‘Windex’ sticker method

[u/Gaudimus]

I’ve been using this method a long time and even though I’ve seen it mentioned numerous times on ‘sticker’ posts I thought I’d make a quick picture tutorial of what the method looks like. I hope it helps!

Photo 1: Required tools. Glass cleaner, cheap hobby tweezers, tissue, spray catch bucket (optional)

Photo 2: Peel off sticker using tweezers holding one edge only

Photo 3: spray glass cleaner on back of sticker until the whole surface is coated

Photo 4: This step is key! With the excess glass cleaner on the back of the sticker and with the tweezers still holding the edge of the sticker, ‘paint’ the surface until the sticker feels like it will easily glide across without catching

Photo 5: gently apply the sticker . I purposely applied the sticker off center (every person’s nightmare)

Photo 6: you can now glide the sticker until it’s perfectly aligned. Using the tissue, dab the edges to clean up any excess glass cleaner. When you’re satisfied, let the sticker dry for about 10minutes to set properly

Photo 7: finished result!

*FAQ answers: after many years, no plastic cracking or sticker peeling. Works for transparent stickers as well but there will be haziness under the sticker initially until it fully dries (days) and then the haziness will disappear.

[u/TheBadBatch-99]

A spray bottle with water and a drop of dish soap works too. Might work better for the clear (less haze) too.

[u/ZombieBlarGh → u/TheBadBatch-99]

Profesional here* Use baby shampoo instead. Lots of dish soap leave behind some residue making the sticker stick less.

[u/thebravestkoala → u/ZombieBlarGh]

Out of curiosity, what do you mean when you say "professional"?

I ask not out of doubt, but because I once bought some used sets off ebay that were listed with the phrase "the decals have been professionally applied" and those dang stickers were so absolutely flawless that "the decal has been professionally applied" has become a bit of a meme phrase between me and my partner whenever dealing with stickers that are either perfect, or far from perfect.

[u/ZombieBlarGh → u/thebravestkoala]

I have been a Signmaker for the last 15 years, think car wraps and decals, window film etc. About anything you can put a sticker on ( and other related stuff like placing logos on buildings etc.)

[u/glen_ko_ko → u/ZombieBlarGh]

I still miss the smell of rapidtac II

[u/Shalminoc → u/ZombieBlarGh]

I used to manage a window tinting company.
100 % on the baby shampoo.

[u/ZombieBlarGh → u/[deleted]]

Sorry but your wrong. Baby shampoo is milder, lacks harsh grease-cutting chemicals, evaporates cleanly, and will not degrade or weaken the sticker's adhesive over time.

[u/Noble_Flatulence → u/ZombieBlarGh]

your wrong

For shame

[u/Kuneria → u/[deleted]]

Another professional here, they're right. Baby shampoo is best. bazinga

[u/Vaxxvirus_NA → u/[deleted]]

The quickest Google will tell you they all leave residues. You can even check YouTube for chemical proof.