[cihilb]

Saw a recent car restoration program where they used plastic type disc in a drill to remove stickers without touching paint

Those do work. My neighbor bought a new Silverado Z71 and removed the stickers in no time. Didn't hurt the paint. Prepsol removed whatever adhesive was left.

 

[cihilb]

Back in 1965, I special ordered a new '65 Plymouth Satellite, 383 330 hp, 4 speed, positrac.

gave them special instructions that NO dealer badges would be put on the car.....
they ignored that, the rent a detailer, punched holes in the trunk and stuck a metal badge thru the paint and ruined it all for me...

I was really pissed, as the instructions were written on my Order....

so, I was given a choice, have them repaint the trunk lid, or leave it alone.
I had already seen their shoddy paint work, I did not want to have 37 Rivers of dripping paint runs on the car,
so left the badge alone. but, I removed their name, and painted it in to match the car color.

We must be in the same little part of the universe.. I did the same thing with a 1973 Charger SE. Explicitly told them NO dealer logos on the trunk lid and made sure it was listed on the sales agreement in bold letters.
When I went to pick up the car, the sales person asked what I thought. I told him it wasn't the car I had ordered because it had the chunk of chrome on the lid. After exchanging some words about not wanting the car since they did not follow the sales agreement, the sales manager apologized up and down and agreed to take $300 off the price.
I removed the emblem and put two small chrome buttons on to cover the holes.

 

[cihilb]

I've used a product called "Goof-Off" with good success, works best on "gummy" type stuff left after the sticker is removed, might eat the stickum under the edges of those Govt stickers a little at a time.

Can damage certain paints, but my experience says OK for most automotive-type finishes, try in inconspicuous place first.

Goof Off is made to remove dried latex paint, adhesive and tar. Another good product is Goo Gone. It's a citrus based cleaner

I would use a hair dryer to warm the stickers enough that they would pull off without tearing, then use Goo Gone to remove the residue.

 

[cihilb]

Considering that center cowl is $200, a few $ for supplies and about an hours work with a hair dryer and an some adhesive remover makes more sense. Plus it's winter where the OP lives. He has the time.

 

[cihilb]

If the stickers have a plastic film coating, the only way is to use a hair dryer or heat gun. Solvents will not penetrate the film. If you try a heat gun, use a very low setting and keep it moving. That piece of ABS will melt easily. Hair dryer is a better choice. Then you can remove the adhesive.

 

[cihilb]

I bet your wife liked the idea of using her kitchen tools!
You can buy a plastic razor blade scraper at most good hardware stores.

 

[cihilb]

Plastic razor blades. I'm definitely checking that out!
The beauty of the pampered chef scraper is that it has varying radius rounded corners, perfect for the concave area where the NC sticker was placed.
Works real good on my Iron skillets, too.

Bought these when I had to remove peeling decals on my toy hauler. I do have heat gun, but bought a cheap hair dryer.
Luckily, I didn't need any heat. The front of the trailer was in direct sunlight and fairly hot.

 

[cihilb]

The absolute best method of sticker removal I know of. Quick easy and clean.

Unless that is plastic. If it is this is a BAD idea.

My neighbor removed the OEM Z71 labels from his truck with one. They were vinyl coated stickers. Came of easily without damage. You just have to keep working it from the edge of the sticker.

 

[cihilb]

WD-40, a rough textured cloth, elbow grease and patience

Not with vinyl coated labels though.

 

[cihilb]

Totally forgot about the peanut butter.