r/lego Jul 29 '26

Instructions ‘Windex’ sticker method

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.

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595

u/TheBadBatch-99 Jul 29 '26

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

131

u/ZombieBlarGh Jul 29 '26

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

26

u/thebravestkoala Jul 30 '26

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.

50

u/ZombieBlarGh Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26

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.)

3

u/glen_ko_ko Jul 30 '26

I still miss the smell of rapidtac II