Care Guide

Vinyl Wrap

Vehicle wraps are not meant to be installed and forgotten. Most of these car tips are the same tips a professional would give you to maintain and upkeep your original car paint.

The most important tip for longer lasting vibrant color is to keep your wrap protected from harsh UV rays. Wash your wrap on a regular basis, we recommended once a week. Add extra protection like a vinyl friendly ceramic coat or spray. Keeping your vehicle clean from debris, pollutants, contaminants that intensify exposure with the sun is key in extending the life of your vinyl wrap.

Please note vinyl wrap is not like car paint and is not meant to be left on your vehicle for an extended period (3-5 years) without some care. Based on the condition of your wrap it can become harder to remove, leaving the wrap cracking, fading and among other issues. If any brown spots or "sun cancer" is visible, we highly recommend having the vinyl removed to avoid further issues. Removal is always recommended with heat or steam. Like the rest of your vehicle, your wrap requires regular cleaning and maintenance. 

How long does the wrap last?

This a common question we hear from our customers.

Expect more life from your vinyl wrap if you live in a climate zone with less sun exposure (lower UV index), cooler climate, is protected from pollutants, and garage kept. Expected lifespans:

• Expected life for regular gloss and matte colors - Expected Life; 3 years, 3-5 with proper care
• Expected life for pearlescent, color shifting colors, pastel colors - Expected Life; 2 years, 3-4 with proper care
• Expected life for brighter, more fluorescent colors, and chrome finishes - Expected Life; 1 years, 2-3 with proper care

Vehicles in a climate zone with more exposure to continuous UV Rays (harsh sun exposure at high UV index), a daily driver, and are non-garage kept are expected to have a shorter lifespan with vinyl wrap. Expected lifespans:

• Expected life for regular gloss and matte colors - Expected Life; 2 years, 3-4 with proper care
• Expected life for pearlescent, color shifting colors, pastel colors - Expected Life; 1 years, 2-3 with proper care
• Expected life for brighter, more fluorescent colors, and chrome finish - Expected Life; 6 months, 1-1.5 with proper care

Will it affect my car paint?

Some people are looking to protect their paint with a vinyl wrap. This could work but our vinyl wraps were made for individuals who want a quick color change. Even though our vinyl wrap offers a “covering” for your vehicle, the true paint protector is PPF (paint protection film) which is now offered with color!

PPF is typically a clear film so you will be able to protect your vehicle and see the original color of the paint. Always understand the scope and possibilities of risks before wrapping your vehicle.

Potential issues during installation or removal can be caused by:

• Vehicles older than 5 years old (as the car ages, the paint ages)
• Body damage
• Poor factory paint or Repainted surfaces (non-OEM paintwork)
• Excessive UV Exposure or chemical exposure
• Rock chips, paint damage, weak clear coat
• poorly fitted panels that have had continuous abrasion with other panels, weakening the bond of paint
• Improper removal techniques, fast tearing / pulling, lack of heat during removal

Most installation professionals will not warranty repainted surfaces. Panels with paint issues before or during installation can be sanded and still have a successful installation. Cars sanded down to the metal are recommended to primer the panel prior to wrapping. If you plan to wrap your car that has exposed bare metal, please note; wraps can be pierced or not fully sealed which can allow moisture under the material. Rust may spread and affect your vehicles body panels.

Ask your professional installer about these additional costs for prep. A recipe for a successful vinyl installation and removal is limiting expectations, education and communication with your professional installer.

Please review all the below tips and information about how to receive the most life from vinyl wraps.

Proactive Care

CERAMIC COATING

With the right ceramic coating (professionally installed) and ceramic coating maintenance you can provide extra protection for your vehicle wraps. Ceramic coating provides an extra layer of protection between the elements and your vehicle wrap, just as it would for car paint. It provides a sacrificial layer between UV and chemical exposure and the material. Through testing we have seen this proven to expand the lifespan of vinyl color and longevity, in some cases by 1-2 years. 

Please check with your ceramic coating brand and make sure it is safe to use for vinyl wrap. Professional installation recommended. Ceramic coating can also be used for matte wraps but may add a light shine to the finish unless using a matte specific ceramic coating.

Recommended Care Product: 

PARKING OUTSIDE

A wrapped vehicle is no different then protecting regular vehicle paint. If your car is a daily driver, excessive amounts of time under the sun combined with exposure to other outdoor elements can degrade your wrap. Flat car surfaces are magnets for pollutant build up which is intensified by UV ray exposure.

UV light which can dry out various materials, vinyl wrap, and even paint being among them. Over time and overexposure will cause structural failure within the vinyl wrap, drying the material out causing cracking or stiffness. Try your best to park your car in a garage, shade, or consider a safe vented car cover.

