Are you looking for an affordable way to customize your car? Worried that a new paint job will take too long or be too expensive? Or do you have a fear of commitment? Don’t worry; we get it.
Wrapping your car could be the way to go. Vinyl wraps cost a lot less than custom paint jobs. Plus, they’re easy to remove. This makes vehicle wraps an excellent solution for people who love switching up their style. But is a vinyl car wrap easy to maintain?
Just like any other investment, vehicle wraps require regular cleaning and maintenance. This ensures you’ll get the most enjoyment from your wrap. We’ve created this handy guide to make vehicle wrap maintenance a breeze. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to keep your vehicle wrap in tip-top shape.
What is a Vehicle Wrap?
Think of vinyl car wrap like a giant sticker. Car wrapping is the aftermarket practice of partially or entirely covering your vehicle’s original paint with vinyl wraps.
At G-Force Films, we’re proud to use premium vinyl wraps from leading brands, including Orafol, Avery Dennison, 3M, Hexis, and Cheetah Wrap. These quality wraps feature unrivaled colors, patterns, and durability.
To extend the lifespan of your vehicle wrap, you need to maintain it properly.
Why Is It Beneficial to Maintain a Vehicle Wrap?
While vehicle wraps provide superior protection for the paint underneath, they aren’t invincible. Car wraps are prone to scratching and fading.
Some of the top benefits of vehicle wrap include:
Endless Options
Car wraps come in countless options. There are endless colors, textures, and materials to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a glossy purple or a matte black, there’s a wrap that suits your style!
No Need for Commitment
An important thing to remember is that vehicle wrap is intended to be temporary. This makes car wraps the perfect option for people who lease vehicles or want to return their car to its original appearance before selling it.
Maintaining your vinyl car wrap allows you to enjoy it for as long as possible.
How to Clean a Vehicle Wrap
The first step to maintaining your vehicle wrap is washing it properly. You should wash your wrap once weekly or whenever your vehicle is exposed to dirt and grime.
Never, EVER take your wrapped car to an automated car wash. This is the quickest way to damage the wrap. Also, avoid using abrasive polishes, cutting compounds, and isopropyl alcohol. If you don’t have these products, a mild detergent auto-specific shampoo will do the trick.
Start by softening hard-to-remove contaminants, like bird bombs or bug splatter, by soaking them in hot, soapy water. Rinse these areas thoroughly and dry them with a clean microfiber towel.
Afterward, clean the rest of the wrap using the two-bucket method. Use one bucket for suds and the other for rinsing your sponge or mitt AFTER touching the car and BEFORE dunking the mitt into the suds bucket again.
How to Repair a Vehicle Wrap
You can’t repair vinyl wrap yourself unless you have the original design file, a multi-thousand-dollar large-format printer, and specialized software. It’s a job best left to the professionals.
Call G-Force Films’ vinyl wrap specialists today if your vehicle wrap gets torn. We’ll seamlessly match the color and scale for a flawless fit. After we’re done, you won’t be able to tell your car wrap was ever damaged in the first place!
How to Store a Vehicle Wrap
Like paint, vehicle wraps will degrade from prolonged exposure to UV rays and outside contaminants. The most significant damage will be along horizontal surfaces, like the roof or hood.
If you can, park your car in a garage, carport, or shaded area during the day. We recommend investing in a cloth car cover if you don’t have a carport or garage.
3 Tips for Prolonging the Life of a Vehicle Wrap
Use these three tips to extend the life of your vehicle wrap.
- If you spill gas on your car wrap, hand wash the affected area immediately. Letting the spill soak will degrade the vinyl.
- Never use solvents, oil-based cleaners, kitchen and bathroom cleaners, engine degreasers, or orange oil to clean your vinyl wrap.
- Invest in paint protection film (PPF) to keep your wrap looking fresh as long as you have it.
25 Years of Automotive Detailing Excellence
Want to customize your car? If so, consider getting it wrapped at G-Force Films. Our specialists have provided stunning results to Savannah motorists for over a decade. We offer superior window tinting, PPF, graphics, and striping services.
To learn more, contact G-Force today by calling 912-655-2888. We look forward to hearing from you!
- DIY vs. Professional Ceramic Coating: Car Owners Share Their Experience - September 18, 2024
- Paint Protection Film and Vinyl Wrap: What’s the Difference? - September 4, 2024
- Professional vs. DIY Window Tinting: A Tale of Two Car Owners - April 22, 2024