How to Get Glue off a Car

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Glue, duct tape, and stickers can all leave a sticky residue on your car that can be a real eyesore. No matter where it is, glue can be an unsightly annoyance. Fortunately, removing glue is pretty easy to do using a few common household items. Try a hairdryer and scraper on the vehicle’s body, dish soap on the upholstery, and a razor blade on the windows.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Glue off Glass with a Razor

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  1. Many kinds of glue will loosen up if you let them soak in some warm water for 30 minutes or so. If the glue is on a window, you may need to hold the wet rag against the glue to allow it to soak. [1]
  2. While you shouldn’t use razor blades on paint, you can often use them effectively to scrape glue from glass. Press the blade into the window about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the glue, then slide it into the glue repeatedly to peel it up. Be careful to maintain the 45-degree angle, because if you press the blade directly into the glass, you could still scratch it. [2]
    • Wipe away chunks of glue as you scrape them off.
    • You may be able to remove all of the glue just using the razor blade.
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  3. With most of the glue removed, there may still be a residue or a thin layer of glue left behind. The best way to remove it is to use a commercial adhesive remover you spray on and then wipe away. [3]
    • You can purchase adhesive remover at most hardware and even many grocery stores.
    • Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle.
  4. In a pinch, the acetone found in nail polish remover can be an effective way to break up the glue on your window. Be careful not to get any on the paint of your vehicle, however, as it will also remove the wax. [4]
    • Put the acetone nail polish remover on a cloth and then use the cloth to apply it to the window.
    • Scrub the glue with the cloth until it comes off.
  5. Whether you used a chemical to help break up the glue or not, you should wash the window to clean any last bits of glue or debris from it. [5]
    • Spray on the glass cleaner and then simply wipe it away with a paper towel or clean rag to clean the window.
    • Wipe the cleaner away in a circular motion to avoid streaks.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Removing Glue from Paint with a Hair Dryer and Scraper

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  1. It’s important to make sure you’re not scraping any dirt or debris into the paint of the car as you remove the glue, so the area around the glue needs to be clean before you begin. [6]
    • Use a capful of car wash soap mixed with a bowl of warm water to wash the area.
    • Make sure the area is thoroughly rinsed with clean water after you’re done.
    • You can use a towel to dry the area faster if you wish.
  2. Warming the glue before you scrape it will make it softer and easier to work with. Set the hair dryer to its hottest setting and then move it back and forth over the glue until it becomes soft and tacky. [7]
    • Depending on the kind of glue and hair dryer, this may take several minutes.
    • You may use a heat gun instead of a hairdryer. Be especially careful if you do, as you can glaze the clear coat on the paint if you heat it too much.
  3. Once the glue is warm, place a credit card or plastic scraper down on the vehicle about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the glue. Keep the card or scraper at a 45-degree angle and slide it into the glue repeatedly to make it come up. Do not use a razor blade on any painted surface. [8]
    • Pay close attention to the paint as you scrape. If you notice light scratches starting to appear, it’s because of dirt or debris. Wash the area and start the process over again to avoid adding more scratches if that happens.
  4. If there’s a lot of glue to remove or you’re working in an area with a cold climate, the glue may harden again before you’re finished removing it. Keep the hair dryer handy and reheat the glue if it starts to harden up. [9]
    • Continue to scrape and reheat the glue until it’s all been removed.
    • You may need to wipe away bits of glue with a rag or paper towel as you scrape them off.
  5. Chances are good that the glue removed the wax and possibly even some of the clear coat on your vehicle’s paint. First, wash the area with car wash soap and water, allow it to dry, and apply a layer of wax using the supplied applicator.
    • Once the wax is completely dry, buff it off the paint with a chamois cloth.
    • Follow the instructions on the wax you used to know how long it will take for it to dry.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Getting Glue out of Upholstery with Soap

