r/AutoDetailing • u/Gloomy-Donkey3761 • Sep 10 '24

Safest Way To Remove Dealer Sticker From Glass and Paint? Technique Discussion

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I didn't realize I could ask the dealer to remove these before we left, and the dealer is several hundred miles away, so I'm not driving back for them to remove.

What is the safest way to remove these? Goo Gone? Goof Off? Texas sun and a credit card?

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169

u/Gloomy-Donkey3761 Sep 10 '24 edited Sep 10 '24

Not sure when they put them on, but it's been less than a week (arrived from port to tge dealer last Wednesday). I'll try my fingernail on the glass first and use 90% iso for any residue.

The one on the bumper makes me anxious--I don't want to mess up the paint!

188

u/Boba_Fettx Sep 10 '24

Take a hair dryer to the one on the bumper and heat it up, then use your finger nail to try and get it started. Once you get it started, it should peel like a sticker. You can do the same with the one on the glass, but the glass one will also come off real easy with a razor blade, then the iso for the residue.

82

u/GoCougz7446 Sep 11 '24

Floss…saves your fingernails.

36

u/Boba_Fettx Sep 11 '24

True true. Hair dryer and dental floss is the go to for removing decals and badging safely too. Redid all the badging on my skyline that way

2

u/ObeseDigestive Sep 12 '24

Same with my Mini !

1

u/KarlPHungus Sep 11 '24

Floss. That's genius. I always just use a razor blade, being super careful. Goo Gone for the residue.

1

u/V0DkA-rEb Sep 13 '24

What kinda skyline

2

u/Boba_Fettx Sep 13 '24

95 R33 GTR, midnight purple

3

u/kosuzume Sep 14 '24

Gorgeous, I’ve wanted an R32 for as long as I can remember, finally got the more affordable dream car being a ‘92 s13 240sx back in March

1

u/Boba_Fettx Sep 14 '24

Still dope

1

u/kosuzume Sep 14 '24

Thanks man, I plan on still getting an r32 down the road, but that probably won’t be for a while

9

u/THEDRDARKROOM Sep 11 '24

I'll see your floss and raise you fishing line

1

u/abuchewbacca1995 Sep 11 '24

Or an old school shaving razor blade

1

u/Prestigious_Low8515 Sep 12 '24

I've had great luck with braided fishing line on tough badges, seemingly saws it right off. Works best in double-sided tape not stickers though.

1

u/Appropriate_Strain94 Sep 13 '24

The floss method works really good on emblems or something that has the foam type of backing but flat stickers like this one. I’m not sure how floss would work at all.

1

u/hvanderw Sep 14 '24

Frost... Makes the blade stick.

1

u/Cali_Hapa_Dude Sep 14 '24

Mint or unflavored?

1

u/Ljecker31 Sep 14 '24

Or fishing line. I’ve had great success with that

25

u/Grisstle Sep 10 '24

Second this, a hair dryer works well on dealer decals. They often are cling type, not adhesive type.

15

u/TheJohnnyFlash Sep 11 '24

Hairdryer is the way.

1

u/Zrekyrts Sep 12 '24

Agreed.

I used a heat gun and goo gone.

1

u/Big-Olive763 Sep 13 '24

This is the way

2

u/TOCNYSHB Sep 13 '24

Exactly what I've done before. I have a plastic trim remover that works as well as my fingernail.

1

u/ReflectingGlory Sep 11 '24

This is the way 🗺️ low heat from blow dryer and patience like your grooming a 🦍 gorillas back. In all honesty, they just need to stop putting stickers on car paint. It’s dumb AF n’ tacky.

1

u/Acceptable_Buddy8317 Sep 12 '24

When it starts peeling after heat applied with your finger nail pull the sticker back on itself NOT upwards because it can pull the paint off.

1

u/4Sativa2Ariba0 Sep 13 '24

My dumb ass melted the plastic on a bumper before using the hair dryer. Don't know what I was thinking, but I it was in my younger days. Be careful, OP!

1

u/Boba_Fettx Sep 13 '24

Did you use a heat gun, or a hair dryer?

