The Department of Motor Vehicles will issue a sticker for your windscreen after finishing the inspection of your car. This sticker shows you have attended the inspection. It will also show that you have passed or failed the test.
Some states require you to return within a certain period to re-run the test if you failed the previous one. Otherwise, you’ll pay additional fees. When the inspection period expires, you’ll need to remove the sticker without damaging the windshield.
If you have a broken windshield and replace it with a new one, you’ll need to peel the sticker from the old windshield and paste it on the new one. While doing so, you have to be careful.
Removing inspection stickers without damaging them may not be easy. This article will explain how to remove inspection stickers.
How to remove inspection stickers
Removing inspection stickers may not be as easy as you think. They have strong glue expected to hold them there until it expires. Be very smart when taking off inspection stickers because applying your physical strength won’t help. The steps below explain how to remove an inspection sticker without ruining it.
Method 1: Using Razor and Goo Gone
This method will take 5 to 7 minutes. You’ll need the listed items;
- Goo gone adhesive remover
- Microfiber towel
- A new razor. Please, do not use a rusted razor to avoid scratching the glass.
- Ammonia-free glass wiper. Don’t use ammonia glass cleaner because it may dry the rubber on the glass edges.
Step 1
Apply some ammonia-free glass wiper on the Microfiber towel.
Step 2
Clean off dirt and any particles on the glass. This is to remove anything that would leave marks on the glass when peeling the sticker.
Step 3
Spray the ammonia-free glass wiper on the sticker and on the edges to enable the razor to glide off the sticker easily.
Step 4
Start removing the sticker from any edge that’s peeling off. If all the edges seem okay, start from any of the edges. Peel off the sticker with a clean razor.
Hold the razor very well. Do not lose control of it. Keep peeling and wiping off dirt on the razor blade. Spray more quality glass wiper on a dry surface until the sticker is out.
Step 5
Once the first layer of the sticker is out, it’s time to remove the adhesive residues on the windshield. Spray a goo gone on the surface and let it sit for about 2-5 minutes. The more time the goo gone sits on the residues, the more it weakens the residues for easy removal.
Step 6
Scrape off the residues with a razor again and wipe them off with a Microfiber towel.
Once you have removed all the sticker residues from the glass, wash the glass surface with hot and soapy water.
Method 2: Using Ice and a Soft Car Wash Towel
Using Ice and soft car wash towels is an effective method to consider when searching for how to remove inspection stickers and reuse them. Ice performs magic by removing glue from glasses.
Step 1
Put some ice cubes in a plastic bag and place them on the decal for 5 to 10 minutes. Peel off the sticker from the windscreen with a clean and sharp razor blade.
Step 2
Wash out any sticky residue from the glass with soapy water.
Method 3: Using Isopropyl Alcohol With Microfiber Car Wash
When wondering how to remove stickers from glass windows, think of isopropyl alcohol. It is a popular sticker removal method that has a reputation for not leaving any form of grease or residues behind.
With Isopropyl alcohol and microfiber car wash, you won’t have to worry about leaving marks on your car paint with sanding, fingernails, and razors.
It doesn’t require using any sharp objects. Here are the items needed and steps to follow;
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Microfiber towel
Step 1
Wash the sticker surface to remove any dirt and debris that could scratch the windshield.
Step 2
Drench the Microfiber towel on isopropyl alcohol. Place the soaked Microfiber towel on the sticker surface and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 3
Within the 5 to 10 minutes waiting period, the glue and sticker residues will dissolve. If still there are stubborn residues, repeat the process.
Quick Alternative On Using Isopropyl Alcohol
If you desire a quicker response in removing inspection stickers on using isopropyl alcohol, do the following;
Clean the sticker area with an ammonia-free glass wiper before starting. Proceed by peeling off the stickers with your nails and razor. Do it gently so you won’t scratch the glass.
Drench the car wash towel on the isopropyl alcohol and scrub off the sticker. You don’t have to wait for it to dissolve on its own. Continue scrubbing the Microfiber towel on the sticker surface for about 5 to 10 minutes. You’ll have a sparkling surface once you’re done.
