Removing Dealer Stickers?

[Mercfh]

I remember back in the day using a "goof off" type stuff to remove stickers/badges. is this safe to do for paint or?

I am guessing there is a better way. Mainly just wanting to get rid of dealer stickers.
Thanks!

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[AzScorpion]

Use a blow dryer and warm up the area, peel it back slow at an angle and it should peel right off. If there's any residue just use some Iso alcohol or goof off and WD 40 works too and re wax the area.

 

[cclayton]

Use a blow dryer and warm up the area, peel it back slow at an angle and it should peel right off. If there's any residue just use some Iso alcohol or goof off and WD 40 works too and re wax the area.

This.

I’ll remove the sticker before we leave the dealers lot. They’re not giving a discount for the free advertising so why leave the sticker on???

 

[GregsFX2Ranger]

No dealer advertising on my truck, EVER. Heat 'em up, pull 'em off, wipe of residue with some wd-40.

 

[BlackRanger01]

I waited for a hot day and the tailgate to be warm to touch then i peeled them off with my fingers. I didn't use any thing else but they all came off ok.

 

[D Fresh]

No goof off, and no hair dryer.

They are both bad for paint.

If you want to remove stickers or badges and would like to add heat on order to aid your efforts, this is your best friend.

https://www.amazon.com/Wagner-Spray...cphy=9028913&hvtargid=pla-1359847356184&psc=1

The steam will protect your paint from drying out and overheating.

I've had my wallpaper steamer over 20 years. It's seen a lot of vehicles, but no wallpaper.

Clothes steamers work well too.

 

[AzScorpion]

No goof off, and no hair dryer.

They are both bad for paint.

If you want to remove stickers or badges and would like to add heat on order to aid your efforts, this is your best friend.

https://www.amazon.com/Wagner-Spray...cphy=9028913&hvtargid=pla-1359847356184&psc=1

The steam will protect your paint from drying out and overheating.

I've had my wallpaper steamer over 20 years. It's seen a lot of vehicles, but no wallpaper.

Clothes steamers work well too.

A hairdryer is bad for paint?? You hold it about a foot away just to warm the area up.

Our summer temps far exceed any hairdryer. lol Been doing this way for many years and never had any problems. Using a steamer is not what I would do as your adding way to much heat and moisture directly on the paint. Heck the paint on our trucks is so thin I can see this bubbling it up in no time. Yes I've been professionally painting for 38 years and have used steamers and would never try this.

 

[D Fresh]

A hairdryer is bad for paint?? You hold it about a foot away just to warm the area up.

Our summer temps far exceed any hairdryer. lol Been doing this way for many years and never had any problems. Using a steamer is not what I would do as your adding way to much heat and moisture directly on the paint. Heck the paint on our trucks is so thin I can see this bubbling it up in no time. Yes I've been professionally painting for 38 years and have used steamers and would never try this.

Let me clarify.

Can be bad for paint.

People have a tendency to put it on high and hold it right in one spot, too close, for too long.

Temperatures from a steam gun are roughly 40 degrees lower than a hairdryer. Right about 100 degrees Warm enough to do the trick, but not warm enough to damage paint. I can hold my hand directly in front of my steamer indefinitely. Not so much with a hair dryer on high.

You are an intelligent person, many are not. Some will hear hairdryer and think, "I don't want to bother my wife, I'll just use this heat gun I have in the garage." Bad idea. Most others will put it on high and camp out directly over the emblem for too long.

Will 90%+ of people be fine with a hairdryer despite the risk of damage? Sure. But a more appropriate tool takes that possibility to virtually zero.

Steam has been used by many for decades for this without problems. And a low temp moist heat will always be better for paint than a higher temp dry heat.

 

[halligan1201]

A hairdryer is bad for paint?? You hold it about a foot away just to warm the area up.

Our summer temps far exceed any hairdryer. lol Been doing this way for many years and never had any problems. Using a steamer is not what I would do as your adding way to much heat and moisture directly on the paint. Heck the paint on our trucks is so thin I can see this bubbling it up in no time. Yes I've been professionally painting for 38 years and have used steamers and would never try this.

Agreed. As someone who painted cars for a living I can guarantee that a hair dryer will not harm your paint at all. What so ever. In any way. A high powered heat gun might if used long enough (like a really long time) but a hair dryer will not.

 

[Scott D]

Some decals will peel right off on a warm day, glue and all. It can vary, of course.

When I custom ordered mine last year, I made it clear in writing that there were to be no dealer decal applied or license plate frame installed. I had already read stories about license plate frames being tall enough to rub against the tailgate when it was lowered.

 

[halligan1201]

Let me clarify.