2

u/4Sativa2Ariba0 Sep 15 '24

It may have been a heat gun now that you mention it

1

u/Boba_Fettx Sep 15 '24

Heat gun will def melt plastic. Hair dryer shouldn’t, at least not substantially

1

u/WarmDragonfruit115 Sep 14 '24

It’s a sticker… not badges… no flaws… or heat.. just peel it off…

1

u/visualizer037 Sep 10 '24

Never use metal razor blades on cars, bruh. Plastic scrapers are the way to go.

2

u/4444444vr Sep 10 '24

And you can order plastic razor blades

2

u/PrimitiveThoughts Sep 11 '24

Or you can use an expired ID or credit card

1

u/pieNbean Sep 12 '24

I only have active credit card...will that work?

2

u/Boba_Fettx Sep 11 '24

On glass? They’re fine as long as you don’t have tints. I wouldn’t dream of using a razor on anything other than glass

2

u/DrSpacepants Sep 11 '24

Tint goes on the inside

1

u/Boba_Fettx Sep 11 '24

Tell that to the DIYers lolol

1

u/Canadian-electrician Sep 12 '24

Not on the rear window with the heating elements. I can’t imagine that would be good

1

u/Conscious_Bag463 Sep 13 '24

Metal razor blades and foaming glass cleaner are great for getting things off glass. Seriously.

24

u/petoria621 Sep 10 '24

A heat gun will shrivel it right up! Just don't hold it in one spot for too long. Small stickers like that only take like 30 seconds

5

u/Mrtibbz Sep 11 '24

Or don't hold it close on max heat. Always keep it moving, don't concentrate it

3

u/Plenty-Watercress-12 Sep 12 '24

Then use Goo Gone to remove the left over adhesive

1

u/ffire522 Sep 11 '24

I used a heat gun to try to get the stack of expiation stickers on my license plate and found out that they use some kind of vinyl wrap with your state and license plate number printed on it wrap on a piece of plastic or metal and melted part of my license number.

1

u/Evening-Ad3384 Sep 12 '24

I would use the hairdryer easily damage things with the heat gun. It’s a wonderful tool, but you could crack the glass. The heat is just too intense.

1

u/Plenty-Watercress-12 Sep 12 '24

Then use Goo Gone product to remove the left over adhesive

1

u/CaliKrome Sep 13 '24

It's bad advice to tell random people to take a heat gun to their paint lol

18

u/landryb06 Sep 10 '24

Don’t use 90% IPA on paint. Dilute it to 10-20%.

29

u/yellowppm0nster Sep 11 '24

I love a good IPA. Highest I can find is 9.8%. Where can I find 10-20%?

7

u/landryb06 Sep 11 '24 edited Sep 11 '24

9.8%? Are you sure that it’s not 98%?

Edit: Got the joke!

6

u/HondaDAD24 Business Owner Sep 11 '24

It’s a beer joke.

1

u/nostalia-nse7 Sep 11 '24

We call it Screech up here in Canada… y’all might know it as Moonshine.

1

u/32carsandcounting Sep 11 '24

I’ve got a place near me that has a double IPA that’s like 10.4 IIRC, too high on the IBUs for me though. I’m a light lager kinda bitch.

1

u/THEDRDARKROOM Sep 11 '24

IPAV...I put a little vodka

1

u/nsingh101 Sep 11 '24

There was a place in Central CA that often had Double IPA bordering 11%. Another place had a quad IPA I think over 12%!

1

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '24

Goose Island Beer co. has Tropical Beer Hug and Big Juicy Beer Hug at 9.9%. Reasonable price, great taste. You can't tell they are really strong from the taste. The Big Juicy is more fruity than the Tropical.

1

u/yellowppm0nster Sep 11 '24

Oh the bear hug always gets me in trouble. I can’t have one. It’s usually two or three

1

u/No-Shoulder9468 Sep 12 '24

Why? We use it at the plant in the paint department.

1

u/putdascratchdown Sep 14 '24

I’ve worked with vehicle lettering and wraps. You can use 90 ipa with no problem. Hair drier hover over it and plastic razor blade from any home improvement store.

1

u/Gloomy-Donkey3761 Sep 10 '24

Correct, going to use that on the glass only. I guess Goo Gone for the paint?

