Putting your logo and business name on your vehicle instantly turns it into a mobile billboard advertising your organisation. That’s why a sign written car or ute is among the most common jobs coming through the DB Signs workshop.
It’s also at the root of one of the most frequently asked questions we get: does a wrapped car require special care? The short answer is: Yes, it does. Poor maintenance will lead to rapid degradation of the wrap and the graphics won’t stand the test of time.
Let’s go into a little more detail on how you can keep your vehicle looking spick and span with tidy graphics for years to come.
1. Keep it clean
Yes, it seems obvious, but with busy lives we can often forget to give the vehicles a regular wash. Some of the ‘usual’ rules for washing your car apply to a wrapped vehicle, but not all of them. For starters, do rinse with the hose ahead of soaping up. The use of a pressure washer isn’t recommended as there is a good chance of blasting the graphics off.
Removing grit and dust means the gentle contact of a soft cloth or sponge won’t be enhanced by abrasive particles which will damage the vinyl wrap. Use a quality car shampoo along with the sponge or cloth. DON’T use car polish or cutting compounds; these will quickly rub, smudge or remove the graphics. Especially avoid using car waxes or polishes on matte or textured wraps. And yes, you can go through the carwash, although nothing beats a good scrub by hand.
2. Wipe away fuel spills immediately
Yes, this is part of cleaning, but it gets a special mention because fuel spills are absolute poison to vinyl. We’re all guilty of the wee mishap at the pump which has a little dribble going down the fender – Don’t leave it, grab some paper towel and wipe it up straight away. Once you’ve done that, give it a proper wash as soon as you can. Other nasties you should get rid of ASAP include bird droppings. Loosen up with warm soapy water and wipe away.
3. Garage it (if possible)
Apart from dirt and grime – or in fact, probably even more so than dirt and grime – the biggest threat to your wrap is the elements. We’re blessed with abundant sunlight in the Bay, but intense rays have a damaging effect on vinyl graphics. Rain and wind do no favours to the wrap either, so the advice here is simple: keep it under cover, wherever possible. And if your graphics start discolouring or turning brown, which doesn’t happen overnight or ‘fast’, by any means, bring it in so we can check it out. The last thing anyone wants is stains on the paint underneath.
4. Consider specialist cleaning products
You don’t have to use fancy cleaning products to keep your wrap looking amazing, but there are specialised potions and lotions specifically designed for vinyl care. We supply and recommend Avery Dennison’s Supreme Wrap Care-Kit. Combining a Cleaner, Power Cleaner and Sealant, these professional grade products are simple for anyone to use and suitable for helping matte, satin and gloss vehicle wraps cope with all the challenges of the road. Pretty much the gold standard for wrap care.
5. Be sensible
A wrap is like a softer skin on your vehicle, so think about it in those terms. Paint is pretty durable stuff, but even that benefits from a regular clean and a little routine maintenance. A wrap delivers the goods in terms of taking your brand name to the world. Keeping it clean and tidy doesn’t only mean the wrap lasts longer, it will look primo every day, too.
