How to remove car decals?

[keisukosan]

Use solvent can remove it,damn simple only....

 

[jimmyae101]

yes,using petrol or diesel will do remove thatgum,,

 

[carcrazy_sbs]

Optimum Power Clean is really a good solution for u to clean up the decals, easy and effortless......hahaha for sure not on full strength, dilute to 1:3 or 1:5 will work great, Optimum products really a good investment for detailing, ONR, OPC, OCW and OOS its enough for the protection and glossy looks.....will try my OOS soon as i not free to apply yet, OPC, ONR and OCW really impress me and its so easy to use and really no hard rubbing.....hahaha Optimum making my car wash and removing decals much more easier and faster.......hehehe

 

[eohl79]

The answers to the poll is really misleading! Most car detailers/enthusiasts won't select any of the options listed.

To safely remove labels, stickers, use a paint safe degreaser/APC/tar remover (Optimum power clean, Osren Degreaser FX, CarPro TarX, pH neutral citrus based degreaser, etc). Event then, you will need to wash off the product properly and before it dries up. I tend to avoid recommending solvent based products (petrol, diesel, kerosene, turpentine, WD40, lighter fluid, etc) unless it is deemed clear coat safe and you have at least done a test spot safely. Even then you would need to wash the area off again with car shampoo or APC to ensure there is no residual oils left behind (e.g: petrol/diesel - I use it to clean/degrease chains as it leaves an oily coat behind to prevent rusting after cleaning up). There is double effort here due to the extra clean up step. Some solvents may even haze/etch the clear coat unknowingly until you check your paint under proper/certain lighting conditions. Better be safe than sorry unless your car is a beater and you don't really care about the paint.

After removing the sticker/adhesive successfully, apply a coat of wax/sealant to protect the paint.

 

[Dickson Lim Tick Sing]

i would say turpentine is the best to remove car sticker w/o damage the car paint.

 

[turbolover]

Hmm might be out of the subject but I think some of us might want to know including me. For the road tax disc that have been removed there are some adhesive residue stuck to the windscreen. It might not be a problem to use petrol of thinner to remove it but since I have a layer of tint on the windscreen, will it damage the tint? What is the best solution without purchasing those adhesive remover which I only use once in a blue moon? Sorry TS hijack your thread a bit.

 

[eohl79]

Hmm might be out of the subject but I think some of us might want to know including me. For the road tax disc that have been removed there are some adhesive residue stuck to the windscreen. It might not be a problem to use petrol of thinner to remove it but since I have a layer of tint on the windscreen, will it damage the tint? What is the best solution without purchasing those adhesive remover which I only use once in a blue moon? Sorry TS hijack your thread a bit.

I use denatured alcohol to remove the left over adhesive which is safe but takes a while to clean up. The tint on my car came with an instruction not to use any ammonia based products. Safest, go back to the tint shop and ask them to remove it as they should know best what chemicals are compatible with their tint. After that use those removable road tax stickers.

 

[bhh4717]

use rain x..is the best

 

[kcng]

how about car decals that has been stuck to that particular spot for 4 years and you want to remove it ?

i tried alot of method but that sticker is now kinda "fused" with the fender already....

T.T

 

[bhh4717]

again use rain x....but must clean the dirt first...then applied it on the sticky glue...

 

[Veloc]

Always start from the least aggressive method. Try some detailing cleaners first such as optimum power clean. Take your time and do it repeatedly. If still cannot, move on to organic solvents such as WD40. Try to chose "paint-safe" product.

Finally if still cannot, try rubbing compound lo...

 

[eohl79]

I think why people tend to prescribe WD40 is because it contains mineral spirit that can help loosen up the adhesives (not all adhesives, dependent on the composition). But the problem is it leaves behind an oily substance which is meant for lubrication which I don't know the reactivity to your paint and you would need to clean up later. Why not use mineral spirit by itself on a test spot first as there would be no residue and is cheaper than WD40?

Anyway, agree with bro Veloc on using the least aggressive method first. Don't prescribe the wrong medicine as you could make things worst.

 

[Veloc]

But where to get mineral spirits? I use WD40 because it is widely available at almost any store. I then clean up the oily residue with all purpose cleaners after that. Not really much trouble and fast because car decals are on a small spot only.

Plus, not all mineral spirits are safe. I've tried a few before including acetone and ethyl acetate (nail polish remover). I found out that some of these actually dissolve your paint. Luckily I tried it on my own car. The reason I use WD40 is because it clearly says paint-safe.

 

[eohl79]

But where to get mineral spirits? I use WD40 because it is widely available at almost any store. I then clean up the oily residue with all purpose cleaners after that. Not really much trouble and fast because car decals are on a small spot only.

Plus, not all mineral spirits are safe. I've tried a few before including acetone and ethyl acetate (nail polish remover). I found out that some of these actually dissolve your paint. Luckily I tried it on my own car. The reason I use WD40 is because it clearly says paint-safe.

You can get mineral spirit in can or glass bottle from regular hardware store. I think it is safer than acetone, etc. Usually people use it for thinning shellac/lacquer and cleaning paint brushes. Always do a test spot first. Decals depends on some people-loh... Some like sticking all those flames, "Tein", "HKS", etc stickers all over the place. End up with more problems on the long run. If need to use APC after using WD40, why not just use the APC itself to try remove the stickers...

Best is still OPC, with the right dilution ratio can remove stickers/glue, double sided tapes, etc. Tried it before and it works wonderfully. After use just rinse with water. That is one real all/multipurpose cleaner everyone should invest in.

 

[Veloc]

If need to use APC after using WD40, why not just use the APC itself to try remove the stickers

There are generally 2 types of solvents. The organic (non-polar) and non-organic (polar).

Can use APC or OPC straight. But like I said, not all is easy to remove with those. Because gums are mostly organic and needs a non-polar solvent. I'm sure OPC and APC can also, but takes longer time and effort.

 

[eohl79]

There are generally 2 types of solvents. The organic (non-polar) and non-organic (polar).

Can use APC or OPC straight. But like I said, not all is easy to remove with those. Because gums are mostly organic and needs a non-polar solvent. I'm sure OPC and APC can also, but takes longer time and effort.

Bro mind asking, you work in the chemical industry or engineering?

No problem with longer for me as long as it is safe to the paint. Bro KC always says "less is more".