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  1. If there are any loose chunks of glue, or bits of glue you can peel off with your fingers, doing so can really speed up the process. Often, hardened glue will peel away from cloth or upholstery. [10]
    • You can use a plastic scraper to try to remove some glue but don’t use anything sharp or you could tear the upholstery.
  2. With the loose chunks removed, you can loosen up the remaining glue by placing a warm, wet cloth over the glue and letting it soak in for 30 minutes or so. [11]
    • You may want to ring out the rag, wet it again, and place it back on the glue about halfway through the 30 minutes to keep it warm.
  3. You can use upholstery cleaner to help remove the glue and stain, but dish soap will actually do a pretty good job of it. Mix the soap and water in a medium-sized bowl so you can bring it with you into the car. Add more soap if the solution doesn’t seem to be doing the trick. [12]
  4. [13] It helps to use circular motions or to scrub the glue stain from multiple angles, to make sure you thoroughly remove all of it. Dip the sponge back in the water repeatedly as you scrub. [14]
    • Make sure to scrub from the outside of the stain to the center so that you don't spread the stain around. [15]
    • The soap and water should also remove the dark stain left behind by the glue.
  5. Once you’re satisfied with the glue removal, press a dry towel into the upholstery to soak up the water. Scrubbing the wet area may not be as effective as blotting it, because you want to soak up the water beneath the upholstery as well. [16]
    • You can also use a hair dryer to dry the upholstery more quickly.
    • Once the upholstery is dry, look it over. You may want to repeat the process for better results.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the best adhesive remover?
    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
    Expert Answer
    Orange Degreaser is really good, and so are Purple Power and Krud Kutter. They should all work on tough stains, which would include glue.
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  • Question
    Does vinegar remove glue?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    White vinegar can remove glue from many surfaces. Soak the affected area in vinegar for a few minutes, then gently scrape it away with a spatula, credit card, or other plastic scraper. Vinegar can dull the paint on your car a little, so you might need to rewax the area when you’re done.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How do I remove glue without damaging the paint?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Use a gentle adhesive remover that’s designed to be safe for use on a car. Use a detailing cloth or a plastic scraper to scrub the surface and scrape away the glue, since these materials are unlikely to scratch the paint. Avoid scraping or scrubbing your car with anything too abrasive, like a metal scraper or a Magic Eraser.
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      Things You'll Need

      Removing Glue from Paint with a Hair Dryer

      • A hair dryer
      • A plastic card
      • Car Wash Soap
      • Automotive Wax

      Getting Glue out of Upholstery with Soap

      • A rag
      • Dish soap
      • Warm water
      • Clean cloth

      Cleaning Glue off Glass with a Razor

      • Acetone nail polish remover
      • Adhesive remover
      • Razor blade
      • Glass cleaner

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/floor-and-surface-cleaning/how-to-remove-sticker-residue.html
      2. ↑ https://info.glass.com/how-to-remove-sticker-car-window/
      3. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-stickers-from-glass/
      4. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/floor-and-surface-cleaning/how-to-remove-sticker-residue.html
      5. ↑ https://info.glass.com/how-to-remove-sticker-car-window/
      6. ↑ https://www.carwash.com/5-smart-ways-apply-remove-car-decals/
      7. ↑ https://www.carwash.com/5-smart-ways-apply-remove-car-decals/
      8. ↑ https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1404-how-to-remove-factory-badges-and-decals-in-ten-easy-steps/
      9. ↑ https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1404-how-to-remove-factory-badges-and-decals-in-ten-easy-steps/
      1. ↑ https://www.stain-removal-101.com/glue-stain-removal.html
      2. ↑ https://www.stain-removal-101.com/glue-stain-removal.html
      3. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a15879/stains-glue-may07/
      4. ↑ Chad Zani. Auto Detailing Expert. Expert Interview. 20 November 2019.
      5. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a15879/stains-glue-may07/
      6. ↑ Chad Zani. Auto Detailing Expert. Expert Interview. 20 November 2019.
      7. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a15879/stains-glue-may07/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you need to get glue off of a car, pour a small amount of gasoline onto a soft, clean cotton rag or old T-shirt, being careful not to get any of the gas on your hands. Rub the glue residue with the gasoline-dampened rag, working in small circles as if you were washing the car. When you’ve removed all of the glue, clean the area with warm water and car soap, then rinse the surface of your car thoroughly and use a clean rag to dry it. Keep reading to learn how to use heat to remove the glue!

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        Feb 19, 2017

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