If you are going to apply a vinyl wrap on your car, one of the most concerning issues must be: how to care for your vehicle wrap? How to wash it? Although the vehicle wrap can protect the painting job of cars or fleets, it does not mean that you don’t need to care for it after application. Below are some tips on caring for your vehicle wraps and graphics. They will help to keep your vinyl wraps looking their best and extend their lifespan.

Wash Regularly with Correct Method

Wash your wrap once a week or whenever the car appears dirty. If you allow the contaminants to remain, they will be more difficult to remove during cleaning. Use a spray of water to rinse off the dirt and grit first. Then hand washes your wrapped car using 3M™ Car Wash Soap 39000, or Meguiar’s NXT Generation® Car Wash or Deep Crystal® Car Wash. Always use a nice automotive sponge or clean, soft cloth to wash your wrap. At last, rinse the vehicle thoroughly with clear water. You can use a silicone squeegee to remove water, which can minimize water spotting. Then dry the surface with a clean microfiber cloth.

Automated or Drive-through Car Washes Not suggested

Hand washing is the preferred cleaning method. Although vinyl wraps may be run through automated car washes that use water spray and no brushes, hand washing is safer. Avoid brush car washes, because it may cause dulling, scratching, lifting edges of the graphics.

Pressure Washing under Certain Conditions

Pressure washing may be used, as long as the water pressure is kept below 2000 psi(14MPa), and the water temperature below 80℃. We suggest you use a 40-degree wide-angle spray nozzle and keep it at least 1 foot away from and perpendicular to the graphic. DO NOT spray from the edge of the vinyl wrap or graphics.

Difficult Contaminants

Bird droppings, bug splatter, tree sap, and similar contaminants need special care during the cleaning. You need to soak the contaminants with hot, soapy water and soften them. Then rinse thoroughly and dry. For stubborn contaminants, use denatured alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol(two parts IPA to 1 part water) to do a spot clean. 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 rough scrubbing or abrasive tools.

Fuel Spills

Wipe off fuel spills immediately to avoid degrading the vinyl and adhesive. Then handwash the affected area.

Avoid Waxes or polishes

We suggest you not wax or polish on your car wrap. It seems like a beautiful thing to do to keep a car looking glossy or protect the surface, but many of these waxes and polishes will harm the wrap and cause it to age faster. By nature of the wrap material, it is made to look glossy or matte, or metallic without any extra work, so a wash and dry will do just fine to keep it looking its best.

Store Indoors or Under Cover

ACME prints car graphics and wraps with premium 3M vinyl film and HP Latex ink. Afterward, we will add an overlaminate to protect the graphic furthermore. Although our vinyl car wraps are light-fade resistant, anti-scratch, and waterproof, excessive amounts of time under the sun or other outdoor severe weather conditions can degrade the wrap on the roof, trunk lid, and hood. So we suggest you park your car in a shaded area.

Cleaning Products to Avoid

Solvents
Oil-based cleaners
Kitchen & Bathroom Cleaners
Oven cleaner
Orange Oil
Engine Degreaser