Stealth Bumper Sticker Prank

by fungus amungus

53K13966

Intro: Stealth Bumper Sticker Prank

Putting a bumper sticker on someone else's car that says something stupid is an OK prank. But to stick one on that they might not even notice and shows up when lit with headlights from another car, that's waaaayyyy better.

Note: your target needs to have a black or very dark vehicle for this to work.

STEP 1: The Secret Sauce

The main ingredient here is retroreflective black 3M adhesive vinyl. In other words, a big black sticker that shines back at you when you shine a light at it. It's awesome stuff, great for putting on your bike when you want to be a safer rider at night without looking like Safety Boy during the day.

Small pieces can be easily found on eBay. I got a 6" x 18" piece for about $10, including shipping. That's enough for 4-6 bumper stickers depending on how tall you want them.

eBay search for reflective tape

STEP 2: Make a Message and Cut It Up

First, make a message you think would be funny to see on your friend's car. This can take a while.

OK, you have your bit of funny. What you want to do is block out where you want your message to appear so that you can spray paint the rest of the sticker.

For me, I had it easy because we have an Epilog laser cutter. I made two overlapping pieces so that I quickly spraypaint it in two passes.

For most everyone else, print out your message on paper and cut it most of the way out. Leave little bits so that it's still attached.

STEP 3: Get Sticky With It

The best way to use a paper stencil is with spray adhesive. It's awesome stuff. Well worth a can in your arsenal, that's for sure.

Spray the backs of the stencils with a light coat.

STEP 4: Use the Stencils

OK, for me with the laser-cut stuff this was just a matter of putting one layer down, spraying paint, waiting for it to dry, and repeating with the other layer.

For the mostly cut out stencil I mentioned before, lay the whole thing down on the vinyl. Now cut the connections with an X-acto knife and pull away the negative. Apply spraypaint.

STEP 5: Find Your Target!

OK, the one drawback to this is that your target should have a black or at least very dark vehicle. But if he does, you're in. Place the sticker on it and see how long it lasts!

68 Comments

johng73 8 years ago

Another option is to put a real bumper sticker on magnetic tape so it can be easily removed and no damage to finish. Use a sticker for political party they are against, that really fires people up.

johng73 8 years ago

Another option is to put a real bumper sticker on magnetic tape so it can be easily removed and no damage to finish. Use a sticker for political party they are against, that really fires people up.

Mauigerbil 11 years ago

I am going to put "I am a brony!" on my stepdad's car! He hates them, but mysteriously all of his children are them. That goes for me and my 2 older brothers, along with my little brother and sister, although they technically aren't old enough.

White_Wolf 14 years ago

This is all and all fun but........

In most city's and some States they have anti-tagging laws.

Make sure the "victim"  is someone you know that wont have you arrested for vandalism if you get caught! LOL

:0)

PeoplesCar 12 years ago

Agreed. This is a "prank" that can damage a car's paint / body work. For myself, personally, I would not be "cool" with this, no matter how close the friend that did it.

downgrade 14 years ago

 "if you get caught"
The point is to not get caught, what would be the point of putting something on someone's car while they watched you?
Besides, nothing is illegal if you don't get caught.

Derin 13 years ago

Like the fireworks and music played at SWAT bell levels EVERY NIGHT here in Turkey?

Punkguyta 14 years ago

 You and me both have something very in common :P

Mehehehful 13 years ago

 But if they found it then you would get caught and they could find it, like if they were getting something out of the trunk, washing the car, maybe even getting gas...

Punkguyta 13 years ago

 I wrote on the back of my teacher's SUV on his dusty window "Winston Churchill !!!" and then had a giant koolaid man right beside it. I wish I could have gotten a picture of it, it looked hilarious. I had done this early in the day when I got to school, and then later on while I was waiting to catch the bus outside, he came out to leave and take off, and he saw it (oh snap) but it confused the hell out of him, he didn't know it was me. He was like "I don't get it, thats pretty messed up.

popcorn4lunch 12 years ago

that was the weirdest debate i have ever seen...

sumguysr 14 years ago

Krylon has transparent retroreflective spray paint, I wonder if that could be used on transparent film to make this for any color car. If anyone is tries please pm me.

CodySteed 13 years ago

I've tried that stuff, it doesnt seem to do much. not very reflective that i can see. maybe i can experiment more...

animal0307 14 years ago

Tried it with same color of spray paint as the car??

Bodies 13 years ago

The letters would still show up black in daylight

Duct Tape Dude 13 years ago

That's not as evil as my idea....Honk if you want to see my manboobs
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