How to Remove Stickers From Your Car

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Bumper stickers or any type of stickers are often applied to a motor vehicle. Not everyone knows how to remove stickers from your car. Once applied it is difficult to remove bumper stickers completely. Sometimes only part of the sticker can be removed and other times the sticker itself can be removed but residue is left behind. The following directions will tell you how to remove stickers from your car.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-1.jpg\/aid1389197-v4-728px-Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Dip a wash rag into the soapy water, and wash over the sticker several times. Make sure to wash the area surrounding the sticker as well. This action will soften the sticker.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-2.jpg\/aid1389197-v4-728px-Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Be liberal with the application. This will help to break down the glue on the back of the sticker. Wait 5 minutes or more before proceeding to the next step. This allows the tar removal substance to soak through the sticker.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-3.jpg\/aid1389197-v4-728px-Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This step to lift the sticker is the first true attempt in how to remove stickers from your car.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/45\/Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/45\/Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-4.jpg\/aid1389197-v4-728px-Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Slowly slip the plastic spatula further under the sticker until you have removed the largest portion of the sticker that you can. Use your other hand to guide the spatula carefully underneath the sticker. Remove as much of the sticker as possible. [1]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-5.jpg\/aid1389197-v4-728px-Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Wipe the soapy wash rag across the entire area where the remaining section of the sticker or the residue of the sticker remains. Do this thoroughly. Try again to wipe off what is left behind using the plastic spatula. [2]
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-6.jpg\/aid1389197-v4-728px-Remove-Stickers-From-Your-Car-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Continue to scrub the area with your soapy rag until every last bit of the sticker is removed, leaving nothing on your motor vehicle.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Do these instructions apply to window decals only? Would it damage the paint if decal was located there?
    Community Answer
    Any decal affixed to a painted area would carry a risk of damaging the paint job if removed.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 8
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Warnings

      • Do not use 2 different types of tar removal or glue removal substances on your motor vehicle during one attempt to remove a sticker. The combination of different substances could cause damage to the car's paint or create an unwanted chemical reaction.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Bucket filled with soapy water
      • Wash rag
      • Tar or glue removal spray
      • Plastic spatula

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Remove Scratches from a Car
      Best Ways to Clean the Outside & Inside of Your Car
      How to
      Fix Alloy Rim Scratches
      How to
      Use Household Ingredients to Clean Your Car
      How to
      Buff Clear Coat
      How to
      Wash Alloy Wheels
      How to
      Deodorize Your Vehicle with an Ozone Generator
      The Best Ways to Clean the Inside of Your Windshield
      The Best Ways to Clean Bird Poop Off Your Car
      How to
      Use a Rubbing Compound
      How to
      Polish a Car
      How to
      Get Spray Paint off a Car
      How to
      Wet Sand a Car
      How to
      Remove Emblems From Cars
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cars.com/articles/how-to-remove-a-sticker-from-your-car-1420663070247/
      2. ↑ https://knowhow.napaonline.com/removing-stickers-from-your-car-done-right/
      3. https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/how-to-remove-bumper-stickers-and-car-decals/43
      4. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-bumper-stickers/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 147,147 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement