How to remove stickers from metal without damaging them

Posted on 18 November 2016
By Isabel Greverath

Removing a sticker is a tedious and time consuming work. However, with the right knowledge and resources available you will get quick results. Have a look on Dr. Stickers advices for easy removal of stickers.

Table of Contents Show

Removing your stickers
Removing stickers using a hair dryer or heat gun
Sticker removal with a steam cleaner
Adhesive remover
Remove adhesive residuals with adhesive remover
Can you remove glue from metal?
How to remove adhesive from metal
How to remove glue from metal
Removing glue from metal: Start with the best glue
What is the easiest way to remove stickers from metal?
How do you remove stickers from metal intact?
How do you get stickers off surfaces without damaging them?

Removing your stickers

Forget the well-intentioned household tips from your grandmother, like removing a sticker with peanut butter or orange peel. Unfortunately it seems to be nonsense. The longer the sticker sticks to the surface, the more difficult it will be to remove it. There are a lot of variables which influence the result. Beside the sticker, the type of surface plays a big role in this procedure. Find here some tools for removing stickers and adhesive residues.

Removing stickers using a hair dryer or heat gun

Using the heat from a hair dryer or a heat gun can be used to remove labels and other stickers from any surface. Heat up the adhesive until it will be soft again. Then you will be able to slowly peel the sticker off. Please pay attention not to use extreme heat for certain surfaces. Otherwise coatings and shields for example can easily be damaged.

Sticker removal with a steam cleaner

Steam is one of the fastest and most effective method for easily and safely removing stickers and vinyl graphics. Especially for bigger areas a steam cleaner will be an important tool. It ensures that the whole surface will be once at the right temperature. This allows you to remove the whole sticker in one time. Even the retro reflective film shows effect. This hard and rigid film has to be heated until you will be able to remove it very carefully as flat as possible (i.e. in a angle of 30 degrees to the surface).

Adhesive remover

There is also an option available using a adhesive remover. Adhesive remover is ideal for removing stickers or adhesive residue without heating the surface. For large areas, such as a car wrap or glass etched foils, which are difficult to take off, it will be a convenient solution to save time and money. Have a look on the video to see how easy it is. Always check the instructions for the right usage. Here you will find a short resume:

Do not wait longer than 30 minutes to start removing
Spread the liquid equally on the surface
Protect surfaces / edges without stickers
Not suitable for very thick type of films
Printed & laminated graphics has to be treated in two steps. You start removing the lamination before you will take of the vinyl graphic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlNqlxu4H7s rel="nofollow"

Remove adhesive residuals with adhesive remover

There are a lot of different types of adhesive removers available. For the best result you can better look for a professional product, which is designed for this very purpose. Altogether it will save you a lot of time and money. Cleaning a surface from simple residuals can be done with a surface cleaner. This product can also be used to prepare the surface for new stickers. If you find a surface with hard and rigid residual you can better chose the adhesive remover. Here you will find some more information about these products.

Sticker and glue residue on an otherwise shiny metal surface are a nuisance. Follow a few simple steps to remove adhesives from metal surfaces in a flash and get back to creating the perfect DIY home project.

Can you remove glue from metal?

Whether you’re using metal to fix legs on a table or to create an art sculpture using scrap metal, gluing it with a strong adhesive is much easier than welding. However, sometimes spills and glue drips happen and will need to be removed correctly. Lucky for you, with a few steps, it is pretty easy to get adhesives off metal!

When removing stickers from metal you need to be careful. Chemical removing agents can damage the surface and you cannot use anything abrasive since that would leave marks. Instead, here’s what you do:

Apply vegetable oil to the area. Let it soak in for a few hours.
Use a hair dryer on a warm setting to soften the glue. Wipe off the sticker residue. Note: the dryer should not be on the hot setting!
Clean the area using hot soapy water and a cloth.

How to remove adhesive from metal

If you opt for a strong super glue, most DIY projects will come together perfectly. Occasionally, however, there will be some spillage from the tube.

Have no fear, removing glue from metal and painted metal is simple if you have a few tools. You will require:

acetone or mineral spirits
rags or clean cloths
sandpaper

How to remove glue from metal

Use a fine grade sandpaper. Smooth down adhesive puddles and residue once the glue has fully dried. Be careful not to damage the metal surface.
Use a safety razor to pry away large blobs that the sandpaper won’t help with. Again, take care with the surface.
Dab a clean rag or soft cloth in acetone (commonly found in nail polish remover) to remove excess glue from metal. Mineral spirits are an alternative to acetone.
Wipe excess. Use another clean cloth or rag to wipe any excess acetone or mineral spirits from the metal.

Removing glue from metal: Start with the best glue

For your future metal projects, start off right with a quality glue that is designed for your surfaces. Hit the ground running with a tube of epoxy like Loctite Epoxy Metal/Concrete. This superb adhesive works on appliances, tools, lawnmowers, automotive components, and even pipes. The two-part system, containing an epoxy and a hardener, helps to form a durable and high strength bond that dries in minutes and can be used to repair, fill, and rebuild all metal and concrete surfaces.

If you need an even superior bond, Loctite Super Glue Liquid is reliable and fast. Strong and simple to use, it is weather and moisture resistant. It also sets in seconds, doesn’t need clamping, and dries clear!

For ultimate control, try Loctite Super Glue Ultra Liquid Control, featuring the Loctite side-squeeze designed applicator. This is the ideal choice for jobs that require a very precise application.

What is the easiest way to remove stickers from metal?

How to remove stickers and sticker residue from metal.

Apply vegetable oil to the area. Let it soak in for a few hours..

Use a hair dryer on a warm setting to soften the glue. Wipe off the sticker residue. Note: the dryer should not be on the hot setting!.

Clean the area using hot soapy water and a cloth..

How do you remove stickers from metal intact?

How to Remove Stickers from Metal.

Method One..

Start by gently scratching off the adhesive with a credit card or scraper..

Apply a small amount of WD-40 onto a cloth..

Rub the cloth over the sticker until it peels off..

Mix a few drips of dish soap into a bowl with warm area..

Wash the warm area and dry..

Does WD

WD-40 Multi-Use Product is a no-nonsense, easy solution to remove any sticker stain and residue without damaging the surface. Suitable for glass, plastic, metal, and many other surfaces.

How do you get stickers off surfaces without damaging them?

Wet a paper towel or clean rag with rubbing alcohol, and rub the residue to lift it off. For stubborn stickers, lay an alcohol-soaked rag on the area, and let it sit for several minutes to soften the residue. Use the rag to rub off what's left behind.