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Stickers are awesome, so why would you ever remove them? Well, sometimes needs must, and whether you’re dealing with old promotional decals, rebranding your shopfront, or removing stickers your kids plastered everywhere, vinyl stickers can be surprisingly stubborn. Here’s how to remove them cleanly without damaging the surface underneath. With the right approach, even industrial-grade vinyl comes off cleanly. The technique depends on how long the sticker’s been there, what surface it’s stuck to, and what type of adhesive was used.

Understanding what you’re dealing with

Fresh stickers (under 6 months) are relatively easy – the adhesive hasn’t fully bonded yet. Aged stickers (6 months+) are trickier as UV exposure breaks down vinyl and adhesive bonds strengthen. Ancient stickers (3+ years) often have degraded vinyl and strong adhesive bonds requiring patience and stronger solutions. Adhesive types: Permanent adhesive (used on vinyl stickers for outdoor use) often needs heat or solvents. Removable adhesive peels more easily. Industrial adhesive on vehicle graphics is extremely strong and sometimes requires professional-grade solutions.

The heat method: Your first option

Heat softens both vinyl and adhesive, making removal significantly easier. What you need:

• Hair dryer or heat gun (on low setting)
• Plastic scraper or old credit card
• Patience

Hold the hair dryer 10-15cm from the sticker and move it constantly. Heat for 30-60 seconds until warm. Starting at one corner, lift the edge and pull slowly at a 45-degree angle whilst continuing to apply heat. Pull too fast and the vinyl tears. Pull slowly and steadily, and the whole sticker often comes away cleanly. For larger decals, work in sections. Heat, peel, heat, peel. Top tip: Morning is best for outdoor stickers – overnight contraction followed by morning heating creates movement in the adhesive.

Household solutions that actually work

If heat alone isn’t cutting it, try these:

White vinegar

Brilliant for light to medium adhesive. Soak a cloth in vinegar and hold it against the sticker for 5-10 minutes. Safe for glass, metal, and painted surfaces.

Cooking oil or baby oil

Surprisingly effective at dissolving adhesive residue. Apply liberally, leave for 10 minutes, then rub with a cloth. Great for plastic surfaces where solvents might cause damage.

WD-40

Spray directly onto the sticker, wait 5 minutes, then peel. Particularly good for old, degraded stickers. Excellent on metal surfaces.

Isopropyl alcohol

Available from pharmacies, excellent for adhesive residue. Apply with a cloth, leave briefly, then rub away. Evaporates quickly and safe for most surfaces.

Specialist removal solutions

When household products aren’t enough:

Adhesive removers

Products like Goo Gone or 3M Adhesive Remover contain solvents that dissolve adhesive without damaging most surfaces. Apply directly, wait 5-10 minutes, then scrape away. Always test on an inconspicuous area first.

Citrus-based cleaners

Products containing d-Limonene are effective, less harsh than petroleum-based solvents, and smell pleasant. Good middle ground between household solutions and industrial removers.

Surface-specific techniques

Glass windows

The easiest surface. Glass tolerates heat, scraping, and solvents. Use a glass scraper for stubborn residue, keeping the blade flat to avoid scratching.

Painted walls

Trickiest as you risk removing paint. Heat is safest. If adhesive remains, use cooking oil or isopropyl alcohol gently. Test any product on a hidden area first.

Vehicle bodywork

Use hair dryer or heat gun on lowest setting. Never exceed 70°C. Plastic scrapers only. For stubborn vehicle graphics, specialist vinyl removal solutions work best.

Plastic surfaces – Heat works but be cautious as some plastics warp. Avoid harsh solvents. Cooking oil is often your safest option.

Metal and wood

Metal tolerates almost everything. Wood is trickier – heat and gentle scraping work best. Oil-based removers work better than water-based on wood.

Dealing with residue

For light residue: Rub with your finger to ball up the adhesive, then wipe away.

For stubborn residue: Apply more heat and scrape gently, or use adhesive remover, cooking oil, or isopropyl alcohol.

For impossible residue: Apply WD-40, leave for 10 minutes, then rub vigorously. Always finish by cleaning the surface properly.

What not to do

Don’t use metal scrapers except on glass – you’ll scratch everything else.

Don’t overheat – excessive heat damages surfaces and makes vinyl brittle.

Don’t use harsh solvents on plastics – acetone can melt or discolour plastic.

Don’t pull too fast – patient, steady pulling prevents tearing.

When to go professional

Large-scale vehicle graphics, historic surfaces, commercial signage, or when DIY methods fail – professionals have industrial-strength solutions and the expertise to avoid damage.

When it’s time for new ones

Need new stickers once the old ones are gone? Check out our range of vinyl stickers and get an instant quote for your next project.