How to Remove the Shadow on a Window From Where a Decal Was

Decals can leave a dingy, sticky shadow on your window.

Customized decals are a great way to personalize the look of any car window or glass surface, but removing them can sometimes be difficult. If you have removed the decal and it left behind a sticky glue and a dingy shadow outline, there are a few simple tricks that you can use to restore your window to its original condition.

Things You'll Need

• Putty knife or plastic scraping tool
• White vinegar
• WD-40
• Sponge
• Clean water
• Dish soap
• Glass cleaner
• Dry cloth
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. 

   Soak the area in white vinegar to help break down the glue.

   Pre-treat the surface area for the cleaning process. Fill your spray bottle with white vinegar and apply it liberally to the area until any remaining pieces of paper and sticky adhesive are soaked in the solution. Allow to soak for five minutes. The vinegar will start to break down the glue so that it will be easier to remove.

2. 

   Use your putty knife to remove any loose adhesive.

   Loosen the glue by disrupting it with your scraping tool. Use the tool to gently push around any loose glue and debris. If some of the adhesive becomes loose enough to remove, scrape it off and dispose appropriately.

3. Remove the dark shadowed area and any remaining adhesive using WD-40. Apply a thick coat of the lubricant to the entire affected area. Allow it to soak in for about two minutes and then remove the adhesive using your scraping tool as you did before. The lubricant should loosen the remaining adhesive so that you can easily take it off.

4. 

   Use glass cleaner to improve the window's clarity.

   Clean the glass to restore your window to its original condition. Using a sponge and soapy water, scrub the area thoroughly to remove vinegar and WD-40 from the window. Once clean, use your cloth to dry the glass. For that extra bit of sparkle, use a glass cleaner to clean the entire window to improve its clarity.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a scraping tool that will not damage your window. Plastic and rubber tools will work much better than a razor blade.

• Complete this process in an open or well ventilated area. Materials used in this project are not toxic but are harsh enough that they may irritate some people. Use caution.

References

• Tip Nut: How to Remove Bumber Stickers
• Sign Idustry: Stripping Vinyl Graphics Made Easy