Window Sticker Removal

[Ken Liperi]

After 27 years of sitting in the dealer's showroom, I want to remove the factory window sticker on my 1978 Pace Car that I recently purchased ("new").
I'd like to remove it intact and have it laminated, then show it with the car (instead of using a repro), since everything else is stock original on this low mileage time capsule. I was told to spray it down with window cleaner and let it soak with a paper towel backing it up, then try peeling it off after a few days. Does anyone have experience removing these successfully? Thanks for any suggestions.

[Rick Smith (39266)]

Re: Window Sticker Removal

Ken,
I don't have a answer to your question but given the importance of this document, I would do 2 things: 1. Photograph the heck out of it. 2. Call a museum in your area and see if they have a paper expert on staff for his/her opinion. Maybe a large university would be able to help also.

Good luck!!

[Michael Hanson (4067)]

Re: Window Sticker Removal

Ken,

Just my opinion but if it were mine, I would probably replace the original door glass and keep the sticker in place on the original glass. I've seen too many stickers torn or nearly destroyed during the removal process, especially after all the years that the paper has aged. Chemicals in the air, especially in a dealer, will have quite an effect on the durability of the paper.

[Patrick Hulst (16386)]

Re: Window Sticker Removal

Same thought I had.

I'm going to guess (?) you're not going to start driving it, so I'm not sure what "benefit" there is to having it off. The cheap way is to have a repro made, and show that along with the car, leaving the original on the window.

Patrick

[Michael Hanson (4067)]

Re: Window Sticker Removal

Good idea Patrick, I agree. I suppose even if the car is only shown, not driven, the original sticker would still be subject to strong sunlight which could eventually fade the printing. The reproduction sticker would eliminate that problem. I would never do anything to a car like this that couldn't be undone. The original glass and sticker could be reinstalled some day but once the sticker is removed from the glass, it would never go back on the same way.

[Ken Krejei (32327)]

Re: Tell us more about the car.

Ken, Tell us more about the car. How many miles are on it? Where was it stored at? We like to hear these types of stories.

[Tim Gilmore (16887)]

Re: Tell us more about the car. *NM*

[Kevin Muldoon (35046)]

Re: Tell us more about the car.

I like the entire window idea, and was thinking the same.

Kevin

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: Tell us more about the car.

That would look great in a "Picture Box Frame"

Harry

[Bob Beck (21496)]

Re: Tell us more about the car.

I personally could not remove the window sticker. If I bought a car like that the last thing I would do is start driving it, but everyone is different. Please tell us the story behind it.
Bob

[Ken Robb]

Re: Tell us more about the car.

That is how I have removed 4 original window stickers off windows. I used a foam glass cleaner and let it set for several minutes till the paper is completely soaked through. then the paper just "fell" off the glass with minimum effort. I then placed the "wet" sticker on a flat counter top to dry with waxed paper on it and book to keep it flat. Don't try to scrap it off the window dry. Just one idea I am sure that works. Taking out the glass is good option, but a bit of work.

[Ken Liperi]

Re: Tell us more about the car.

The story behind this car (to come out in "Corvette Enthusiast" magazine around March) is that it was purchased by the owner of a Chevrolet dealership in south jersey new. He decided long ago to just display it in the showroom and save it for his son, when he got old enough. Well now 27 years later, the son has graduated law school and isn't interested. I heard about it, remembered seeing it twice over the past 15 - 20 years, and couldn't believe that it was finally for sale. The owner liked that I had a history of showing stock, original vets (and my brother still has his '66 big block since new), so I was the lucky first owner. That was in January of this year. It had 63 miles on the odometer. I took Top Flight in May and since then (and about 1,200 miles) it's won plenty of local shows. It will not be a trailer queen, and I intend to continue to show it so others who remember this car can enjoy it. It's a time capsule with an interesting story behind it. Only this one wasn't in a barn.

[Rick Smith (39266)]

Re: Tell us more about the car.

Ken,
Have you decided on how you are going to preserve the window sticker?

[Ken Liperi]

Re: Tell us more about the car.

Since I want to display the original window stickers with the car, I'll spray it down with window cleaner and then verrrrry carefully attempt to remove it. Then when they're dry (by next spring!) I'll have them laminated. The original Goodyear Radial GT tires (with 63 miles on them) were also taken off before I took it out for the first time and put away. I have the usual Goodyear Eagle GT II's, since nobody repro's them (and even Goodyear said don't take a chance riding on 27 yr old rubber). But the car is so original (belts, hoses, air filter, plugs, and chalk markings underneath) that it coasts through judging.
But what the ...., after 19 awards in 5 months of showing it, I'd still sell it for the right $$$!