Is there anything more frustrating than a sticker that won’t come off glass? Whether it’s been placed on a home window or mirror by a mischievous child, or slapped on a storefront by a conniving customer, getting stickers, and the residue that inevitably follows, off of a glass surface can be a daunting task.
Thankfully, there are some effective techniques that we’ve learned over our many years in the glass replacement and repair industry. If you’ve got stubborn stickers on a glass surface in your home, vehicle or business, here are a few removal methods you can try.
Soap and Water
Some stickers can be successfully removed using hot water and a mild detergent. If the glass is something that can be soaked on its own, submerge it in a bin of hot water mixed with soap. If the surface in question is too large and/or cannot be moved, immerse a sponge in the soapy water and then apply it to the sticker for 15 to 30 minutes, ensuring that it soaks through. This should break down the bond that’s been formed between the glass and the glue of the sticker.
Once the sticker has been adequately soaked, you should be able to peel it off using either your fingers, the edge of a blunt knife or a razor scraper. Start at the corner and work your way down, being careful not to scratch the glass in the process.
Baking Soda
Baking soda has many beneficial purposes, one of which is the ability to unstick adhesives. If the hot soap and water method fails to remove the stubborn sticker, you can move on to this technique. First, mix a small amount of baking soda with some cooking oil (any kind will do) until it’s the consistency of a paste. Cover up any nearby surrounding surfaces using cloth, paper or masking tape. This will protect surfaces like wood, fabric or plastic from becoming damaged while you work to remove the sticker.
Rub the paste thickly onto the glass surface and sticker. Allow it to settle for about 10 to 15 minutes. If the sticker in question is particularly difficult to remove, you may need to leave the baking soda mixture on for a longer period, such as overnight. Once an appropriate amount of time has passed, the glue and sticker should have softened enough that it’ll be easy to scrub off along with the paste. If necessary, use steel wool or other abrasive material to remove the paste and sticker, but do so with great care.
Heat
Another effective way to remove stickers from a mirror, window or storefront glass is to apply heat. Most often, the use of an external heat source, such as a blow dryer, will be necessary. This is typically the case, even when the sticker is on glass that is exposed to the hot Dallas sun, such as on a car window or storefront glass.
To use this technique, set the dryer on the highest setting, turn it on and hold it steady so it blows hot air directly onto the front of the sticker for at least two minutes. Gently peel the sticker off immediately, starting at the corner and using your fingers, a dull knife or a flat razor blade. Once you’ve removed the sticker, use soap, oil or other washing agent to wipe the spot down and remove any remaining residue.
If you find yourself needing to remove a sticker from a glass surface, any one of the above techniques should make the process easier and more effective. Still have questions or need other help with your window, storefront or frameless shower enclosure? You can count on the experts at My Affordable Glass. Get in touch – we’d be happy to help!