How to Remove Bumper Stickers & Window Stickers From Your Car

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Safely remove stickers without damaging your paint or glass
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Adding stickers to your car’s bumper or windshield is a great way to express yourself. However, they can be tough to remove if you decide you no longer want them. But don’t worry—we’re here to help. We interviewed auto body technician and detailer Chad Zani to teach you all the best ways to remove bumper stickers and window stickers. Plus, learn how to avoid stubborn stickers in the future and get answers to other common questions about removing stickers from your car.

Removing Car Stickers: Quick Steps

  1. Wipe the sticker and surrounding area with warm, soapy water.
  2. Run a hair dryer along the sticker to warm it up and loosen the adhesive.
  3. Peel up a corner of the sticker using a credit card or another straight edge.
  4. If necessary, wipe away any leftover adhesive with soapy water or an adhesive remover.
Section 1 of 4:

Removing Bumper Stickers from Your Car

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  1. If your bumper sticker isn’t too old or stubborn, it may be possible to remove it with soap and water. Mix warm water and dish soap in a bucket or bowl, and dip a rag into it. Wash over the sticker and the surrounding area several times to soften the adhesive, then slowly peel the sticker up with the help of a credit card or another plastic or rubber straight edge.
    • If any residue remains, continue scrubbing and scraping with the soapy water and credit card. Or, apply an adhesive remover like Goo Gone .
  2. One of the most common ways to remove stubborn bumper stickers is to blast them with heat. If you have an extension cord, grab a hair dryer and plug it in outside. Turn it onto a low setting and slowly run it back and forth across the sticker, about 6 inches (15 cm) away. After a few minutes, this will loosen the adhesive so you can start peeling up a corner of the sticker. Use a credit card or a rubber spatula to pull the sticker up. [1]
    • It may help if you first rub the sticker with a damp cloth.
    • You can also use a heat gun , but these are stronger than hair dryers, so be careful not to damage your car’s surface.
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  3. Goo Gone is a popular adhesive remover that can get stickers off of almost any surface, including cars. Goo Gone Automotive Spray Gel is specifically designed to remove all kinds of sticky substances from your car, including bumper stickers, tree sap, gum, and more. Follow the product’s instructions to apply it properly; in general, spray the gel over the sticker, let it sit, then peel the sticker off with a rubber spatula or credit card. [2]
  4. If you don’t want to buy a specialty remover, many people swear by WD-40 . First, put on some safety goggles so you don’t get the lubricant in your eyes, then spray it liberally onto the sticker. Let the solution sit for about 5 minutes, then start peeling the sticker away with a credit card or another plastic or rubber straight edge. If there are stubborn areas, spray more WD-40 and repeat the process until the sticker and its residue have been completely removed. [3]
    • When you’re done, clean the surface by wiping it with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
  5. While heat is a common way to remove stickers, ice can also work. Hold some ice against the sticker for a few minutes. This should help break up the adhesive so you can peel the sticker away. Use a credit card or a dull blade (not a razor blade) to pry the sticker off if it’s stubborn. [4]
  6. White vinegar is an environmentally friendly sticker remover that you likely already have in your cabinet. Thoroughly soak a paper towel in the vinegar, then rub it all over the sticker. Let it sit for a few minutes, then peel the sticker away with a credit card or another rubber or plastic scraper. To remove residue, wipe the surface with rubbing alcohol or soapy water. [5]
  7. Using boiling water is another great, environmentally friendly option. Boil some water and, being careful not to burn yourself, pour it over the sticker. The heat and liquid should begin loosening the sticker’s adhesive so you can either peel it away or use a rag to scrub it off. You may need to repeat the process several times before you can remove the sticker entirely. [6]
  8. Unlike acetone, which can damage paint, rubbing alcohol is safe to use on your car’s painted surface. Soak the sticker with rubbing alcohol and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, peel the loosened sticker off with the help of a straight edge. Don’t use a razor blade, as this may scratch the surface. [7]
  9. Zani says, “There are some new devices that you put onto the end of a drill that will help remove stickers and decals from cars.” These eraser wheels are available online and at auto parts stores and are designed for the quick, easy removal of vinyl and decals. Follow the instructions on the package to properly install and use the wheel.
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Section 2 of 4:

Removing Stickers from Car Windows

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  1. In general, it’s much easier to remove stickers from glass than the metal or plastic parts of your car. According to Zani, “One of the old tricks that hasn’t really changed much in the last 20 years is using a razor blade on glass.” Take a razor blade, being careful not to cut yourself, and slowly peel up a corner of the sticker. Then, continue peeling it away with your hand. Use the blade to remove any stubborn residue, as well.
    • After scraping off the sticker or decal, Zani says, “If there’s glue residue, use a new razor and you should be able to remove the glue residue as well. Use a quick decal spray, or even glass cleaner, as a lubricant for the razor.”
    • Do not use a metal razor blade anywhere other than your car’s glass, as it may scratch or damage the paint.
    EXPERT TIP

    Chad Zani

    Auto Detailing Expert
    Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services.
    Chad Zani
    Auto Detailing Expert

    Fresh stickers are easier to remove. If it’s a fresh sticker, you should be able to peel it off carefully, slowly. If it’s been on the car forever, it’s going to be brittle and come apart in pieces. Be slow and steady with removing stickers on paint. You can be more aggressive on glass.

