Vehicle care
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Do not use Goof Off to remove sticker residue from your car.
It can etch the plastic or paint.
one person who lived it
Use a Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit to restore foggy headlights.
One user reported great results, making lights look brand new.
one person who lived it
Use a hair dryer to heat dealer stickers before peeling them off.
Heat helps remove the stickers cleanly.
one person who lived it
Use stainless steel screws for license plates.
for extra style points
one person who lived it
Consider adding a 'full glass' or 'glass deductible waiver' policy to your car insurance.
It costs a few dollars more per year and can cover headlights and tail lights in addition to glass.
one person who lived it
Rub a medium-hard sponge with toothpaste rapidly on foggy headlights to grind off oxidation.
Toothpaste acts as a grinding agent that removes oxidation.
- Ensure the sponge contains no wire or abrasive materials to prevent scratching.
one person who lived it
Wipe Meguiars PlastX onto headlights and wipe it off to restore clarity easily.
It works and is easier than multi-step sandpaper kits or toothpaste methods.
one person who lived it
Use Goo Gone to dissolve sticky residue left after peeling a sticker.
It is not caustic and will not damage paint like some other cleaners.
one person who lived it
Stop to exchange information with highway maintenance crews if your car is hit by debris from their mowers.
Crews may provide contact information for claims that are covered.
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Apply mayonnaise to a sticker overnight to let the oil dissolve the glue, then peel off the decal and wipe away the residue.
Mayo stays in place better than cooking oil while dissolving many kinds of glue.
one person who lived it
Replace branded dealership license plate frames with plain metal or clear covers.
It looks much cleaner.
one person who lived it
- Flip dealership license plate holders around to hide branding while retaining the frame.1
Be aware that police officers may use visible stickers as a pretext to pull you over if they disagree with the message.
Based on personal experience during police ridealongs.
one person who lived it
For 3D badges, warm them with a heat gun or hair dryer before removal, then clean the area with Goof Off or an oil-based gum remover.
- The gum remover may strip wax from the area; re-wax afterward.
one person who lived it
Apply a UV-resistant coating after polishing headlights to prevent haze from returning.
Haze appears because the original UV-resistant layer wears off; this step is vitally important.
one person who lived it
Require the dealership to remove all stickers and decals before you purchase the car or drive away.
- Some salespeople may react with offense, though others will comply immediately.
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