Before you start
A sticker can be removed without damaging the paint if you do not rush and use heat instead of force. The steps below work for most vinyl stickers on paint and glass.
What you need
- a hairdryer (not a heat gun),
- a plastic card or plastic scraper,
- an adhesive remover that is safe for car paint,
- a microfibre cloth, car shampoo and water,
- wax or another paint protectant.
Removing it step by step
- Wash the sticker and the area around it so that grit does not scratch the paint.
- Warm the sticker with a hairdryer for about half a minute from 15–20 cm away. The air should be warm, not hot.
- Lift a corner with a fingernail or a plastic card and start to peel the sticker back.
- Pull slowly at a sharp angle, close to the surface. If the sticker resists, warm it again.
- Soak the adhesive residue with an adhesive remover, wait and wipe it off with a soft cloth.
- Wash the paint, degrease it and protect it with wax.
Old, faded stickers
Stickers that have been in the sun for a long time may crack and come off in pieces. In that case, warm them longer and more thoroughly, always with warm and not hot air, and remove them in small pieces. If there is a lot of resistance, it is better to wait a moment than to tug.
The outline left behind
After many years the paint around a sticker may have faded, so its outline is visible once it is removed. This is not damage from the adhesive but a difference in how much the paint has faded. Gentle polishing with a polishing paste often reduces it. If in doubt, ask a paint specialist.
What to avoid
- metal scrapers and sharp knives, which scratch paint,
- acetone, thinners and harsh solvents,
- tugging at a sticker on a cold surface,
- overheating paint, plastic parts and tinted glass.
Try any adhesive remover on a hidden part of the paint first, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Time for a new sticker?
Once the surface is clean, you can apply a new sticker. See how to do it.
Not sure how to apply a sticker?Read the guide: surface preparation, weather and step-by-step technique →See our series
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