Have you ever tried removing stickers from your car’s windshield? Did you have any success, or did the stickers leave some residue behind?
Removing stickers from a car’s windows and windshield is no rocket science. But if it’s your first time, it can be an extremely frustrating task. That rings true, especially if you are dealing with a sticker that has been on the windscreen for a long time.
Usually, the adhesive holding the sticker in place can be hard to remove. And if you’re not careful, you might end up scratching the windshield.
However, with the help of the right tools and techniques, you can remove stickers from your windshield and the entire car hassle-free, causing no damage.
What You Need to Remove Sticker From Car Windshield
Before sticker removal, it’s vital to collect all the materials you will require. They include:
- Heat gun/ hairdryer
- Plastic scraper or credit card
- A sticker residue or adhesive remover
- A glass cleaner
- A clean rag
- Microfiber towels or dry paper towels
- Rubbing alcohol
- Soapy water
Steps By Step Guide to Removing Stickers from A Car Windshield
Step 1: Clean the Windshield Surface
The first step to removing any pesky stickers from your windshield is to clean the glass surface. Spray glass/window cleaner to the surface and wipe it off using a dry paper towel or microfiber cloth until the glass is spotless and dry.
Cleaning helps to prevent scratches by getting rid of any abrasive dirt on the windshield when you scrape off the sticker and its adhesive residue.
Note: Always pick an ammonia-free glass cleaner. Products with ammonia, like Windex, can compromise the integrity and strength of the rubber around the windshield, resulting in damage. Stick to window cleaners designed for auto glass.
Step 2: Heat the Sticker
Before applying heat, try peeling off the sticker using your finger. If it proves difficult, heat the label to help loosen the adhesive and make it easier to remove.
You can use a heat gun or hairdryer to heat the label. Hold the heat gun about eight inches away from the sticker and move it in a circular motion. When using a hairdryer, hold it approximately six inches away and move it back and forth over the label’s surface.
You must avoid holding the heating tool close to the sticker because the glass might shatter.
Alternatively, you can use soapy water and a damp cloth to loosen the sticker. In a bucket, mix some liquid detergent or dish soap with hot water. Dip a clean rag into the bucket, then place it on the sticker or leftover glue.
Step 3: Scarpe Off the Sticker
After heating or soaking the sticker, it’s time to scrape it off. Gently use a credit card or plastic scraper to remove the corner of the sticker of the glass. You can also use a special razor blade to scrape off such labels.
Place your scraper at an angle of 45 degrees and avoid applying too much pressure, as this could scratch the glass. If the sticker is still stubborn, soak (or heat it up again), scrape, and pull until you get the entire sticker off the glass surface.
Step 4: Remove the Adhesive Residue
The biggest challenge with removing a sticker from a windshield is getting rid of the adhesive residue. There are several ways you can get rid of this residue, including:
- Using A Commercial Sticker Remover
If soapy water does not get rid of the sticker’s adhesive residue, consider using a commercial sticker remover, like Goo-Gone. These sticker removers work by dissolving the adhesive. All you need is to spray a small amount of the product on the vinyl decals and let it settle for a few minutes to allow the solutions to work.
After that, use a damp cloth or scrub brush to loosen the adhesive. If it’s stubborn, repeat the process until you get rid of all the adhesives.
But remember, commercial sticker removers can be harmful to your skin and clothing. Therefore, wear protective eyewear and gloves and work in a well-ventilated space to reduce the chances of inhaling harmful fumes.
- Using Vinegar
If the above process fails, you can use a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Vinegar is a weak acid that can help break down the residue left behind by the sticker on the glass surface.
Put the mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply it over the residue. You can also apply the mixture to a cloth and gently rub on the residue and allow it to penetrate it.
After a few minutes, it will soften or loosen the sticky residue. From there, you can use a scraper or credit card to scrape away the residue.
- Using Rubbing Alcohol
Aside from vinegar, you can use rubbing alcohol. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol to a clean cloth or cotton ball.
Rub the alcohol over the remaining residue in a circular motion, then allow it to sit for a while to loosen the glue. Once the adhesive residue softens, wipe it off with a dry cloth or use a razor blade to scrape it off.
However, be careful with rubbing alcohol since it’s flammable and can cause skin irritation. So, if you have sensitive skin, wear protective gear, like gloves and safety glasses.
Interesting Fact: Apart from removing a sticker’s residue, rubbing alcohol can eliminate pine sap on the rear of your car’s front and rear windows.
- Using WD-40
Another effective method of getting rid of the sticker residue is using WD-40. This multipurpose lubricant and penetrating oil can help dissolve the glue on the glass surface.
Spray WD-40 onto the affected area and leave it to sit for a few minutes to soften the adhesive. Use a plastic credit card to scrape away the sticker and its residue. As said earlier, hold the scraper at an angle to avoid scratching the windscreen.
Once you have done that, wipe the remaining residue with a paper towel or microfiber cloth to remove any WD-40 and debris.
- Using Nail Polish Remover
A nail polish remover can help to remove any bothersome residue. Soak a cotton ball or paper towel with this product and apply it to the affected area. But make sure you use a non-acetone nail polish remover. Otherwise, the acetone can damage the car’s glass surface.
Continue to rub the nail polish until you have completely removed all the residue. After that, wipe the area clean with a dry cloth to remove any remaining product.
- Using A Baking Soda Mix
If all the above methods fail, consider using a baking soda mix. This non-toxic, homemade mix offers the safest and most effective way to deal with the decal.
Mix a small amount of baking soda with water, or cooking oil to create a paste. Apply the paste to the label’s residue until it’s fully soaked. Let the paste sit for a while to soften the remaining adhesive. Use a sponge or soft cloth to scrub the paste in a circular motion.
Note: If your car’s windscreen is tinted, avoid using baking soda as it will end up damaging the expensive tint.
Step 5: Wipe Down the Windshield
Once you’ve gotten rid of the sticker and adhesive, wipe down the glass surface with a clean cloth or rinse it with water. This will help remove any remaining residue. After that, use a dry cloth to gently clean and dry the windshield.
Tips For Removing Stickers from Your Windshield
- Be patient: Take your time when removing the sticker from the windshield. It may take a few tries before you get the sticker off the glass surface, but don’t try to rush the process. Otherwise, you could accidentally scratch your windscreen.
- Be gentle: It’s vital to be gentle when removing the stickers. If you hurry or are not careful, you could end up scratching or damaging the glass surface.
- Use the right tools: To effectively remove the sticker, you require the right tools or material. The heat gun or hair dryer can help soften the adhesive, while the credit card or plastic scraper can scrape off the label. Alternatively, you can use soapy water to loosen the sticker, and later apply a baking soda mixture, vinegar mixture, or rubbing alcohol to get rid of the adhesive residue.
- Avoid using sharp objects or abrasive materials: These tools can scratch or damage the glass surface as well as the tint.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, registration labels, parking permits, and other decals are tricky to remove from the windshield and car windows. But if you follow the steps above, you should have no problem.
However, it’s important to be patient and gentle when removing the sticker. And if one method doesn’t work, do not force, as you will damage your windscreen.
If you have tried all the mentioned techniques and still can’t remove the sticker, it’s best to seek the help of an expert.
We hope you found this guide helpful. If you have questions or suggestions, leave us a message in the comment section below.
