Removing Dealer Sticker

Amon · 04-09-2009, 02:20 AM

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I searched for this and didnt find anything.

What is the best way to SAFELY remove the sticker that the dealer put on the back of my Z? I initially google searched the question, but came up with answers such as "soak with gasoline and peel off with a razor blade", so I thought I would ask here since I trust you guys a whole lot more.

Thanks in advance.

AK370Z · 04-09-2009, 02:33 AM

My dealer used vinyl. Therefore, I have used thin sharp blades that used in the drywall (Sheetrock) cutter. I couldn't use blade for the one on the rear bumper. I simply used my nails to get that off. If you can do it early enough (before the vinyl get really sticky), you can take it off with nail. But if your dealer uses paint, then I am not sure what's the procedure.

Used blade:

Simply nails:

chibbell · 04-09-2009, 02:48 AM

I've found that slowly heating up the vinyl with a blow dryer can really help. The heat helps deteriorate the bond of the glue and should allow you to peel off most stickers with your fingernails. Any cleaning product should get rid of any remaining residue.

I had a company logo on the 08 Element we recently sold and it came off without any issue after being there for a year. You shouldn't have too much of an issue.

Just be careful, take your time and don't get anything too hot, lest you burn yourself or somehow mar your paint.

Amon · 04-09-2009, 03:09 AM

Awesome, thanks for the replies. Its only a smaller one like the Team Nissan on sticker on the rear in that pic so Ill try it with my nails this weekend before I wash the car.

MightyBobo · 04-09-2009, 10:45 AM

As a former detailer, I cant emphasize that you must be careful when removing these. A blow dryer, or even better, a heat gun helps greatly. Make sure your finger nails if you decide to use them, are nice and smooth or you'll be scratching that paint easily. A nice heat gun helps because it tends to curl the edges of the vinyl a bit, and you can just grab it and peel back.

Ace · 04-10-2009, 02:16 AM

I used a hair dryer to heat up the dealer decal. I then rubbed the edge on the decal with my finger/thumb to lift the decal a bit. I was then able to slowly pull the decal off while I was heating it with the hair dryer. There was some adhesive leftover on the vehicles so I used some Goo Gone to remove it. After my truck and car were done my thumbs almost fell off lol!

Amon · 04-10-2009, 03:04 AM

Hrm, after a second look today, each letter looks individual... is this normal? I was thinking that it would just be one large piece with all of the letters on it.

MightyBobo · 04-10-2009, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amon

Hrm, after a second look today, each letter looks individual... is this normal? I was thinking that it would just be one large piece with all of the letters on it.

Yup, its normal - they come sandwiched between some wax paper and another thicker sheet of paper. You peal the thicker sheet of paper off which exposes the adhesive side of the vinyl, and lets you line up the vinyl because the wax sheet is more transparent. Put on the car, rub each of the letters a bit, and then peel off the wax sheet - voila, instant free advertising...

wstar · 04-10-2009, 07:17 AM

Uhm... what's up with huge dealer stickers? Never see that here, especially not on enthusiast sort of cars. I wouldn't take delivery of a car in that state. Tell the dealer to get that trash off your car.

MightyBobo · 04-10-2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Uhm... what's up with huge dealer stickers? Never see that here, especially not on enthusiast sort of cars. I wouldn't take delivery of a car in that state. Tell the dealer to get that trash off your car.

No no no, you need to tell them to not put them on in the first place - trust me, I worked back there. The detailers at most dealerships are MORONS - generally, kids in high school or fresh out that they don't have to pay much (or train much, for that matter). They would get a damn razor blade out and remove it that way. If you get a car with a vinyl on it, take it off yourself the right way, don't ask them to remove it...but if you can, just ask to not have it put on in the first place

Amon · 04-11-2009, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Yup, its normal - they come sandwiched between some wax paper and another thicker sheet of paper. You peal the thicker sheet of paper off which exposes the adhesive side of the vinyl, and lets you line up the vinyl because the wax sheet is more transparent. Put on the car, rub each of the letters a bit, and then peel off the wax sheet - voila, instant free advertising...

Ah, I see! Thanks!

nextlevel2k1 · 04-27-2009, 12:16 AM

I have a heat gun. Will the heat damage the paint?

MightyBobo · 04-27-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nextlevel2k1

I have a heat gun. Will the heat damage the paint?

Not if you dont blast the crap out of it in one area too long. Keep the gun moving, and dont put it too close. I'd say 10 inches or so ought to be good. Just keep in mind, its still going to be VERY hot for fingers, so you might want to have some protection...

Ace · 04-29-2009, 01:56 AM

Why risk using a heat gun when a hair dryer and your thumbs will work fine? I would hate to see you wreck your new cars paint job with a heat gun. A hair dryer will work fine and be less likely to damage your paint. Why risk it? I guess it is your car to do as you please with, but it would be a shame to see the paint wrecked.

