How to Cleanly Remove Stickers from a Laptop

crwdns2915892:0crwdne2915892:0

Note: The best time to do this is when the system is new. Darker systems (Ex: Dark Blue/Black) often have a more visible contrast then lighter laptops (Ex: Silver/aluminum).

On many PCs the OEMs put stickers which are prone to poorly wearing on laptops. Removing these stickers can improve device cosmetics in the long term.

The battery must be removed if it is placed where the sticker is placed. They can explode if they get too hot!
- Follow a guide specific to your laptop. All laptops are different.
Be careful not to use too much heat. Plastic parts can melt if they get too hot, and will need to be replaced if this happens.
- To avoid damaging plastic, only use enough heat to remove the stickers.
Goof Off WILL DAMAGE PLASTIC. Goo Gone is a far safer choice all around.
- If you are in uncomfortable using solvents unless all options are exhausted, a piece of tape works, or the old case sticker that was removed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windows XP/Vista
Intel (Some newer stickers come off cleaner then old ones, but require more heat).
AMD CPU (pre-2011)

This procedure can be used to remove most stickers. These were selected on this laptop as a common example.
While some stickers can be harder than others (often due to age or type of adhesive), the same procedure applies.

crwdns2942213:0crwdne2942213:0

crwdns2931653:01crwdne2931653:0 Remove the battery (Laptops only)

How to Cleanly Remove Stickers from a Laptop, Remove the battery (Laptops only): crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

How to Cleanly Remove Stickers from a Laptop, Remove the battery (Laptops only): crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

The procedure to remove the battery is specific to every laptop.
Before removing the stickers, remove the battery.

crwdns2913378:0crwdne2913378:0

crwdns2931653:02crwdne2931653:0 Warm up the adhesive

How to Cleanly Remove Stickers from a Laptop, Warm up the adhesive: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

How to Cleanly Remove Stickers from a Laptop, Warm up the adhesive: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

How to Cleanly Remove Stickers from a Laptop, Warm up the adhesive: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

crwdns2935267:0crwdne2935267:0

iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6)

$4.99

crwdns2945778:0crwdne2945778:0

30-60 seconds of heat is sufficient.
If you are removing a thin or stubborn sticker, a guitar pick may help with these to minimize the post removal mess.
After removing the battery, warm up the palmrest with a hairdryer until it is warm to the touch.
Peel the stickers off.

crwdns2913378:0crwdne2913378:0

crwdns2931653:03crwdne2931653:0 Clean the remaining glue

How to Cleanly Remove Stickers from a Laptop, Clean the remaining glue: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

How to Cleanly Remove Stickers from a Laptop, Clean the remaining glue: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

How to Cleanly Remove Stickers from a Laptop, Clean the remaining glue: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

While denatured alcohol works, it may "strip" some rubber coatings and paint. It should only be done as a last resort or on surfaces like aluminum!
After the sticker(s) have been removed, clean the residual glue with a small amount of gentle solvent.
Clean the solvent after a few seconds.