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Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2026 8:36 pm
by mrs.smith2012
Evening all,
Does anyone have any tips for removing adhesive lettering WITHOUT damaging paintwork?
Nellie has her previous name spelled out on her boot with those silver adhesive letters you get from Halfords… looks very smart but obviously I’ll be removing them to replace them with her new name. I’ve seen LOTS of hacks online from hairdryers and dental floss to olive oil and peanut butter
I just wondered if any of you had undertaken a similar job and what method you used? I don’t mind putting some work into it but I’m nervous about damaging her paintwork.
Thanks
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2026 8:51 pm
by Chief
I'd reckon on the hair dryer / low setting hot air gun being the best way, you could if you were really worried just use a sponge and some hot water to heat the glue.
If they're old enough, you might be able to just use a finger nail.
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2026 8:58 pm
by mrs.smith2012
Chief wrote: ↑Wed Jan 07, 2026 8:51 pm
I'd reckon on the hair dryer / low setting hot air gun being the best way, you could if you were really worried just use a sponge and some hot water to heat the glue.
If they're old enough, you might be able to just use a finger nail.
Thanks, they are pretty solid so will take some work I think. I’ll try the hairdryer method to pop the letters off, it’s just the residue that’s left. One video I watched suggested rubbing alcohol but would that be ok for the paint?
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2026 9:19 pm
by Chief
I think it would be okay, there used to be a product called something like goo off from lakeland, that I saw people reocmmend.
I can however say not to use lighter fluid (or maybe it was tar remover, many years ago now) to remove stuff from standard Minor paintwork (non-lacquered) because it doesn't do it any favours. It looks fine, but then it makes the paint weird.
I only know this as at my old house, the neighbours had workmen in to paint their house, and they managed to put drops of paint all over the roof, and so I tried to get rid of it.... which I did... but the paint suffered... not long after the car had been resprayed..... *sigh*.
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2026 9:23 pm
by svenedin
Chief wrote: ↑Wed Jan 07, 2026 9:19 pm
I think it would be okay, there used to be a product called something like goo off from lakeland, that I saw people reocmmend. I guess tar remover may also work.
I can however say not to use lighter fluid to remove stuff from standard Minor paintwork (non-lacquered) because it doesn't do it any favours. It looks fine, but then it makes the paint weird.
I only know this as at my old house, the neighbours had workmen in to paint their house, and they managed to put drops of paint all over the roof, and so I tried to get rid of it.... which I did... but the paint suffered... not long after the car had been resprayed..... *sigh*.
Yes I agree. Unless you know that your Minor has been painted with modern two-pack paint it is advisable to avoid using solvents as they can dissolve or otherwise damage cellulose paint. With my modern car (modern paint) I have found Xylene to be very effective at removing adhesive residue from the number plate sticky pads. Xylene is totally unsuitable to use on cellulose paint.
Stephen
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2026 9:28 pm
by mrs.smith2012
Aah yes I’ve heard of goo off. I’ll take a look around, I wonder if Halfords would have anything… her paintwork is all original (except the bonnet) so I want to be careful!
Thank you for the tips
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2026 9:29 pm
by mrs.smith2012
Chief wrote: ↑Wed Jan 07, 2026 9:19 pm
I think it would be okay, there used to be a product called something like goo off from lakeland, that I saw people reocmmend.
I can however say not to use lighter fluid (or maybe it was tar remover, many years ago now) to remove stuff from standard Minor paintwork (non-lacquered) because it doesn't do it any favours. It looks fine, but then it makes the paint weird.
I only know this as at my old house, the neighbours had workmen in to paint their house, and they managed to put drops of paint all over the roof, and so I tried to get rid of it.... which I did... but the paint suffered... not long after the car had been resprayed..... *sigh*.
Ouch! Thanks for that.. sorry you had to learn the hard way!
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2026 11:26 pm
by panky
Try a length of fishing line to slice them off and panel wipe to remove the adhesive, or it might just polish off with T cut.
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 7:14 am
by Wes
This is my go to product for lots of cleaning tasks incl getting sticker adhesive off surfaces:
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paint ... gJNBfD_BwE
Some advocate Olbas Oil
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 10:04 am
by mrs.smith2012
Thanks, there is a Halfords near me so when it’s a little bit warmer out I’ll try this
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 10:24 am
by Mr Spigot
If you go to Halfords, you can get your MMOC 7% discount.
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 1:46 pm
by mrs.smith2012
Mr Spigot wrote: ↑Thu Jan 08, 2026 10:24 am
If you go to Halfords, you can get your MMOC 7% discount.
Unfortunately no… apparently Halfords don’t do that anymore… or so I have been informed by Halfords
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 2:51 pm
by geoberni
mrs.smith2012 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 08, 2026 1:46 pm
Mr Spigot wrote: ↑Thu Jan 08, 2026 10:24 am
If you go to Halfords, you can get your MMOC 7% discount.
Unfortunately no… apparently Halfords don’t do that anymore… or so I have been informed by Halfords
The perils of dealing with Halfords employees.
Go to the Members area of the MMOC website and you'll find the coupon to download which is valid until
25 September 2026
.
- COUPON REDACTED.jpg (259.42 KiB) Viewed 37094 times
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 4:11 pm
by mrs.smith2012
geoberni wrote: ↑Thu Jan 08, 2026 2:51 pm
mrs.smith2012 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 08, 2026 1:46 pm
Mr Spigot wrote: ↑Thu Jan 08, 2026 10:24 am
If you go to Halfords, you can get your MMOC 7% discount.
Unfortunately no… apparently Halfords don’t do that anymore… or so I have been informed by Halfords
The perils of dealing with Halfords employees.
Go to the Members area of the MMOC website and you'll find the coupon to download which is valid until
25 September 2026
.
COUPON REDACTED.jpg
Fantastic! Thanks so much!
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 5:45 pm
by Mr Spigot
It’s been working for me the last few months. You sometimes get asked for your MMOC membership card though, the only time I’ve ever needed it!
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 6:14 pm
by mrs.smith2012
Mr Spigot wrote: ↑Thu Jan 08, 2026 5:45 pm
It’s been working for me the last few months. You sometimes get asked for your MMOC membership card though, the only time I’ve ever needed it!
I literally took my card to the store and showed it to them and they said sorry but we don’t do that anymore. Anyway now I know better I can be prepared next time, thanks!
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 8:14 pm
by geoberni
mrs.smith2012 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 08, 2026 6:14 pm
Mr Spigot wrote: ↑Thu Jan 08, 2026 5:45 pm
It’s been working for me the last few months. You sometimes get asked for your MMOC membership card though, the only time I’ve ever needed it!
I literally took my card to the store and showed it to them and they said sorry but we don’t do that anymore. Anyway now I know better I can be prepared next time, thanks!
Yeah, all they know is to scan the barcode on the coupon, rather than anything else.
I think it's a generic coupon format; perhaps only the barcode tracks it as MMOC Member, so Head Office can see how worthwhile it's been.
If you read the small print on the coupon, they scan it like they would any product and it instead deducts the 7%.
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2026 8:49 pm
by mrs.smith2012
Thank you, that’s really good to know!
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 9:36 am
by Biggles1957
WD40 is effective on a lot of sticky things! Dental floss to 'saw' the letters off, then WD40 on the residue
Re: Tips for removing adhesive lettering
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 10:43 am
by mrs.smith2012
Biggles1957 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 09, 2026 9:36 am
WD40 is effective on a lot of sticky things! Dental floss to 'saw' the letters off, then WD40 on the residue
Aah I think we have some of that! Excellent, when this rain stops I’ll have a go!