Remove vinyl off car?

[Dolby]

I've got a vinyl sticker on my bumper that I'd like to remove without discolouration or damage to my paint. It's been there under 2yrs so far - and I think waiting longer would damage the paint in the long run.

Is this possible and easy? I've heard a hairdryer?

Also - any difference on the backing (sticky bit) between a sticker (ie bumper stick) and vinyl (ie telephone number on van)?

 

[Sensorei]

I used to work in signage. They used methylated spirits on all cars to remove the sticky bit after pulling the vinyl off.

 

[ponder]

I suspect you the area under the sticker will be darker due to not being exposed to UV radiation as much. Meths or alcohol (deodrant) will remove the sticky glue residue.

 

[Fazda]

To remove it is very easy - simply park it in the sun until warm, or wipe it with warm/hot water before trying to pull it off.

The sticky stuff comes off with meths or, alternatively Mr Min or some other spray on furniture polish, spray it on...rub it off...works for horrible price stickers left on things as well...

As far as discolouration of the paint, that is unlikely, unless the car has been left in the sun and never polished...even then, just polish the bumper with Rally or One Step and the colour will all blend in again

 

[ALFAHOLIC]

Can this be applied to the decals on the boot as well? I want to remove the 2.0 T.Spark decals or badge from the boot...make it look cleaner. I've also heard the "park in sun" thing but how to I remove it - with string?Fish line?Cotton? Will the spirits not eat into the paint?

I'ma do this soon!

 

[Dolby]

I used to work in signage. They used methylated spirits on all cars to remove the sticky bit after pulling the vinyl off.

Is the backing on a vinyl one colour sticker and a sticker (ie bumper sticker) the same? I've always thought they were different.

I suspect you the area under the sticker will be darker due to not being exposed to UV radiation as much. Meths or alcohol (deodrant) will remove the sticky glue residue.

My worry

To remove it is very easy - simply park it in the sun until warm, or wipe it with warm/hot water before trying to pull it off.

Someone also mentioned a hair dryer ?

 

[killadoob]

Removing that stick as ponder says will leave a mark dude.

Meths will remove the glue.

Why do people put stickers on their cars though?

 

[ALFAHOLIC]

I've heard that the sticker or decal or badge must be hot...like stood in the sun or made hot either by hair dryer or boiled water etc. Then remove sticker/decal/badge and then there will be sticky glue residue left...remove this with meth or whatever other detergant that's not harmfull to the car or the environment..lol..just asked a dude who did it...

 

[Mars]

If you use meths make sure its clear, blue meths will change the colour of your paint... trouble.
If you use meths or thinners be careful not to damage your paint because it DOES soften the paint.
A polish like mr min is first prize, but doesn't always work. Then you use alcohol, or spirits.

If there is a shadow and polish does not take it out, then go for a burnishing compound, or have your car glazed.
You could honestly leave the decals on there without risking damage to your pant for another 3 years imo. I have stripped cars that have had decals on for longer than that, and after a glaze, they look brand new.

Again: If you use thinners or spirits, be careful! you can easly scratch the paint with your nail! If you avoid that it wont damage your paint in any other way tho.

You can use a hairdryer no problem, I have used a heat gun on many occasion. But the hotter the vinyl, the more glue you leave behind in most cases. Sometimes you're lucky and the glue and vinyl come off in one shot. But that's only sometimes.

 

[ALFAHOLIC]

So its Mr Min then? How much shouel we use or how long should it be left on? Coz dude here who did it said he used meth but with a cloth, soaked the cloth and rubbed lightly untill the glue came off...then polished the area...brand new!

 

[Mars]

So its Mr Min then? How much shouel we use or how long should it be left on? Coz dude here who did it said he used meth but with a cloth, soaked the cloth and rubbed lightly untill the glue came off...then polished the area...brand new!

well, if you try Mr Min, use the same method. Spray it onto the rag and vehicle, then rub to remove. You will see straight away if its working. Have PLENTY of rags tho, because if the rag gets saturated with glue you just end up spreading it around. You will have to throw the rags away when your'e done.

Edit. I say that you will see it working, but don't expect this to be an easy job.

 

[ponder]

My worry

Remove a thin layer of paint with a buffing wheel & some fine cutting compound, do the whole car followed by a wax job and you will have a even better looking paint job

Most spray painting shops can do this for you.

 

[Gnome]

I've removed badges and stickers plenty from cars. Personally I don't even bother leaving them in the sun, just peel it off with my nail, then after use Autosol Car Wax & Polish to remove any residue. Just put the Autosol on some TP (toiler paper ) and rub it until everything is off. Some stickers may take a while.

I've removed badges, stickers, those black plastic bumper things they sometimes stick on the car door, etc. All of them removed with no damaged paint, after it's gone & cleaned the area looks cleaner than the rest of the car tho, unless the car is new, so it's best to give the car a good clean. Maybe wax it a bit, wax removes dirt that you can't remove with a cloth and soap.

 

[ponder]

Maybe wax it a bit, wax removes dirt that you can't remove with a cloth and soap.

I always thought wax was a filler and provided a coating layer trapping stuff under it

 

[Gnome]

I always thought wax was a filler and provided a coating layer trapping stuff under it

Hmm, not in my experience, usually if I have some dirt or tar that just doesn't want to come off I use wax to remove it. Autosol Wax & Polish works best for the really hard to remove stuff but last time I bought some it was R70 for a toothpaste size tube (bit larger).