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

Keeping Pets Outdoors May Not be the Best Idea

You may want to keep your dog outside, but before you decide you need to keep a few things in mind. While keeping your ...

Discover More

Field Spaniel

The Field Spaniel is agile and intelligent. He possesses great speed and endurance rendering him a great dog for sporting.

Discover More

Understanding Asbestosis

Asbestos is a natural mineral that everyone is exposed to during their lifetime without incurring any health risks. ...

Discover More
More Car Tips

Removing Road Salt

There is nothing that really works quite as well at keeping the regular winter driver safe from harm as road salt. At the ...

Discover More

Cleaning Auto Upholstery

Have you ever noticed just how easy it is for the interior of a car to get dirty? Often it seems like you have just ...

Discover More

Removing Decals and Bumper Stickers from Fiberglass

You used to like that decoration, but now you don't. If you want to remove it without damaging any ...

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 five more than 3?

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