If you would like to remove stickers from your car, there are ways to achieve it without leaving any traces and without causing damage. You will not be the first nor the last to have problems with adhesives, either on glass or on paint.
In the case of windows, the problem is usually more to get rid of the happy remains. A problem that occurs with some frequency due to stickers of the ITV or to the environmental adhesives. In the case of sheet metal, the difficulty of not damage car paint, since it can be scratched even with a fingernail.
stickers in the paint
The objective in this case is to remove the adhesive without causing any damage to the paint or enamel that covers it. A process that can be very complicated if the sticker has been attached for several years.
The first thing is cleaning
Before removing the sticker, it is advisable wash the area with soap and water to remove particles that can scratch the paint when we remove the remains of glue. A soak with the pressurized water guns would do as well.
Notice: If the sticker is made of paper, do not wet it, because that will make it difficult to extract the whole thing later. Instead of water, use a cloth to shake off the dust.
heat the stickers
To avoid problems when removing the stickers, the best thing to do is heat your glue. Placing the car in the sun in the summer may be enough, but if that is not possible or not enough, use a hair dryer. Normally a wireless one will not have enough heating power, so it is recommended that you move the car closer to a socket in the garage or use an extension cord.
Set the dryer about 5cm sticker and near the edge you are going to start taking off. do it during one or two minutes to make sure the glue softens.
Notice: Do not use other heat sources such as an iron, torch or heat gun. The reason is that the first can damage the paint if it touches it, and the second and third because the temperature they generate is excessive.
Take care when taking off
Car polish can be scratched very easily. Nothing more than the nail can leave a small groove, which will only be completely removed by polishing that part of the bodywork. Therefore, when you are going to take it off, make sure that you are only touching the little step of the sticker.
Notice: Do not use too hard or sharp objects to peel it off. No glass-ceramic blades or cutters.
In principle it should be enough with the nail. If you want to minimize the risk of causing a scratch while making it easier to remove, wet the piece you use in a little soapy water to act as a lubricant. Do not directly wet the sticker because the lubricant will prevent you from pulling well.
How to remove the remains
If the adhesive leaves traces of glue, the best way to remove them without using any product that deteriorates the paint is the kitchen oil. Whether sunflower or olive, it will easily remove any residue. You only need to keep two things in mind when applying it:
- prevent it from dripping and that it comes into contact with any plastic part of the car. To do this, do not apply it directly on the car, wet the cloth you are going to use.
- When you finish wash the area with soap and water to remove any remaining oil.
Notice: You can use other products such as soap and water, a glass cleaner or a non-corrosive multi-purpose cleaner. Never use other liquids like gasoline, diesel oil, acetone or any other solvent.
stickers on the glass
Since glass is much more scratch resistant than paint, you don't have to be so careful. If necessary, you can use a cooktop blade, as long as you use it correctly, i.e. flush. You can also use other stronger products like KH7 type or similar.
If the stickers are inside the glassPlease remember not to damage other parts of your car. A strong cleaner can damage your dashboard, so cover the area with some plastic if you see something falling on it. Oil would also be a problem inside the car, so be extra careful and then clean everything thoroughly with soap and water.
Advice when changing the ITV sticker
If you are going to pass the ITV, take what you will need to remove the old sticker. Although if you pass it when it has not yet expired, you can carry out the process without haste when you return home. Do not make the mistake of sticking the new one where the remains of the old one remain., because you will accumulate rings and glue, increasingly difficult to remove.
Images – Ryan Hyde, Arvid Rudling, Jocelyn Kinghorn and Ben Hosking