Best Ways to Remove Sticky Material from Car Window — A Complete Guide

When it comes to stickers on cars, one of the most likely places you can find them is on the windshield in the car. Stickers, if they are placed in your line of sight, can disrupt your view of the roads and can cause distraction, which is why it becomes crucial to remove them properly and safely. Mostly, stickers on car glass can be stubborn and are often a struggle to remove as they tend to leave residue behind. However, if you are worried about getting them removed properly, some sure-shot ways can help you out.

Given below are some of the best ways to remove stickers from your windshield without damaging it –

Soapy Water

First, start peeling the sticker diagonally so that you can remove the majority of the sticker. Once the sticker is removed, the paper from the back of the sticker, the torn portion of the sticker (if any), and the adhesive residue will be left behind. The most basic way of removing this from your windshield in a car is to use soapy water. Use a bucket and fill it with warm water and a little bit of dish soap or liquid detergent. Mix it well and use a rag to begin soaking the adhesive so that the glue starts to absorb the moisture. Do this a couple of times until the glue is completely soaked. After the glue is soaked, use your fingers or a plastic scraper or the rag to remove it. Once the adhesive is out, clean the glass area with water and pat it dry with a soft cloth.

Window Cleaning Detergent

You can also use your trusty window cleaning detergent to remove the sticker. All you have to do is spray the window cleaner onto the sticker and leave it on for a few minutes. Then check if the sticker has gone soft or if it is slipping when you touch it. You can use a plastic scraper to scrape out the sticker gently without harming the windshield in the car once it is soft. Wipe the glass dry with a paper towel to make it look clean.

Rubbing Alcohol

Another solution that works quite well is to use rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol. Take a dry paper towel and put some rubbing alcohol on it. Then, use the towel to completely soak the sticker on your windshield glass. You will soon see that the sticker is starting to get soft and wrinkled. Use a plastic scraper or a plastic card to scrape out the sticker. If there is any residue left, you can use a fresh paper towel soaked in alcohol to rub it away.

Baking Soda

Baking soda works wonders on stickers. Using baking soda is also completely harmless as it is non-toxic. All you have to do is add some baking soda to half a cup of everyday cooking oil. Mix the solution and dab it on the sticker. Give it some time to soak, and then peel the sticker off from the edges. You can use a plastic card, a plastic scraper, or your fingers to peel it away. But, you need to be aware that baking soda should not be used, if the glass has been tinted as it will damage the tint.

Adhesive Cleaner

A sure-shot way of getting the sticker removed in a jiffy is to use an adhesive cleaner. An adhesive cleaner is specially formulated to soften the adhesive; thereby, removing it easily. All you have to do is use the adhesive remover and spray it on the sticker. Give a couple of minutes for the sticker to get properly soaked. After it has been soaked, you can easily peel it or scrape it away with a plastic scraper. After removal, you can use a cloth soaked in a window-cleaning detergent to clean the area; and to make the windshield look as good as new.

When removing stickers, you must find a way to do it without scratching or harming the windshield in the car as it is one of the most vital of car components. Nonetheless, as a car owner, you should follow some fundamental tips to keep your car’s windshield clean. 

Top Fundamental Tips to Clean Your Windshield

You must know that cleaning your windshield at least once a week is critical, even if it does not look too dirty to ensure a longer lifespan of the wipers. Invisible dust starts to accumulate around the edges and grooves of your car’s wipers and can eventually damage them.

Now, let’s move on to the step-by-step guide on cleaning your car’s windshield on a daily basis:

Plan Your Cleaning

Cleaning the windshield should be the last thing you do if conducting a thorough clean-up of your vehicle. Otherwise, there will be chances of spilling or dropping liquids on its spotless surface when cleaning other areas. Also, park your car in the garage or shade before beginning to clean. If the vehicle is parked out in the sun, the glass cleaner might evaporate even before you begin to scrub it off.

Get all the Equipment Ready

First, choose a good-quality ammonia-free glass cleaner. Plain water is also a great cleaner but it is not as effective. Use your cleaner with a high-quality microfiber towel. If you have difficulty reaching the different areas of your windshield, use a step-stool to gain some height. 

Start with Cleaning the Exterior

Lift the wipers so that the area beneath them gets cleaned as well. Leave them in that position for the entire duration of the cleaning process. Now spray one-half of the windshield with two or three squirts of glass cleaner. If your windshield is huge, you may need to use four or five squirts.

Begin Wiping Vertically

With your microfiber rag in hand, extend your arm to the upper centre of the windshield and bring it straight down along the central vertical line of your windshield. Return your hand to the top of the windshield, but now, slightly towards the side, you’re standing on. Wipe another vertical line down parallel to the first and continue wiping one-half of the windshield in this way, progressively moving closer to the side you’re standing on. You may use the step-stool to reach all the areas.

Switch to Horizontal Wipes

Once you’ve completed a vertical wipe-down, switch to a horizontal direction. Start again at the upper centre of the windshield and drag the towel straight out toward your side. Then, wipe another row just below the first one and toward the same side. Continue in this manner until half of the windshield is cleaned completely. Repeat the Pattern on the Other Half

Now repeat the same process to clean the other half of the windshield. If, in this entire process, you need to go over a certain spot more than once, wipe over it with a straight back-and-forth motion. In case of chips or cracks, you must get the required auto glass repairs from trusted service providers like Windshield Experts before they worsen.

Finish with Buffing

Now you have to buff the windshield with a fresh piece of hand towel by moving your hand in a circular motion. Start on one side of the vehicle and move to the other side till the entire surface is covered. Depending on the size of your windshield, you might need several clean microfiber towels to wipe off the cleaner completely.

Clean the Inner Side

Cover the dashboard with used microfiber towels so that any glass cleaner doesn’t get dripped on it. Now spray some glass cleaner on a soft scrub pad and begin scrubbing. Start from the upper-right corner of the passenger’s side and move down the windshield in parallel rows, working your way to the driver’s side. Remain in the passenger seat or lean into the car from the side door to avoid bumping or hitting the steering wheel while cleaning.

Wipe dry

After that, use a dry microfiber towel to wipe through the entire surface and ensure there’s no liquid left behind. Move your hand around the entire surface of the windshield in a small, tight circle. Cleaning the windshield in this way will also protect it from potential damages and spare you from the windshield repair cost.

The Bottom Line

Are you looking for experts that can help you with your windshield-related issues? Look no further than AIS Windshield Experts. AIS Windshield Experts is India’s leading windshield repair and replacement network. Whether you are looking to handle windshield crack and chips or want to get a windshield replacement, we can offer the best windshield services for all your requirements. We use 100% genuine glass; sourced from Asahi India Glass Limited – a leading automotive glass manufacturer in India. Our team of experienced and well-trained experts follows all international safety norms and is equipped with world-class equipment to provide you with the best results. We offer a one-year warranty on our workmanship and materials used. Our 90+ conveniently located service centres and mobile vans can offer windshield solutions, both in-store and at your doorstep.

Reach out to us today!