Car dealerships often apply decals to vehicles for advertising purposes. While these decals might serve the dealership’s promotional needs, they can be an unwanted distraction on your newly purchased car. Many car buyers prefer a cleaner look and decide to remove these dealer advertisements. If you’re looking to remove a dealership decal from your car, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through the process, ensuring a smooth and damage-free removal.
Preparing for Decal Removal
Before you start peeling, proper preparation is crucial. This not only makes the removal process easier but also protects your car’s paint.
Clean the Area
Begin by thoroughly cleaning the decal and the surrounding paint surface. Use a mixture of mild car soap and water to wash away any dirt, dust, or grime. This step is essential because any debris can scratch your car’s paint when you start working on the decal. Rinse the area completely and let it dry before proceeding. This simple wash is often sufficient and avoids the need for a full car wash.
Image: Close-up of a car dealership decal on a vehicle, indicating the area that needs cleaning before removal.
Gather Your Supplies
Having the right tools at hand will make the decal removal process much more efficient. For most decals, you’ll need:
- Heat Source: A hair dryer is ideal for softening the adhesive. On a hot, sunny day, the sun’s heat might be sufficient, but a hair dryer provides more controlled and consistent warmth.
- Plastic Scraper or Credit Card: These tools are helpful for gently lifting the edge of the decal without scratching the paint. Avoid metal scrapers, as they can damage your car’s finish. An old credit card or a plastic spatula works well.
- Adhesive Remover (Optional): Products like Goo Gone or WD-40 can be very effective in dissolving stubborn adhesive residue. Make sure to choose a product that is safe for car paint.
- Microfiber Cloths: Soft microfiber cloths are perfect for wiping away residue and cleaning the area after decal removal.
- Car Wash Soap and Water: For the initial cleaning and final wash.
Step-by-Step Decal Removal Process
Once you’ve prepped the area and gathered your supplies, it’s time to remove the dealership decal.
Apply Heat to Soften the Adhesive
The key to easy decal removal is heat. Apply heat to the decal using a hair dryer, holding it a few inches away from the surface and moving it back and forth. The goal is to warm the decal and soften the adhesive underneath, making it easier to peel off. If it’s a warm day, you can let the sun heat the car naturally, but a hair dryer gives you more control.
Gently Peel Off the Decal
After heating the decal for a few minutes, test a corner to see if it’s loosening. Use your fingernail or a plastic scraper to gently lift an edge of the decal. Once you have an edge lifted, slowly and steadily peel the decal away from the car’s surface. Pull at a shallow angle, close to the surface of the car, rather than pulling straight out. If you encounter resistance, apply more heat to the area you are peeling. For more intricate decals, like those with numbers or letters, take extra care and work slowly to avoid tearing the decal into small pieces.
Dealing with Stubborn Adhesive Residue
After removing the decal, you’ll likely be left with some adhesive residue. This is where an adhesive remover comes in handy. Spray a small amount of adhesive remover onto a microfiber cloth and gently rub the sticky residue. Let the remover sit for a minute or two to dissolve the adhesive, then wipe it away with a clean part of the cloth. You may need to repeat this process a few times for particularly stubborn residue. Once the residue is gone, wash the area again with car soap and water to remove any remaining adhesive remover and ensure a clean finish.
Final Touches
After successfully removing the decal and any residue, give the area a final wash and dry. You can also apply a wax or sealant to protect the paint and enhance the shine in the area where the decal was removed. This will help blend the area with the rest of your car’s paintwork, leaving no trace of the dealership decal behind.
Removing a dealership decal from your car is a straightforward process you can easily do yourself. By following these steps and using the right techniques, you can achieve a clean, decal-free look for your vehicle and enjoy your car exactly as you want it.
