Do Bumper Stickers Ruin Paint? Know Whether Bumper Stickers Are Damaging Your Car or Not

Bumper stickers carry relatable messages, and so are quite popular among can owners. They want others to see such messages and sometimes to make the car look trendy. It puts some meaningful charm on the car if put in a strategic spot.

But before you put it on the spot, you better know about- do bumper stickers ruin paint? Because bumper stickers aren’t for sticking anywhere you want.

However, every car owner should know that bumper stickers have enough adhesive to take off paint with them. But the chances of taking off the paint might reduce depending on the process of sticker removal.

Can Bumper Sticker Ruin Car’s Paint?

That’s to say, many stickers aren’t designed for any parts of the car other than the bumper and can successfully ruin your paint. But many stickers are also made for all-around usage. However, as I mentioned before that the risk is reduceable depending on your removal procedure.

Pulling Off Bumper Stickers Without Damaging Car’s Paint

There are several ways for pulling off bumper stickers without taking off paint with them. We are going to discuss two easy methods of- how to pull off bumper stickers. One is heat application and the other is using adhesive remover.

However, never put any other paper stickers on the car other than a bumper sticker if you have intended to put customized stickers on the car.

Heat Application

Heat Application is so far the safest and easiest way to pull off bumper stickers from the car. You can use a blow dryer for the job. Although many use heat guns as well.

The reason why you should use a blow dryer instead of anything else is the gentle heat it generates.

Step 1: Softening the Sticker’s Adhesive

At first, wipe down the bumper sticker using a clean paper towel. The heat will reach the adhesive way faster if the sticker is clean. In case you are using a rag instead of a paper towel, be sure to dampen it with lukewarm water.

In this way, the heat will start acting on the adhesive.

Step 2: Applying Heat

Now, the next step is applying heat, which can be done with or without heat tools. Below are some methods of heat application.

• Using Heat Tools

Hair Dryer

Your hair dryer should be in the hottest setting. Put the dryer at a specific distance, let’s say 6-inches, from the sticker and start blow heating the sticker.

Remember to circulate the hot air all over the sticker instead of putting it in one place for too long. You should know that extreme heat can also ruin the paint.

Keep the dryer in this motion for a minute, and continue at a minute interval till you see bubble formation.

Heat Gun

In case you are using a heat gun, never heat the sticker for more than three seconds. And the gun should be kept at a foot distance.

You will be heating over the stickers in the interval until you see bubbles forming on the top of the sticker.

Steamer

Many don’t own a hair dryer or might have a defective one. So, for them, a steamer can be advantageous.

Hold the steamer at a foot distance from the sticker, and keep moving it steadily to evenly distribute the heat over the sticker. You will be doing it for half to a full one minute.

• Heating Without Heat Tools

What will you do if you don’t own either of the heat tools mentioned above?

The below solutions are especially for you.

Boiled Water

Pour 3 to 4 cups of boiled water over the sticker to soften the adhesive. This will also make the sticker come over easily. While pulling off the sticker, you need to pour boiled water along the edges as well.

For this method, take assistance from others and be mindful not to burn your skin.

Step 3: Scraping Off

Try to pull any one edge of the sticker and put a scraper or a credit card beneath the sticker. Then slightly slip the tool below the sticker, and slowly pull off the sticker.

Step 4: Cleaning the Residue

Now that you have pulled off the sticker, you will see adhesive residual on the car surface. Damp a microfiber cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe over the residue.

Adhesive Remover

Other than heat application you can eventually go for commercial adhesive remover but it will cost you a price. But if you own white vinegar, you can give it a try first before buying a commercial remover.

• How to Use Vinegar on Bumper Sticker

You can dampen a paper towel with white vinegar and rub it over the sticker or fill a sprayer with the acid and do the same job. It will saturate the sticker and help to pull off the sticker.

• WD-40

It displaces the water on the sticker’s adhesive from the car and makes it easy to pull off the sticker. As for the using instruction, you can see them on the label of the product.

• Commercial Adhesives

There are many adhesives for example Goo Gone. They are formulated for adhesive removal. Hence, they work to the point.

Go for any of the adhesive removers. But choose a good brand.

Common Tips

You can get the using procedure on their label. However, some common tips are there.

Tip 1: Let the adhesive sit for 5 minutes.

Tip 2: Use a scraper to pull off the sticker after saturating. Don’t use your hand.

Tip 3: Clean off the remaining residue of adhesive using a microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol.

Termination

Bumper stickers will surely make your car stand out as the messages are relatable. But it’s rampageous to your car paint.

So, as you know- do bumper stickers ruin paint or not, now you can make your own decision. If you decide to put bumper stickers, be sure to follow the above removal procedures.

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