  2. Thoroughly soak the sticker with acetone (nail polish remover) or cooking oil and let it sit for a few minutes so it has time to loosen the adhesive. Then, peel the sticker off the glass. If it’s stubborn, you may need to scrape it off with a razor blade or other straight edge—just be careful not to cut yourself. [8]
    • Acetone can damage your car’s paint, so only use this method to remove stickers from glass.
    • In general, the methods used to remove bumper stickers can also remove window stickers, but it’s usually easier just to use acetone and/or a razor blade.
    • Looking for more tips and tricks? See what wikiHow users are saying on the "Any hacks for removing a stubborn sticker off glass?" forum page.
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Section 3 of 4:

Applying Car Stickers the Right Way

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  1. It’s much easier to remove stickers from your car’s windows or windshield, as you can usually just scrape them right off with a razor blade. Putting stickers on glass also means you won’t risk damaging your car’s paint, so you can customize your vehicle without much hassle. [9]
  2. If you want a bumper sticker, consider attaching it to a magnet rather than affixing the sticker directly to your car. Place the bumper magnet on a metal part of the rear of your car, like the back of the trunk lid. This way, if you get tired of the sticker, all you have to do is take off the magnet. [10]
  3. If you want or need to attach your sticker directly to your car’s surface, first apply a layer of car wax . Follow the wax’s instructions, then place the sticker on top. This often makes it easier to remove the sticker later on. [11]
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Section 4 of 4:

Removing Car Sticker FAQs

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  1. 1
    How do I remove vinyl stickers from a car? Many bumper stickers are made of vinyl, so most bumper sticker removal methods will work for vinyl stickers. However, vinyl stickers often have a waterproof layer that sometimes makes wet removal methods more difficult. For this reason, try scraping the sticker off with a straight edge, like a credit card or a plastic spatula, first. Then, remove any remaining residue with soapy water, vinegar, or an adhesive remover. [12]
  2. 2
    How do I remove stickers from a car without damaging the paint? Avoid using razor blades, which could scratch the surface, or acetone, which could discolor or peel the paint. Instead, run a hair dryer along the sticker to warm and loosen the adhesive. Slowly peel the sticker off, then use adhesive remover or soapy water to remove any remaining residue. [13]
  3. 3
    What is the best sticker remover for car paint? Some of the best sticker removers for car paint include Goo Gone Automotive Spray Gel, WD-40, and citrus-based adhesive removers like Rapid Remover or Citrol . Zani shares his own recommendations for removing glue and adhesive: “We have a product called Orange Degreaser, which you could use on glue. [Or,] if the glue is dried, cover the line of glue with Butter Wet Wax.” Be sure to follow your product’s instructions to use it properly.
  4. 4
    Will acetone damage car paint? Yes, acetone can damage car paint, especially the clear coat. Acetone is a powerful solvent that strips away protective layers. This can cause discoloration, peeling, and cracking. Only use acetone to remove stickers from your car’s windows or windshield. [14]
  5. 5
    How do I remove stickers from my car’s interior? Most of your car’s interior surfaces, like the dashboard or glove box, are made of plastic or rubber, so you want to be careful not to damage or discolor the surface. Rather than scraping, soak the sticker in warm, soapy water and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, peel the sticker off with your fingers. You may need to repeat the process a few times. [15]
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  • 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.
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      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 may damage the car's paint or create an unwanted chemical reaction.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-bumper-stickers/
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/z5CFmiCwxxU?t=24
      3. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-bumper-stickers/
      4. ↑ https://www.windshieldexperts.com/blog/5-foolproof-ways-to-remove-sticky-stuff-from-your-car-windshield/
      5. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-bumper-stickers/
      6. ↑ https://knowhow.napaonline.com/removing-stickers-from-your-car-done-right/
      7. ↑ https://www.homemadesimple.com/in-the-home/how-to-remove-stickers-from-any-surface/
      8. ↑ https://knowhow.napaonline.com/removing-stickers-from-your-car-done-right/
      9. ↑ https://www.compare.com/car-buying/how-to-remove-stickers-from-car
      1. ↑ https://www.compare.com/car-buying/how-to-remove-stickers-from-car
      2. ↑ https://www.compare.com/car-buying/how-to-remove-stickers-from-car
      3. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-bumper-stickers/
      4. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-bumper-stickers/
      5. ↑ https://blisscarwash.com/will-acetone-damage-car-paint-getting-to-the-bottom-with-bliss/
      6. ↑ https://knowhow.napaonline.com/removing-stickers-from-your-car-done-right/

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