Wrap Aftercare

Caring for your vehicle wrap is very important. To keep your investment looking great we offer the following tips & suggestions –

WASHING

    Keep your vehicle clean! Hand washing your vehicle regularly with a soft, clean cloth or sponge is ideal. We recommend rinsing off as much dirt and grit as possible with a spray of water and using a wet, non-abrasive detergent such as 3M™ Car Wash Soap 39000 or Meguiar’s NXTGeneration® Car Wash or Deep Crystal® Car Wash. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to reduce water spotting, immediately use a silicone squeegee to remove water before finishing with a clean microfiber cloth.

A high pressure sprayer can be used on most vinyl wraps from a distance – keep the nozzle at least 12in away from the surface and perpendicular (90 degrees) to the surface. It is critically important to never put the nozzle directly on your wrap or against a seam, as pressure washers obviously have a lot of power and the vinyl could rip or tear if blasted with a pressure washer from up close. Damage from the pressure washer will void your warranty.

    Also, never take your vehicle through an automatic car wash with bristles as the bristles can damage your vinyl wrap. Car washes with brushes can scratch the finish on your wrap over time.

Difficult contaminants such as bug splatter, bird droppings, tree sap and similar need to be softened by soaking them for several minutes with very hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry. If further cleaning is needed we recommend using the Croftgate product "Wrap Care Matte and Gloss Cleaner," (available at the Wraps -n- Signs shop or the online store) using a soft micro-fiber cloth.  Do not use rough scrubbing or abrasive tools as these will scratch the vinyl film. Wash and rinse off all residue immediately.

    Fuel spills should always be wiped off, washed, rinsed and dried as soon as possible to avoid damage to the vinyl.

 

Here are our recommendations –

Gloss Finishes:

    If you have a Gloss finish on your wrap you can hand wax your vehicle with a polymer based wax. Under no circumstances use an electric buff! Waxing your vehicle at least once every 3 months will help keep your wrap protected from the elements. We highly recommend the use of the Croftgate product "Wrap Care Matte and Gloss Sealant" (available at the Wraps -n- Signs shop and in the online store).  Croftgate products are made specifically for vehicle wraps and will extend the life of your investment.

 

Matte & Satin Finishes:

Matte finish vinyl requires a little more maintenance than gloss finishes.  Matte wraps (especially white)can be difficult to maintain as oil is almost impossible to remove and dirt can build up on the surface area quickly. It is a good idea to make sure your hands are clean of dirt and especially oils and grease when handling the film, such as getting an and out of the vehicle.  We highly recommend the use of the Croftgate product "Wrap Care Matte and Gloss Sealant" (available at the Wraps -n- Signs shop and in the online store).  Croftgate products are made specifically for vehicle wraps and will extend the life of your investment. This product is perfectly suited for matte vinyl wraps. It safely and effectively adds a protective layer that keeps oil and dirt from building up on the surface for months while, at the same time, keeps the film from drying out. Alcohol based products can dry out the film, causing it to prematurely fail. Another product that can be used to clean the wrap is Simple Green® All-Purpose Cleaner, but be sure to test this on a small, inconspicuous area first and remember it will still need to be sealed for extra protection.

Textured Films/ Carbon Fiber, Brushed Aluminum etc..

All textured films are not pre-laminated from the factory as with the gloss, satin, and matte finish films and thus have little to no protection on them from scratching as the self healing, smoothe finishes do.  These types of surfaces need to be treated with great care due to the textured nature of the vinyl film that does not have the clear protective overlaminate layer.

We highly recommend the use of the Croftgate product "Wrap Care Matte and Gloss Sealant" (available at the Wraps -n- Signs shop and in the online store).  Croftgate products are made specifically for vehicle wraps and will extend the life of your investment.  It safely and effectively adds a protective layer that keeps oil and dirt from building up on the surface for months while, at the same time, keeps the film from drying out. Alcohol based products can dry out the film, causing it to prematurely fail.

 

Film Restoration:

Your vinyl wrap will gradually degrade over an extended period of time. Several elements cause this such as exposure to the sun, particularly on horizontal surfaces. Contaminates such as oil, dirt, road grime etc.. Can also degrade the finish, so regular cleanings are important. To help keep your vehicle wrap looking great it is important to use the right products for the type of vinyl you have on your wrap.

Gloss wraps can get fine scratches on the film (exactly as paint does) over time. The Croftgate product Wrap Care Gloss and Color Enhancer" (available at the Wraps -n- Signs shop or the online store) is a great way to bring back or rejuvenate a tired looking wrap. Bringing back your finish can extend the life of your investment.

 

Please note that if you have a professional detailer take care of your vehicle make sure the cleaning products and wax they use is safe for the type of vinyl that your car is wrapped with. Using the wrong product could void your warranty.

 

***For another copy of these aftercare instructions visit our website at WrapsnSigns.com***