Can be bad for paint.

People have a tendency to put it on high and hold it right in one spot, too close, for too long.

Temperatures from a steam gun are roughly 40 degrees lower than a hairdryer. Right about 100 degrees Warm enough to do the trick, but not warm enough to damage paint. I can hold my hand directly in front of my steamer indefinitely. Not so much with a hair dryer on high.

You are an intelligent person, many are not. Some will hear hairdryer and think, "I don't want to bother my wife, I'll just use this heat gun I have in the garage." Bad idea. Most others will put it on high and camp out directly over the emblem for too long.

Will 90%+ of people be fine with a hairdryer despite the risk of damage? Sure. But a more appropriate tool takes that possibility to virtually zero.

Steam has been used by many for decades for this without problems. And a low temp moist heat will always be better for paint than a higher temp dry heat.

Let me clarify.

Can be bad for paint.

People have a tendency to put it on high and hold it right in one spot, too close, for too long.

Temperatures from a steam gun are roughly 40 degrees lower than a hairdryer. Right about 100 degrees Warm enough to do the trick, but not warm enough to damage paint. I can hold my hand directly in front of my steamer indefinitely. Not so much with a hair dryer on high.

You are an intelligent person, many are not. Some will hear hairdryer and think, "I don't want to bother my wife, I'll just use this heat gun I have in the garage." Bad idea. Most others will put it on high and camp out directly over the emblem for too long.

Will 90%+ of people be fine with a hairdryer despite the risk of damage? Sure. But a more appropriate tool takes that possibility to virtually zero.

Steam has been used by many for decades for this without problems. And a low temp moist heat will always be better for paint than a higher temp dry heat.

Water turns to stream at 212 degrees Fahrenheit; hair dryers range between 80-140 degrees Fahrenheit. A heat gun might be an issue if left in one spot long enough but a hair dryer isn't capable of damaging automotive paint. I spent a decade painting cars. I've never seen one with paint damage from a hair dryer (or steam).

 

[AzScorpion]

Let me clarify.

Can be bad for paint.

People have a tendency to put it on high and hold it right in one spot, too close, for too long.

Temperatures from a steam gun are roughly 40 degrees lower than a hairdryer. Right about 100 degrees Warm enough to do the trick, but not warm enough to damage paint. I can hold my hand directly in front of my steamer indefinitely. Not so much with a hair dryer on high.

You are an intelligent person, many are not. Some will hear hairdryer and think, "I don't want to bother my wife, I'll just use this heat gun I have in the garage." Bad idea. Most others will put it on high and camp out directly over the emblem for too long.

Will 90%+ of people be fine with a hairdryer despite the risk of damage? Sure. But a more appropriate tool takes that possibility to virtually zero.

Steam has been used by many for decades for this without problems. And a low temp moist heat will always be better for paint than a higher temp dry heat.

I do agree with not using a heat gun, most are to impatient and would hold it to close and ruin the paint. I think they'd do the same with a steamer as most are not familiar with them like we are. I can see them holding it down on the finish to long and having a huge spot peel off. lol

The more I deal with people now a day the less faith I have theirs intelligent life out there. Safer to use a blow dryer on low, hold it away and peel slowly at an angle moving the heat in front of the sticker.

 

[D Fresh]

Water turns to stream at 212 degrees Fahrenheit; hair dryers range between 80-140 degrees Fahrenheit. A heat gun might be an issue if left in one spot long enough but a hair dryer isn't capable of damaging automotive paint. I spent a decade painting cars. I've never seen one with paint damage from a hair dryer (or steam).

Yes water turns to steam as it boils. We all learned that in school. However, due to the water vapor contained within, it cools rather quickly. The output of most steamers is roughly 110 degrees.

I've spent 4 decades playing with cars, while rare, I've seen a few vehicles with paint damage due to improper debadging. Most were caused by improper use of heatguns, or prying of the emblems. But improper hairdryer use CAN do the same thing.

 

[D Fresh]

I do agree with not using a heat gun, most are to impatient and would hold it to close and ruin the paint. I think they'd do the same with a steamer as most are not familiar with them like we are. I can see them holding it down on the finish to long and having a huge spot peel off. lol

The more I deal with people now a day the less faith I have theirs intelligent life out there. Safer to use a blow dryer on low, hold it away and peel slowly at an angle moving the heat in front of the sticker.

Agree with your method.

But the same method 40 degrees cooler with moisture is indeed more safe.

Regardless of the heat source you use, proper technique is key.

 

[GitRDone]

Not to pile on, but Goo Gone is the stuff you want. Goof Off is basically acetone and may end up removing more than that pesky sticker.

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