Will car stickers damage the paint over time?
2 Answers
Generally, car stickers will not damage the car paint over time, and there will be no damage when removing them. Typically, car paint can be divided into standard paint, metallic paint, pearl paint, and water-based paint. If the adhesive component of the sticker contains elements harmful to the paint, it may damage the paint surface. Below is an extended introduction: Sticker selection: Non-drying adhesive is the best choice, as its colors and materials are produced with special processes, ensuring the highest color durability when leaving the factory. Other sticker production methods, such as printing, spraying, photography, and screen printing, involve applying colored ink or screen onto a base film. With current technology, no pigment or ink can withstand long-term exposure to outdoor wind and sunlight.
As someone who has driven for over ten years, I believe stickers can definitely damage the car paint over time. I've applied some decorative stickers myself, and after a few years when I removed them, there were adhesive marks and scratches left on the paint. The adhesive oxidizes and can seep into the clear coat, causing the paint to yellow or develop spots. If the sticker is applied too tightly, improper removal can even scrape off the paint film. During regular car washes, dirt tends to accumulate at the edges of stickers, which over time can turn into corrosion spots, making the car look old. I recommend choosing high-quality sticker materials and avoiding cheap ones. If you do apply them, don’t leave them on for too long and regularly check the condition of the paint. If you really need to remove them, use a heat gun to carefully soften the adhesive first, then peel slowly and wipe gently. Avoid using hard tools to scrape, as this could cause permanent damage.
