Removing Bumper Stickers and Decals

Written by Doris Donnerman (last updated April 27, 2011)

I have a strict rule in my house—no bumper stickers on the car! I find that they are much too difficult to remove later. However, some people like the individual expressions found on bumper stickers, or you might end up buying a car that already has bumper stickers on it.

If you are going to add a sticker to your bumper, use a vinyl sticker. These, as a rule, are easier to remove than the true paper bumper stickers. Regardless of the type of sticker you are going to apply, you can make its eventual removal easier by putting a thin coat of car wax on the bumper prior to applying the sticker. The wax stops the adhesive from adhering to the finish as fully as it might have otherwise.

You will also find that it is easier to remove a sticker when it has been on your car for a shorter period of time. In general, if the sticker has been on for a month or less, it will be much easier to remove. You may find that the sticker adheres tighter if you live in a higher elevation or if the sticker spends most of the day in direct sunlight.

If you want to remove a bumper sticker or decal from chrome, try scraping off the top layer of paper or vinyl with a sharp knife or a craft knife. (Don't dig too deep; you want to avoid scraping the actual chrome.) With the top layer removed, you can use some acetone, mineral spirits, or lighter fluid to remove the adhesive and remaining backing paper. As a precaution test the liquid in an obscure area of your car before applying all over to make sure that it won't harm the finish.

Author Bio

Doris Donnerman

Doris is a jack of all trades, writing on a variety of topics. Her articles have helped enlighten and entertain thousands over the years. ...

MORE FROM DORIS

Put Ice Cubes in Your Pet Carrier

If you frequently travel with your pet, then chances are you have to deal with taking your pet with you in a carrier. ...

Discover More

Boxer

The Boxer possesses great strength and sturdiness. He is an excellent guard and service dog.

Discover More

Irish Terrier

Known for his badger drawing abilities, the Irish Terrier also proved invaluable in both World Wars as a messenger and ...

Discover More
More Car Tips

Steam Cleaning Your Car

Steam cleaning your car's engine is a great way to get it perfectly clean if you know what to look for prior to using ...

Discover More

Removing Tar from Your Car

Tar from road work and construction is an annoying and sometimes costly hazard to your car. Here are a couple of simple ...

Discover More

Making Your Car Smell New

One of the things that most people love about getting a new car, is that new car smell. The smell of a new car helps you ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 5 + 9?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)