You have just bought a used car. Despite the fact that you really like it, it is full of stickers on the bodywork and on the windows. We will have to remove everything and this work is long term. Don’t panic, there are solutions and tips for getting rid of those annoying bits of paper and plastic. On the other hand, depending on whether they are glued to the bodywork or to the windows of the vehicle, they should not be removed in the same way at the risk of damaging the paint or breaking the windshield. Here are some solutions.
Take out a sticker on a heat bodywork
This trick is only to be done on the body of your vehicle and not on a window or windshield. First of all, clean the area on which you are going to act. Next, get a heat gunor a hair dryer and heat the sticker until the glue begins to melt. This technique should not be used on plastic or rubber areas. Once you feel the glue has softened, start by gently tugging on one corner of the sticker which should come up on its own. If necessary, use a plastic scraper, but never a metal blade to avoid scratches. Once the badge is out, you can run hot liquid soap over a clean cloth to remove any remaining glue. Avoid harsh solvents like acetone or white spirit which could damage the car’s paint or varnish.
Remove a white vinegar sticker
White vinegar is often a miracle solution. To remove a sticker from a car body, it is too. Start by soaking the sticker with white vinegar on a sponge, tapping lightly until the paper is completely impregnated. Then let it sit for half an hour. When you see that the corners of the sticker are starting to peel off, pull it lightly and reapply white vinegar to the stubborn areas. At the end of the operation, you will be able to see that the sticker or stickers are gone and all that, without leaving a trace. This action prevents you from using aggressive products. White vinegar naturally dissolves glue and can work on all surfaces, whether it’s windows or bodywork, or even bumpers.
Take off a sticker with olive oil
Yes, olive oil also works perfectly to remove a sticker from a car body or a window. It must first be saturated with hot water until the sticker shows signs of weakness. In general, count half an hour and rewet several times during this time. Then brush it with olive oil using a pastry brush . Wait a bit and simply remove the badge by gently pulling on it. If it is on a glass, windshield or plastic part, this method is perfect, because it does not scratch the support. If any glue residue remains, olive oil is also a perfect product to remove it.
Take out a sticker with solvent
It is still possible to use solvent to remove a sticker. However, this product should never be used on bodywork , plastic or rubber. This trick is only valid for windows or a windshield. So soak a large cotton ball or a clean cloth in nail polish remover and wipe it over the sticker. Repeat the operation several times until the sticker comes off? Then pull gently until it comes completely. If there is any glue left on the glass, wipe it down with solvent again to remove it entirely.
Dangerous products for removing a sticker
We have just seen some practical possibilities for removing a sticker from a car body or on a vehicle window. However, you have to be careful with certain accessories or products when performing this operation, because they are simply dangerous for your vehicle. Thereby :
Dishwashing liquid is not recommended for removing a sticker, as it encourages you to scrub too much and can also dull a paintwork depending on how it is made up.
Acetone is a great glue dissolver, but it’s also very strong and abrasive. When used on car paint, this solvent is highly likely to dull the paint.
Double-sided sponges are still to be avoided when removing stickers from a car. Indeed, the meshes are too hard and can scratch the windows, but also the bodywork of your car.