Parking permits, toll transponders for motorways abroad, service and insurance stickers are often stuck to a car's windscreen or side windows. When they come off, glue and scraps of paper stay on the glass, spoiling the view and looking untidy.
You can take the holder or sticker off neatly and clear the glue without blades and without risking the dashboard or trim.
Work in a warm cabin or a garage: in frost the adhesive hardens and turns brittle, while in direct sun the product dries before it can work. Choose a dry day so you can wash the glass thoroughly straight afterwards.
What you will need
Important: Do not let the product run onto the dashboard, switches or trim, and always degrease the glass at the end: a film in the driver's line of sight can cause glare at night and in rain. Do not scrape with a metal blade near heating elements or antennas.
Step 1
Check how the device is fixed
Before removing it, see whether the sticker or tag holder is held by an adhesive strip, a glue layer or a suction pad. This tells you which edge to start from so the base comes off in one piece.
Step 2
Protect the interior
Cover the dashboard with a cloth or towel so drips of product and bits of glue do not land on the plastic and air vents.
Step 3
Remove the base carefully
Peel off the holder or sticker slowly, lifting the edge with a plastic scraper. In winter, warm up the cabin first: cold adhesive is brittle and leaves more residue than warm.
Step 4
Soften and remove the glue
Apply WD-40 Multi-Use to the glue residue. For a small patch, WD-40 Smart Straw with its thin straw gives a precise jet without overspray inside the car. Wait a few seconds for it to work, and catch any liquid running down the glass with a cloth straight away.
Lift the softened glue with a plastic scraper or cloth, keeping the scraper at a low angle.
Step 5
Repeat if needed and clean the glass
If glue remains, apply and wipe again until the glass is clean. Finally wash the area with glass cleaner and polish with dry microfibre so that no film is left.
Tip: Stick any new sticker or holder onto clean, degreased glass outside the wiper sweep: it holds better and comes off more easily later.
What next
The same method clears marks left by old stickers on the rear window or mirrors. A can of WD-40 Multi-Use in the boot is also useful for door locks in winter.
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».