Stickers on your car windshield are a great way to share your personality with the world, but when they no longer resonate, it’s helpful to know how to remove stickers from the glass without leaving damage behind.
Save yourself time and your windshield from cracking. Follow the tips below:
- Have a Method
- Start With a Clean Surface
- Avoid Non-Ventilated Areas
- Avoid Direct Sunlight
- Use the Right Tools
- End with a Clean Surface
- The Right Glass Cleaner
- How to Fix Damaged Glass
Now, it’s time to remove that dirty sticker and regain visibility. There are several other benefits to removing windshield stickers.
1. Have a Method
Every successful project begins with a plan. The strategy is similar for those who wish to understand how to remove stickers from a car without damaging paint. Think of the removal process in four steps: clean, soften, scrape, and then clean again.
2. Start with a Clean Surface
The principle of removing stickers from a car without damaging paint aligns closely with windshield sticker removal: always begin with a clean slate.
This step sets the stage, whether using warm, soapy water or a specific glass cleaner. Cleaning first means preventing the sticker’s adhesive from merging with dirt, which can smear when scraped.
3. Avoid Non-Ventilated Areas
Safety is the biggest concern when working with chemicals, so ensure to complete the sticker removal process outside or in a well-ventilated garage.
A glass cleaner is necessary for adhesive removal, and products like WD-40 are toxic when inhaled in large quantities. They can cause dizziness, nausea, and headaches.
4. Avoid Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight can make the task of how to remove a sticker from the windshield even more challenging.
Intense heat can weaken windshield glass over time, but adding stickers can quicken this process. In the windshield area with the sticker, the adhesive bakes into the glass if the sunlight is hot enough.
This will lessen the likelihood that the sticker melds to the windshield, making it nearly impossible to remove and affecting visibility entirely.
The combined sun and adhesive damage also creates a windshield that is vulnerable to cracking. Please stay safe and prevent the damage before it starts!
Remove stickers from the windshield during the early morning or late evening to avoid further direct sunlight damage.
5. Use the Right Tools
Removing sticker residue from glass requires only a few tools:
- A microfiber towel
- This towel is best for glass surfaces. Use this to wipe away dust and dirt without scratching the windshield.
- Hair dryer
- This is to soften the sticker’s adhesive for easy removal.
- Plastic scraper
- A winter windshield scraper works best to remove sticker residue.
Do not use a razor blade instead of a plastic scraper. The razor is not meant for your windshield like the plastic scraper and will leave visible scratches.
6. End with a Clean Surface
Some people mistakenly scrape off the adhesive and stop once it appears gone. It would help if you cleaned the car windshield again to ensure you removed all adhesive.
Leaving the windshield without a final rinse will lead to decreased visibility in the future as dirt collects on the glass.
7. The Right Glass Cleaner
Removing stickers from glass requires an ammonia-free glass cleaner on your car windshield since the ammonia will eat at the rubber, sealing the edges of the glass.
When looking for alternatives on how to remove sticker residue from glass, try the following:
- White vinegar
- Rubbing alcohol
- Hot soapy water
- Windex
- Cooking oil
- WD-40
- Nail polish remover
8. How to Fix Damaged Glass
Please do not attempt to fix severely damaged glass, as it could worsen the situation. Instead, take your car to the nearest professional.
Kryger Glass
Are you using a razor on your windshield and ending up with a glaring scratch? Kryger Glass’s experts can evaluate and remedy the damage. Whether for personal vehicles or commercial needs, We provide top-notch customer service and guide you to the necessary solutions. Contact us today!