Vinyl Wrap Care Guide
If you want your vinyl wrap to last longer, you need to take good care of it.
Vinyl wrap is not permanent and it can lose its shine and color if you neglect it.
By following the right steps, you can extend its lifetime up to 7 years!
One of the best ways to do that is to use a UV protectant like a sealant, ceramic coating, or graphene coating.
In this guide, we will show you the best practices for vinyl wrap care that the manufacturers recommend.
Wash regularly
Clean the car when it looks dirty. We recommend every two weeks. If necessary, use a quality Quick Detailer to spot-clean your vehicle.
If you leave dirt and other things on the vinyl wrap, they may be harder to clean later.
Spray water to get rid of as much dirt and grit as you can. Then follow that with the two-bucket method.
Use a gentle detergent that is pH balanced and a microfiber wash mitt to wash the car. For cars with matte or satin finish wraps, we recommend Chemical Guys Meticulous Matte Car Wrap Soap.
Always wash from the top down.
If you have bird droppings, tar, or other tough stains, be sure to remove these from your car as quickly as possible. The sooner you remove these, the less likely they are to stain your wrap.
Soften difficult contaminants such as bug splatter, bird droppings, tree sap, and similar contaminants by soaking them for several minutes with hot, soapy water (you can use a spray bottle to reduce water waste and to spot clean areas).
If further cleaning is needed, test one of these products in an inconspicuous area to ensure no damage to the graphics: Meguiar’s Gold Class™ Bug and Tar Remover.
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) (two parts IPA to 1 part water) or denatured alcohol may also help. Spot-clean the contaminants.
Do not use rough scrubbing or abrasive tools, which will scratch the film.
Once the contaminants are removed, wash and rinse off all residue immediately.
Rinse well with clean water, and to avoid water spots, use a clean microfiber cloth to dry the vehicle.
pressure washing
Although hand washing is the preferred cleaning method, pressure washing may be used under these conditions. When using a pressure washer, the best practices are as follows:
keep the water pressure below 2,000 PSI
use a 40-degree wide-angle spray nozzle
keep the water temperature below 140° F
keep the spray nozzle at least 1 foot away from the wrap’s edges
You can use power washing or pressure washing to clean the graphic, but be careful not to damage it.
If you use too much pressure, water can get under the graphic and make it less sticky. This can cause the graphic to lift or curl, especially in windy conditions.
automatic car washes
Vinyl wraps may be run through car washes if necessary.
Touchless car washes are the best for vinyl wrap care.
The use of brush car washes (depending upon the frequency and quality of the brush) may cause dulling/scratching/lifting edge of the graphics.
Although automatic car washes offer a great convenience factor, we always recommend the two-bucket method because it is much more thorough.
things to avoid
Fuel Spills - wipe off any fuel spills immediately from the vinyl wrap to avoid degrading the vinyl and adhesive. Then wash, rinse, and dry as instructed in the Wash Regularly section as soon as possible.
Do not use any abrasive polishes or cutting compounds
Do not use any polishing or wax products on matte or textured films
Remove wax or wax residue with an all-purpose cleaner
Avoid wiping the wrap when it’s hot; this can distort the material and cause wrinkling
It’s important to avoid strong chemicals and cleaning agents on your vinyl wrap. These can distort the finish of the vinyl and etch into the vinyl itself. Those include but are not limited to solvents, oil-based cleaners, kitchen & bathroom cleaners, tire shine, and engine degreasers
What should I do if my vinyl wrap is fading or turning brown/rust-colored?
This is typically a result of neglect and failure to follow the above-mentioned procedures.
If you notice brown, discolored, or rust-colored areas on your wrap, it is best to completely remove or reapply the film from your vehicle as soon as possible to prevent damage to the paint beneath it.
Vinyl needs proper care to keep its shine and color.
Look at the picture above.
We wrapped the mirror cap of this Tiguan in gloss black and did a full chrome delete on it. But in a few months, the vinyl became dull and faded.
This happened because we didn’t wash it or protect it enough. We used this vehicle as a test to see how much vinyl wrap can handle.
We hardly washed it (maybe once a month) and we never put any protection or coating on it to make the vinyl last longer.
The same goes for the spoiler which we also wrapped in gloss black.
Make sure you at the very least wash your vehicle! This is a perfect “do as we say not as we do” scenario.
UV protection
UV light exposure is our biggest enemy in Colorado. It can ruin your headlights, your paint, and your vinyl wrap in no time.
That’s why you washing your car often and using a UV protectant made for vinyl wrap is important.
You can choose from spray wax, spray sealant, or ceramic coating. They will help you block harmful UV rays and keep your vinyl wrap looking good.
Some products we recommend are:
Wrap Fresh Hydro Fresh - Hydrophobic Wrap Sealant
Chemical Guys Meticulous Matte Detail and Spray Sealant (for matte or satin finish wraps only)
Keep your car indoors or under a cover as much as you can.
Sun and air pollution can damage the vinyl graphics (and the paint) over time, especially on the top parts like the hood, trunk lid, and roof.
If you can’t park in a garage or a shaded area during the day, use a cloth car cover at night to protect your car from dew or rain that may have harmful chemicals in them (this is a common problem in big cities).
Conclusion
Taking care of your car’s vinyl wrap is important to keep it looking great and protect it from damage.
Care for your vinyl wraps like you would any fine paint finish.
Using high-quality products designed specifically for car care and these cleaning and maintenance procedures will help keep your vinyl wrap looking its best for a long time.
Looking to get your car wrapped professionally?
Schedule a mobile appointment or an in-shop service at our Wheat Ridge location!
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