Sun Visor Decal Removal

I pulled off those annoying decals from the visor and need something to get the residue off. Tried rubbing alcohol but need something a bit stronger. Any suggestions?

 

There’s a sticker on the visor?

 

Yea the yellow warning decals on the sun visors

 

They did a bad job. 5000 km and I didn’t notice. I’ve not been warned

 

HA!

 

I might use the term “more effective” rather than “stronger”.

As one who spent 40+ years doing R&D in polymer science and technology, especially coatings and adhesives, my go-tos for removing residues are (1) mineral spirits and (2) isopropyl alcohol.

Mineral spirits is a (mostly) mix of hydrogenated linear organic molecules. Technically, it’s a nonpolar hydrocarbon, with no significant electrostatic charge differences along the chains

Isopropyl alcohol differs in that the molecule contains oxygen (that’s how it’s an alcohol) and as a result is a polar molecule. The slight separation of charge on the molecule lets it dissolve materials a nonpolar solvent won’t.

It’s rare that one or the other of those two solvents won’t dissolve a pressure sensitive adhesive while being gentle enough not to damage most substrates.

Let chemistry be your friend and try one and then the other on what’s left of your stickers.
Note that ”rubbing alcohol” is often only 70% IPA in water, and that dilution will sometimes prevent it from effectively dissolving some adhesive goo. 99% isopropyl alcohol is better.

The risk of stronger solvents, like say, acetone, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, or others is that they have a lot greater chance of attacking your substrate.

Xylene, as in Goof Off, might be an option too. It’s usually gentle enough not to damage a substrate.

But test any new material first before going to town.

 

I used goo gone and then simple green. Worked great but I also did it on day 1

 

Cool thanks...I have some of that laying around here..The decals peeled off very easy

 

Wait…

You mean you’re allowed to remove those stickers? I thought those were like mattress and furniture tags.

Learn something new every day.

On a serious note, good chemical info.

 

I used goo gone and just soap and water done in 10 min

 

Just got done worked perfectly