How to Clean Off Old Vehicle Inspection Stickers?
2 Answers
Here are the methods to clean off old vehicle inspection stickers from your car: 1. If the windshield does not have a tint film, first apply a hot towel to warm and moisten the inspection sticker. Once soaked, the sticker can be peeled off easily. If it doesn't come off completely, use various types of cards like bank cards, membership cards, or phone cards to scrape it off. Alternatively, you can try using a razor blade, such as a shaving blade. 2. If the windshield has a tint film, use a cloth dipped in a small amount of 75% alcohol and repeatedly wipe the area where the sticker is placed. Do not spray alcohol directly on the glass as it may damage the film. 3. Use a hairdryer on the hot setting and blow air back and forth around the sticker to peel it off. 4. Apply some oil, such as peanut oil or essential balm, to the old inspection sticker. After some time, it can be peeled off easily. 5. Pour a basin of hot water, add some dish soap, and soak a cloth in it. Apply the hot cloth to the sticker, press for a few minutes, and then wipe it off.
I used to clean the annual inspection stickers on the windshield by first heating them with a hairdryer. This softens the adhesive, allowing them to peel off easily. For stubborn residue, I’d use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol and patiently wipe it away over a few minutes. Never use your nails to scrape them off, as this can easily scratch the glass surface. Later, I got smarter—before applying new stickers, I’d apply a thin layer of hand cream to the glass, making them much easier to remove next time. It’s also handy to keep electrostatic stickers in the car; you can stick the annual inspection labels directly onto them, leaving no trace when it’s time to replace.
