If you’ve put a lot of time and money into your vehicle wrap — including creating the perfect design, hiring the best installers, applying just the right amount of vinyl cutting tape, and heat-sealing the wrap in full — you want to make sure that you take good care of it after the application, too. To keep your wrap looking the way it should for a long time to come, here are a few tips on how to maintain and protect your vehicle wrap with regular care.
- Wash Regularly: Keep dirt and debris from mucking up your design or vinyl wrap cutting tape job. Wash your vehicle by hand with a mild detergent and soft fabric or special auto sponge once a week or whenever it needs cleaning. Only use drive-through commercial car washes without brushes, and keep power washing pressures under 2,000 psi. Be sure to wipe up any gas spills immediately, which could deteriorate the vinyl coating.
- Avoid Exposure: Wraps on the hood, roof, or even over truck bedliners that face directly into the sky need extra protection from UV exposure and precipitation. Keep your vehicle under a covered garage or parking area whenever possible to avoid premature aging and wear, which can cause the wrap to lose its color over time. Extreme heat temperatures may also casue the wrap to warp or peel, so avoid too much summer sun.
- Wax On, Wax Off: Waxing is great for keeping your wrap looking shiny and new, but make sure that the brand you use doesn’t contain any petroleum distillates. If you are using your vehicle for business, remember that the look of your wrap is a reflection of your company itself. A clean and polished car is both professional and trustworthy!
As is true with most types of car maintenance, the more you put into your vehicle wrap, the more you’ll get out of it. Take a little bit of time and effort once a week to keep the exterior of your wrap looking and working the way it should to help the design last as long as possible.