Method 4: Using white vinegar
Another environmentally and friendly option people used to remove stickers when selling cars is white vinegar. The good news is, it’s likely in your home. You don’t have to stress yourself in searching for where to get it. Here are items needed and a simplified process on how to remove inspection stickers from windshields with vinegar;
- Old credit card or scrapper
- Paper towel
- White vinegar
Step 1
Soak the paper towel on white vinegar and allow it to soak. Wet the sticker with the soaked paper towel. Place the paper towel on the sticker and let it stay for 5 minutes. This will allow the vinegar to perform its magic on the sticker adhesive and glue.
Step 2
Once the waiting is over, gently scrape off the sticker with a razor, old credit card, or any scrapper.
Method 5: Using WD-40
WD-40 is a viable and affordable option for removing glues and adhesives. Chances are, WD-40 is in your garage and you won’t have to buy another adhesive cleaner like goof off and Goo gone.
WD-40 is a proven multipurpose cleaner that works on various car parts. Removing inspection stickers on a car glass is no exception. It requires only 2 to 5 minutes of spraying it on the surface and wiping it off.
Before spraying this multipurpose cleaner, peel the sticker with your nails or razor. Try as much as possible to peel off all the sticker residues with a razor. Spray the WD-40 on the remaining sticker particles and glue, and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes.
Get a microfiber towel and scrub off the remaining residues in a circular motion until you have a sparkling surface.
FAQs
Q: How do you remove sticker residue from a car?
This article focuses on removing sticker residues from a car, which we have explained above. In summary, removing sticker residues requires
Using a razor blade and Goo gone: Spray Goo Gone adhesive cleaner on a microfiber towel and drench the sticker. Peel off the sticker with a clean razor.
Using Ice and car wash towel: Place ice cubes on the sticker for 5 minutes. Peel off the sticker after the waiting time. Use soapy water and a car wash towel to clean off remaining glue and residues.
Using wash mitt and isopropyl alcohol: Soak the wash mitt with isopropyl alcohol. Place the soaked wash mitt on the sticker surface and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
Q: What is the best Sticky Stuff Remover?
Automotive product manufacturers produce adhesive cleaners to get rid of stubborn residues left by grease, wax, oil, glue, or other sticky stuff.
With countless adhesive products in the market, you will need a safe product on your intended surface and strong to get rid of the residues.
Here’s our pick of the best sticky stuff remover to consider;
- Goo Gone original liquid surface adhesive remover
- 3M general purpose adhesive cleaner
- Elmer’s Sticky out adhesive remover
- Uni solve adhesive remover wipes
- Goof off adhesive remover.
Q: What can be used in place of Goo Gone?
Goo Gone has a reputation for removing stubborn sticky stuff on various surfaces. Getting rid of sticker residues from your windshield glass, cleaning glue residues from your floor tiles, and removing bumper stickers are some reasons one may need a goo gone adhesive remover.
But there are several alternatives to goo gone adhesive cleaner. Here are some other options to consider;
- Goof off
- Isopropyl alcohol
- 3M adhesive remover
- Klean Strip green floor
- Duck adhesive remover.
Q: How do you remove stickers with Goo Gone?
Goo Gone is an adhesive remover that fights stubborn residues without destroying the application surface. Most mechanics recommend it because it does what the manufacturers made it for.
Here’s a simplified guideline on how to get rid of stubborn sticky stuff with goo gone;
- Spray the adhesive on the sticker. Allow it to sit on the sticker for about 5 minutes to weaken the glue residues.
- Peel off the sticker with your fingernails, razor, old credit card, scrapper, or a puffy knife. Kindly note that it’ll destroy the sticker. Reapply the goo gone as necessary to break down all the glues and residues.
- After peeling off the sticker and removing the residues, clean the surface with hot and soapy water.
Final words
How to remove inspection stickers without damaging them differs from how to remove inspection stickers. You get it, right?
Until you have a broken windshield and want to remove the inspection sticker from it to paste on your new windshield, you won’t get the drift.
However, whatever reason you want to remove the inspection sticker, follow any of the methods suggested in this article.