Removing Bumper Stickers

Written by Debra Wyatt (last updated November 8, 2021)

You just bought a second hand car. It works great, but there is one thing really bothers you, the bumper sticker just isn't your style, and you want it off. What ever the reason may be, there are times that bumper stickers need to be removed. While it can be frustrating, there are ways that they can be removed.

There are several different ways to try to remove the bumper sticker. There are items that will be needed for this project. Take the time to gather up your supplies now so that you don't have to stop and search.

Items needed for this project:

  • Portable hair dryer
  • Plastic spatula or something with a flat edge
  • 3 clean lint-free cloths
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Car polish
  • Car wax

Begin by picking at the sticker using your fingernails. If you are extremely lucky this will be all that you will have to do.

If the fingernail didn't work try moving on to spraying the sticker with WD–40. Let the lubricant soak into the sticker. Wait for about three minutes. Try picking at it again using your fingernail. Fingernails won't hurt the paint or the glass. The older the sticker the harder it will be to remove.

The next method that you can use if the above two has not done the job of removing the bumper sticker, would be to heat up some water till it is boiling. Place a rag into the boiling hot water. Lay the hot rag on top of the bumper sticker for about 45 seconds. To remove the sticker at this point use a plastic scrapper to scrap the sticker off.

Don't let frustration get to you if this process didn't work. There is still one more way that the bumper sticker can be removed.

This one will take a little more time but it really does the job of removing bumper stickers. Using the hair dryer, apply the heat directly onto the sticker. When the sticker begins to heat up it will also begin to bubble. When it has bubbled it is ready for you to start scrapping at the bumper sticker. Use the plastic spatula or something that has a flat edge that won't scratch the car like an old credit card. Keep scraping the sticker alternating with the heat blowing onto the sticker. Soon you will have the sticker removed without scratching the paint.

Now that the bumper sticker is gone you should still have some sticker residue left. Using one of the lint-free cloths dampen it with rubbing alcohol. Wipe off any residue that is left on the car.

You may feel like you are finished but there are still a couple of things that needs to be done. Take another one of the lint-free clothes and buff the area that had the sticker on it, using a polishing compound. Finally, apply a fresh coat of wax on to the area where you just finished buffing.

Author Bio

Debra Wyatt

Deb has a communications degree and applies her talents to her position as Marketing Specialist at Sharon Parq Associates. In her spare time she spends time with her children and grandchildren and devotes time to her church. ...

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