For many people, removing vinyl wrap from their vehicle is a major headache. There are tons of DIY guides out there, but none are actually very effective. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you may end up with a destroyed paint finish, scratched car, or worse. If you do know what you’re doing, you may be in for some sticker shock. Vinyl adhesive kits can cost hundreds of dollars. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to remove vinyl wrap without damaging your paint job or getting stuck with an expensive bill. Let’s walk through some of them.
Some of the more common methods for removing vinyl adhesive include using a credit card, vinegar, an old toothbrush, a scrubbing pad, a metal scouring pad and soap. Each one has its own pros and cons. Here are some ways to choose which method to use:
Using a Credit Card
Did you ever know Vinyl Wrap can be used using credit card? Using a credit card is the simplest and least expensive way to remove vinyl. All you have to do is hold the vinyl up to a credit card while you hit the back of the card with your hammer. The vinyl will simply pull off. It works very well, but it’s also a little rough on the paint. It’s also a bit messy, so you may want to take precautions to prevent vinyl wrap from getting everywhere.
Using Vinegar
Another way to use vinegar is to use it to clean the vinyl wrap. The vinegar will remove the glue that holds the vinyl together, allowing you to pull it off. But, be careful. You don’t want to use vinegar to remove the entire wrap because it will eat through the vinyl and leave ugly, sticky residue. To prevent this, you should make sure that you only use a small amount of vinegar on a small area. After you have done that, wait for about thirty seconds. Then, wipe the vinegar residue off with a damp cloth. You can repeat this process a few times, but if you wait too long you may find that the vinyl comes off in big chunks instead of small pieces. It’s also a little messy.
Using an Old Toothbrush
An old toothbrush is another tool that you can use to remove vinyl wrap. Simply stick the brush into the soap or cleaning solution and scrub it along the vinyl wrap. Don’t overdo it, though, because you don’t want to ruin your paint job. Make sure that you only scrub along the bottom of the vinyl wrap and don’t try to scrape the vinyl off.
Using a Scrubbing Pad
If you want to remove adhesive quickly, you should use a scrubbing pad. The first thing that you should do is to wet the adhesive with water. Then, rub the pad over the adhesive. Once you are done rubbing, dry the adhesive with a paper towel. Make sure that you wipe the paper towel over the whole area that you are cleaning. A scrubbing pad isn’t as clean as using a credit card. You can scratch the paint with a scrubbing pad.
Using a Metal Scouring Pad
Use a scouring pad made out of aluminum. Make sure that you don’t use scouring pads with abrasive chemicals. Instead, get a scouring pad (amazon link) made out of a soft, nonabrasive material. Hold the vinyl wrap and place the scouring pad on top of it. Now, rub the vinyl wrap back and forth against the scouring pad. Start off slowly and gradually increase the pressure. You might want to put some pressure on the scouring pad so that it is making contact with the vinyl wrap.
Use Soap or Shampoo
Some experts recommend to use soap as a solvent. To do this, apply a small amount of shampoo to the vinyl, wait for a few minutes, and then scrape the shampoo off. If you don’t have shampoo, you can use dish soap instead. Sometime regular soap can work better than shampoo. It actually depends on you and your car paint type.
Use a Sharp Knife
A cheap knife will also work. Just make sure that you use the knife very carefully. If you try too hard, you might end up scratching the car paint. Never use a plastic knife or a metal knife that has a cutting edge. You can use it for this purpose, but be careful not to accidentally scratch your car.
Conclusion
A little bit of adhesive removal can go a long way towards increasing the lifespan of your car and saving you money over time. Removing vinyl wrap adhesive takes a bit of time and patience, but it’s totally worth it. Before starting any DIY project, always read the instructions and safety warnings and double check the materials before beginning. Once you’ve got everything set up and ready to go, follow one of these seven steps and remove vinyl wrap adhesive without causing damage to your paint.
