Muscle Car Decals: Tips for Putting Them On and Taking Them Off

Muscle car decals can add a personal touch to your vehicle, but putting them on may seem a bit intimidating. The installation and removal processes are actually far from complicated, but there are some things you can do to make the job easier. Here are a few tips to consider.

Tip 1 - Have a Clean Car for Install

When you want to put a decal on your car, start by thoroughly cleaning the area where the decal will go. Any dirt or dust that is on the surface of your vehicle will prevent the decal from sticking. By cleaning this off, you ensure the decal will be more secure. Use soap and water for an initial cleaning and then go over the area with an alcohol wipe for extra care.

Tip 2 - Plan the Location of the Decal

People will be able to tell if you just slapped a decal on your car. Ideally, you need to have an exact plan for the look of the accessory. Once you have an idea as to where you want the decal to go, stick it to the car with electrical tape so you can step back and see how things look. If you don't like the position, simply move it until you do. Then all you will have to do is actually install the decal.

Tip 3 - Get a Smooth Look

When installing the decal, just pull a small corner of the back off and stick it to the car. Then slowly peel the rest of it off, but flatten it down as you do this. Progress slowly all the way to the other side and then go over the whole thing with a credit card for a smooth surface. Clean everything off afterwards to really make the decal shine.

Tip 4 - Clean the Decal before Removal

You want to make sure you clean the decal off before trying to remove it because this will get rid of any dirt on the edges that may be helping the decal cling to the car. You can do this with a simple alcohol swab like before.

Tip 5 - Heat the Decal When Removing

When you want to remove your decal, use a hair dryer to heat it up. This helps release the adhesive in the back of the decal and will allow you to pull it up with less residue remaining. Some people may suggest to use a heat gun in this instance, but that could cause damage to your paint. A hair dryer is less powerful but will do the job just fine.

Tip 6 - How to Get off the Leftover Pieces

If you have stubborn pieces of the decal remaining, you can try to remove them them with a kitchen spatula. You may also use a putty knife, but be careful not to scratch your car with that. You may want to use a hair dryer again on these pieces to get them ready to come off.

Tip 7 - Remove the Adhesive

When adhesive remains on the surface of your car, use tar remover to get it off.