How to clean my wrap properly ?
Unless you don’t care about your wrap, you would want to always keep it clean and looking good. It is truly important to wash your wrapped car regularly, this will not only help it look good but also prolong the wrap’s life.
If you are driving around areas that are congested urban, or industrial areas, its even more important to pay attention to this!
UV damage, smog or pollutants increase in these areas, The durability of the film would deminish if the wrap is not well taken care of.
So how can we protect a wrapped car properly? There are several ways . But before you try any of them, lets dive a little deeper.
If you are driving around areas that are congested urban, or industrial areas, its even more important to pay attention to this!
UV damage, smog or pollutants increase in these areas, The durability of the film would deminish if the wrap is not well taken care of.
So how can we protect a wrapped car properly? There are several ways . But before you try any of them, lets dive a little deeper.
Hand Wash Ideal for a vehicle with dirt or other residue. Follow the below steps: 1) Pre rinse: Using a hose, rinse the whole wrap with clean water. This helps remove the loose dirt particles and helps avoid scratching the graphics. 2) Wash: Gently wash the vehicle with a mild soapy water solution using a soft cloth or a synthetic or natural sponge. Start from the top of the vehicle and work down. Avoid abrading the surface with unnecessary scrubbing. 3) Rinse: Rinse thoroughly with clean water. (refer to can I Pressure wash my Car Wrap below) 4) Dry: Let the wrap dry naturally. To avoid water spotting, use a silicone squeegee to remove water then finish drying with a micro-fiber or soft, nonabrasive towel. NOTE! Excessive spraying at the wrong angle may create failure points and result in the wrap lifting at edges. An automatic car wash that uses brushes is not recommended. Brushes may scratch the wrap or catch the wrap’s edge and create a failure point |
CAN I TAKE MY WRAPPED CAR INTO A DRIVE-THROUGH CAR WASH?
You can bring your wrapped vehicle to an automated brushless touchless car wash, though hand washing is safer and more thorough. Brush car washes are too rough on the film, and it will cause peeling and lifted edges. If a car wash uses water spray and no brushes, its safe for most wraps. But hand wash preferred
WHAT SHOULD I USE FOR SPOT CLEANING?
Use isopropyl rubbing alcohol to spot clean isolated stains. Rinse area with cool water after cleaning. Don’t use tire dressing to spot clean as it may splash on the wrap and cause stains. Avoid wiping the wrap when it’s hot; this can distort the material and cause wrinkling.
CAN I PRESSURE WASH MY VEHICLE WRAP?
This should be the last method you can come up with, when no other ways can work. Using pressure washer might result in negative effects occurring on your wrap, including edge-lifting and face degradation.
You have to be extremely careful and following these guidelines even if you still decide to use this method:
- Water pressure must be below 1200 psi (8- bars or 84 kg/cm2)
- Water temperature below 50 degrees
- Nozzle has to be at least 12 inches - 1 Meter away from the edges and surface.
- where possible fan the water coming out of the nozzle
HOW DO I CLEAN BIRD DROPPINGS, INSECTS, TREE SAP OR OTHER DIFFICULT STAINS?
Clean bird droppings and difficult stains immediately. Letting them sit for too long will make them harder to remove and may permanently damage the wrap. Soak the affected area for a few minutes with warm, soapy water to loosen the contaminants. Rinse completely and dry with a microfiber cloth. For stubborn contaminants, use a Citrus Base Cleaner, Maguire’s Gold Class™ Bug and Stain Remover or two parts isopropyl alcohol to one part water. Always test these solutions on a small area that’s not easily noticeable to ensure the cleaner will not harm the wrap.
Do not use solvents or oil based cleaning products!
WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT GAS OR FUEL SPILLS?
Wipe off fuel spills immediately, then hand wash the affected area. Letting the spill stay the wrap too long will degrade the vinyl. A quick wipe with a wet paper towel at a gas station will clean the fuel affected area decently enough until you can get home to do a more thorough job.
CAN I PARK MY VEHICLE OUTDOORS FOR LONG PERIODS?
Excessive amounts of time under the sun or other outdoor elements (rain, smog, debris, and road pollutants from passing cars) can degrade the wrap on the roof, boot lid and bonnet. These horizontal areas are a magnet for pollutants, which are intensified by UV ray exposure. Try your best to park your car in a garage or under a canopy or shelter. If you must park it outside for prolonged periods, look for shady parking areas.
MY VEHICLE WRAP IS TURNING BROWN OR RUST COLORED. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Wrap turns brown due to prolonged exposure to acid from pollutants in the air. This is typically a result of neglect and failure to follow the above-mentioned procedures. If you notice brown, discoloured, or rust-coloured areas on your wrap, it is best to remove the film from your vehicle to prevent damage to the paint beneath it and reapply fresh wrap. Often times it is only necessary to replace the affected panel.
Can I wax or polish my wrap
It is safe to skip the wax and polish option at the car wash, as most waxes contain petroleum distillate, which will damage the film.
For matte film, that will be absolutely a NO, because the wax will result in filling in the texture, and shiny spots will appear here and there on your car wrap. using a spray detailer or a spray polish its important to note the petroleum content it will diminish the wrap life span.
WHAT PRODUCTS SHOULD I AVOID WHEN CLEANING MY WRAP?
Never, EVER use any of the following cleaning products on your wrap Solvents
- Oil-based cleaners
- Kitchen & Bathroom Cleaners
- Oven cleaner
- Orange Oil
- Engine Degreaser
- Leather cleaners
- Wood cleaners
- Acid washes
- Fallout remover
NOTE: always check with your installer best methods for cleaning your wrap as each brand of film requires varying cleaning methods.