After Care
Neglecting proper care can result in premature degradation, potentially shortening your film's expected lifespan.
Proper Vinyl Wrap Care
Proper care for your new vinyl wrap!
Properly caring for a new vinyl vehicle wrap is essential to preserve its pristine appearance and extend its lifespan. A well-maintained vinyl wrap not only enhances your vehicle's aesthetics but also protects the underlying paint. Below we'll explore some key steps and tips to ensure your vinyl wrap stays looking its best, for many years to come.
Contact UsHand Wash
Automatic car washes could damage your vinyl wrap.
Avoid Abrasives
Abrasive chemicals could scratch your vinyl wrap.
Dry Naturally
To avoid water spotting, use a squeegee to remove water.
Store Inside
Vinyl wraps are degraded by prolonged exposure to sun.
How To Care For Your Vinyl Vehicle Wrap
Using these cleaning and maintenance tips will help maintain the premium look and longevity of your new vinyl vehicle wrap.
Infrequent or improper maintenance can lead to premature degradation of the vinyl and will lower the expected lifespan of the film.
Care for your vehicle wraps like you would any fine paint finish. Using high quality products designed specifically for car care and these cleaning and maintenance procedures will help keep your vinyl vehicle wrap looking its best.
Cleaning Tips:
Waterless Wash - Preferred Method: If the vehicle is not overly dirty, this is the preferred method. Hand wash extremely dirty vehicles first and follow up with a waterless wash. Waterless wash products can help maintain the gloss level and performance of the film. Before using any new product on your wrap, be sure to test them in an inconspicuous area of the vehicle. We recommend using a standard cleaner and afterward, use a sealant to provide a protective layer on your wrap for easier cleaning of everyday dirt and stains.
Hand Wash - Ideal for a vehicle with dirt or other residue. Follow the below steps:
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Pre Rinse: Using a hose, rinse the whole wrap with clean water. This helps remove the loose dirt particles and helps avoid scratching the vinyl wrap.
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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.
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Rinse: Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
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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, non- abrasive 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.
Wash Regularly
- Wash whenever the car appears dirty. Contaminants allowed to remain on the wrap may be more difficult to remove during cleaning.
- Rinse off as much dirt and grit as possible with a spray of water.
- Use a wet, non-abrasive detergent and a soft, clean cloth or sponge.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To reduce water spotting, immediately use a silicone squeegee to remove water and finish with a clean microfiber cloth.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Wrapped
Whips does not recommend using wax or other similar coatings
on vinyl wraps or vehicle graphics.
Automated Car Washes
Vinyl wraps may be run through car washes. Touchless car washes are the best for wrap care. Use of brush car washes (depending upon the frequency and quality of brush) may cause dulling/scratching/lifting edge of the vinyl wrap.
Touchless Car Washes Near Wrapped Whips
Peoria Car Wash - 4340 W Peoria Ave
Elephant Car Wash - 10380 N 59th Ave
Chevron - 3925 N 107th Ave
Pressure Washing
Although hand washing is the preferred cleaning method, pressure washing may be used under these conditions.
- Ensure the water pressure is kept below 2000 psi (14 MPa).
- Keep water temperature below 180 °F (80 °C).
- Use a spray nozzle with a 40 degree wide angle spray pattern.
- Keep the nozzle at least 1 foot (300 mm) away from and perpendicular (at 90 degrees) to the vehicle.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Holding
the nozzle of a pressure washer at an angle to a wrap may
lift the edges of the film.
Difficult Contaminants
Soften difficult contaminants such as bug splatter, bird droppings, tree sap and similar contaminants by soaking them for several minutes with very hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry. Do not use rough scrubbing or abrasive tools, which will scratch the film. Wash and rinse off all residue immediately.
Fuel Spills
Wipe off immediately to avoid degrading the vinyl and adhesive. Then wash, rinse and dry as soon as possible.
Film Restoration
The following restoration recommendations will help keep your vehicle wraps looking their best.
- Do no use any abrasive polishes or cutting compounds
- Do not use any polishing or wax products on matte or textured films.
- Use if there is wax or wax residue on the surface, remove with an all-purpose cleaner.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Do not
allow cleaning solution to soak and immediately rinse with
clear water.
Store Indoors or Under Cover Whenever Possible
Vinyl wraps (just like paint) are degraded by prolonged exposure to sun and atmospheric pollutants, particularly on the horizontal surfaces such as hood, trunk lid and roof. Whenever possible, store in a garage or at least in a shaded area during the day. At night protect the car from dew or rain, which may contain acidic pollutants (a common problem in many large metropolitan areas). When a garage is not available, consider using a cloth car cover at night. If your wrap start to discolor or turn brown, immediately remove the wrap from the vehicle to avoid staining the underlying paint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use a mild car cleaning detergent and water mix that does not contain any strong soluble substances, alcohol or abrasive components. The detergent should have a pH balance between 5 and 9.
The vehicle should not be cleaned within the first 48 hours of the wrap being applied. After this 2-day period, it is recommended to wash your vehicle every 2 weeks.
Yes, as long as the wax does not contain petroleum distillates, which is found in many paste waxes. Products that are a combination of a waterless wash and wax are great options as long as the vehicle doesn't have a matte finish and isn't excessively dirty. Test the wax on an inconspicuous part of the vehicle first.
Spot clean contaminants, such as bird droppings, bug splatter, tree sap, and similar contaminants as soon as possible to avoid film damage. Start by soaking for several minutes with hot, soapy water. Then rinse thoroughly. You can spot clean with isopropyl alcohol and a clean, non-abrasive rag. If a harsher chemical is needed, be sure to test first in an inconspicuous area.
Use a waterless wash that is recommended for matte finishes. Waterless wash products containing wax can fill in the texture and cause shiny spots. A lighter matte finish will be prone to showing more dirt than other finishes. Use a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water to spot clean matte finish films. If the alcohol and water mix does not remove dirt, you can try using a hot soapy water solution. You can also try an all-purpose cleaner purchased at your local hardware store.
Ceramic Window Tint
Wrapped Whips offers a wide variety of automotive tint films that protect and enhance the look of your vehicle. Our automotive tint films are applied expertly, on-location in Peoria, AZ, providing protection from the sun's UV rays and powerful heat rejection to keep you and your vehicle protected.
Paint Protection Film
Keep your vehicle looking as new as the day you bought it with the help of our self-healing, extensively tested paint protection films. Our paint protection film stands up to flying rocks, bird droppings, salt, sand, and more. Now available in multiple finish and coverage options, it has never been easier to find the protection and price that is right for you and your vehicle.