If you have a car or truck with a decal or bumper sticker that you no longer want to be on the vehicle, these tips may help with decal removal from the vehicle without ruining the paint.
One trick is to get the adhesive that holds the decal in place warm. You can use a heat gun or iron over a damp towel. In some situations, a hair drier or parking the vehicle in the sun will give enough heat to melt the glue holding the decal in place.
When the adhesive has been warmed you will want to use a soft scraper that can lift the edge of the decal without scratching the paint. An old credit card or a a plastic putty knife are good choices. If you feel confident using it, some people have great success with a single edge razor blade. Just be careful that you are only lifting the decal.
Once the edge of the decal is lifted sufficiently, try grabbing with your fingers and pealing away the decal or sticker. If the decal tears and you lose your grip, try reheating and lifting the edge again using your lifting tool. Eventually, you will be able to remove all of the decal from the vehicle.
For decals that are thin like pinstripes, 3M makes a tool called a “Stripe off” tool. The tool is inserted into an electric drill and works like a power eraser to remove the pinstripe from the vehicle. It also works for lettering and small bumper stickers, as long as there is a clear coat over the finish of the vehicle.
Once the decal has been removed, you may still have some sticky residue which needs to be removed. Residue that is left on the vehicle will attract dust and make an unsightly mess so you will need to take steps to remove it.
There are several types of solvent that can be used to remove the residue from the vehicle. You may want to try one or all until you are able to completely remove the decal from the vehicle.
WD-40 is said to be a great solvent for the adhesive on some decals. Others use lighter fluid. Still another choice is a strong solution of rubbing alcohol and dish washing soap. With any of these solvents, you will want to apply and allow the solvent to work a few minutes then wipe off before they have a chance to damage the clear coat on the vehicle.
Decals have a tenancy to protect the paint they cover. This may cause them to appear to be brighter and have more shine than the area around them. Waxing the vehicle can help to make the shiny spots less noticeable.
Some decals on older vehicles are almost impossible to remove. They may have to be ground off the vehicle and the vehicle be repainted to get rid of the decal. Be sure that you follow the correct steps including primer to refinish the vehicle.
It doesn’t have to be expensive to get decal removal for your company fleet. Learn more about how Hinton Water Blasting is able to quickly remove vehicle decals and logos.