Stickers - will they damage the paint?

[ruta87]

Hi All,

Just wondering if i put stickers on the car for the drive down to le mans is there a chance that they will take the paint off? should i avoid certain stickers or putting them in certain areas to avoid any damage?

thanks

[Boatbuoy]

Depends how well your car was prepped before painting. I've seen swaves of paint come off of a TVR door when a sticker was removed, but I had no issues with mine after last year. Assuming you use vehicle quality vinyl stickers, my top tip is to leave the car basking in summer sunshine (hard to imagine right now) before removing them. Failing that, a little warmth from a hairdryer will help. The heat softens the vinyl and its a lot more compliant! Also, take your time!

[The Surveyor]

In a word, Yes they will pull great lumps of paint off if you're not careful.

I've put stickers and stripes on my Tuscan and Chimaera in the past without any difficulties or loss of paint but a few tips which may help:-

Put 2 or 3 layers of good wax on the car before you put the stickers on, that way when you take them off, you peel off the wax, not the paint.

Take your time when you taken them off and use either a hair-dryer or hot water from a kettle to soften the adhesive and vinyl as you peel them off. I use a kettle full of hot water when I take mine off without any problems..... so far!

Paul