Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 (edited) I picked up a topper for my truck a couple days ago, got a pretty good deal on it (it's used). While it is in great condition, there is one thing I noticed that is kind of bugging me. The previous owners had some decals on it, on the two side windows and on the rear window and when it is wet you can see where they were. When dry you can't even notice it, and there is no texture or anything that suggest any residue left from stickers. Any idea on how to get it off? I didn't notice it until I was at the car wash spraying the truck down. I haven't tried Windex or anything yet. If that doesn't work, any other suggestions? Here is a picture I took of it, this is the back window, but it is also on the sides as well. If it were smaller it wouldn't be a huge deal, but all three are about 10-12 wide. Edited October 4, 2012 by Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 Are these windows glass or Lexan? Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted October 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 Are these windows glass or Lexan? Lynn Pretty sure they are glass. I'll check and make sure in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesbuck0401 Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 Goo-b-gone will remove any residue left by the decals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propeller head Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 Spray it with a cleaner and go over it with a razor blade it should take it off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 Goo-b-gone will remove any residue left by the decals This^. Put the stuff on and let it sit for a few minutes. My truck had two big trout stickers on the back window when I bought it. I peeled them off, and couldn't get the glue off. The wife came out with Goo-b-gone, and had it cleaned of in about 10 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted October 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 You guys still think this will work even though this isn't glue or residue left over? When dry you can't even notice it it, but when it rains or has any moisture then they stand out. If you were to run your hand over it when dry you couldn't even tell anything is or was there. I'll give it a try anyways though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted October 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 I went out and tried the goo-gone stuff. It didn't work. Looks like I might just be stuck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RackBlaster Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 If it is glass try spraying some carburetor cleaner on a rag and try rubbing it off ,that usually gets everything off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted October 5, 2012 Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 I wish I could help you but I don't think I can. My son bought a new truck 7 years ago which had a sticker on the w/shield with the stock # etc. on it. The sticker was taken off and the glue cleaned off. Like your window, everytime it gets a little fogged up you can still see the outline and imprint where the sticker was. It was on the inside of the glass. To say we have tried everything known to man would be an understatement. The problem still exists. My only suggestion would be stop at a glass shop and ask them if there is anything which would help. They might have something made for this purpose. It doesn't hurt anything but it is annoying just knowing it is there. Lynn BTW, if you find a cure, please let us know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 5, 2012 Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 Spray it with a cleaner and go over it with a razor blade it should take it off Yep, razor blade and any cleaner or even dawn dish soap will work well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted October 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 Spray it with a cleaner and go over it with a razor blade it should take it off Yep, razor blade and any cleaner or even dawn dish soap will work well. There is nothing there to scrape off. There is no residue of ANY kind on there. The picture I posted above was taken after I sprayed the window and was wiping it down. Once that dries, you can't really tell anything was there. It's just from a decal that must have been on there for a while. If you ran your hand across each of these marks, you wouldn't even think anything was there. I wish I could help you but I don't think I can. My son bought a new truck 7 years ago which had a sticker on the w/shield with the stock # etc. on it. The sticker was taken off and the glue cleaned off. Like your window, every time it gets a little fogged up you can still see the outline and imprint where the sticker was. It was on the inside of the glass. To say we have tried everything known to man would be an understatement. The problem still exists. My only suggestion would be stop at a glass shop and ask them if there is anything which would help. They might have something made for this purpose. It doesn't hurt anything but it is annoying just knowing it is there. Lynn BTW, if you find a cure, please let us know. There is a place right down the road that does windshield/window repairs on vehicles, I'll have to stop by there and see what they say. I'm also going to shoot the manufacturer of the topper an email and see if they have any recommendations. I'll let ya know what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted October 5, 2012 Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 try your nearest car dealership..they usually know how to get stuff clean..other than that..I cant "top" the advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesse8953 Posted October 5, 2012 Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 Put a team realtree decal over it.Problem solved! Just kidding, I'm not sure there is anything you can do about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted October 9, 2012 Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 Put a team realtree decal over it.Problem solved! Just kidding, I'm not sure there is anything you can do about it. Thats actually not a bad idea. More than likely that area of glass is treated if you cant get it off by scraping or cleaner. I would put a sticker you like over it and call it a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 9, 2012 Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 i agree with Jeramie.... i'd think some advice above would work, but maybe not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted October 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 I would put a sticker you like over it and call it a day. I could, but I don't like stickers or decals that big I'm just going to have to leave it. Nothing I have tried works on any of the three spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 Dunno Lee, would be curious though if the headlight fog repair type deals might be something to consider. Seen ads for them, no clue if they even work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted October 11, 2012 Report Share Posted October 11, 2012 Had this problem with one of my trucks a S-10 in particular. I brought it to the shop that installed the graphics, and here is what you aren't told about stickers/graphics on automotive glass. Apparently automotive glass is a soft glass and the decals/stickers/graphics use a glue that can etch the glass in time and in order to remove the etching you will have to most likely have the glass polished with a soft buffing polish to remove the ghosting. I tried a product called Bio-solve with great results ... I came across this product when the wife ran her new BLACK Corolla through road maker paint ... YIKES and it removed that bright yellow paint without hurting the clear coat. So tried it on my glass issue with great results .. Here's a link for you to check out ... "Green solvent" Bio-Solv is a 100% bio-degradable and non toxic cleaner solvent replacement for acetone, xylene, toluene, MEK, and other harmful solvents Hope this helps .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted October 17, 2012 Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 Had this problem with one of my trucks a S-10 in particular. I brought it to the shop that installed the graphics, and here is what you aren't told about stickers/graphics on automotive glass. Apparently automotive glass is a soft glass and the decals/stickers/graphics use a glue that can etch the glass in time and in order to remove the etching you will have to most likely have the glass polished with a soft buffing polish to remove the ghosting. I tried a product called Bio-solve with great results ... I came across this product when the wife ran her new BLACK Corolla through road maker paint ... YIKES and it removed that bright yellow paint without hurting the clear coat. So tried it on my glass issue with great results .. Here's a link for you to check out ... "Green solvent" Bio-Solv is a 100% bio-degradable and non toxic cleaner solvent replacement for acetone, xylene, toluene, MEK, and other harmful solvents Hope this helps .. I talked with the glass shop which I send jobs out to. They essentially said what I was suspicious of. The glue will etch the glass and sometimes it can be polished out. Oftentimes the polishing process will distort the glass and actually make matters worse. Their solution would be to replace the glass. They didn't seem to think it would be overly expensive in a flat glass situation to do this. Otherwise leave it alone. Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted October 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2012 (edited) At this point I just plan on leaving them. It's an eye sore, at least to me, but I don't want to mess with something that is going end up costing me more money if I mess it up. This is a used topper/cap that is in GREAT shape, and we got a good deal on it compared to what this model costs brand new. As for replacing the glass, or the entire window, we were told it is pretty pricey. We took it into the place we usually buy our toppers from (the previous own had actually bought it from that same place) so they could wire the interior light and third brake light. They were telling us not to close it by grabbing the sides because it could break the glass, especially in the cold, then they told us how much the lid along costs, lets just say I'll be being extra careful with it lol. Thanks for all the help anyways guys. Edited October 18, 2012 by Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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