Ever had one of those pesky ‘required’ stickers on your car? The kind that have just been there for years. Or the ones that you need to replace every year? If you did, you’re probably aware of the sheer horror it was to remove them. Or maybe you don’t remove them and they are just piling up, new stickers over the old ones. You’re not alone, we used to be exactly the same.
Do you need to remove stickers from your bumper or windshield?
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5 of the Simplest Ways to Get Rid of Windshield Stickers
Fortunately, we were able to find ways to get rid of the stickers without them leaving a mark at all. Here are our top five favorite methods –
1. Window Cleaner
This one was an obvious choice, and it worked great. All you need to do is spray the sticker with some Window Cleaning Solution (you can pick any brand that you like). You then let it soak in for a few minutes and use a semi-sharp object such as a plastic knife to gently scrape away the sticker.
Repeat this process until the entire sticker has been peeled off, then spray some more window cleaner on the glass for good measure and give it a nice wipe with a paper towel or cloth.
Et Voila! You now have a sticker-free windshield.
2. Rubbing Alcohol
This works similar to the Window Cleaner hack above.
All you do is take a cotton ball, dip it in some rubbing alcohol and dab the stickers with it. Let it rest for a few minutes, while dabbing more alcohol if necessary.
Once it’s sufficiently soaked, use a plastic knife or a plastic scraper to gently scrape away the sticker.
That’s it. No more sticker.
3. Goo Gone
This is a commercial product that has been built for the specific purpose of getting rid of stickers and adhesive residue.
Use it just like the Window cleaner. Spray some on the sticker, wait a few minutes and the sticker should peel off easily. Use a cotton fibre cloth to wipe away any residue.
Home Made Goo Gone
If you don’t have any Goo Gone handy, you can always make your own! Follow these simple steps and that sticker will be gone in no time.
The mineral oil/vegetable oil/ version:
- 2 parts baking soda
- 1 part oil
You are looking to make a paste, so simply keep adding baking soda till your paste is thick enough to not run off the sticker and with a bit of elbow grease you should be able to work it in and get rid of the glue and sticker.
The coconut oil version:
- 1 part baking soda
- 1 part melted coconut oil (I used refined coconut oil here)
Coconut oil is actually the best option (if you have any) as it is thicker and makes a better paste. If I had a truck like the one in this post, I would likely buy some from the local store to make a big batch and get to work. For the odd sticker, mineral or vegetable oil works fine.
4. WD-40
Is there anything that this miraculous liquid can’t fix?
To use WD-40 to remove your stickers, you begin by removing as much of the sticker as you possibly can.
Once you’re satisfied, spray a decent amount of WD-40 on the remnants and leave it to soak for a few minutes. Once done, take a damp cloth and rub the area vigorously. That’s it – the sticker and the residue should both have disappeared by now.
5. Ice Packs
This is another method that works surprisingly well. All you do is get one of those ice packs and hold it over the sticker for a few minutes. If you don’t have an ice pack, you can take a few ice-cubes and put them in a plastic bag.
This weakens most adhesives and hardens the paper making it brittle, which can then quite easily be scraped.
Are razor blades safe for use on a Windshield?
We typically advise against it. If you absolutely must use a razor blade, then use one without a dull blade and scrape at an angle. You’ll have to be very careful though.
We find that a plastic scraper or a plastic knife does the job equally well, without the risk of scratch marks.
Oh! And for the love of all that is holy, never use a razor blade anywhere else on your car – it WILL peel off the paint and paint jobs aren’t cheap.
How do I remove bumper stickers off the car?
Very few people add bumper stickers to their car anymore. However, there was a time not too long ago, when bumper stickers were all the rage.
If you’ve had a vehicle for a few years – you might have a bumper sticker attached that you’d now like to get rid of. Or if you’ve purchased a vehicle that came with a delightful array of bumper stickers, you’d like them gone.
If you’re in this predicament, fret not – just use one of the hacks outlined below to restore your bumper to its former glory.
The Hair Dryer / Heat Gun Trick – 5 Steps to remove bumper stickers
This tricks works best on all sorts of bumper stickers.
1. Get a hair dryer or heat gun and turn it’s flow and heat to maximum. Now hold it at-least 6 to 8 inches from the sticker and keep moving it sideways, so as to evenly heat the sticker.
The heat will cause the adhesive to begin melting.
2. Now use a plastic scraper, a credit card or even your nails to peel one corner of the sticker.
Don’t try to rip off the sticker.
This could tear the sticker (especially if its a paper sticker) and you’ll have to begin again.
3. Instead, try to get the corners free by pulling across – all the while applying heat with the hair dryer.
4. Slowly and gradually, you’ll notice the sticker coming off. Remove it completely and let the bumper cool for a few minutes.
Now you may notice some adhesive residue – don’t worry.
You can use either an automotive adhesive remover (make sure it’s bumper safe) or simply use WD-40.
5. Spray the area and leave it for some time. After a few minutes, give it a rub with a cloth and the adhesive should be gone completely.
What if I don’t want to use a hair dryer or heat gun?
If you’re worried about using a hair dryer or heat gun – there are other ways to remove a bumper sticker.
Use a Lubricant such as WD-40 – peel away a small portion of the sticker with a credit card and keep spraying the lubricant such that the liquid soaks in on the openings. Peel a little more, spray a decent amount of lubricant again. Repeat this until the entire sticker comes off. Then clean the residue with the same lubricant.
We recommend that you stay away from strong liquids such as alcohol or nail polish remover, that have a tendency to react with plastic or paint. You can safely use these on windshields or glasses though.
Quick Easy Ways to Get Bird Poop Off Your Car
For reasons beyond us, birds love pooping on cars. Or it could simply be that we park our vehicles right in the middle of their pooping grounds.
Either way, bird poop on cars is a common problem – but one with a few fairly quick ways to get rid of.
In this article, we’ll discuss a few quick and easy ways to get bird poop off of your car and make it look fresh and shiny at the same time.
Why do I keep getting bird poop on my car?
We’d have to ask the birds. Maybe they don’t like the color of your car? All kidding aside, it’s not a huge problem. And for those of you, who get nauseous at the very sight of bird poop – it’s as simple as spray, soak and wipe.
Method 1 – Vinegar
This is a very old trick. And you’d be surprised to hear that a lot of people who face this issue keep a bottle in their car, at all times.
All you do is mix equal parts vinegar (acetic acid) and water. You screw on a spray top and keep it in your car along with a cloth or a roll of paper towels.
If you’re on your way out and notice bird droppings on your car, just spray the mixture liberally and give it a few minutes. The mixture will soften the droppings and then you can use a paper towel or cloth to wipe it off completely and have a squeaky clean car.
Method 2 – Club Soda
Another solution that we’ve seen a lot of people absolutely adore is the plain, simple – Club Soda.
If your windshield is littered with bird droppings, all you need to do is overturn a bottle of club soda over your windshield, leave it for a few minutes and then turn on your wipers.
If you find residue, simply use a paper towel and wipe it off and you’re done.
Conclusion
Maybe you have a few suggestions which have worked for you? If so, let us know and we will feature them so others can clean up their paintwork and make it look as good as new, well nearly new!