Using vinyl is one of the most frequent techniques for decorating glass. This applies from decorating store windows to drinking glasses at home.
However, decorations are like trends, we get bored of them. No matter how good the decoration is, sometimes we get sick of it. This means a need to remove it.
Key Takeaways
Peel off the vinyl
The easiest way to start the vinyl removal process is to remove as much vinyl as you can with a tweezer or razor blade. Although it takes some time and energy, it is the most efficient way to get rid of the sturdy material.
To make things a bit easier, you can use a heat gun too, but be careful.
Wet your vinyl
Whether it is vinyl lettering or print, rub it with a piece of cloth dipped in white vinegar. This will soften the leftover vinyl and make it easy to remove.
Wipe the glass with alcohol
To ensure you got rid of all the vinyl, dip a piece of cloth into rubbing alcohol. Now wipe the glass surface where the vinyl was to get rid of any residue.
If you are looking for the easiest and most efficient ways of removing vinyl from glass, we’ve got you covered.
How To Remove Vinyl From Glass?
Removing vinyl from glass is quite simple. You just need patience and a little elbow grease.
Whether you are getting rid of vinyl lettering or vinyl stickers, the process is the same. Just follow these basic steps.
Method 1: Start peeling off vinyl from the glass
No matter what type of vinyl sticker you have on the glass, all you need is a pair of tweezers or a sharp razor blade for scratching.
This will take time to do. Try and peel off as much vinyl as you can, especially for vinyl lettering because it is usually thinner.
A new razor blade is recommended to get right under the print. So dedicate some time and energy to it because it will make the following steps easier.
If you are dealing with thin glass be careful not to push down too much. The last thing you want is to crack or break the glass.
Method 2: Wet the vinyl
Frequently, liquids can sufficiently soften and loosen glue, enabling you to fully remove it from the glass surface. Use white vinegar to wet the area where the print is.
As permanent vinyl tends to leave behind residue on the glass, so apply a few drops of rubbing alcohol to the glass in order to eliminate any lingering adhesive marks.
Method 3: Wipe everything with rubbing alcohol
Now it is time to make sure there is no adhesive residue left on the glass. Place some rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball and rub the area.
This will remove oily stains and polish the glass. There should be no evidence of a vinyl sticker ever being present.
Here is another alternative for removing vinyl from glass. First heat it up with a heat gun or a hair dryer. Be careful, especially if you are dealing with thin glass, you don’t want it to crack.
The heat will make the vinyl melt. This makes it easier to peel off and remove the residue.
What Are The Best Tools For Removing Vinyl From Glass?
If you have a lot of vinyl film to remove from your glass surface and you want to make sure you have the right equipment to make this process quick and successful, then these are some of the tools you need to have.
- Tweezers and sharp blades
- Plastic scraper
- Source of heat – hair dryer, heat gun
- Rubbing alcohol or vinegar
- A piece of cloth – preferably cotton
This equipment is all you need for removing vinyl decals. But even if you don’t have all of them at home right now, you can always find substitutes that will help get similar results.
Does Permanent Vinyl Come Off Glass?
Although most people believe permanent vinyl lettering can’t be taken off of glass, the truth is all the techniques we have mentioned above will work well and remove it within an hour.
While permanent vinyl is made of more durable material, it doesn’t mean that it will last forever when it is faced with a razor blade and with a hair dryer.
Permanent vinyl lasts longer when it faces daily obstacles like wind, constant use, scratches, and similar things, but when faced with the tools you usually use to remove the vinyl from glass, it will come off quickly, so you don’t have to worry about it staying there forever.
If you are dealing with permanent vinyl, I would always recommend using a good heat gun before you try to peel it off with a razor blade because this will make the vinyl a lot softer, and it will start falling off the moment you scrape it with a blade.
It will take a bit more time than it would take you with regular vinyl, but you don’t have to worry about letters staying on for good.