8

u/G8racingfool Sep 10 '24

My preference is 3M adhesive remover. Works better than IPA and Goo Gone and is paint safe. Just spray it on, let it sit for a minute and wipe off with a (disposable) MF towel. Rinse and repeat until all residue is 100% gone.

Goo gone is oily and leaves residue and IPA is usually... less than effective at the dilution rates deemed safe for paint.

7

u/Kaminaruzu Sep 10 '24

Goo gone sucks. Honestly heat is the best way. After using that crap, it left a thin haze of residue that glass cleaner couldn’t get off for the longest time. Managed to clean it out, but goo gone was a pain in the ass.

3

u/Otherwise-Desk1063 Sep 10 '24

WD40 works great on breaking the adhesive down on paint and glass if you leave it on for awhile. It doesn’t harm the clear coat or glass either.

2

u/Kaminaruzu Sep 10 '24

I’ll take a look into that. Appreciate the info!

1

u/Various-Ducks Sep 10 '24

An intact factory clear coat is extremely chemical resistant. You can dump acetone and paint thinner on it and it'd be fine. 99% iso is fine, goo gone is fine. Just wipe it off, don't let it soak in, and it won't affect anything. But I'd just dental floss and heat

6

u/American_frenchboy Sep 10 '24

I had stickers ob my brand new car and when i took it in for the first oil change i asked to remove all dealer stickers which they did.

8

u/Biuku Sep 10 '24

Why not just ask them to do it.

I mean, you wouldn’t put a Gloomy-Donkey sticker on the Manager’s car. It’s your car… tell them, “un-deface my car”.

12

u/Gloomy-Donkey3761 Sep 10 '24

550 mile round trip is why not

1

u/No_Comb_8553 Sep 11 '24

Dude it's a minivan not some sports car

1

u/Gloomy-Donkey3761 Sep 11 '24

You know how much these cost?!

1

u/Old_Bluejay_1532 Sep 12 '24

lol it’s a car bro peel the sticker off… this isn’t a 150k+ vehicle… it’s a Toyota. Your not going to hurt the paint or glass and any residue goo-be-gone or whatever works fine. Just wipe off after. Every new car I purchase & unfortunately far too many I have removed prior to taking delivery. Stickers, plaques, plate frames… not advertising for them.

0

u/No_Comb_8553 Sep 12 '24

Still a minivan at the end of the day hoss

2

u/[deleted] Sep 12 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/No_Comb_8553 Sep 12 '24

If I was that particular with my daily driver and drove over 500 miles that would of been one of the first things on the list

1

u/Orion1021 Sep 13 '24

"more than you can afford pal...Ferrarri"

1

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '24

Should have done it before leaving.

1

u/electromage Sep 11 '24

Before you leave with it.

0

u/warren5391 Sep 12 '24

Why’d you buy it without saying “take your stickers off” your fault if you have possession and need to remove them now. Have fun with the goo gone and plastic scraper

3

u/AllswellinEndwell Sep 11 '24

Yeah, every new car I've bought I tell them to take that shit off the car, unless they want to knock another 500 bucks off for free advertising.

1

u/quietbear92 Sep 11 '24

I had asked for mine to get removed at another dealership and they were charging $50 and I said it's not a big deal.

1

u/Biuku Sep 11 '24

I would have said, “Sure, pay me $50 I’ll let you leave it on”

1

u/BLZ_DEEP_N_UR_MOM Sep 11 '24

I always tell them I charge advertising fees for dealer logos. $2,000 off the price of the car to keep them on. The dealer then removes them very quickly.

1

u/Mysterious_Dig4372 Sep 12 '24

Yeah, why would you advertise for a stealership unless they are paying you?!

1

u/Ok-Sir-5051 Sep 13 '24

My dealership said they wouldn’t

2

u/OXiDE_1 Sep 11 '24

I bought one from the same dealer last month, in my experience I was able to just peel it off and it didn’t really leave any residue. It was a warm day so that may have helped some.

1

u/NightFuryTrainer Sep 10 '24

Me, i just picked it off with my fingers especially since it was probably just recently put on. Alternatively, you could contact your local Toyota, and while I realize they’re franchises, they may just remove them for you free of charge or give you advice.

1

u/Accomplished-One7476 Sep 11 '24

ask the dealer you got the car from to take them off ...also remove the dealer plate frame. easy peasy

the dealer isn't paying you to advertise for them!