MightyBobo · 04-29-2009, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace

Why risk using a heat gun when a hair dryer and your thumbs will work fine? I would hate to see you wreck your new cars paint job with a heat gun. A hair dryer will work fine and be less likely to damage your paint. Why risk it? I guess it is your car to do as you please with, but it would be a shame to see the paint wrecked.

Some hair dryers cant get hot enough. And if you use it properly, the heat gun will be considerably less work, since it tends to curl the vinyl at the edges.

04-09-2009, 02:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
Amon Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 28 Drives: 09 370z Black AT7 Rep Power: 16	Removing Dealer Sticker Sorry if this has been asked before, but I searched for this and didnt find anything. What is the best way to SAFELY remove the sticker that the dealer put on the back of my Z? I initially google searched the question, but came up with answers such as "soak with gasoline and peel off with a razor blade", so I thought I would ask here since I trust you guys a whole lot more. Thanks in advance.

04-09-2009, 02:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
AK370Z Administrator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 9,930 Drives: 09 370Z MB Sports M6 Rep Power: 10	My dealer used vinyl. Therefore, I have used thin sharp blades that used in the drywall (Sheetrock) cutter. I couldn't use blade for the one on the rear bumper. I simply used my nails to get that off. If you can do it early enough (before the vinyl get really sticky), you can take it off with nail. But if your dealer uses paint, then I am not sure what's the procedure. Used blade: Simply nails: __________________ The370Z Signature Pictures ll Want to rock our forum decals on your car? Then click here! ll How to Embed YouTube Videos In a Post STOP! (Hammertime) ll Become a Premium Member Click HERE ll F.A.Q. Are You a Nissan Dealer? Click Here to Become A "Supporting Dealer" and Start Listing Your 370Zs In Our Inventory Section My Monterey Blue Z ll My Exhaust --> My Intake --> G3 Nissan's Official Response Regarding Oil Temp Issue: CLICK HERE Need a Set of Cheap Winter wheels /Tires? Then Visit The Banner Link Below and Place Your Order. You'll Help Keep The370Z Alive.

04-09-2009, 10:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 52	As a former detailer, I cant emphasize that you must be careful when removing these. A blow dryer, or even better, a heat gun helps greatly. Make sure your finger nails if you decide to use them, are nice and smooth or you'll be scratching that paint easily. A nice heat gun helps because it tends to curl the edges of the vinyl a bit, and you can just grab it and peel back. __________________ I don't own a car anymore.

04-10-2009, 02:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ace Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Calgary Posts: 55 Drives: Red 09 370Z CS M6 Rep Power: 16	I used a hair dryer to heat up the dealer decal. I then rubbed the edge on the decal with my finger/thumb to lift the decal a bit. I was then able to slowly pull the decal off while I was heating it with the hair dryer. There was some adhesive leftover on the vehicles so I used some Goo Gone to remove it. After my truck and car were done my thumbs almost fell off lol! Last edited by Ace; 04-10-2009 at 02:35 AM.

04-10-2009, 07:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	Uhm... what's up with huge dealer stickers? Never see that here, especially not on enthusiast sort of cars. I wouldn't take delivery of a car in that state. Tell the dealer to get that trash off your car. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

04-09-2009, 02:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
chibbell Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland, OR Age: 44 Posts: 65 Drives: 370z Touring Sport Rep Power: 16	I've found that slowly heating up the vinyl with a blow dryer can really help. The heat helps deteriorate the bond of the glue and should allow you to peel off most stickers with your fingernails. Any cleaning product should get rid of any remaining residue. I had a company logo on the 08 Element we recently sold and it came off without any issue after being there for a year. You shouldn't have too much of an issue. Just be careful, take your time and don't get anything too hot, lest you burn yourself or somehow mar your paint.

04-09-2009, 03:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
Amon Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 28 Drives: 09 370z Black AT7 Rep Power: 16	Awesome, thanks for the replies. Its only a smaller one like the Team Nissan on sticker on the rear in that pic so Ill try it with my nails this weekend before I wash the car.

04-10-2009, 03:04 AM	#7 (permalink)
Amon Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 28 Drives: 09 370z Black AT7 Rep Power: 16	Hrm, after a second look today, each letter looks individual... is this normal? I was thinking that it would just be one large piece with all of the letters on it.

04-27-2009, 12:16 AM	#12 (permalink)
nextlevel2k1 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 20 Drives: 09 370z BLK Auto7spd Rep Power: 16	I have a heat gun. Will the heat damage the paint?

04-29-2009, 01:56 AM	#14 (permalink)
Ace Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Calgary Posts: 55 Drives: Red 09 370Z CS M6 Rep Power: 16	Why risk using a heat gun when a hair dryer and your thumbs will work fine? I would hate to see you wreck your new cars paint job with a heat gun. A hair dryer will work fine and be less likely to damage your paint. Why risk it? I guess it is your car to do as you please with, but it would be a shame to see the paint wrecked.

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