Once you get a custom vehicle wrap, you’ll want to make sure you do everything you can to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Vehicle wraps are already durable, but taking some care will make your last even longer. Luckily, vinyl wrap maintenance for cars is mostly a matter of washing your vehicle, keeping away from pollutants and learning how to spot clean problem areas. Protect your investment and keep your car looking great—it’s easier than you think!

Tips to make your vehicle wrap last longer

Dirty, faded or damaged vehicle wraps reflect poorly on your business. Here’s how to keep it clean:

• Wash regularly: About once a week, wash your vehicle wrap. You might need to do it more often if your vehicle was exposed to a lot of pollutants and dirt. Some popular detergents include 3M® Car Wash Soap 39000, or Meguiar’s NXT Generation® Car Wash and Deep Crystal® Car Wash. These will clean your car and the wrap without damaging either in the process. Avoid automatic car washes, since the brushes can lift and tear the edges. You can power wash your vehicle, but make sure you use a pressure of less than 2,000 psi, or you risk damaging the wrap.
• Spot clean when needed: Smaller, isolated stains can be spot cleaned. Keep a bottle of Simple Green or isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) in your vehicle. Apply to a clean rag or paper towel, and gently wipe the stain away. However, do not spot clean in hot temperatures, because it can cause the wrap to wrinkle.
• Know which cleaners to skip: Avoid using oven cleaners, engine degreasers, orange oil and other oil-based cleaners, kitchen or bathroom cleaners and solvents. These will damage the wrap.
• Get rid of stains, insects, sap and bird droppings: Tough, stubborn stains can be pre-treated with warm, soapy water. Do this right away, before the stain or problem spot sets in. Once the stain has been loosened up, you can gently scrub with denatured alcohol or other approved cleaner.
• Clean up fuel spills: If you accidentally spill fuel on your vehicle wrap, use paper towels to wipe it up immediately. Letting fuel sit on the vinyl will ruin it. Once you get home, perform a more thorough cleaning.
• Avoid parking in direct sun: UV rays can damage your vehicle wrap, and exacerbate the damage pollutants have already done. Try to park in the shade whenever possible. Better still, a parking garage will help regulate the vehicle’s temperature.
• Know when to call it a day: Finally, you should know when your vehicle wrap’s lifespan is over. If it’s peeled, wrinkled, cracked, faded or turning brown, it’s best that you take the wrap off. In some cases, leaving a browned wrap on your vehicle will damage the paint underneath.

These tips will help make your vehicle wrap last longer, which protects your investment. To get your own custom vehicle wrap, or to learn more about vinyl wrap maintenance for cars, get in touch with Sign It Up today. We’d be glad to provide a quote!