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How To Remove Stickers From Your Car
So, you now feel sick of that bumper sticker on your car. And you feel the need to remove it.
The thing about stickers is that the longer you wait, the harder the sticker will be to remove because the adhesive breaks down and the paint around it may bleach.
However, one rule about removing sticker is this: Don’t rush it. If you attack your bumper without a plan, you may ruin the finish, scratch the paint or be left with a patch of sticky residue.
In this article, we provide you with a guide for how to remove stickers from your car.
Hair Dryer Method
- First, clean both the sticker and the areas around it with hot water. Make sure there is no dirt. This will help to loosen the glue on the sticker.
2. Next, warm the sticker with a hairdryer. Blow hot air on the sticker for about a minute. If your dryer is on low heat, you can hold it close to the sticker; if you set it to high, hold it further away. The air needs to be directed just a few inches from the sticker, but never touching the sticker or the car’s paint job. If the hairdryer touches the paint, it could be in danger of leaving a mark.
3. Carefully, use your fingernail or a rubber spatula (please, don’t use metal) to peel back a corner of the sticker. Once you have a good grip, continue peeling the sticker back, not up, until it comes off. If needed, continue to apply heat.
4. Remove whatever is left of the adhesive. For this step, you can use rubbing alcohol or an adhesive remover designed for cars. Rub gently with a cloth until the surface underneath is clean
Using Solvents
If you cannot get a hairdryer, or if heat alone is not working, you can use some solvents to remove stickers from your car. The solvent will be used to loosen the adhesive and soak the sticker off your car.
Be careful if you are using an inflammable solvent. While some people suggest using nail polish remover with acetone or gasoline to remove stickers from a car, these solvents can damage the finish on your paint. So, please, use nail polish remover only on glass.
Some example of these solvent includes:
Boiling water:
Soak a cloth in boiling water and carefully apply it to the sticker, or pour the water directly over the sticker.
Rubbing alcohol (or vodka):
If you want to know how to get sticker residue off plastic, wood, or glass, one of the most effective solvents that are safe for most surfaces is rubbing alcohol. Vodka is a good substitute. Wet a paper towel or clean rag with rubbing alcohol, and rub the residue to lift it off.
White vinegar:
Use the same technique as for boiling water.
How to make removing bumper stickers easier
If you need to stick a sticker on your car, and you don’t want to have a hard time removing them, then do one of the following:
Stick it on the glass
It is easier to remove stickers from car windscreens, window glass, etc. After peeling the sticker off, the sticky residue can be scraped off with a razor blade. However, never use a razor blade on the inside of the rear windscreen, because you could damage the defrosting wires.
Place them on a bumper sticker magnet
Stick it to a bumper sticker magnet. Attach your sticker to a bumper magnet and then stick it on your car.
Apply wax first
Some car experts say that if you use a product like Turtle Wax on your bumper and apply the sticker before buffing, it will be easy to remove later.