Other elements that affect and lower the lifespan of vinyl wrap:

• Bird droppings and insect remains
• Debris, smog, pollen (pollen’s acidic nature is activated by water, which over time can permeate into the pores of vinyl wrap and paint)
• Morning dew or rain (water can be acidic and leaves pollutants that are left behind on the surface after the water evaporates) which can then etch in the vehicle
• Salt on the roads (areas where it snows), salt in the air (coastal regions)
• Ash (alkaline level of ashes are most active once wet, therefore it is best to clean the ash off with compressed air)

For stains such as bird droppings and others, clean them immediately. Letting anything sit for too long will make it harder to remove and may permanently damage or etch the wrap due to acidity. Wash your car on a regular basis to prevent stains from setting in.

Washing

Wash your wrap at least twice a week or more often if your vehicle is exposed to a lot of dirt or air borne pollutants.  You should hand wash your vehicle wrap using a good ph-neutral automotive soap.  Always use a good wash mitten to prevent scratches and swirling. We recommend the two-bucket wash system for effective cleaning without contamination. To minimize water spotting, avoid washing your vehicle under direct sunlight and drying the vehicle immediately. Dry with a clean microfiber cloth. 

DRIVE-THROUGH CAR WASHES

We highly advise against taking your vehicle through an automated car wash. The cleaning chemicals used inside these washes are not vinyl safe. These unsafe chemicals have proven to be too harsh on vinyl wrap and can cause issues. Not to mention the brushes can be abrasive and too rough on the wrap.

The same applies for touchless car washes, the high-pressure jets may also be too strong and can cause peeling and lifted edges.  Hand washing, with the proper cleaning products, is the preferred method for washing your vinyl wrapped vehicle.

PRESSURE WASHING

If you want to pressure wash your wrap, keep it below 2000 psi.  Use a spray nozzle with a 40 degree wide angle spray pattern and keep water temperature below 140 degrees Fahrenheit.  Keep the spray nozzle a safe distance away from edges to lifting edges or inlays. 

SPOT CLEANING / OTHER DIFFICULT STAINS

You can consider using a mixture of two parts 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol to one-part water to spot clean isolated stains.  Rinse the area with cool water after cleaning.  Avoid wiping the wrap under direct sunlight or when the wrap is hot as the material can get distorted and wrinkled.   Always test these solutions on a small area that is not easily noticeable to ensure the cleaner will not harm the wrap.  Do not use solvents, oil-based cleaning products, or products with carnauba wax.

FUEL SPILLS

Wipe off fuel spills immediately, then handwash the affected area.  Letting the spill stay on the wrap too long will degrade the vinyl.  A quick wipe with a wet towel will clean the fuel affected area decently enough until you can get home to do a more thorough job.

CLEANING PRODUCTS TO AVOID

Never, under any circumstances use any of the following cleaning products on your wrap.

• Solvents
• Products with Carnauba Wax
• Oil-based cleaners
• Kitchen & Bathroom/ Oven Cleaners
• Orange Oil
• Engine Degreaser

BROWNING OR RUST LIKE COLORING

Vinyl wrap will turn brown due to prolonged exposure to UV.  If you notice brown, discolored, or rust-colored areas on your wrap, it is best to remove the film from your vehicle to prevent damage to the paint beneath it and reapply a fresh wrap.  Often it is only necessary to replace the affected panel. Please be diligent in follow the above-mentioned procedures.  

Matte and Satin Vinyl Wrap – Additional Notes

Matte and Satin vinyl is also sensitive to long term adhesive etching into the vinyl - avoid leaving unwanted adhesives like tape or stickers to avoid affecting the material. With any matte and satin surface you are simply trying to clean it and keep it as original as possible.  Matte wraps are more sensitive than gloss vinyl wraps because it does not have an additional laminate layer that provides extra protection like gloss wraps. Use a wash soap and spot detailer that is meant for matte vinyl wraps.

Clear & Color PPF

Maintaining paint protection film is not any different than vinyl wrap. Despite this, PPF is much more resistant to UV and chemical Exposure. All previous recommendations for vinyl also apply to our paint protection film. 

How long does PPF last?

Expect more life from your PPF in comparison to your standard vinyl wraps. Expected lifespans:

• Expected life for Clear Pro Gloss, Matte, Matte & Satin Black - Expected Life; 7 Years, 7-10 with proper care
  
• Expected life for Clear Max Gloss & Matte - Expected Life; 10 Years
• Expected life for Dry Apply Color PPF - Expected Life; 10 Years
  
• Expected life for TPH Clear and Color - Expected Life; 5 years, 5-7 with proper care
  
  
  Removal
  
  Removal of paint protection is ALWAYS recommended with steam to help release the more tacky adhesive of the film. Paint peeling and adhesive residue is highly common in cases where PPF was removed improperly. Proper steam removal can help avoid any issues and often, prevent any issues regardless of the length of time the PPF was installed for.