Vinyl vehicle wraps are a great idea and if you want to ensure yours remains in great condition, simple maintenance steps must be followed. This includes washing it and the following tips will help you do it right:
- Using the spray nozzle attachment on your garden hose, rinse the graphic with just water to start.
- In a clean bucket, mix water and mild car wash detergent together.
- Soak your sponge with the mixture from your bucket and start cleaning your graphic from the top and work your way down. Starting from the top of the graphic will allow the dirty water to run downward.
- Rinse the graphic with clean water using your hose and allow it to air dry. You can also dry it with a microfibre cloth if you like.
- Once it’s dry, you can apply either a silicone or Teflon based polish for additional protection. Make sure the polish you use is specifically designed for vinyl vehicle wraps; otherwise, you may cause damage to it.
You should wash your vinyl vehicle wrap regularly and definitely whenever it appears dirty because allowing contaminants to remain on your wrap for long periods of time will make them harder to remove. Washing your wrap on a regular basis will allow you to maintain its original condition and appearance and will help your vehicle wrap to last longer.
Some contaminants are very difficult to remove, which is why additional steps are involved in these cases. If your vinyl wrap has tree sap or bird droppings on it, you will have to soften them by soaking it with hot and soapy water for several minutes before attempting to remove it. Once it has been soaked, you can proceed by rinsing the area thoroughly, after which you need to let it dry. Do not use any rough scrubbing tools, regardless of how tempting it may be, because they will scratch your film and cause irreparable damage. Abrasive tools may seem like the best solution for difficult contaminants; however, this is not the case, so be sure to stay away from them. If gasoline ever spills on your vehicle, you need to wipe it off right away so that it doesn’t degrade the vinyl and it’s adhesive. After wiping the spill, you must wash, rinse and dry the area using the same steps mentioned above.
Stay away from abrasive polishes or cutting compounds because they will shorten the lifespan of your vinyl car wrap and will affect its appearance negatively. Wax products should also be avoided, especially if you have a matte or textured film and if wax residue ever ends up on your wrap, you must remove it with an all-purpose cleaner.
SRS Tinting Solutions can provide you with more details regarding vehicle wraps. We specialize in vinyl car wraps and will help you care for your wrap properly, so give us a call today for more information!
