This Is The Best Way To Remove Stickers From Car Windows

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Some car owners don't mind having stickers on the windshield or windows, which is understandable if we're talking about things like HOA passes or parking permits. However, it's a different story with old registration stickers, faded stickers on the rear windscreen, or old decals on a tinted windshield — they are simply unsightly on what could otherwise be a clean-looking car. Anyone who has bought a used car from a sticker-happy owner or a neglected jalopy covered in ancient window stickers knows exactly what we mean.

There is no single best way to remove stickers from car windows since you can use different products and methods to do so. For old, cracking, and faded stickers on the exterior glass or on the inside of non-tinted windows, start by cleaning the entire area with an ammonia-free glass cleaner (ammonia-based cleaners can harm the dashboard and display screens) and a microfiber towel. Next, try to peel off as much of the sticker as possible using a razor blade or an old credit card, being mindful not to scratch the glass. If the sticker won't budge, apply gentle heat using a hairdryer or steam iron to soften the adhesive that bonded that damn sticker to the glass in the first place.

After a minute or so of heating, the sticker should turn soft enough to make peeling it off easier. Again, you can use a razor blade or a credit card to peel off the corners of the sticker, giving you enough material to grab the end with your fingers and (hopefully) remove the entire thing. An alternative to heating is applying vegetable oil, WD-40, or a solution of warm water and mild detergent to the sticker. Let it sit for a few minutes before peeling.

Newer stickers that haven't been faded by heat and changing weather most likely won't leave stubborn adhesive residue on the glass. If any residue remains, you can wipe it off with a glass cleaner and a towel. But if there is residue left behind and it won't come off with a glass cleaner, you can use vegetable oil or WD-40 to soften it.

Spray WD-40 and let it soak for 30 seconds before wiping it off with a clean towel. If you prefer cooking oil, smear it all over the sticky residue, let it soak for a minute or two, and gently scrub with a cloth or sponge.

Another easy way to remove sticker residue on auto glass is to use adhesive removers like Perco Glue Off Adhesive Remover or Goo Gone Original Spray Gel. Those products work just as well at removing residue as they do at removing the sticker, but you'll achieve similar results with oil, WD-40, heat, or warm soapy water without spending money on commercially available sticker removers.

You'll need to be more careful when removing an old sticker from tinted windshields or car windows (yes, 5% tint is legal in some states), since using the wrong methods may inadvertently damage the tint. Ceramic and carbon tints are more durable and scratch-resistant than old-school window films, and they're better at keeping your car interior cool. However, even high quality tints can be scratched or damaged by sharp objects like razor blades, and using incompatible cleaners may cause fading or dulling of the finish, which you won't like since you'll need to spend money to have the entire window re-tinted to make it look clean again.

The first step to removing pesky decals from tinted glass is to heat the sticker from the outside. For this, you'll need a hair dryer or a steamer. Window film is applied to the inside surface of the glass, so your goal is to heat it from the outside for a minute or two, making sure to move in small circles while applying heat. In this way, you won't mess up or inadvertently melt the tint.

After heating the sticker from the outside, get inside the car and try to peel it off using an old credit card to lift one end of the sticker. Once you've removed the sticker, you'll most likely still need to deal with residue — you can take care of that with an adhesive remover or a solution of soapy water. Wipe off the residue gently with a towel, but do not apply excessive scrubbing force. Instead, let the adhesive remover do its thing. Finish up by cleaning the entire window with an ammonia-free glass cleaner and a microfiber towel.