve the adhesive on window stickers. Be careful, this stuff will completely dissolve the paint on your car.
A razor or utility blade is also an effective option, but it will scratch your car’s paint, so you should only use it on glass. Once the decal is completely loose and dissolved in your solution of choice, use a plastic scraper, such as a putty knife or trim removal tool, to slowly lift the decal off. It may come apart, so apply more if necessary.
You may also be able to use your fingernail to lift up a corner. If any residue remains, remove it with hot soapy water or rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth. Then, to protect the newly exposed paint, wax the paint with a quality car wax. This will make the whole area look even better.