Windshield Decals (Removal)

mantta · #1 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 01:33 PM

I put a windshield decal (city sticker) on my truck and it is not in the proper place according to the City Police. Does anyone know a way to remove these things without damaging them too bad and putting them back on? I know that the glass people do it but have never watched them. I have heard that soaking them with starting fluid works but I would prefer to hear from someone that has had experience with this.

66 Ranger · #2 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 08:16 PM

Removal of the sticker depends on how it is constructed. If it is a paper backed sticker, you might get it off by warming it with a hairdrier and then working a NEW razor blade under one corner and seeing what happens. It may come off. Be careful, though, there are some stickers that have the adhesive applied in a pattern so that when you remove it the authorities can tell that it has been 'tampered' with. The plastic stickers can sometimes be removed the same way but be careful and don't tear it. Stickers are a way of showing some authority somewhere that you have payed a certain 'tax' for some 'privelage'. Different juridictions have their own type of stickers and some are more tamperproof then others. I'd stay away from any chemical adhesive remover as they tend to melt the adhesive away and then there is no way to reattach the sticker. Good luck

jrs_big_ford_f150 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-27-2003, 09:02 AM

If they are anything like our military vehicle pass stickers like the one on my truck then beware, you might have to get a new one. You put a razor to the military ones and they just shred into a lot of little pieces.

wolfmanagh · #4 (**permalink**) 01-27-2003, 05:44 PM

when they say wrong place what do they mean? Around here MN D.O.T. will put them in either the lower left or lower right corner of the front windshield. As long as it doesn't block your vision I don't see a problem. Check your local laws on that or ask the local police to show you the law that prohibits it from certain spots. They should be able to do that, if they can't I would start to wonder if they know what they are talking about.

mantta · #5 (**permalink**) 01-27-2003, 05:59 PM

I purchased the truck out of state and there were no stickers on the windshield. We have an inspection decal and a city sticker (to proove you have paid your personal property taxes) on the windshield placed to the right of the center of the windshield and they are placed next to each other. Well, I got the city sticker before I got it inspected so I put it on the window judging on where it was placed on the car. When I went to get it inspected, the inspector said that it is supposed to be just to the right of the windshield wiper arm pivot. Well, I am about 10 inches off from where it is supposed to be. It is going to stay there till next year when I renew it if I can get away with it, or, if I can remove and re-attach it I will. I am in Virginia, we have a sticker for everything!

BuddyB · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-2003, 05:24 PM

Before you scrape it off, cover it with scotch tape across it, this way it will pretty much stay in one piece. I've done this on my numerous vehicles I've had in the the military.
It might not stick back to the window, but at least you have the sticker in tact and maybe can take it back to DMV or whoever and get a new one.

Buddy