How to Care for Your Car Wrap in Toronto
If you’ve been thinking about using vinyl wraps to promote your business, you may be wondering what kind of care they’ll need after installation. We’ve got good news for you: vehicle wraps are very low maintenance. There are just a few things you need to worry about if you want your wrap to last. Read our list of top tips and FAQs to learn how to care for your vinyl vehicle wrap.
5 Tips to Maintain Car Wraps in Toronto
Use Your Warranty
Many car wraps in Toronto come with a warranty for some time after their installation. If you encounter a problem within your warranty period, contact your car wrap company and have them do the work to fix it. You’ll save money by not funding the repairs yourself, and because the car wrap company knows exactly what your sign is made of and how it was installed, they’ll likely do better work than any outside company ever could.
Wash Them Twice a Month
Car wraps accumulate all sorts of chemicals, pollutants, and other debris while you drive them around. If you leave these contaminants there, they will eventually damage your wrap’s vinyl. Wash your car twice a month with a pH-neutral cleaner to keep your vehicle wrap in peak condition and looking great.
Avoid Automatic Washes
Car washes may be convenient, but most aren’t designed for vehicles with wraps on them. Many use stiff-bristled brushes and high-power water jets that could damage your vinyl if you’re not careful. To be safe, wash your vehicles yourself using a gentle cleanser and a soft cloth.
Avoid Getting Too Much Outdoor Exposure
Your vehicle is exposed to many different contaminants while outside, including damaging UV rays. Keep it in a shady area or indoors as much as possible to keep these things from fading or corroding your vehicle wrap.
Get Solar Film Tinting
If you know your car will be out in the sun a lot, consider getting solar film tinting on your vinyl wrap to protect it from the sun’s UV rays. This tinting will help your wrap last longer and won’t affect the aesthetics of your wrap design.
Questions About Maintaining Your Vehicle Wrap
How Often Should I Wash My Vehicle Wrap?
Car wraps in Toronto are exposed to a lot of pollutants, so it’s a good idea to wash them at least once a week. Use a gentle automotive detergent and a clean microfibre cloth to avoid damaging the vinyl.
Can I Take My Vehicle to a Drive Through Car Wash?
Car washes are not recommended for vinyl-wrapped vehicles. While some car washes are gentle enough not to cause problems, many use harsh chemicals, high-pressure water jets, and hard-bristled brushes that can lift, scratch, or tear the vinyl covering. To be safe, wash your wrapped vehicle by hand with soap and water and soft brushes or cloths.
What Should I Use for Spot Cleaning?
You can use a cloth dipped in isopropyl rubbing alcohol to clean up most stains on your vinyl vehicle wrap. Be sure to rinse the alcohol off afterward, and don’t apply it while the vehicle is hot. If you do, you could permanently warp the vinyl.
Can I Use a Pressure Washer on My Vehicle Wrap?
Yes, but only on lower settings (below 2000 psi). Hold the nozzle at least a foot away from the vehicle and use a wide-angle spray pattern to keep any one area from absorbing too much of the impact.
How Do I Clean Bird Droppings, Insects, Tree Sap, and Other Stubborn Stains from My Vehicle Wrap?
Soak the affected area in soapy water for a few minutes as soon as possible, then wash the area clean. If that doesn’t work, try using some isopropyl alcohol on the site. The sooner you attempt to clean these stains off your car, the easier it will be to remove them.
What Should I Do About Gas or Fuel Spills?
If you spill any fuel on your vehicle wraps in Toronto, wipe the fuel off immediately with water and a cloth or a paper towel. Hand-wash the area with soap and water as soon as you have the chance.
Can I Park My Vehicle Outdoors for Long Periods?
Yes, but it’s best to park it in the shade whenever you can. Car wraps, truck wraps, and trailer wraps can degrade when it’s exposed to smog, debris, road pollution, and especially UV rays from the sun. For best results, keep your car parked in a garage.
My Wrap Is Turning Brown. What Should I Do?
Vehicle wraps turn brown when they’re exposed to too many pollutants. There’s no way to reverse this process, so you’ll have to remove the wrap and replace it with a new one. If the browning is only present in one area, you may be able to replace the affected portion while keeping the rest of the wrap intact.
What Products Should I Avoid When Cleaning Vehicle Wraps?
Do not use solvents, oil-based cleaners, engine degreasers, or kitchen, bathroom, or oven cleaners on your vinyl wrap. Even natural products like orange oil may harm your vinyl wrap, so stick to soap and isopropyl alcohol.
Why Is Extra Care for a Car Wrap Essential?
Fleet wrap graphics are part of your company’s advertising strategy. If they look dirty, faded, or generally worn out, that could impact your audience’s perception of your business. Taking extra time to keep your car wraps looking their best helps your company always put its best foot forward, even when you think no one is looking.
Get Attention-Grabbing High-Quality Car Wraps in Toronto
Fleet graphics don’t need much special care, and that’s just one of the many things that makes them such a great advertising strategy. Want to see for yourself? Contact us to learn more about car wrapping in Toronto and upgrade your fleet with branded vinyl wrap signage today.
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