How to Remove the Dealer Sticker from a Car

If you’ve just purchased a vehicle, you might be wondering how to remove the dealer sticker from the car. Luckily, there is a process that makes removing the dealer sticker a relatively easy task.

How To Remove a Car Dealership Logo?

Before you remove the dealer sticker from your car, you’ll need to gather the following materials:

• A heat gun or hair dryer (and extension cord, if necessary)
• Car soap
• A non-abrasive cloth or rag that you don’t plan on using for anything else
• Over-the-counter adhesive remover, such as WD40 or Goo Gone
• A hose
• A plastic card
• A non-abrasive and clean sponge

Once you’ve gathered these items, you can take the following steps to remove the dealer sticker, according to YourMechanic:

1. With the car soap, wash the area around the sticker. Dust and dirt can cause scratches when you’re trying to remove the sticker and any residual adhesive. Make sure you use car soap, as other soap can be too harsh for automotive paint and can damage it. You should rinse any loose dirt off, then mix the car soap with water and apply it with a sponge. Use the hose to make sure that the car soap is thoroughly rinsed off. Let the area dry completely before moving on to the next step.
2. After the area around the sticker is dry, turn on the hair dryer to its highest setting. You might need an extension cord if the outlet is too far away from the vehicle. The heat from the hair dryer will make the sticker adhesive start to soften. If you choose to use a heat gun instead, don’t use the highest setting. A heat gun can get much hotter than a hair dryer and can damage the paint and the clear coat. It’s much less risky to use a hair dryer.
3. Once the sticker adhesive is soft and warm, you can slowly slide the plastic card under the sticker’s edge. You might not even need the card if the adhesive is soft enough. It might be easier just to use your fingernails. It’s also easier to remove the sticker if it’s all in one piece. If the sticker has more than one piece, the process can be a little more time-consuming. You’ll have to heat each piece of the sticker before you remove it. After the sticker is gone, you’ll probably have to deal with leftover adhesive.
4. If there is leftover adhesive still on the vehicle, soak the spot in 3M Adhesive Remover, Goof Off, Goo Gone, or any other over-the-counter adhesive remover. Just make sure that your car has the original factory paint. Aftermarket paint or clear coat isn’t always strong enough to withstand adhesive remover and may wear away.
5. Let the adhesive remover sit for a while and then wipe it off with a non-abrasive cloth or rag. If the adhesive is thick, you can use a plastic razor blade to scrape it off slowly. Be careful not to scratch the paint.
6. If you do have minor scratches after removing the adhesive, you can apply a rubbing compound with a microfiber towel. Slowly buff the scratches and the area will be good as new.

How To Remove Emblems and Badges?

Sometimes the dealership will add additional emblems and badges. The Art of Cleanliness recommends that you remove emblems and badges by doing the following:

1. Make sure the area is clean and dry, with no dust, dirt, or other residues. Then carefully warm the emblem or badge with your hair dryer or heat gun. Again, the hair dryer is a safer tool to use for this step in the removal process.
2. Take a piece of dental floss or thin fishing line and wrap it around your hand. Then slowly pull the floss or line through the adhesive behind the emblem or badge. If you twist several strands of floss together, you’ll have a more durable string and it will be easier to pull through the adhesive.
3. Carefully lift the emblem or the badge off of the vehicle.
4. If you still have a large amount of adhesive left on the car, warm it with the hair dryer or heat gun. Then slowly peel it away.
5. Soak the spot where the emblem or badge was with adhesive remover. Give the remover plenty of time to penetrate any remaining adhesive. The adhesive remover may evaporate before it has a chance to dissolve the adhesive. If so, soak a non-abrasive rag or cloth in the adhesive remover and hold the cloth in place on top of the adhesive.
6. Use a plastic razor blade to scrape off any remaining adhesive carefully. Or you can use a non-abrasive towel to rub the adhesive off.
7. If you notice scratches after the adhesive is removed, use a soft microfiber towel to apply a rubbing compound to the area. Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound is an excellent option for buffing out scratches. Just make sure you’re careful to prevent any further damage.

Protecting Your Car Long-Term

Once the stickers and emblems have been removed, it’s important to regularly wash your new car. As Pep Boys points out, keeping your car’s exterior free from dirt, dust, and debris will help your paint job last longer. Waxing the vehicle can help it repel damaging elements and make it easier to clean. By washing and waxing your car, you can help it look as new as the day you bought it.

Pep Boys also notes that if you don’t have a garage or carport, it’s a good idea to invest in a quality car cover. This will protect your vehicle from tree sap, bird droppings, and other harmful debris. Using a car cover can also prevent UV rays from fading both your car’s exterior paint and interior surfaces.

When you’re at work or out running errands, try to avoid parking next to other vehicles or areas where pedestrian traffic is heavy. You don’t want people or their cars bumping into your vehicle and causing scratches. If you do notice a scratch, get it repaired as soon as possible to prevent rusting. By following these tips, you can enjoy your new car for years to come.

Information and research in this article verified by ASE-certified Master Technician Duane Sayaloune of YourMechanic.com. For any feedback or correction requests please contact us at [email protected].

Sources:

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-remove-a-car-dealership-logo-by-ian-swan

How to Remove Dealership Stickers, Decals, Emblems, and Badges from a Car

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a26933340/the-best-carwash-soap/

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15123404/how-to-polish-your-car/

https://www.pepboys.com/auto-care/maintenance/protect-your-cars-exterior