Can Vinyl Stickers Go on Cars?: Are They Safe And Where Can You Put Them?

Vinyl stickers can easily stick to any clean, smooth surface. Whether it is wood, glass, metal, or plastic, no surfaces are off-limits. As long the surface is flat, the stickers will stick. They have unlimited creative potential, but what about cars?

Can Vinyl Stickers Go on Cars?

Yes, vinyl stickers can be used on cars. They are a great accessory to customize your car’s interior and exterior.

It will give your car a personal touch without having to spend a fortune on it. The vinyl adhesives are quick and easy to apply, and much easier to remove.

I bet you are now questioning how you can be sure that they are safe for your car…

Are Vinyl Stickers Safe for Cars?

Low-quality stickers may not be safe for your car. But OEM-grade high-quality vinyl is secure and backed with a durable adhesive that keeps them in one place without damaging the surface.

Truth be told, this is one of the biggest concerns that car owners have when deciding to purchase a sticker for their car.

Why Use Vinyl Stickers On Cars?

That is a good question. Why vinyl stickers? Here are a few reasons that I can think of,

• Some vinyl can be used for more than one time. Washing the adhesive side with water when it gets dirty will save you the money on more vinyl.
• Removable. Vinyl stickers are easy to remove, and if it is done right, it will not leave any adhesive residue on the car. I prefer Goo Gone to remove the stickers off of car
• Vinyl stickers are usually cheap and allow you to decorate the car if you are under the budget.
• Temporary advertisement. Car stickers also come in handy when you want to advertise something. Many merchants and companies use vinyl stickers for advertising their businesses. They can be a great source to promote specific products or services.

Best Place to Put Stickers in a Car:

Some places where your stickers might look great are,

• On the windshield
• On the windows
• The doors
• Stickers on the tank spice things up.
• Taillights

These are the perfect places to stick your vinyl stickers on. But if you’re still not sure on where to place it, you can always stick it to the car with an electrical tape, take a step or two back and see how it looks. This way you can position it best suited to your liking. But how will you apply a vinyl sticker?

How to Apply A Vinyl Sticker Like A Pro:

I found some easy ways through which you can apply them with ease. They are,

1) Applying on a clean surface

2) Applying in a moderate temperature

3) Using the wet method

4) Affixing the transfer tape

1. Apply on A Clean Surface:

a) Pre-wash the area where you will apply the vinyl sticker using soap and water. A mixture of water and rubbing alcohol may work too.

b) Start cleaning with the soapy mixture.

c) Rinse thoroughly with water until no soapy residue remains.

Note: Do not use any window-cleaning products. They will likely leave a residue behind, making the sticker cling less effectively.

2. Apply in a Moderate Room Temperature:

Installing the sticker away from direct light in a shaded area will give you the best results. 50°F-90°F is the best temperature recommended for this.

3. Use the Wet Method

Do you have a large sticker? Small vinyl stickers can easily stick using water. But for big stickers, this hack is a lifesaver.

After cleaning the car surface, wet the area again using a spray bottle with a solution of soap and water (5% / 95% is recommended).

Note: Apply the sticker while the surface is still wet.

This will keep the sticker from adhering immediately, giving you time to reposition if necessary. I prefer Goo Gone to remove the stickers off of car.

The area will dry in a few minutes, and leave your sticker rigidly attached.

4. Firmly Affix the Transfer Tape:

Many of the vinyl stickers come with three layers,

a) Transfer Tape. This is the top layer that clings to the sticker’s non-sticky side and holds it together.

b) The sticker. This is the middle layer.

c) Backing Paper. This is the bottom layer that clings to the adhesive side.

Before applying these stickers, it is essential to make sure that the sticker and the transfer tape are firmly pressed together. Apply pressure across the transfer tape evenly with a plastic card or a squeegee.

After applying the vinyl sticker, leave the transfer tape for some time (approx. 3 hours) in place before removing it gently.

Note: In winter, you’ll have to leave the transfer tape on for a little longer.

Now that you know the tricks used for applying stickers, you’ll be able to get it right easily!

How Do I Remove Vinyl Sticker from My Car?

If the steps are taken correctly, you can remove the sticker from the car without damaging your car’s paint. There may be many products that can easily remove adhesives, but only a few will leave the paint of your car unscathed. Follow the following steps to make sure your car’s paint stays unharmed.

1. Finish It Off with Soapy Water

Dirt and debris around the vinyl can scratch the paint when you try rubbing off the sticky residue, so you will want to clean it beforehand.

Get a sponge or cloth and some soapy water. Wash the vinyl sticker and the area surrounding it.

2. Heat the Adhesive

Heating an adhesive tends to weaken the chemical bonds holding them together. A hairdryer would be the best tool for this job.

Note: Don’t use a heat gun as it may be too powerful and can damage the paint job.

Remember to heat the edges evenly with the dryer. Heat it for at least two minutes straight before stopping.

3. Peel It Off

After heating it, immediately peel the vinyl sticker off before it cools down. Use plastic to peel, as razors and knives would harm your car. If the sticker is heated enough, the plastic will be sufficient in removing the sticker. Once the edges are removed using plastic, it would become easy to remove the rest of the vinyl.

4. Use A Glue Removal Product or Vinegar

There’s a chance that once the sticker comes off, there will still be some adhesive residue left on the car. It’s okay; some distilled vinegar or a glue removal should do the trick.

Grab a cloth and pour some vinegar on it. Rub the damp cloth on the adhesive residue to remove it.

An adhesive remover like Goo Gone will also work. Apply the product on a cloth and rub it onto the residue area.

FINAL VERDICT

The biggest concern some car owners have is whether that sticker will cause damage to a car’s paint, before deciding to place a sticker on their car. The concern is valid as car paint damage can be a time-consuming and costly issue.

But you don’t have anything to worry about. Vinyl stickers are perfectly safe for your cars. You can easily put vinyl stickers on your cars by following the steps listed below.