How to remove car stickers without damaging the paintwork

Modifying your car is a great way to improve performance. But did you know that stickers and decals are a type of car modification? Or that you may have to pay higher insurance premiums if you have them?

If you need to get rid of your car stickers in a hurry, here’s how to get car stickers off without damaging your car paint.

Do stickers affect car insurance?

Do you have stickers advertising your business? Maybe you have large decals that impact visibility? These modifications can affect your insurance premiums.

Stickers affect the way your insurer assesses risk, whether that’s business use or safe driving. Before you renew your insurance or sell your car, you may want to remove any flashy decals or branding that are no longer in use.

Will stickers damage my car?

Car stickers don’t necessarily cause paintwork damage. When you apply a sticker and remove it a few years later, you’ll likely notice how faded your car’s paintwork has become.

What causes the damage is doing a bad job of removing them. Knowing how to remove bumper stickers without damaging paint could save you a hefty repair bill and protect your car’s resale value.

How do you remove stickers from a car without damaging the paint?

There’s a trick to removing stickers from your car without scratching the paintwork. Here’s our step-by-step on how to remove stickers from a car (and what to do if you do make a mess of it).

1. Grab your gear
Here’s what you’ll need for car sticker removal:

• Credit card or other stiff card
• Microfibre cloth
• Hair dryer
• Warm, soapy water

2. Clean it up
Clean away any dirt and debris with a cloth and soapy water. If you start with a clean-up, you’re less likely to scratch your car.

3. Warm the sticker
Hold the hairdryer about 6 inches from the sticker and gently heat the entire surface. Never be tempted to use a heat gun, as the intense heat will damage your car paint.

Always err on the side of caution, as too little heat is better than too much. You should be able to lift and peel the edge of the sticker. If not, apply a little more heat.

4. Remove the sticker
Now, use the credit card to start lifting the edge of the sticker. Slowly peel it back, pushing the card under the sticker and lifting it off.

You may need to keep heating the adhesive for a larger sticker.

What if I get a scratch when removing a sticker from a car?

Accidents can happen, but a small scratch isn’t the end of the world. Our Auto Aerosol paint pens, bottles and aerosols are a handy way to deal with minor damage without hefty repair bills.

Use our paint code finder to get your vehicle’s colour code and order the perfect colour-matched paint.

To apply, follow the instructions below:

1. Clean the scratched area to remove any grease that stops the paint from sticking.
2. Shake your chosen applicator well to mix the paint thoroughly.
3. Test-patch inside the wheel arch or another hidden area of your bodywork to check the colour.
4. Apply your colour-matched paint in thin, even coats, letting each one dry completely.

How to remove sticker residue from car paint

Stickers often leave behind a sticky residue that doesn’t look great. To deal with it, you’ll need to use a solvent and work quickly and carefully — solvents can cause damage if left too long.

Here’s how to remove sticker residue from your car without damaging the paint:

• Use rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, turpentine, or methylated spirits.
• Apply a small amount using a microfibre cloth and rub in a circular motion.
• Remove any sticky residue with a clean cloth or scraper.
• Wipe over the area with a degreaser cloth for best results.