Video: How to Remove a Sticker From Your Car

01:45 min

By Cars.com Editors

November 7, 2016

Whether they're on your car's bumper or a window, stickers enable you to express yourself to a large audience, but the problem is that trends and tastes change, and political campaigns end. Cars.com’s Joe Wiesenfelder show how to clean the slate.

(upbeat music) Whether they're on your car's bumper or window, stickers enable you to express yourself to a large audience. The problem is that trends and tastes change and political campaigns do finally end.

We'll give you some tips on how to move on and clean the slate. If it's on a bumper, first wash the surface to prevent grit from damaging the paint in the following steps. Then use a hairdryer on its hot setting to soften the adhesive. Stay a few inches away and work from the center outward. Next, use a plastic card, like a frequent shopper card or a hotel key card at an angle to gently scrape the sticker loose using a sawing action if necessary. If it doesn't work right away, go back at it with the hairdryer a number of times if necessary. Once it's removed, repeating the heat and scraping can remove any residue. Or try bug and tar remover designed for use on paint. Finally use some quick detailing spray and a clean cotton or microfiber cloth to finish it off. For window stickers, get a razorblade scraper. It seems extreme, but glass is hard enough to resist scratching. Unless the window in question has been darkened using aftermarket tint film. We find that the sticker itself can be used to remove remaining adhesive, or you can rely on the hairdryer here as well. Glass cleaner should finish it off. Whether it's last year's city sticker or a period of life, you'd rather forget, it shouldn't be too difficult to move on. (upbeat music)