You have bought a used car and the tailgate still carries the previous owner's stickers, dealer decals or a faded badge. Or perhaps you are simply tired of your own. Peeling them off is easy enough, but the sticky adhesive stays behind, collects dust and spoils the look.
Hot water, alcohol, vinegar and other household remedies sometimes work, but often need several attempts. A quicker and paint-safe approach is a hairdryer plus WD-40 Smart Straw: the heat softens the adhesive and the product breaks its bond with the surface.
What you will need
Important: Do not use metal blades or a heat gun on paintwork: you can scratch or overheat it. On a heated rear window, never scrape along the elements. Do not use WD-40 on the windscreen: the film can smear in the wiper area, so use a scraper and glass cleaner there instead.
Step 1
Peel what you can and wash the area
Start with the sticker itself: lift a corner with a fingernail or plastic card and pull slowly at a sharp angle, almost parallel to the surface. Whatever comes away now will not need dissolving.
Wash the area with car shampoo and a sponge. Use car shampoo rather than washing-up liquid: it does not strip protection or encourage corrosion. Rinsing off grit first stops it scratching the paint.
Step 2
Warm the adhesive with a hairdryer
Switch on the hairdryer and warm the sticker area for about a minute from 5-8 cm away, moving the nozzle evenly. If the car is parked outside, you will need an extension lead.
The surface should feel warm, not hot. In winter, warm it a little longer, but do not overheat plastic bumpers and trim.
Step 3
Apply WD-40 to the residue
Use the thin straw of WD-40 Smart Straw to apply the product precisely over the adhesive so it covers the whole sticky area without running onto other parts.
Leave it for about 10 minutes. In that time the product works under the adhesive and breaks its grip on the paint.
Step 4
Wipe off with microfibre
With a clean microfibre cloth, wipe away the softened adhesive with light strokes. It should roll up and come away easily. Lift any thick bits carefully with the plastic scraper.
If anything remains, apply WD-40 Multi-Use again and wait a few more minutes.
Step 5
Wash and protect the paint
Wash the area with car shampoo and water to remove WD-40 residue and dry it.
Paint under an old sticker often looks brighter than the surrounding area because it has not faded in the sun. A light polish and a coat of wax will even out the gloss and protect the spot.
Tip: Remove stickers on a warm day or in a heated garage. On cold bodywork the adhesive hardens and tears into tiny pieces, while on warm paint the sticker often comes off in one strip.
What next
The same method works for double-sided tape left by trim strips and badges. Keep WD-40 Smart Straw in the garage: it also removes tree sap and tar and protects door locks from moisture and freezing.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».