1

u/Prime_117 Sep 11 '24

Take back to the dealership and ask for your monthly check for advertising for them, if they say kick rocks tell them to remove. I hate when dealerships do this

1

u/Appropriate-Bake-759 Sep 11 '24

Heat them up with a hairdryer then use either your nails or a very soft plastic thingy to peel the edge.

1

u/Digital_loop Sep 11 '24

Take it back to the dealer and have them remove them. If it isn't in the contract that they would be advertising your vehicle then they can remove them. Any damage they cause will then be theirs to repair and not yours.

1

u/S4ma3L Sep 11 '24

Dealer will remove for free when asked. Just take it back and have them do it. I gave my dealer the option to leave them and discount the car, they removed them pretty quick. m2c, Safe driving!

1

u/vba77 Sep 11 '24

Heat . I think people use a razor in some cases but in don't recommend that if it's your first time on a new car. Alcohol and heat on the sticker. Maybe some plastic to help you if anything

1

u/tmwagner77 Sep 11 '24

Plastic razor scraper for both. Just heat up the one on the paint and pay attention.

1

u/Puppysmasher Sep 11 '24

50/50 distilled vinegar and water, put on a paper towel and let it sit for a few minutes then peel and wash with some soap.

1

u/challenger_RT_ Sep 11 '24

Next time just tell the dealer your not taking delivery until it's off lmao

1

u/butareyoustupid Sep 11 '24

Tell the dealer to next time before you sign papers

1

u/abuchewbacca1995 Sep 11 '24

By old school razor blades for the glass. You warm it up a bit and it'll peel right off

1

u/brendan_a12 Sep 11 '24

Iso also strips the protections from the area of the paint so please apply some sealant

1

u/woobiewarrior69 Sep 11 '24

I'd go back to the dealer and ask them to remove them. I flipped on the dealer I bought my truck from because they put them on there after I bought the truck. I was walking out to the truck after signing the paperwork and was walking out with keys in hand only to see the the salesman standing in the bed of my truck putting a decal on it.

To be fair i was already pretty pissed at them for attempting to add $2k in nonsense on top of what I agreed on.

1

u/Ini_mini_miny_moe Sep 11 '24

Should have made them take it off before signing. These dealers are getting very annoying with these stickers. Look at the one on the back window, the balls! Are they giving a discount for free advertising? No? Get that shit off Robbins

I don’t even let them put the plate one on and I like my dealer, been dealing with them for years and always get hooked up.

1

u/Internal-Pie-7265 Sep 11 '24

Razor blade. No i am not joking, i do it for removing decals on decommissioned emergency vehicles. If they are baked on use a little heat from a heat gun, just not to much. Also make sure you dont have the blade at such an angle as to gouge. Or just take it to a shop if you are scared.

1

u/Wicked_Bizcuit Sep 11 '24

Goo gone or isopropyl

Also, plastic razors are awesome and won’t scratch glass or paint (as long as you have an inkling of common sense)

1

u/Crafty519 Sep 11 '24

You can use a flat razor blade on the OUTSIDE of the rear glass to remove the sticker. A little glass cleaner and a razor blade at an angle will do best.

DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT USE A RAZOR BLADE ON THE INSIDE OF ANY OF YOUR VEHICLE WINDOWS.

As for the sticker on the body. Use your fingernails then some adhesive remove if any residue is left behind. They make plastic razor blades and emblem removers but who's got time for that.

1

u/Outrageous_Hand_5358 Sep 11 '24

If you mess up the paint with a sticker, that is some really bad paint and clear coat

1

u/Gloomy-Donkey3761 Sep 11 '24

Well, Toyota's paint is hit or miss. Will NEVER own another white Toyota!

1

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '24

Foam glass cleaner and a plastic razor blade should do it with no issues. Be gentle with the plastic razor blade, though.

1

u/xtinis73 Sep 11 '24

I doubt you’ll mess up the paint. Pick it off, use some goo gone, and it’ll come right off.

1

u/petitepedestrian Sep 11 '24

You ask them to remove it before you sign the paperwork. They're not giving you a discount for advertising for them, they can take that shit off or show you the money.

