Decal removal is a common problem faced by car owners. The decals usually come off easily, but they often leave behind a sticky residue that damages the surface of the vehicle.
This article shows you how to remove decals safely and effectively.
There are several ways to remove decals from cars. Some methods involve using solvents or abrasives, while others rely on heat or pressure.
In this article, we’ll show you how to remove decal stickers without harming the paintwork.
Step One: Clean With Soapy Water
The first step in removing decals is cleaning them with soapy water. You can use any kind of soap, including dishwashing liquid. Just make sure it’s not too strong because it could damage your paintwork.
To clean the decal sticker, wet a cloth with warm water and apply some soap to it. Then, wipe the sticker gently with the cloth until all traces of adhesive have been removed. If necessary, repeat the process once more.
Step Two: Use A Brayer And Wax Paper
If you’re having trouble getting rid of the decal, try applying wax paper to the sticker. Once the wax has dried completely, rub the sticker against the paper using a brayer. This will help loosen the adhesive, allowing you to peel it away.
If you don’t own a brayer, then you can use a piece of sandpaper instead. Simply place the sandpaper over the sticker and rub it back and forth. Repeat this process until the decal comes free.
Step Three: Apply Heat To Your Sticker Removal Tool
If you still can’t get rid of the decal after trying the above methods, then you may need to resort to heating up your tools. Try placing a hairdryer near the decal for a few minutes.
Alternatively, you can also use an iron. Make sure you keep the temperature low, though – if you set the iron at too high a setting, it could burn through the paintwork.
Once the decal has softened, simply pull it off. It should be easy enough to do this without damaging the paintwork.
Step Four: Use Adhesive Remover Or Vinegar
You can also use adhesive removers or vinegar to remove decals. These products contain chemicals that can dissolve the adhesive used to affix the decal to the vehicle.
First, pour a small amount of the product onto a cotton swab. Gently dab the area where the decal is stuck. Repeat this process until most of the adhesive has been removed.
When using ad adhesive remover, it is advisable to read the instructions carefully beforehand. Otherwise, you might end up scratching the paintwork when you remove the decal.
What Is The Best Adhesive Remover?
There are countless adhesive removers available online, with each one offering its own pros and cons. However, there are two types of adhesive remover that stand out as being particularly effective. These include:
This adhesive remover contains enzymes that break down the glue used to adhere the decal to the car. As such, Goo Gone works well on many types of decals.
It’s important to note however that Goo Gone does contain toxic ingredients, which means you will need to read the instructions when handling the product.
Rapid Remover is a great product for removing adhesives from the surface of your car, especially those left behind by decal stickers. It contains no harmful toxins and is suitable for both interior and exterior surfaces.
The only downside to Rapid Remover is that it requires a bit of elbow grease to work properly. You’ll need to soak the decal in the solution before rubbing it off.
If you don’t want to use adhesive removers, then you can instead use vinegar as a viable alternative. For the best results, we advise using distilled vinegar, as it has fewer impurities than regular white wine vinegar.
Step Five: Wash & Dry The Car’s Surface
After removing the decal, wash the surface of your car thoroughly with soapy water. This will help remove any remaining adhesive residue.
Next, rinse the car’s surface with clean water and wipe it dry with a soft cloth. You will need to make sure that the car is dry before continuing to the next step, as water could damage the final wax.
Step Six: Wax The Vehicle
Waxing is a good way to protect your car’s finish, but it can also provide extra protection against scratches. In fact, some people even recommend applying wax to the entire body of their vehicle.
To apply wax, first spread a thin layer over the entire car’s surface. Next, rub the wax on the surface using a microfiber towel. Finally, buff the waxed surface with another microfiber towel.
For the best results, we do not recommend using waxes that contain silicone, as they may leave a sticky residue on the car’s finish.
What Is The Best Car Wax?
Like adhesive removers, there are plenty of options when it comes to car wax. However, there are two products that we would recommend:
This car wax is ideal if you want to give your car a shiny new look. It contains natural beeswax, which helps prevent the formation of cracks in the paintwork.
In addition to this, Chemical Guys’ butter wet wax contains chemical additives that harden the wax to ensure that it stays put.
When it comes to car wax, there’s nothing better than this amazing product! Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid wax contains all-natural wax, which makes it safe for the environment.
Furthermore, it protects the paintwork from UV rays, which can cause fading. And lastly, it doesn’t require any rinsing or cleaning after application.
Conclusion
So that is how you remove decals from your car without damaging the paint. If you have any questions about our guide, feel free to ask them in the comments section below.
We hope you found this article helpful, and that you will refer to it again in the future. We wish you happy driving!
