How To Care For Your Vehicle Wrap
5 Minute Read
Rivian R1S Wrapped In Matte Phantom Black From KPMF
Taking care of a wrapped car isn't the same as caring for a painted vehicle. Caring for your vinyl wrapped car correctly can extend the life of the film, prolong the intended finish and keep you looking fresh on the road.
Just a quick overview, do not use automated car washes, do not pressure wash to close to the edges, avoid parking in directly sunlight for long periods of time and finally, clean your wrap regularly.
Cleaning Your Vehicle Wrap
Keeping your wrap clean requires hand washing as automated car washes can cause the film to lift. To wash your wrapped vehicle use pH neutral soap or any other pH balanced automotive specific soap. Using a two-bucket method is highly recommended. When washing off the soap do not go too close to the pressure washer near edges as it can cause lifting. We emphasize using an automotive specific soap as opposed to generic soaps as they are safer on vehicle surfaces.
Drying Your Vehicle Wrap
It is advised to use microfibre drying cloths or designated automotive drying towels as opposed to any types of shop towels, air guns, chamois and other types of drying tools. An air gun if used incorrectly can cause the wrap to lift, a chamois may be too rough and catch on the wrap; which is why we recommend you use microfibres or designated drying towel, don't get too caught up on finding the perfect one. One without tags, that is plush and large enough to dry your entire vehicle in one go is all you really need.
Keeping Your Vehicle Out of The Sun
The suns ultraviolet rays can overtime damage your vehicle wrap. Typically, vehicle wraps can last anywhere from 8-12 years when stored correctly. However, prolonged exposure to the sun can cause your wrap to fade. This is why it is advised to park in shaded areas or to apply a protective measure such as a ceramic coating to delay the harmful effects of the sun. Another major factor would be climate, in terms of extreme climate such as freezing cold or blistering hot climates. It would be advised to mainly store your vehicle inside if you live in a country with these climates. Not saying you cannot take your vehicle out in the winter or on a hot summer day. However, avoiding the elements when possible would be advised.
Protecting Your Vehicle Wrap
Protecting your vehicle wrap is fairly simple. Other than keeping it in the shade and avoiding extreme weather conditions, it is recommended that you apply vinyl wrap specific ceramic coating to protect against UV damages which cause fading and potentially even cracking in extreme circumstances. A ceramic coating is an invisible protective layer that shields your vehicle from chemical damages, UV sun damages and even makes cleaning easier with it’s self-cleaning hydrophobic properties. We will go into a more in depth article later on on how ceramic coatings work but for now, here some food for thought. Ceramic coatings reduce the coefficient of friction on the surface of a vehicle which reduces the likelihood of dirt sticking and building up.
Summary
All in all caring for your vehicle wrap isn't too difficult. The main takeaways from this article are to hand wash/dry your wrap, and don't park it in the sun for too long as it can fade. Wraps are a great alternative to paint and the extra steps to care aren’t much of a hassle anyways. If you have any other questions about caring for your wrap, reach out to us via email, or social media and we will answer any and all of your vehicle wrap related questions.
