Bumper Stickers

JAFO · January 28, 2002

The only method I've heard of is the use of a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the glue and slowly and carefully pull the stickers off. Is there another easier or more effective way? Two different co-workers have this problem.

One is the dealer sticker that she was too timid to tell them to leave off and it has only now started to bother her. It's on a 98 Dodge Stratus (Yeah, but she didn't ask my advice before she bought it! ) The placement is the lower lefthand edge of the trunk so if something were to happen in the removal it would be next to impossible to find something to cover it. Next question concerning this car... It's the dark purple (read:Barneymobile), Being that the sticker has been on there since late 1997 what are the odds that the paint may appear different due to fade, weathering, etc? Is it worth the risk?

Second The other co-worker just bought a used minivan with a painted bumper. There are 2 bumper stickers on it for ??? long. If something were to happen to the paint she isn't too worried, said she would just put another one over the spot but would rather have none.

Any help that you can offer will be much appreciated by all three of us.

chevy4x4trucks · January 29, 2002

What I would do is use the blow dryer and carefully peel it back and then use something to clean away the adhesive and then wax over the area. I had a 96 S-10 that I removed the "Chevrolet" decal off the tailgate using that method (about 3 years old) and you couldn't see it afterwards, and that was on a black truck.

NewbieZ71 · January 30, 2002

Is it a clear coat finish? If it is you will have much better results than on regular layered paint. I used goo-gone on mine to remove the final layer of glue on the dealer stickers...after using a hair dryer to remove

cdnav8r · January 30, 2002

for the badging/emblems, can you just use dental floss or fishing line to take it off? Then clean off the sticky stuff afterwards?

doverarjim · January 30, 2002

I get to give my suggestion again use Acetone to will take off the sticker and sticky, may take a little elbow grease but it will be gone. Everytime I've used it to take off stickers it has worked great also good for tar, or any other oil based stuff on your ride.

NewbieZ71 · January 30, 2002

I used that once too dover...again, I think you just have to be carefull if its not clear coat paint.

JAFO · January 30, 2002

Thanks for the input folks! I'm assuming that both of them are clear coated. Oldest one is a 96 Caravan, the other as I mentioned is a 98 Stratus. But I'm guessing at least most of you know what happens when you assume!

I have a can of Goo Gone too. Noticed on it they say that it may harm some automotive finishes. Too many unknowns for my safe feeling. (After further review the call on the field has been overturned! I just noticed what I have is a can of Goof Off and NOT Goo Gone! :blush: So please ignore this paragraph.)

I had also gotten the suggestion of WD-40. Was told that it will take the glue off through the sticker. Seems next to impossible but I have heard and seen stranger things. Anyone else ever hear this?

Once again, I and they thank you and if anyone has any other ideas please keep them coming. By the way... Just how long does it take to remove an average bumper sticker using the hair dryer method? Can't imagine it's all that quick and easy.

Frank S · January 30, 2002

Yes,WD 40 can be used to take off adhesive material from paint.

If you use it,make sure you thoroughly clean the area and apply a decent coat of wax afterward.

NewbieZ71 · January 30, 2002

I assume (there we go again) you are talking about a vinyl type bumper sticker..you know the kind I mean, not a paper one. Hair drier works well with the plastic ones...dont over do it just warm it up slowly. Yes, the WD40 trick is mentioned many times and I have heard it works well.. I have only tried WD40 on the glue left after the sticker comes off. It worked although I remember it took some rubbing. I think it is a very safe way of getting the gum off. Like mentioned, just be sure you wash it and wax afterwards. Petrolium based products can have long term effect if left on paint. Just ask all the bozos in Florida who used it to coat their front end in an effort to make it easy to remove all the bugs after they were squished....plenty of ruined old paint jobs...but they left it on for months..