Getting your fleet or personal vehicle wrapped in a vinyl wrap? It’s a great idea for personal or corporate branding, but there are a few things to know beforehand when it comes to keeping them clean and protecting them.
Since it can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $7,000 per vehicle to have it professionally wrapped depending on the size and scope of the project, it’s essential to know how to approach both washing and protecting your vinyl vehicle wrap.
Keep in mind that the same principle applies to both vinyl lettering or full vehicle wraps that contain images.
In this post, I’ll answer 10 frequently asked questions when it comes to keeping a vinyl wrap clean and protected.
Typically, it’s best to wait 12 to 48 hours or longer after having a vehicle wrapped before attempting a wash. This is to allow for the adhesion process to take place to ensure the film permanently bonds to the surface.
This generally takes a couple of days under warm conditions but could take a couple of weeks under colder conditions. Since you probably won’t need to wash it immediately after being wrapped, waiting at least a couple of weeks is a good idea.
In general, a pH-neutral car wash shampoo like Meguiar’s Gold Class is a good option for washing a wrapped car. I personally love Meguiar’s products, and their Gold Class product is really top-notch in my opinion.
Keep in mind that if you have a vehicle that has a matte wrap or is a matte finish, some products won’t add any gloss or streaks like this product by Jay Leno’s Garage.
When it comes to soaps, some contain more waxes and other things that make things shine, so it’s a matter of personal preference. If the decals or wrap you have are matte in finish, it’s best to go with a soap that’s designed for this type of finish to avoid streaking.
Basically, all consumer soaps are pH neutral, so just be sure to dilute them as recommended. Some commercial 2-step wash products that use stronger acids (used to clean semi-truck trailers) are really the only products that could give you issues. However, since trailers are painted, it’s not an issue.
So it’s really less of a car soap/shampoo issue and more of a technique issue.
For cars that have been vinyl-wrapped or contain stickers, it’s best to wash by hand, and avoid scrubbing or applying pressure to the edges of the decal to avoid peeling.
You also want to avoid automatic car washes for this reason. Stickers (especially letters and numbers) generally are more susceptible to peeling off over time than large wraps.
Always avoid scrubbing and being heavy-handed during the washing and drying process as well.
In general, pressure washing a wrapped car isn’t a great idea either by hand or by an automatic car wash.
While pressure washing a vinyl car wrap likely will be okay assuming you use a pressure lower than 2,000 PSI and using a 40-degree spray angle (as recommended by manufacturers like 3M), it’s not the recommended cleaning method.
You should avoid pressure washing a wrapped vehicle since edges are susceptible to peeling when pressure is applied.
Vinyl wrap manufacturers like 3M recommend not applying vehicle wax to your wrap in order to protect it. Some waxes contain a fair amount of abrasives, which can potentially cause damage to some surfaces, especially if applied with a polisher.
For the most part, it’s best to avoid applying any kind of abrasive polish to a vinyl wrap unless you are a professional.
However, for vinyl wraps that may be nearing the end of their life, it is a technique that can be used to restore luster. Keep in mind, for best results you’d want to use a vinyl-safe polish. This video describes the process:
When it comes to protection, it’s best to apply a vinyl-safe protectant like this Aerospace protectant you can find here on Amazon assuming your wrap doesn’t have a matte finish.
This stuff is widely used in the industry and is a quality product for these types of surfaces. Many last step products in the spray-on category contain UV protection, just make sure you select one designed for vinyl.
This Meticulous Matte Detailer and Spray Sealant by Chemical Guys is another great U-V blocking option for protecting a matte wrap that you can try.
There are several ways to protect a vinyl wrap, and each offers varying levels of protection. The best way to protect a vinyl-wrapped car is to apply a paint protection film; however, since it’s one more layer to worry about applying without wrinkles, I don’t advise for most.
A good spray-on wax or sealant will protect a vinyl wrap just fine for most people. Meguiar’s and Chemical Guys made pretty good products in this category.
If you do decide on a PPF, it’s best to have them applied professionally; they do offer protection from susceptible areas like hoods and bumpers.
If you have an organic substance that has stained your car wrap, the best course of action is to start by washing and drying the surface.
From there, it’s best to use a vinyl-safe cleaner like Meguiar’s M3916, designed specifically for cleaning vinyl surfaces or whatever the manufacturer recommends.
It’s best to stay away from isopropyl alcohol, especially since it can remove ink on matte surfaces. If you are uncomfortable or unsure, it’s best to find a local body shop or auto detailer for the job.
When it comes to drying, vinyl is much less forgiving than a car’s clear coat, especially when it comes to water spots.
For this reason, I would recommend using a microfiber towel to dry the surface immediately after washing. It’s best to work in sections. You can also choose to apply a last step vinyl protectant to remove any underwater water spots that may remain.
The hands-down best method to protect a vinyl wrap from fading is to garage the vehicle when not in use. If this is not an option, using a paint protection film is your next best bet.
You also have the option to purchase a large canopy or a car cover.
Overall, getting an entire vehicle or fleet wrapped is definitely an investment, but prices will vary based on your needs.
For commercial vehicles, large vinyl decals and lettering will be much more affordable than a complete vehicle wrap, so it’s simply a matter of personal preference.
Have anything else to add? Let me know in the comments.
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