A faded sticker on the tailgate, the washed-out outline of a message that has almost disappeared, the shadow of glue that sat in the sun for too long. It’s not just an aesthetic problem. It’s one of those things your eyes notice without meaning to.
But how do you remove those stickers that seem to have become part of the paintwork, without ruining the finish underneath?
You need method. You need calm. And you absolutely need the right product.
In this new guide you’ll find:
- What’s really behind every sticker
- How to remove glue and old stickers
- Glass, films, and that haze that remains
- The care—and the pleasure—of a job done properly
What’s really behind every sticker
Anyone who has ever tried to remove a sticker from a car knows it’s not simply a matter of “pulling it off.” Something remains… and not only physically—the glue, the dull shapes, the darker lines—but also in the feeling of damage that comes from the wrong gesture, the rushed attempt to erase it.
Fingernails, utility blades, improvised household solvents, alcohol, acetone—everything becomes a shortcut that may seem to work in the moment, but then leaves micro-scratches, streaks, discoloration. And in some cases, real “burn marks” in the clear coat.
A sticker doesn’t “come off in a second.” Why is it so difficult?
Car decals, especially promotional ones, event stickers, and decorative graphics, are designed to last: against rain, heat, friction. They’re not made to be removed easily.
The adhesive, in particular, tends to dry out, crystallize, and settle into the micro-pores of the surface. No longer a guest, but a tenant that has taken root.
The first step, then, is observation. Don’t rush.
Understand what kind of sticker it is and, if possible, how long it has been there. What kind of glue it left behind. Only then do you move to a more strategic—more operational—phase.
How to remove glue and old stickers
Removal should always start with softening. Don’t tear. Don’t scrape.
Soften it.
No knives, no metal scrapers. A hairdryer, held at a moderate distance, can already do a lot. Heat makes the adhesive more pliable—warming it without attacking the paint underneath.
After a few minutes, you can try lifting a corner with your fingers or with a soft plastic squeegee. If it releases easily, that’s a great sign.
But it’s rare for everything to go smoothly. Much more often, a trace remains: sticky, glossy, hard to remove with a simple cloth. That’s when you need a product that can dissolve without damaging.
Degreaser is a precious ally here. Designed to act on stubborn substances such as tar, resin, and rubbery residues, it has a specific formula that penetrates deeply without compromising the paint’s gloss.
Application is simple, but must be done with care.
First, make sure the car isn’t hot and that you’re working in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Shake the bottle. Then apply a small amount directly on the residue—or onto a Microfibre Cloth green—dab gently on the affected area, and let it work for a few minutes, without allowing it to dry. Finally, wipe away the product and rinse the surface thoroughly.
The key is not to scrub immediately. Give the product time to work.
When the glue begins to “let go,” only then proceed with light, controlled circular movements. If needed, repeat—always avoiding aggressive gestures. Patience is the best paint protection.
Another useful trick: work in small sections. If the sticker is large, split it mentally into quadrants and go one at a time.
But it doesn’t end there. Once the sticker is gone, an opaque outline often remains—like an imprint.
That’s when you move to a precision refinement step.
You can use a polish such as T47 Polish for light paints and T57 Polish for dark paints, with the appropriate applicators, to treat both the affected area and the surrounding zone and make them uniform—especially if the sticker has been on the car for years.
This step restores gloss and leaves the surface smooth and even.
Once the surface is clean and uniform, it’s ready for the next step: protection.
After any intense cleaning, paint needs nourishment—a shield. And in that sense, few things work as well as Polishing Protective Wax, a protective wax that spreads like a silk veil and, besides enhancing the original color, creates a barrier against future dirt.
Because it contains no abrasives, you can also apply it to exterior plastics and trims.
Apply it with Hand Pad Polishing and buff with Microfibre Cloth gold for a flawless finish—safe on all glossy paints and plastic details, with no risk of damage.
Final advice: always work in the shade. Never in direct sun.
Hot surfaces accelerate product evaporation and reduce effectiveness. Pick a quiet time—early morning or late afternoon—and give the process the attention it deserves.
Glass, films, and that haze that remains
If you’ve ever driven in heavy rain—or even in intense heat—with dirty windows, you know that annoying feeling: light passes through them, you see the landscape, but above all you protect safety behind the wheel. And often, unconsciously, glass cleanliness becomes a judgment on the care of the entire car.
That’s why, when removing a sticker from the windshield, a side window, or the rear glass, the goal can’t be simply “removing.” You must do it without leaving any trace.
Glass may seem tougher than paint, but it’s just as delicate: a worn scraper, a harsh motion, the wrong cleaner—and micro-abrasions appear. At first they’re invisible, but over time they can become permanent haze.
Here too, the key word is soften.
Again, Degreaser proves valuable: on glass it works precisely, dissolving adhesive residue deeply without attacking the surface.
The method is similar: spray a small amount onto the sticker (or the area where it was), let it sit for about a minute, then wipe gently with a microfiber cloth. No aggressive rubbing, no pressure. If the sticker is old and sun-baked, repeat the step.
Once the surface is free, move to cleaning and finishing.
Cleaning glass doesn’t mean making it “shiny like metal”—it means restoring optimal transparency.
Glass Cleaner is ideal: a professional, silicone-free cleaner for windows, windshields, mirrors, and all automotive glass surfaces, able to remove fingerprints, grease, acid rain residue, and leave glass clear without streaks.
Spray it onto a microfiber cloth like Microfibre Cloth orange (short-pile side), or, if you prefer, spray directly on the glass and wipe in controlled circular motions until clean and dry. No rinse needed. For an even cleaner finish, follow with a dry, clean cloth.
For a truly professional result, consider the Antifog Kit for interior glass and mirrors.
First, degrease and clean thoroughly with Glass Cleaner, then apply a small amount of product onto the TNT cloth (or the green microfiber included in the kit). Spread evenly on the inside surface using linear strokes from bottom to top, let it dry for about 15–60 minutes, then buff lightly with a second green microfiber to even out the layer and remove any excess.
This treatment removes invisible residue and helps prevent fogging during temperature changes—keeping visibility consistently sharp.
The care—and the pleasure—of a job done properly
Some cars speak through details—even when they’re parked outside your home. And yes, even through the small areas where there used to be a sticker, a logo, a phrase. Maybe a family memory, a symbol of youth, a passion once lived.
Removing them isn’t always just practical. Sometimes it’s a way to start over—to give the car, and yourself, a blank page.
But doing it well, with the right tools, is a form of respect. For the car, of course. But also for your time and for the gesture itself.
That’s why The Care offers products for those who don’t want to become professional detailers, but want results that look like it.
Because yes: even a “ten-minute job” can have an aesthetic and functional impact that lasts for months—if you use the right products, and use them correctly.
Exactly as a philosophy of mindful maintenance suggests—The Care’s idea of a culture of care that isn’t made of excess, but of details: small gestures that become part of a daily way of seeing.
Explore the full range of available products and let yourself be guided into a new idea of a cleaner, more enhanced, more personal car—because sometimes one small gesture is enough to change everything.