Much like a tattoo from those younger days, you may have regrets about applying those bumper stickers to your car. In both cases, they’re harder to remove.
Maybe the circumstances have changed, you changed your mind about the message, or more than likely, you want to sell the car.
No matter the reason, discover successful ways of removing bumper stickers without causing damage to your car or car paint.
Heat It Up
Warming up a sticky bumper sticker helps loosen the binding power of the adhesive, which makes heat a good and popular method of removal.
Wipe away dirt with a damp microfiber cloth and using a common hair dryer held a few inches away, heat up the area. Using the hottest setting, start at the center and work out towards the edges.
When it appears that the glue is melted, slide a fingernail under the edges and peel away, working towards the center of the sticker. Repeat as necessary until the glue has released and you’re able to scrape the sticker away.
A heat gun works great for this job, but unless you know how to use it, use caution because it’s easier to damage car paint.
Commercial Products
Commercial products like Goo Gone or WD-40 work really well to remove stubborn stickers, since they are designed to remove sticky adhesives, gum, or tree sap.
Generously apply Goo Gone on and around the sticker and let soak in for a few minutes. Typically, the longer the product has time to work, the easier it will be to remove the sticker. Once the sticker comes off, clean the area with a microfiber cloth, gentle soap, and water.
WD-40 works best by spraying under a sticker edge, if you’re able to peel back with your fingernail. Working from any edge, keep spraying the product as you pull off more of the sticker until it’s removed. When removed, clean the area with a microfiber cloth, gentle soap, and water.
Environmentally Friendly Solutions
Boiling Hot Water
Soaking the sticker with boiling water may work to loosen the adhesive so you can scrape off with a plastic scraper or old credit card. It may take several tries, but it’s a cheap and easy solution.
Vinegar
All-natural white vinegar has so many uses around the home and another one may be to remove those stubborn bumper stickers.
Saturate the sticker with vinegar and let soak for a few minutes. Again, using an old credit card or plastic scraper, you should be able to chip away at the sticker until it’s removed.
Non-Recommended Methods
Note that you should never use paint thinner, nail polish remover, a knife, or razor blades to remove bumper stickers because any of these things can chip, damage, or completely remove car paint.
If that happens, you’re facing a far bigger and more expensive problem than removing a bumper sticker.
Conclusion
Before you stick anything on your vehicle, think twice about how much work it will take to remove it one day. If you must, stick things to the windows instead of anywhere on the body of your vehicle. Removing stickers from glass is a much easier project.
When you do find yourself in need of auto body or auto paint repairs, contact the auto body and paint experts at Downtown Autobody in Rohnert Park.
