Vehicle Magnets vs. Decals: How to Turn Your Truck Into a Billboard

Your truck already spends hours a day in traffic, in parking lots, and parked in customers' driveways. Right now it's advertising the dealership you bought it from. Let's fix that.

Vehicle branding is one of the cheapest advertising buys a small business can make: you pay once, and it works every mile for years. The only real question is magnets or decals — and the answer depends on your vehicle more than your budget.

Should you get vehicle magnets or decals?

	Vehicle Magnets	Vinyl Decals
Removable?	In seconds, anytime	Semi-permanent
Works on	Flat steel panels only	Steel, aluminum, fiberglass, glass, gentle curves
Care	Pull off and wipe down weekly	Wash like normal paint
Best for	Personal vehicles used for work	Dedicated work trucks, vans, trailers, windows

Why won't a magnet stick to my truck?

Because your truck might not be steel anymore. Ford switched the F-150 to an aluminum body starting with the 2015 model year, and the Super Duty followed for 2017. Plenty of other cars and SUVs use aluminum hoods, doors, or tailgates to save weight. Aluminum isn't magnetic, so a vehicle magnet will slide right off — usually somewhere on the interstate.

The 10-second test: grab a refrigerator magnet and try it on every panel you want branded. If it doesn't grab firmly, that panel gets a decal.

How do you keep a vehicle magnet from flying off?

• Flat panels only. Body lines, ridges, and trim gaps let air get under the edge. Air under the edge at 70 mph is how magnets leave.
• Clean both surfaces. Dirt under a magnet weakens the hold and can scratch the paint.
• Pull it off weekly. Wipe the magnet and the panel, let them dry, put it back. This prevents moisture from getting trapped and keeps the paint underneath from fading differently than the rest of the door.
• Not on fresh paint. If the vehicle was just painted or repaired, give the paint a couple of months to fully cure first.
• Off for the car wash. Brushes and high-pressure spray can peel an edge.

What should go on a vehicle sign?

Less than you think. People see your truck for about three seconds at a light. Give them:

• Your business name or logo — big.
• What you do in two to four words: "Pressure Washing," "Residential HVAC."
• One way to reach you — a phone number or a short web address. Not both social handles and a QR code; nobody scans a QR code on a moving truck.

A rough rule for sign lettering: about 1 inch of letter height for every 10 feet of distance you want it read from. For your phone number to read from a car-length or two away, aim for 2 to 3 inches tall.

How much do vehicle magnets and decals cost?

Decals are priced live by size on our waterproof decal page — enter your dimensions and the total appears, with a single large decal topping out around $54. Static clings for back windows are on the static cling page. Vehicle magnets are quoted by size and quantity; common door sizes are 12×18, 12×24, and 18×24 inches. Measure the flat area of your door first, then send us the size and we'll quote it.

Art already made? Upload it here. Branding more than the truck? Our guide to stickers, labels, and decals for small business covers the rest.

Frequently asked questions

Are vehicle magnets or decals better?
Magnets are better if you need to remove the branding often, like on a personal vehicle. Decals are better for dedicated work vehicles, windows, curved panels, and any vehicle with aluminum or fiberglass body panels.

Why won't a magnetic sign stick to my truck?
Your truck likely has aluminum body panels. Ford F-150s from the 2015 model year on and Super Duty trucks from 2017 on use aluminum bodies, which are not magnetic. Test with a fridge magnet and use a decal instead.

Do car magnets damage paint?
Not if you care for them. Remove the magnet weekly, clean and dry both surfaces, and avoid putting it on freshly painted panels. Trapped dirt and moisture are what cause problems.

Can vehicle magnets stay on at highway speeds?
Yes, when they sit fully flat on a clean steel panel with no body lines or gaps under the edges. Air getting under a lifted edge is what pulls magnets off.

What size magnet do I need for a truck door?
Common sizes are 12 by 18, 12 by 24, and 18 by 24 inches. Measure the flat area of your door, avoiding handles and body lines, and choose the largest size that fits flat.

How big should the phone number be on a vehicle sign?
About 2 to 3 inches tall so it can be read from a car length or two away. A good rule is roughly 1 inch of letter height for every 10 feet of viewing distance.