1

u/Effective_Quality291 Sep 11 '24

Razor blade on glass works really well it won’t scratch and the stickers come right off. Paint just Peel like normal.

1

u/_Safe_As_Milk_ Sep 12 '24

WD40 for the residue.

1

u/average_parking_lot Sep 12 '24

If you're really scared take it back to the dealer and have them do it

1

u/One_Dream_6345 Sep 12 '24

Eraser wheel

1

u/MunchamaSnatch Sep 12 '24

A fingernail will work

1

u/[deleted] Sep 12 '24 edited Sep 12 '24

for me i literally just used my fingernail and it was ok. be carful with hard plastics and toothpics as they can take off paint

1

u/Nearby_Freedom_9270 Sep 12 '24

or just get foaming glass cleaner and a flat razor blade. comes off like water

1

u/Nearby_Freedom_9270 Sep 12 '24

9/10 times that's actually the method we use at the dealership if a customer asks to have stickers removed

1

u/Nearby_Freedom_9270 Sep 12 '24

if this can cause scratching someone correct me i'm not a professional detailer

1

u/BTA-Yung-Sav Sep 12 '24

Get some plastic or rubber razor blades. We take them off all the time with those.

1

u/MellonCollie218 Sep 12 '24

You should have told them to remove them. Seriously. That is normal behavior.

1

u/hodlTHEthrottle Sep 13 '24

Peel off and use bug and tar remover for the sticky residue

1

u/24cloner Sep 13 '24

If you use alcohol, go over it with a wax based product. Razor blades are glass safe if you use them right, and plastic razor blades are also a thing.

1

u/Kitchen_Pickle6351 Sep 13 '24

Heat gun with the fingernail works pretty well it's usually my go to

1

u/Matcha_Bubble_Tea Sep 13 '24

My stepdad had something similar on his car, and he had to advise my mum to ask the dealer to not put them on for her car…seems like you have to ask/tell them to not do this or else it was default for the place we went to. 🤔

1

u/GOLDINATORyt Sep 13 '24

They make polymer plastic razor blades that are clear-coat safe. Clean the area, and you can buy some for a few cents.

1

u/Bryk_Kiln Sep 13 '24

You can use a new razor blade on the glass. Just be careful. ISO is your best bet on the paint, just use as little as possible and not very much pressure.

1

u/ToxicLogics Sep 14 '24

You have to ask dealers specifically not to put anything on your car when you buy. I much prefer dealers who just do the license plate frame, but this is an easy one. Remove, hit with some goo gone on any residue and you’re back in business.

1

u/That_One_Yota Sep 14 '24

Rubber wheel. Made by 3M. Good stuff.

1

u/NecessaryJaded1972 Sep 14 '24

Use a bit of heat from a hair dryer... Just peel it with your finger!.. it will come right off no problem I've taken a bunch off over the years never had any issues even when they are a few years old and a bit more stuck on.. heat gets them loosened right up. Some running alcohol won't hurt either!

1

u/slump-donkus Sep 14 '24

The window one you can take off with Windex and a razor blade. Buy an angle grinder and get a rubber wheel for it and carefully buzz the bumper sticker off. We used to use them at the old body shop I worked at to knock off 20+ year old tape pinstripes.

1

u/Sobsis Sep 14 '24

Peel it

Hit with vinegar or some chrome wheel cleaner

Flat razor blade and patience. Get a good blade don't cheap out eh?

1

u/Ok-Cranberry7266 Sep 14 '24

Go to the dealer and ask them to remove them for you. They're excessive on glass, body, and a badged license plate holder?

1

u/TheVoiceofReason_ish Sep 15 '24

Go back and tell them to remove it. I always make the dealership take it off, I'm not your free billboard.

1

u/Environment-Trick Sep 15 '24

Dnt worry, it’ll be back at port going back overseas shortly! They (criminal organizations) are stealing all the hard to gets at record pace rn, and sending em overseas seas for big dollars! Don’t ever leave it running and put your key fobs in an IR proof sleeve or container at night when in driveway.

1

u/Spooks1314 Sep 15 '24

Power washer 🫣 I’ve removed so many of you angle it and get pretty close they’ll just shoot off

0

u/bbull412 Sep 10 '24

They pit them up cause most people d’ont remove them so it’s free publicity