Car door magnets vs vinyl decals
Magnets come off in a second, so they suit a car you also drive privately. Vinyl decals stay on for years and look built-in, so they suit a work van or truck. Magnets only stick to flat steel panels; vinyl works on almost any clean painted surface or glass.
Quick comparison
- Removal: magnets peel off instantly; vinyl stays until you remove it
- Look: vinyl looks painted on; a magnet is a visible panel
- Surfaces: magnets need flat steel, not aluminum, fiberglass or plastic; vinyl sticks to most clean paint and glass
- Care: magnets need a quick weekly wipe; vinyl needs nothing special
- Best for: magnets for personal cars and side gigs; vinyl for company vans, trucks and food trucks
How to keep a door magnet on
- Apply it to a clean, dry, flat steel door, not over body lines, trim or handles.
- Take it off before going through a car wash.
- Once a week, remove it and wipe both the door and the back of the magnet clean.
- Store it flat, never folded or rolled tight.
Our 22 x 34 inch car door magnets are thick, and if one flies off a flat, clean metal door in the first year, we reprint it free.
When vinyl is the better call
If the vehicle is only for work, vinyl gives a cleaner, permanent look and can cover more than the doors: rear windows, tailgate, hood. For trucks that need DOT markings, see our USDOT decal guide.
Questions
How much are car door magnets?
22 x 34 inch magnets are $70 each, or 3 for $189.
Will a magnet damage the paint?
Remove and wipe it weekly so dirt and moisture do not get trapped under it, and keep it off fresh or repaired paint.
Can I put a magnet on an aluminum or fiberglass van?
No. Magnets only stick to steel. Use vinyl decals instead.
