How to remove your vinyl decal
Posted by Tammie Fischer on
Vinyl decals don't always last forever. You may want to install a different design, or just remove your decal. Well, it's easier than you think. Although there are several methods for removal, this is my go to method, which is the easiest and fastest without damaging paint. Please read thoroughly before you begin!
Supplies Needed:
- Blow Dryer, optional
- Sharp fingernails, or thin plastic credit card
- Soft cloth or paper towel
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Automotive soap and water
Heat it up!
Make sure you decal is warm before you begin. For the best results, the surface temperature should be a minimum of 65o F, the warmer the better. It's ideal for your decal to be in direct sunlight, to help heat the decal as you remove it. You can also use a blow dryer to heat the area while removing your decal. Just make sure you don't hold the blow dryer too close to your vehicle to prevent any damage to your paint.
Peel It!
Use your fingernail or a plastic credit card to peel up the edge of the decal. DO NOT use anything metal or sharp, as you WILL scratch your paint. Try to peel at a sharp angle to peel large sections at a time while using your blow dryer to heat the area at the same time if necessary. Your decal will likely break or rip and will come off in many pieces. The removal process may take a little time to complete. Also, don't worry about the adhesive residue left behind. We will address this next!
Note: if removing a decal off of a window, a razor blade can be used to scrape the decal off gently at a sharp angle, to avoid scratching the glass.
Remove Adhesive!
Once all the vinyl material is removed, you will have some adhesive left on the surface. No problem! The fastest and safest way to remove the adhesive is to use a soft cloth, or paper towel, thoroughly saturated with isopropyl or rubbing alcohol. Just rub the adhesive, occasionally turning over your cloth or paper towel so you have a new clean cloth. The isopropyl alcohol will dissolve the adhesive very quickly!
Note: If you are worried about the vinyl damaging your paint, test an inconspicuous area first.
Clean it!
Once the adhesive is gone, you can clean the area with automotive soap to clean any remining residue from the isopropyl alcohol.