What's the best way to remove vinyl decals from an automobile?

Phil Elmore

Phil Elmore

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Feb 28, 2002
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I'd like to remove some vinyl decals from a vehicle. The finish isn't in great shape but I'd rather not scratch it up if I can help it. Is there an easy way to remove these stick-on things from a car? I'd have no problem scraping window glass, but these are on the body of the vehicle.
 
For the sticky gunk left after peeling, WD-40 does a pretty good job of getting that off.
 
I scrape only the surface of the decal all the way across the decal, being careful not to scrape painted surface below in several lines. Then spray decal with WD-40 or GooB Gone and let it sit for a while, it will absorb into the decal and then you should be able to peel it off.

Good Luck,
Jim
 
Definetely a hairdryer. It doesn't take long to get it warm enough to peel off.
 
A single-edge razor blade with a small piece of masking tape on each corner works well to get it started. You can use the sharp edge to get between the decal and the paint and the tape keeps the corners from digging in.
 
If your sure they are vinyl decals,the hair dryer or I use an industrial paint stripper(big hair dryer)will soften them up and they should peal right off.If it's something more like a bumper sticker,then you'll probably have to use the razor blade but they are a lot harder to get off,heat would probably help some on those also.Just to let you know,if they have been on there a while,you'll still be able to see the out line of them even after they are removed,because of the surrounding paint fading,you may be able to even the paint up some with a buffer but sometimes it looks worse with them off.
 
Trying to get the "Hillary for President" stickers off your car Phil? :p
 
See if you can find those plastic razor blades. They look like real razors. I worked at a car auction when I was younger, and that is what we used.
 
You might be able to use a disposable razor and shave it off. GooBGone will remove the adhesive.
 
Having worked as an auto-detailer when I was in college, I think your best bet is the aforementioned "hairdryer" then soft-plastic scraper. After you get it off, there may be some residue. I would start off with your basic glass-cleaner foam (it's good for just about anything) and a *SOFT* towel.

Finish it off with a buff/wax and no one will ever know that you're secretly a Democrat.
 
After you peel them off, use a clay bar kit to remove any residue- it's a modeling clay type material that removes all the impurities from paint (and is good to use after a wash twice a year in general, though you'll need to wax heavily afterwards- it strips that off as well).
Should be about $20 at an autoparts store.
 
glockman what happened last time someone used a firearm as a remodeling tool?
 
I had that problem myself recently- a bit of heat to soften them up, gentle scraping then cleaner to get rid of the residue.

A few hours of direct sunlight, fingernails and Goo Gone worked for me. A hair dryer and plastic 'razor blade' would have been the next step up if I needed the help.
 
Sharp Phil said:
That and "Gore/Lieberman."
Click to expand...
In that case, I'll have to go with sandblasting. A heat gun will probably let you cleanly remove most stickers with minimum gunk left over, but certain ones doubtless taint the surface beneath them, if not the entire vehicle:)
 
I like brake parts cleaner better then googone for a lot of glue based residue removal. :thumbup:

Watch it on paint and plastics though (test on an inconspicuous area first).
It evaporates very quickly.
 
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